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DAT Syntax

I want to make my own addons, and I have read the Wiki guide, but I don't think it gave enough detail as to the syntax of the file. Could anyone please explain the syntax of DAT files to me?

Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #1 –
In fact, I don't think the article on DAT files is detailed enough. Is there a complete listing, or is that it?

Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #3 –
Who is in charge of development of that online-dat thing? Does this website replicate the functionality of TileCutter, or is it only for dat files?

I only ask because I have for the past few months been developing a site that does much the same thing (essentially an online version of TileCutter).
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Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #4 –
Those websites confused me, probably because Google Translator doesn't work very well. I'm most confused about how to create images for the PAKs. Can anyone direct me to an english guide?

Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #5 –
Dat files consist of a series of object definitions, these are split by a line of dash characters. Object definitions comprise two main parts, a list of key=value pairs defining attributes of the object and a set of links to images.

Beyond this, you should be able to glean most of the information from the german wiki (there is a vaguely english-language version). I also strongly recommend inspecting the dat files of some existing objects for further elucidation. You can download the entire pak64 dat+image file source from here:

http://simutrans.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/simutrans/pak64/

Best way with Simutrans is to learn by example, and there are lots of those :) And I am happy to answer any specific questions you might have.
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Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #6 –
Thanks a million! This is way better than all those german guides.

Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #7 –
Do you have any templates for creating the artwork?

Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Timothy – on
Who is in charge of development of that online-dat thing? Does this website replicate the functionality of TileCutter, or is it only for dat files?

imho, Frank does maintain this site.
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and maggikraut.

Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #10 –
The other useful thing is to look on sourceforge and take a look at the examples of dat files and images for pak64 and pak128.Britain on there (they are all open source):

http://simutrans.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/simutrans/

Look for the source file of something similar and start by copying it!

Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Timothy – on
Who is in charge of development of that online-dat thing? Does this website replicate the functionality of TileCutter, or is it only for dat files?
...

The online-dat-site is only for creating dat- and pak-files without fiddling with Makeobj. It is made to get a working pak-file quick without studying the dat-file syntax.

There are only rudimentary checks for the graphics (size, alpha channel).
Mandatory fields (like object name) are not checked. Cutting graphics will not be implemented. It is not planned to support all dat/makeobj features.

It is made for those people who have difficulties running Makeobj (as a command-line oriented tool) or for those where Makeobj is not available for their computer system.

Thanks Dwachs for help translating

Re: DAT Syntax

Reply #12 –
Oh! it was for that. I thought It was just an online dat repository. In that case, I suggest to change the name to another one much more indicative about what it is used for, like makeobj online, Simutrans online pakmaker (SOKKER), www makeobj, etc.....just to prevent missunderstandings