Entity Files

from Sins Forums

I've seen a few posts floating around about not being able to read the .entity files, but none seem to apply to me... at least I don't think.

When I open the .entity files in notepad/wordpad, I get something like this:

BIN
   P l a y e r    I D S _ P L A Y E R R A C E N A M E _ T E C H        ... etc

I am to understand that there is a file I can run to convert the binary to something readable?

I think it's important to mention that I am still running Sins v1.05 and do not plan on updating.

Thanks.

modding
3,645 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Looks like you are still running binary. The developers have the text versions avaliable for download, though I don't think 1.05 is up anymore... there is a program that can convert it, but again it might have been taken down...

 

Hopefully, someone will still have 1.05 reference data that will be able to send it to you.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

I used this to convert from BIN to TXT and then back:

http://postdownload.filefront.com/12831279//c0ef2dfdcbfe4192e8ab896497d5639d2c83392d995364e18d30ba8530e72383e8cd4bdd0c286f7e

It is basically a UI for the converter already in your Sins of a Solar Empire directory.

Be aware that it assumes ConvertData.exe is in C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\, so if it's not there, you have to make that directory structure and put it there. I'm in Vista so mine was in \Program Files (x86)\.

I imagine someone has an easier way, but I was not clever enough to find it.

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Downloaded and made sure the ConvertData.exe was in the proper directory and all I get are errors.  =[

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Ya I keep getting that jiberish to I've been trying to change the cost of things. I mean how does a carrier cost the same as a battelship?

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

You can also just download the latest Forge Tools that have the Reference Data in text so you don't need to bother with the converter.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Okay, I found what you're talking about, Annatar11.

If I change the values I want to change and just place these in the proper directory, will it work?  Or do I need to convert them back to binary?

(Thanks for pointing that out btw!)

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

The files will work without converting them back to binary.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

I believe you also have to add the files you changed to the entity.manifest file if you're modding Entrenchment. The documentation should be updated with the new process?

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

Annatar,

If I download the forge tools, and open the gameinfo folder, and copy all the files inside, then paste them into the gameinfo folder in the sins directory overwriting all the BIN .entity files, the game will still work using the txt formatted files?

 

If this is true this would make things a lot easier, as I have been converting them from BIN to TXT, editing them, then converting from TXT back to BIN.

Which is kinda a pain.

So will it work if over written with the TXT .entity files?

Oh I am on 1.15 Original Sins btw.

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

It should work fine from text. I can't say I've ever tried it in the install folder, but it does read texts as a mod so I don't see why it wouldn't.

I'd still back them up before you try. I also wouldn't recommend modding the default files, but if you're so sure about it :P

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

The mods I do on the original entity files are small things such as increasing the resource asteroids around a planet and things of that nature.

I always make a copy of the original file I am working on, just in case it goes sour and I can overwrite it back to original state if needed.

Only way to learn is to dig in deep and gets your hands dirty :-P

 

I will try and overwrite the BIN .entity tonight with the .txt versions and test the game out when I get off work.

 

I will post back here if it works or not unless someone beats me to it.

 

*EDIT - This did work with 1.04 version while I was working on it. When I opened the .entity files in 1.04 they were in txt format and the game still worked fine. I have no clue though if it will work at 1.15.