Total commander

#1

Hi i must tell you all about a great program that make texturebuilding and pk3packing mouch easier it’s called total commander.

once you have rename a pk3 to zip it will atomatically open pk3s as zip and you can directly pack files (bsps) while testcompiling it takes about 3 minits to compile and load the map in ET (small maps)(depends on compilingtime)

it has two disc windows and you only need to drop files over from one window to the other.

link: http://www.ghisler.com/
or search “total commander” on google…

(ETJump-Zero) #2

How is this any different to any other zip tool? I believe there are also tools that read the .map file, parse it and find + pack the textures, scripts etc. for you.

#3

I didnt know that, i have tried a slender program that not works but should work that way. Hm what do you use? I use totalcommander

(YourFather_CZ) #4

I’ve tried many tools for handling archives. My most favourite one is: WinRAR You dont need to change extensions (eg: pk3 -> zip) and it’s pretty handy.
You just associate pk3 extension with WinRAR. Then you can open/view/edit any pk3 file just selecting it and pressing Enter. Simple but effective.

I’ve used Total Commander many years (something like 12 years) as FTP client, but a year ago I’ve switched to Fille Zilla which better fits my needs (and even more - it’s free).

(WuTangH) #5

Using 7zip. Free, works well… and ofc you can open pk3s with “Enter” button after u choose it…

(Mateos) #6

Does it still have the best Zip compression algo? I use it just for this ^^’

#7

Of course associating files, i have associate pk3 with zip i totalcommander and open the pk3 folder in one window and then edit :slight_smile:
The only problem with totalc is that it make temporary files, but its good also, it can be used as backup. But (im retard) how works 7zip i’ve heard about it but never try it… is there any patch support? (for opening diffrent folders and search faster)

(WuTangH) #8

7zip probably wasnt made for editing folders or files, as TC… Thats why TC has 2 windows I think :slight_smile:
It is more like WinRAR and such… primary changes were probably: compression of files, and support of another formats.

I dont know exact ducomentation… couldnt find readme.txt :rolleyes:

(-SSF-Sage) #9

Ehh… Why are you not using pakscape? :open_mouth: A special program made for pk3 and mapping. Much better than winrar etc. Perfect for my use and great file size in result. And ofc you can use it by default pk3 handler with windows.

(Mateos) #10

Btw there’s 2 windows because one if for local and one for online (FTP, etc.) :slight_smile:

There were a PK3 tool by the ETScript4 author as well (sorry, forgot the nick :x )

(YourFather_CZ) #11

Packspace much better than WinRAR?

It would be awesome if free tool would offer better options than paid one.
I’ve been curious if it’s true so I’ve made comparison of both asking those two questions:

  1. What is implemented by Pakspace in better way than by WinRAR?
  2. What functionality is implemented in Packspace and is missing in WinRAR?

I’ve found the answer for both questions is same: Nothing.

My conslusion: Packspace offers same functions as WinRAR but in worse quality and in worse quantity.
The only advantage of Packspace is its price - it’s free.

(Mateos) #12

WinRAR has an unlimited trial of 30 days, you know :slight_smile:

(Nail) #13

Readme File:
You don’t even need to remember in which directory certain files should
be located; PK3 Creator handles everything for you. You simply press the button of
the required file, and you are brought immediately to the correct directory where your
file will be waiting for you.

In addition, PK3 Creator can automatically find and add up to 95% of all required files,
if they are available, after selecting the BSP file. It automatically finds the following files
based simply on the name of the BSP file:

� the Lightmap Directory,
� the Tracemap tga file,
� the Script file,
� the Objective Data (objdata) file,
� the Arena file,
� the Sounds file,
� the SPS file,
� the Loading Image,
� the Commandmap Image,
� the Locations (_loc.dat) file.

It also reads the BSP file itself and finds every Texture, Shader and Model you may have used.

In conclusion: if you have organized all the above files properly in your W:ET mapping installation,
all you need to do is select your BSP file and choose “Export To PK3” and you’re done!

#14

but, hmm… pk3? packer? that sounds like it pack a totally new pk3 every time, and that takes time… …they takes a lot of place…
but it sounds nice…:slight_smile: I will look at it.

hoo hoo hoo//oveove

(-SSF-Sage) #15

[QUOTE=YourFather_CZ;474065]Packspace much bet:-) ter than WinRAR?

It would be awesome if free tool would offer better options than paid one.
I’ve been curious if it’s true so I’ve made comparison of both asking those two questions:

  1. What is implemented by Pakspace in better way than by WinRAR?
  2. What functionality is implemented in Packspace and is missing in WinRAR?

I’ve found the answer for both questions is same: Nothing.

My conslusion: Packspace offers same functions as WinRAR but in worse quality and in worse quantity.
The only advantage of Packspace is its price - it’s free.[/QUOTE]
If it is the same, why pay? Nonpaid popup is mega annoying. Does a lot better ui, faster, simpler, lighter, easier managing with multiple files/paks, automatic proper pk3 file and no needing for installation count points for pakscape? I have kept selecting pakscape for over 7 years now.

Ps. I still use winrar for all other formats. I have used winrar for way longer than pakscape.

(ETJump-Zero) #16

[QUOTE=oveove;474198]but, hmm… pk3? packer? that sounds like it pack a totally new pk3 every time, and that takes time… …they takes a lot of place…
but it sounds nice…:slight_smile: I will look at it.

hoo hoo hoo//oveove[/QUOTE]While this is a guess I would say unpacking (by the application, not by you), changing content and packing again probably is equally slow or slower. Pk3Creator not only packs it for you but also gathers most of the required assets (textures, shaders, models, scripts) for you making it way easier to use. Also last I created a PK3 it took me a less than a second so I don’t see much point in complaining about it taking a lot of time. 100x10MB PK3s isn’t that much either and it takes 1-2 clicks to delete them.

#17

wow, hehe in use… thank you for that :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :). but i still don’t think it’s a good idea to use pk3creator for every little model or texture… tc is better to use in that case.

(ETJump-Zero) #18

I’ve never used PK3 Creator and I have no idea if it’s any good. Based on what I read about it, it seems really nice. Could you explain why it’s not a good idea to use PK3 Creator and why is Total Commander better to use?

(ailmanki) #19

I recommend to use 7zip; fast, versatile, small, free, can do rar, zip and many others all from a small context menu.
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html

edit: I guess PK3 Creator will be usefull for latest steps :smiley: thx Nail

#20

Yes okey tc is not better there are diffrent progs pk3c is good and tc is good but ehh, why tc is good:
While editing i simply open radiant edit, and compile… then i close radiant and (tc where in background while i edit in radiant) and drop the bsp file in the map folder of the pk3. If i want to edit the script, ijust doing the same… i only packing the script if i only edit that , If i only want to edit the brushes i only pack the bsp simple and no time killing. And im not critic im positive for the pk3 packer… there is propably nice to use pk3c if you make a pk3 but not if you edit it…