Editing Text strings (CTSS, STR# and TTAs resources)

CTSS

CTSS edit window
Edit window for catalog text strings

The catalog text strings can be edited for most Roman alphabets. Editing of non-Roman alphabets is not currently supported. You can also edit the title comment field, although it doesn't show up in the Buy Mode catalog. In a cloned object this field often still refers to an earlier object title and description. This might be a good place to personalize your object.

Text Encoding

Text encoding refers to the way that text characters get stored on a computer. If if you look closely at IFF file text in the main tab panel listing you will see that accented text often appears to be mis-spelled. This is because the file data is stored using a PC text encoding standard, but the main tab panel displays it as if it used a Mac standard. The edit window converts the file data so that you don't have to worry about encoding while you edit. Any changes you make are saved back into PC text encoding automatically.

STR#
The following text strings can be found in STR# resources:
  • catalog text strings for wall and floor files
  • bodystring skin references
  • animation references
  • dialog box text
  • variable names

    • Walls and Floors

    Wall and floor files do not have CTSS or OBJD resources; their catalog data is stored in STR# resources, including the price. These are safe to edit.

    Objects and Characters

    Character files include references to default skins in STR# resources and uChr resources. The edit button for these resources will bring up a special edit window.

    STR# edit window 1
    Edit window for bodystrings in IFFSnooper 1.1.0

    If you tell IFFSnooper where to find your GameData/Skins folder, this will activate the the popup menus. The popups list any appropriate matching downloaded .cmx and .bmp files that are found in the Skins folder. Most files within .far files will not show up as popup menu choices. A few default Maxis buyable skins are now listed for convenience, but you cannot currently visualize them (version 1.1.4). Only .bmp files outside .far files can be previewed at this time.

    The edit window layout was revised in version 1.1.4 to include Formal skins.

    STR# edit window 2
    Edit window for bodystrings in IFFSnooper 1.1.4
    The SuperstarMAFitlgt_BonJovi.bmp file was previously extracted ...

    Other STR# resources

    Other editable STR# resources include animation references and dialog text. The animation references should only be edited if you are sure that the new reference will match an animation in your game.

    TTAs

    TTAs edit window
    Edit window for menu text strings

    These are the text strings used by TTAB menu resources. They can be edited just like regular STR# strings.


    Navigation

    introduction

    What are these resources? Making new IFF files Making Floor Tiles Making Walls Editing OBJD resources Editing the GUID Editing text strings Editing sprites Editing menu resources Editing other resources