How do I use .hak files really?

#1
Razhathael

Posté 09 juillet 2011 - 10:39

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404 messages

This is propably a common question, and I searched google through and I got no real indication of what the heck a .hak file really is, other than being a filetype modders use. Or how to use them.

You see, I recently saw a mod in the nwvault site, only to find out it was a .hak file. That means I couldn't transfer the armor from the mod to my character in any way I know. (couldn't add them through console as I had no idea of their codes this way)

So I tried with toolset, but that didn't seem to do anything and I don't have the patience to go through all of the features to know how I can actually view the .hakpack's files. Through google I found out there is a program called NWNpacker which can open .hak files. But when I opened the .hak it said it was an "invalid filetype". I tried other versions with it, and other .hak files, nothing worked.

This might not be strictly a toolset thing, but none of the forum sections really fit the problem. So I ask for help here, incase anyone could shed some light on this matter. Any help is much appereciated.

TLDR; I need to find out how to get items from .hak mods into my game.

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#2
MasterChanger

Posté 10 juillet 2011 - 01:48

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686 messages

Hak files are packed so that they can be associated with modules through the toolset. If you want to use these files across multiple modules or adventures, then you can unpack them into loose files in your override.

To unpack haks, NWPacker is exactly what you should use, so I'm confused as to what isn't working about it. Could you give more info about what's going wrong?

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#3
Razhathael

Posté 10 juillet 2011 - 02:21

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404 messages

Well, after reading that I decided to try using the program once again with a different .hak file and it worked. Then I re-downloaded to mod I wanted, and it worked aswell.

But I'm presented with a new problem it seems. The .hak file only has .mdb and .dds files, how am I supposed to get them into the game? Since there are no .uti I can't just...get them. Am I supposed to somehow open up the MOTB expansion pack module and create a new item item with the .hak files? If so, how is this supposed to be a better way than just having an override version with .uti:s?
Sorry if that didn't make much sense, so I'll have another one of these...

TLDR; NWpacker works, but how do I get the files into my game?

(here's the file I'm trying to download, just incase it's needed:
http://nwvault.ign.c...al.Detail&id=59

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#4
MasterChanger

Posté 10 juillet 2011 - 03:41

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686 messages

Razhathael wrote...

But I'm presented with a new problem it seems. The .hak file only has .mdb and .dds files, how am I supposed to get them into the game? Since there are no .uti I can't just...get them. Am I supposed to somehow open up the MOTB expansion pack module and create a new item item with the .hak files? If so, how is this supposed to be a better way than just having an override version with .uti:s?
Sorry if that didn't make much sense, so I'll have another one of these...

TLDR; NWpacker works, but how do I get the files into my game?

(here's the file I'm trying to download, just incase it's needed:
http://nwvault.ign.c...al.Detail&id=59

Creating blueprints (.UTx files) is a different task than modelling; some custom content authors do one and some do another. You can create blueprints for these items yourself, though you don't need to open up the MotB modules specifically to do this. The easiest way is to make any new module, save it in Directory Mode, and then just copy the .UTIs (along with the model files--the .MDB and .DDS files) into your override directory. Then you can spawn in the new items (you'll need to note the tags you give them to be able to do this).
(Alternatively, I believe there are some item appearance changers that have been released that can be used for solo play. I don't use them myself so I don't know them well, except to say that they technically can't change the item itself but rather re-create it with the requested changes.)

Is releasing in hak format "better" than releasing a pack of loose files? No, it's just different. Haks are used by module authors, and this includes Persistent Worlds, when the custom content is intrinsic to the adventure. Some authors (Kaedrin, for example) release in both formats to make it easier for users like you. It's preferable that authors do so, in fact, because there are other players the community should want to welcome who are far less savvy than you seem to be. If a hakpack author seems to be currently maintaining their work and only releases in hak format, or only in loose file format, you could certainly contact them and ask that they support both.