Quick question on trash data in xbox cache files

[RunningRiot]

Had this posted in the tech question section, but it got a total of... 1 view. For the entire life of its posting. And it was me.

Anyway...

I'm hopin to make a program that automates the recursive address changing for adding new meta(weapons, vehicles, models, et c) to existing maps. I've got all the major tasks theoretically under control. However, I have one problem/question.

Where is the best "trash" data location in a cache file? Is it toward the end? Is there an easy identifiable sign that an area is "trash"? I would like to have the program automatically calculate where to place the new data, but if there isn't a standard place in a cache, I'm thinking I'll have the user hex view the map file manually and input the offset of the beginning of the overwritten-to-be trash area into my program.

It shouldn't be too complicated, since it is mostly a repetitive process, but I'll post... somewhere if I have any further questions.

Thanks!

-RunningRiot

[Guest]

Had this posted in the tech question section, but it got a total of... 1 view. For the entire life of its posting. And it was me.

Anyway...

I'm hopin to make a program that automates the recursive address changing for adding new meta(weapons, vehicles, models, et c) to existing maps. I've got all the major tasks theoretically under control. However, I have one problem/question.

Where is the best "trash" data location in a cache file? Is it toward the end? Is there an easy identifiable sign that an area is "trash"? I would like to have the program automatically calculate where to place the new data, but if there isn't a standard place in a cache, I'm thinking I'll have the user hex view the map file manually and input the offset of the beginning of the overwritten-to-be trash area into my program.

It shouldn't be too complicated, since it is mostly a repetitive process, but I'll post... somewhere if I have any further questions.

Thanks!

-RunningRiot

I've been thinking of almost exactly the same thing!

I think that it would be easiest to just have the user enter the beginning offset where they injected, or are going to inject, the meta.
Then the app can just recalculate the reflexives based on that offset.
That way you could inject over existing meta, or inject over some garbage/filler data...perhaps at EOF.

Other thoughts:

You could use the XML output files from HMTv3 as data files for an app...so it knows exactly where each reflexive, etc. is in the meta.

In the case of Dependencies and Lone IDs the app could allow the user to enter an offset &/or ID for that dependency (if you have injected, or are going to inject it) or allow the user to choose from compatible items that already exist in the map.

For example, tree_desert_dead has a model dependency, of course. Say I have already injected that meta & model over another...the app would allow me to enter the offset of that meta, or perhaps choose from a list.
tree_desert_dead also has a "Lone ID" for a bitmap it needs, but say I don't really care about that bitmap. The app would allow me to choose from another bitmap that already exists in the level, and it would just stick the appropriate identifyer in there.

Anyway, hehe...as you can see, I'm happy to help!

[xorange]

The previous post is me.
I forgot to log in.

[RunningRiot]

I think that it would be easiest to just have the user enter the beginning offset where they injected, or are going to inject, the meta.
Then the app can just recalculate the reflexives based on that offset.
That way you could inject over existing meta, or inject over some garbage/filler data...perhaps at EOF.

Thats basically what its going to do. I'm a beginner C++'er though... I want a better way to select files than to type the full address line into a text bar. Is there a filebrowser function somewhere? That would be extremely helpful.

I suppose I should work on the meat of the program before the UI, but...



-RunningRiot

[xorange]

Thats basically what its going to do. I'm a beginner C++'er though... I want a better way to select files than to type the full address line into a text bar. Is there a filebrowser function somewhere? That would be extremely helpful.

I suppose I should work on the meat of the program before the UI, but...



-RunningRiot

I'm sorry, but I'm only an aspiring programmer...I have no real programming skills yet, so I probably can't help there.
I'm more of an "application designer" at the moment...heh

[RunningRiot]

Oh yeah, same here.... I'm making some progress on the file browser. I could write my own if I knew to how to retreive a directory listing...

-RunningRiot

[Gandalf]

Hey I know some VB probably enough to do what you want so if you need any help just contact me.

[daeken]

I'd suggest PHP or Python over VB, as they're much more portable than VB (not to mention less evil). But if you want to continue with C++, let me know if you need help, I'll do my best to assist

Happy Hacking,
Lord Daeken M. BlackBlade
(Cody Brocious)