Planet Coaster modding... Is it possible?

[gregorburns]

As I've stated many times, the devs are okay with all this as I have discussed things directly with them in the past. One thing I will not do is share OVL files, any form of tool for extracting assets from them, or any details of how they work, as I'm pretty sure that will violate the game's EULA. When the time comes however, it is possible I may be able to release tools that allow the importing of new assets without exposing any sensitive content. With the DLC issue you mentioned, there is indeed a vulnerability there, but it is not of interest to me. Perhaps Frontier should take note of that.

One thing should be noted however, though I have been in discussion with devs about this, they have not given me any special privileges in regards to modding, and they certainly have not told me how. All the information I have about the files has come from my own investigations in a hex editor, and with lots and lots of writing and rewriting C programs. So if people don't want to wait for me to provide what they want, everything I know is available to them assuming they have a copy of the game, a decent hex editor, some basic knowledge of bits & bytes and a lot of patience.

 

[Falqonone]

Did i drink too much or are those walls really weird [wink]

https://i.imgur.com/IC1SGog.png

Wow, that seriously changes up the level of detail and custom building you go to with such freedom. Hopefully is non code smart people will be able to do it as well [woah]

 

[Ramm]

So another week has passed, are there any updates? ^^

 

[briantjuh94]

So another week has passed, are there any updates? ^^

You could also just wait, pushing them will not make it go any faster. I think updates will come in due time, pushing never made anything better!

 

[Ramm]

You could also just wait, pushing them will not make it go any faster. I think updates will come in due time, pushing never made anything better!

Not trying to push though I understand things like this take time. I'm mostly just interested in the process. Even if it's very small or non-exciting stuff i'm very curious how it goes.

 

[rrobnett]

I started looking at the ovl files yesterday. With the help of an open source program 'Cobra Overlay Extractor', I have been able to decipher a lot of the contents. The program does not extract the zlib portion of the files. It is throwing an error that I am currently trying to debug. I am only a casual coder and would except any help that could be provided. In the meantime I will keep forging ahead and post anything I discover.

 

[Ramm]

I started looking at the ovl files yesterday. With the help of an open source program 'Cobra Overlay Extractor', I have been able to decipher a lot of the contents. The program does not extract the zlib portion of the files. It is throwing an error that I am currently trying to debug. I am only a casual coder and would except any help that could be provided. In the meantime I will keep forging ahead and post anything I discover.

Thanks for sharing now maybe more people will start looking into this which makes the progress faster.

I might try to find out how to do this now too, it may give me a reason to get back to planet coaster.

 

[rrobnett]

As it turns out. The Cobra Overlay Extractor does work on most of the 'OVL" files. It outputs 2 files.

1) XML file that appears to contain asset names and (I think a byte location for the asset).

2)A file that contains the uncompressed ZLIB portion of the "OVL" file.

Now I need to figure out how to get to each 'assets' information within the uncompressed file.

I could use some guidance as to whether I am on the right path.

So now on too some more time researching and staring at a HEX editor.

 

[Joël]

As it turns out. The Cobra Overlay Extractor does work on most of the 'OVL" files. It outputs 2 files.

1) XML file that appears to contain asset names and (I think a byte location for the asset).

2)A file that contains the uncompressed ZLIB portion of the "OVL" file.

Now I need to figure out how to get to each 'assets' information within the uncompressed file.

I could use some guidance as to whether I am on the right path.

So now on too some more time researching and staring at a HEX editor.

Exciting times! Good luck with figuring out how the OVL files work! [up]

 

[rrobnett]

I think the uncompressed data is similar to a file system with 1 or more directories. Each of these directories contain a specified number of files and that the location of these elements are accessed using a "hash" value.

Right now I just hope I am on the right path??????

 

[Schabrackenaal]

I have to admit that I don#t have a clue about modding but I want to say thank you for all of you who put so much effort in this and spend your free time to make things possible. Thank you!!!!! [big grin]:rex::face::captlockjaw:

 

[rrobnett]

After spending several days staring at a hex editor I have made a few discoveries.

1) Do not use Cobra Overlay Extractor. It might give some insight as to where to start looking. Apart from that it has some major flaws.

2) I am 99% sure that I can display the structure of all OVL files in a hex editor. This is what has taken the most amount of time to establish.

3) The structure of the ovl files follows the same pattern, but what sections each ovl file contains can very widely. Drilling down into these differences will be my next step, along with writing a procedure to display this info in a viable format.

4) The OVL file does tell you when there will be an associated OVS file. Now to figure out why some files have them and others do not.

I know it does not seem like there is much here and while it may not allow us to get any UGC into the game. It may provide us the means by which to modify the behavior of existing content. It would also be cool to find out how the ovl files are wired into the game and is it possible to get a new ovl file to be accepted by the game.

 

[En Anu]

I know it does not seem like there is much here and while it may not allow us to get any UGC into the game. It may provide us the means by which to modify the behavior of existing content. It would also be cool to find out how the ovl files are wired into the game and is it possible to get a new ovl file to be accepted by the game.

With your findings it might be possible to manipulate the animatronics structure this is an exciting opportunity

 

[gregorburns]

 

[Joël]

 

[Chems]

uhmm?

 

[rrobnett]

Well ... it is nice to see that gregorburns is still viewing this post. It would be really cool if he would chime in. I will admit that I am a little concerned by his last post. Knowing Steven Colberts reputation, am I being watched or mocked. LOL .... either way it is good to see he is still around.

 

[Vampiro]

Well ... it is nice to see that gregorburns is still viewing this post. It would be really cool if he would chime in. I will admit that I am a little concerned by his last post. Knowing Steven Colberts reputation, am I being watched or mocked. LOL .... either way it is good to see he is still around.

I can assure you he's still spending a LOT of time on this [wink] No worries

 

[gregorburns]

Well ... it is nice to see that gregorburns is still viewing this post. It would be really cool if he would chime in. I will admit that I am a little concerned by his last post. Knowing Steven Colberts reputation, am I being watched or mocked. LOL .... either way it is good to see he is still around.

On a serious note you are on the right tracks. Maybe we can work together in the future, but I'll let you get to the heart of it by yourself first. [happy]

 

[breezerHOG1]

Are you trying to tell us you got the game working in 3D or VR? (yea I know the frame rate would be deadly [ugh])