Getting started with modding

Tools and Preparations

To perform map porting, configuration editing, and asset validation, several supporting tools are commonly used. The list below outlines recommended software solutions for working with game resources packed in .pak archives, editing configuration files, and viewing texture data.

Archive management tools

An archive tool is necessary for interacting with .pak files. It enables browsing, extraction, and repackaging of game assets.

Recommendations:

  • 7-Zip – lightweight and open-source; supports command-line and GUI modes.

  • WinRAR, PeaZip, or Total Commander – suitable alternatives with advanced search or integration capabilities.

In documentation and examples, 7-Zip is used as the reference tool.

Text editors and comparison tools

Configuration files such as .def, .set, .inc, and .txt require a reliable text editor for inspection and modification.

Recommendations:

  • Notepad++ – supports syntax highlighting, encoding control, and plug-in extensions.

  • Visual Studio Code – an alternative with integrated file navigation and version control.

  • WinMerge – useful for comparing file revisions in parallel.

Suggested extension for Notepad++: Compare Plugin — enables side-by-side comparison of two files.

Install Compare Plugin:

  1. Launch Notepad++

  2. Go to Plugins → Plugins Admin

  3. Search for Compare

  4. Check the box and press Install

  5. Accept any UAC prompts

  6. Notepad++ will restart automatically

DDS viewing tools

For previewing .dds texture files outside of the game editor, third-party viewers can be helpful — particularly when identifying texture variants or working with PBR replacements.

Recommendations:

  • DDS Viewer – provides standalone viewing of .dds files.

  • SageThumbs – adds thumbnail preview support for .dds in Windows Explorer.

These tools are optional but may significantly improve workflow when analyzing legacy texture usage.

Working with .pak archives

All game resources are organized into folders and archived using the .pak format. Archives that contain configuration files essential for gameplay modifications are not encrypted, making it possible to extract or browse files directly.

To explore the contents of .pak archives, you can use standard archive management tools that recognize .pak files as ZIP-compatible containers. These tools allow you to browse, search, and extract files using a graphical interface.

Tool
License
Associate .pak extension
How to Search Inside Archives

7-Zip File Manager

Free / Open Source

Tools → Options → System → Add .pak (requires Admin rights)

Press F4 or go to Tools → Find, enable “Search in archives”, enter a mask or regex, and start the search.

WinRAR

Commercial (non-expiring trial)

Settings → Integration → Add .pak

Press Alt + F7, check “Search in archives”, set a filename mask, and WinRAR will return a list of matching files with archive context.

PeaZip

Free / Open Source

Options → File associations → Add .pak

Click the search icon or press F3 to open in-archive search. PeaZip supports recursive search through nested folders and archives.

Total Commander

Shareware (€42, trial supported)

Configuration → Packer → Associate .pak with 7z.dll

Use Alt + F7, enable “Search in archives”. Advanced search supports multi-archive and nested archive scanning.

Windows File Explorer

Free

Rename .pak to .zip

Use the Search Tools ribbon → enable “Search inside compressed folders”. Explorer will index ZIPs and return hits like regular files.

FAR

Free / Open Source

Install 7-Zip or MultiArc plugin; associate .pak with ZIP-compatible unpacker

Open .pak archive as a directory. Press Alt + F7 to search by filename inside archives and subfolders. Plugin must support ZIP format (e.g., 7z).

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