decompile and recomple .xen files

**estuine** · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

On the PC, all guitar hero 3 data files are stored in the .xen format. i have looked online, and all i can find is that the format is that is a file extension used by "xenu.exe" so im wondering if anyone has found a way to decompile, and then recompile these .xen files for guitar hero 3 (specifically play models and skins) i have looked around, and found no way to do this, the closest i have gotten is directly ripping the mesh while ingame with 3d ripper dx , but that leads to nightmares re-rigging everything as well as finding the correct textures for each part and them applying these in 3ds max 2008.

so, im just wondering if there is any way to de/re compile .xen files form GHIII so that some custom modeling/texture art can be applied.

**Desertman123** · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 2957 Location: Central FL

.xen is just a place holder. Not the real format.
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**GameZelda** · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 1705

**xcellerator** · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 29

is the program you are talking about the one that is not complete? Or does he have one out that will do this already.
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**GameZelda** · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 1705

**alexcharp** · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 19

hmm, i'm trying to open the img.xen files with dragon unPaker... i tried renaming it... no joy... wht do you use?

**TSorbera** · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 2152

This is only for the .xen's that are DDS files (e.g. the loading screen with legal info and I think most or all pics and textures):

First add .bak to the end of the .xen file you're replacing and make a copy renamed to .dds. The image format is DDS, and I got a plug-in for Photoshop to use DDS files. To make it readable, use a hex editor (I use XVI32) to remove all the data up to the word DDS. Then you can open it in Photoshop. Once you make the modifications, save as a .dds and use DXT1 formatting (I chose the second from the top, "DXT1 ARGB 4 bpp | 1 bit alpha"), then open up the .bak file from when you replaced the image (or the original image if it's still there) with a hex editor and copy/paste the info before the DDS word. Now rename your .dds to the name of the .xen you're replacing and test it. If there's a problem with it, you can't really close out of GH3 normally, but I have a second monitor and bring Task Manager up in it before testing it out so that I can close GH3.exe if it hangs.

I don't know exactly what of all the files is and isn't DDS, but it'll have the word DDS somewhere in it.
If the .xen has more than one DDS image in it, it would be a lot more complicated. I've never tried it, I've only used this to replace one image that's alone in its .xen.
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**alexcharp** · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 19

That's what i was looking for

Thanks alot bro

--Alex

**edit** do you know which file is the main screen background?

**TSorbera** · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 2152

**alexcharp** · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 19

is that compatible with pc?

**TSorbera** · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 2152

**alexcharp** · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 19

cool, also... i'm trying to change the file boot_legal.img.xen
I'm following all the steps, but it doesnt work... any tips?

**GameZelda** · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 1705

**alexcharp** · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 19

aww, so it needs to be the same size?
Or should i look at editting the checksum?

**GameZelda** · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 1705