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DarkBASIC Professional Discussion / Content Packing

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Sph!nx
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Posted: 13th Aug 2011 23:53 Edited at: 14th Aug 2011 00:08
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Hey everybody, I'm working on a 'content packer', similar to WinZip and WinRar, using the Enhancement pack code for file blocks.

However, I find the commands for finding and identifying files within the pack file quite lacking. The ...
-command does not retrieve the info if the file is a folder instead, like the...
-command does. I kinda need this to make sub-folders within the pack file.

Here are my questions: Are there any alternatives to the Enhancement pack file blocks?

And is it legal to use WinRar files to pack content (for potential commercial purposes)?

Here is an image, so you can see what kind of app i'm working on. You can see it cannot make the difference of files and folders in the pack list (right).


Thanks a lot!

Regards Sph!nx
http://www.mental-image.net
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 16th Aug 2011 22:44 Edited at: 16th Aug 2011 22:46
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I've patiently waited untill my thread went to the 2nd page before bumping it... -Bump- .. but I still need help with this.

What would be the best way to do content packing?

Regards Sph!nx
http://www.mental-image.net
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Bluespark
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 01:35
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Smart Packer Pro, perhaps?
I've never used this, however, so I can't be sure.
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 09:22 Edited at: 17th Aug 2011 09:23
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Thanks for your reply.

I always thought I could use that yeah, but now I do get the impression Smart packers creates single exes with packed content. That's not excactly what I need. For my purposes I need the ability to create my pwn packs, with a folder structure in those packs and preferably being able to load content right from the pack but still have my own independent exe.

Basically, I need what I already use, but the problem of not being able to search for filetypes within the packs prevents me from making my own proper winzip/winrar.

Regards Sph!nx
http://www.mental-image.net
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mrniceguy
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 10:33
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Currently we are working on the feature OnDemand which extracts files on demand to the virtual filesystem

About folder structure, this is already supported in the current version.

If you need more information just let me know.

Smart Packer Pro - Distribute games and applications
V-Packer for Games - Compress your game files into one executable
Flash Packer - Pack your Flash movies
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 13:49
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Thanks for your reply, mrniceguy (Jackie Chan movie, no? ),

So, if I understand right, with the OnDemand feature I could have seperate content packs and exe, and the exe could then read/use the content right from the pack? If so, you will surely have a new customer.

I need this feature, because I'm building my own engine, editor and tools that all must have access to the same content packs.

Regards Sph!nx
http://www.mental-image.net
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mrniceguy
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 14:10 Edited at: 17th Aug 2011 14:42
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Yes Jackie Chan

Normally all files are extracted to the virtual files system. With OnDemand feature no files except the packed exe are extracted and can the packed exe extract a single file to the virtual file system.

It is possible to build a seperate archive and packed exe. The archive can for example be updated via the build-in download feature. Unfortunately multiple archives are currently not supported.

BTW we are investigating if supporting multiple archives would be possible in a new product

Smart Packer Pro - Distribute games and applications
V-Packer for Games - Compress your game files into one executable
Flash Packer - Pack your Flash movies
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 14:55 Edited at: 17th Aug 2011 14:57
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Nice! Though I could do with a single pack for now, the engine and tools are created with flexibility and compatibility in mind. Multiple packs is prefered for that.

I'm guessing I will have to do with the fileblock commands from the enhancement library, without a directory structure in the packs, for now and make the transition to Smart Packer if/when the new features are implemented.

Is there a mailing list I can subscribe to for news regarding that in the future (I already follow the official TGC newsletters though)?

Thanks!

Regards Sph!nx
http://www.mental-image.net
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Jambo B
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 17:58
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Ooo! This sounds interesting... so I'd be able to have the exe without any media in it, and a packed file with all my gfx/wav/mp3s?

If so, that's just what I've been looking for.

James
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mrniceguy
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 18:20 Edited at: 17th Aug 2011 18:21
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@Sph!nx
Just send an e-mail and I will add you to our mailinglist!

@Jambo B
Yes that is roughly the idea. We are still investigating the possibilities for this new product.

Smart Packer Pro - Distribute games and applications
V-Packer for Games - Compress your game files into one executable
Flash Packer - Pack your Flash movies
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 18:48
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Thanks mate. Email has been send!

Regards Sph!nx
http://www.mental-image.net
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Mobiius
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 18:49
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I'd just pack them all into a rar file and use the rar plugin to unpack the required files. I did this in one of the games I'm working on, and it worked quite well. Even password protected the files to prevent unauthorised accessing.

My signature is NOT a moderator plaything! Stop changing it!
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 17th Aug 2011 23:03 Edited at: 17th Aug 2011 23:05
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The "rar plugin"? Could you elaborate a bit more?

Regards Sph!nx
http://www.mental-image.net
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Booma
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Posted: 18th Aug 2011 19:09 Edited at: 18th Aug 2011 19:09
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PhysicsFS is very interesting solution http://icculus.org/physfs/ You can download DBPro sources and wrap some functions with PhysicsFS or make the plugin. Some time ago I experimented with this library - very fast) Sorry I am far far away from my home PC, but you can extract dll's from my demo and test this Lib http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=182774&b=1 This demo based on PhysicsFS.
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Bluespark
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Posted: 18th Aug 2011 19:50 Edited at: 18th Aug 2011 19:50
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PhysicsFS?
I am very interested. But exactly how do I extract the dll's from your demo? Once I do that, how do I use them in a DBPro program?
Thanks a lot, Booma.
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Booma
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Posted: 19th Aug 2011 11:17 Edited at: 19th Aug 2011 11:26
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Simply run the demo executable and see in \Documents and Settings\%User%\Local Settings\Temp\dbpdata there are you can find all dll that application use. You need dbprobasic3ddebug.dll and dbproimagedebug.dll Open this dll's with Restorator and look at Resource Table there are all commands you need some of them begining with physfs. Put this dll's in your Compiler\Plugins folder and use PHYSFS ADD IMAGE PACK, PHYSFS LOAD IMAGE, PHYSFS ADD OBJECT PACK, PHYSFS LOAD OBJECT I don't remember exactly. But it will be better if you write your wraper or plugin for PhysicFS because demo based on DBPro 7.5
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Bluespark
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Posted: 20th Aug 2011 00:30
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I was able to find the dbpdata folder and the two dll's you stated. I do not have Restorator, so I cannot look at the Resource Table. Could you give me a list of commands and parameters? Also how do I make the pak file with all the content? And also how did you make the pck file?
I acknowledge that I am asking a lot here, but would really appreciate it if you could do this.
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Booma
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Posted: 20th Aug 2011 11:57
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Pck file it is one of DBPro possibilities, pck сontains all dll's for main program. For *.pak files I am use PakExplorer http://quakestuff.telefragged.com/ but you can use zip or any other formats from PhysicsFS list.

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Bluespark
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Posted: 20th Aug 2011 18:57
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Ah, I see.
I really appreciate the information. Thanks.
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2011 10:40 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2011 10:41
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Yes thanks, Booma. Gonna take a look how this might fit in my project.

Regards Sph!nx
http://www.mental-image.net
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