Gamedev:Archives

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The first step in understanding how Spring is put together is to understand where the filetypes came from and how the files are organized, and what all the different files do. In Spring, there are several formats you can use, including relic supported TA formats and standards such as zlib and 7zip.

In Total Annihilation, all files were compressed with a format known as HAPI. Files of this format included .HPI, .UFO, .CCX, and .GP3. For all practical purposes, you can think of the HPI file like their own home-grown ZIP file, containing its own directory structure and groups of files. All HAPI files are compressed in the same way, the only difference is the extension used.

Spring also supports reading from zlib zip and non-solid 7zip files. The filenames for these compression types must be .SDZ for zlib and .SD7 for 7zip respectively. They are standard files, just with different extensions for Spring. Here's a list of all filetypes supported by Spring; a higher read order means the contents of a file of that extension will take priority over files of a lower read order.

An interesting twist is that map archivse can be placed into the /maps/ folder and contains another /maps/ folder inside the archive.

Read Order	File Extension	Compression Method	Description
1	SD7	Non-Solid 7zip	A 7zip file with the extension changed to .SD7. These files have the same structure as an HAPI file, they are just compressed in a different manner. 7zip compressed archives generally have the highest compression (and therefore lowest filesizes). Files of this type are read first, so any filetypes encountered after .SD7 with the same data will take priority. For example, if you have ARMCOM.FBI in an SD7 file, and a modified version of ARMCOM.FBI in a CCX file, the CCX version will be used.
2	SDZ	ZLIB ZIP	A zlib ZIP file with the extension changed to .SDZ. These files have the same structure as an HAPI file, they are just compressed in a different manner. Maps and mods alike can be stored in these files. These are read second.
3	HPI	HAPI	One of the HAPI file format extensions. These are read third.
4	UFO	HAPI	Another HAPI file extension. Fourth in line of being read.
5	CCX	HAPI	Yet another HAPI file. These are fifth in the chain of being read.
6	GP3	HAPI	The sixth in the chain of files being read.
7	SWX	HAPI	The seventh in the chain of command of files. This extension was originally used by the Star Wars Total Annihilation mod, but Spring doesn't care whether or not it's actually used for SWTA. It is an HAPI file.
8	GP4	HAPI	The eighth filetype read. Any data in a .GP4 file will override any other compressed data in any other files. This is also an HAPI file.

The best tools to use to view the contents of a compressed Spring file, and to pack and unpack the contents of such a file are:

• HPIView to view, browse, and extract HAPI files.
• HPIPack to pack HAPI files.
• WinRAR to view, browse, extract, and pack SDZ files, or to browse SD7 files.
• 7zip to view, browse, extract, and pack SD7 files.
• HPIEdit to view, extract and pack HPI, SDZ or SD7 files.
• HPI Manager to view extract and pack HPI files aswell.

There are many other utilities that can also serve the same purpose. Peruse FileUniverse if for some reason the tools listed here don't suit you.

anims	Mod_Development:Cursors	Cursors
download	Units:Download_TDF	Information to assign a unit to a location on a given build menu.
features		Contains information about miscellaneous features, such as corpses, trees, scars, etc., that may or may not be specific to particular maps or map types.
\corpses	TDF	Information about wreckage left behind when a unit dies.
\allworlds	TDF	Information about features (such as trees, scars, etc.) for specific world maps.Other subdirectories may exist alongside "allworlds", such as "acid", "crystal", "green", etc.
gamedata	Mod_Development:Gamedata	General information, such as sound assignments, can-build information, and other such data.
guis	GUI	Alternative build tree definition method
objects3d	3DO	3D object definitions for units, unit corpses.
maps	SMD	Schema, starting points, and other information pertaining to a particular map.
SMF	Map layout, heights, and features information.
scripts	BOS	Text description/subroutines that describe how a unit moves, animates, etc.
COB	A compiled version of the .BOS file.
sidepics	BMP	The faction icons which display in the multiplayer lobby. See Mod Development:Sidepics.
sounds	WAV	Sounds.
unitpics	Units:Buildpics	"Large" (96x96) color pictures of units.
unittextures	DDS and TGA (Maybe BMP)	Textures for S3O models.
\tatex	BMP (also DDS or TGA) Units:Textures	Textures for 3DO models(buildings, kbots, vehicles, etc.)
units	Units:FBI	General properties of units.
weapons	TDF	Contains the definition and properties of particular weapons that are used throughout the game.