NovaLogic File Extensions

[Chrispy]

NOVALOGIC FILE EXTENSIONS LIST

NL file extensions list, work in progress. Based off my list started on DFReload.

rev2: Added moar infos and links to applications.
rev1: First release.

.3di = In-game 3D model file, created with DF4OED (for BHD) and SuperOED (for JO/DFX/DFX2). The 3DI
is created in these applications from the ASE file.

.ain = AI Coordinates File. Contains all data necessary for AI navigation system.
Files are produced by NILE's node generator. These aid the AI navigating around objects so they don't get stuck.

.adm = Animation Data Map

.adl = Animation Data Batch Listing

.adt = Animation Data Triggers

.aip = AI perimeters file.

.ase = ASCII model file ready for importing in DF4OED/SuperOED for conversion into 3DI. Applications such as
3D Studio Max export to ASE.

.bad = Bone Animation Data. Can be opened with NovaLogic Bones Character System to view game animations.

.bin = Holds mostly all text strings displayed in-game (menu, weapons, in-game, etc.). Able to be editted using
this application.

.bms = Binary (exported) version of the .mis file. It is a release version of a map that is read-only
and cannot be opened in the MED. There is a BMS2MIS available, but it does not replicate the original .mis file
100% completely.

.bmx = Mission save file. NOT player save files. May be accompanied with thumbnail .pcxs. Seen in LW/TFD/BHD.

.cin = Cinematics file. Stores info on pre-mission cinematics. If the .cin is in the game folder, a cinematic
will play before the mission. Use CineTool?

.cpt = Converted poly terrain file for terrains. Created with TrnGen using .raw heightmap.
TrnGen can be found in the Official BHD Mod Tools.
For generated .cpts to work with JO/DFX/DFX2, use DPTH2CDEP.

.csv = Comma seperated values, generic document. Can be opened with Notepad or imported into
spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel

.dbf = Dialog binary format - binary dialog data (delays, number of lines, etc.). created by
SNDC.

.dds = 2D texture files for .3di files. Can be opened with a number of applications including Photoshop.

.def = Holds weapon profiles, item profiles, etc. for the game (may need to be decrypted). Notepad

.end = Cinematics file played at end of mission (may need to be decrypted). Open with Notepad/

.env = Environment files for the game (lighting, time of day, sky colour, sky textures, etc.). Open with
Notepad.

.fnt = Font files. Many font files found in the .pffs, especially Arial and Impact.

.fx = Effects files?

.htm = Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) file. NovaLogic have a few in the directory for their older games,
including a NovaWorld login .htm file.

.iai = Item Attributes Info (replaces ITEMS.def). ??

.ifl = Build Info Listing. This is one of the exported map files. It contains information such as a 3DI listing. It
is similar to the map .log file, which is a more specific 3DI listing. Open in Notepad.

.grm = Facial expressions for characters. WAC file can be used to control expressions on characters' faces.

.kda = WIP ??

.key = Key file (for keys on the keyboard). ??

.ldo = Loadout text. ??

.log = Log export file for maps. Contains a comprehensive list of all the 3DI files used in a map as well as
the amount of memory it uses. It also contains a total of decos, buildings, objects, etc. used.

.lwf = Loose wavefront file. Contains information and profiles on sound files used in-game. Similar to .def files.
May need to be decrypted or converted, so use these tools here.

.mdt = Bump map file, which is essentially a .tga texture which has been bump mapped with an alpha channel,
and saved with an .mdt extension. Bump maps can be created with nVidia DDS Plugins.

.mis = Raw map files for the MED that are able to be editted. When map is done it is exported into a non-edittable format (.bms) so it can be playable in-game.

.mnu = Game menu files which define text string positions in menu, positions of icons, pages, etc. Open in Notepad.

.npj = NILE mission file (like the .mis).

.npz = NILE exported mission file (non-edittable)?

.pcx = PC Bitmap Graphic. .pcx is used to display the loading screens, the mission briefing screens,
MED item thumbnails, etc. Open with graphics application.

.pff = Resource files for DF games just like .zips or .rars. Can be created/modified with many 3rd party apps, and
even Nova's own pack.exe tool. Nova games usually have 3-4 .pffs, each having different resources inside
(e.g. med.pff to hold all MED-related stuff, resource.pff for textures, models, etc.).

.ptg = Same as .ptu, usually one of each?

.ptl = Particle file.

.ptu = Effects Definition (may need to be decrypted). Open in Notepad.

.raw = Greyscale raw image for terrains. Nova games use 8-bit one channel .raw file. Used with TrnGen to convert
to .cpt for in-game terrain for BHD/JO/DFX/DFX2.

.rc = TextTool resource. Generated when a file is saved using TextTool.

.sav = Player save file.

.sbf = Stream Binary File. Holds the in-game music and other bits.

.sdf = Sound definitions file. Temporary text file generated by SNDC to create an .lwf file. The file is able to
be opened and re-converted using SNDC to generate a new .lwf.

.scr = Dialog Script File. The file is created by NovaLogic designer and given the .scr extension manually. It is
used to define audio strings and dialogue driven on-screen text.

.sdf = Sound Define Format.

.stx = Sound Text Xref.

.tga = Truevision Targa Graphic, similar to .dds file. DDS is the primary texture format for BHD/JO/DFX/DFX2,
although .tga can be used as texture format. This format is also used for things such as the in-game menu backgrounds, HUD elements,
buttons, etc. Older DF games used .tga for textures. Open with graphics application.

.til = Tile file which stores where tiles are placed and is one of the output files when a map is exported. Tile data
can be imported/exported into other maps on the Tiler window in the MED.

.tpj = Terrain Project File. Contains terrain name, creator, heightmap path, etc. Used with TrnGen.

.trn = Terrain files for missions. File defines .tgas used, terrain grid, autofoliage types, etc. Open in
Notepad.

.tsd = Tile Surface Defines. ??

.wac = If/then/else/endif boolean logic commands for missions. Used for eventing, playing text strings, etc. Can
be used alongside normal events in the MED - or even replace it altogether. WAC exists only in BHD and above.
Good beginner's guide to .wac files here. Open in Notepad.

.wav = Sound files for the game (may need to be decrypted). Windows Media Player