37 replies to this topic

[CamDawg]

And for the record the g3 and xxx file extensions are from the tweak pack--for components that can not be detected otherwise we copy over a dummy file so other mods can detect them. I hadn't thought about them, but they should probably be left in the override as well.

[Shiva]

900 mb of biffing later...

my whole game doesn't work!

I think I'll leave the biffing to the experts and just have a massive override folder.

[Shiva]

My auto installer is not working for BP...

but i believe there is a biffing thing for the overide in it...


couldn't this be made into a stone alone module?

[hlidskialf]

My auto installer is not working for BP...

but i believe there is a biffing thing for the overide in it...


couldn't this be made into a stone alone module?

If it's not working for you as designed, I don't see why a "stand alone" version would work any better. Maybe you just setup the installation wrong?

[Shiva]

OK, managed to find Idobek at gibberlings.......

I actually made that with little understanding of how the --make-biff function of WeiDU works. Just using the --make-biff function should work fine. I suggest not biffing tis files, any files that don't have an 8.3 filename format and any file listed in LEAVE_OVERRIDE.TXT (should be in your override folder). Another good idea is to split the override files up a bit, an 800mb biff is probably over doing it. Always keep a backup of chitin.key, in case things go wrong.

I've assumed some modding knowledge in the above paragraph. If you want a more detailed how to just ask.

A general batch file that will biff the override contents is possible if there is public demand. Is there?

So why not go down to ....

http://forums.gibber...=ST&f=13&t=2206

and cast your opinion....

Edited by Shiva, 30 October 2004 - 09:15 AM.

[Shiva]

I've heard TIS or TIZ files are non biffable too...

what's your opinion on this?

[Shiva]

Over at G3, Idobek asked if there was much call for a biffing mod.
If it helps get rid of stutter bug, yes!

Well, here's my perspective...

1 BGii ToB
2 BP- thats Shadows of Soubar, Tortured Souls and The darkest Day
3. Check the Bodies
4... the new 2 part Never Ending Jouney
5.. mini mods...


we're looking at a 1gb ovveride eventually...

which is time consuming and very messy to do manually ... especially if one has to do reinstalls.


So if anyone hears of autoinstaller out there, let me know!

[Shiva]

Just posted following over at G3...anybody got any comments if this would be possible...

Idobek asked if there was much call for a biffing mod.
If it helps get rid of stutter bug, yes!

Well, here's my perspective...

1 BGii ToB
2 BP- thats Shadows of Soubar, Tortured Souls and The darkest Day
3. Check the Bodies
4... the new 2 part Never Ending Jouney
5.. mini mods...


we're looking at a 1gb ovveride eventually...

which is time consuming and very messy to do manually ... especially if one has to do reinstalls.


So, as far as I understand it, a biffing mod needs to
a)check biffed override files against biffs already in data folder
b)delete those files from override that are biffed
c)leave in the override those files that cannot be biffed, or are recomended not to be biffed
d) biff files that have the same file extension, for efficiency
e)all any one biff file to be a maximum of 50mb
f) perhaps a function where those files not used by the game are cleared out of the folder as well (i've heard this for .oog files, which i have loads of. I am uncertain of this because I am not a modder.)
g)

[russ]

So, as far as I understand it, a biffing mod needs to
a)check biffed override files against biffs already in data folder
b)delete those files from override that are biffed
c)leave in the override those files that cannot be biffed, or are recomended not to be biffed
d) biff files that have the same file extension, for efficiency
e)all any one biff file to be a maximum of 50mb
f) perhaps a function where those files not used by the game are cleared out of the folder as well (i've heard this for .oog files, which i have loads of. I am uncertain of this because I am not a modder.)
g)

Hey Shiva, we must be doing the same thing. I finished playing BGI a couple of weeks ago and since then have been reinstalling BGII with mods and I'm almost to the point of being ready to start playing (though I'm seriously considering just installing and uninstalling mods, it's been so much fun ).

You know, now that I think about it, at the end of a CtB install (one of many) I noticed that the installer biffed many of the files. Hmm, I think there is a batch file that comes with CtB, and yes I just looked at it and yes it does biff many of the CtB files in the override. I think using that as a template you can edit it to biff whatever files you currently have in your override as opposed to doing what I did. Though I'm now an expert on biffing overrides (that and a dollar will get me a cup of coffee).

Looking at that batch file I don't see how you can make a general program to biff any override. The program would need to predict what files are in the override, know what size they are, and name new directories with distinct names. However, by replacing the names in the batch file with the names of the files in your override you can biff most if not all of your override. You would also rename the directories. You would also need to have the recent version of Weidu (the manual that comes with explains the make biff command) and tispack (I think I got it from PocketPlane).

About your suggestions

a) completely unnecessary. also, after you biff you can use Near Infinity to do a keyfile cleanup and it will remove duplicate entries in your chitin.key

b- the .bat program I'm talking about already does this.

c) any game file (cre dlg tis bam bcs are, etc.) can be biffed. sometimes non game files end up in the override and I think those can just be deleted. Weidu won't bif them anyway (it'll just skip them).

d) already in the.bat

the rest, again, I believe you have to do manually. The most important thing though is to backup your entire override, chitin.key and dialog.tlk before attempting any of this (which I did for BP NEJ and so didn't have to go through that reinstall ). You also need this backup if you plan on installing mods later. I found out that I couldn't install CtB if I biffed the override and I needed to delete the bifs I had made move the backup back into my game folder then install mods then biff again.

Edited by russ, 03 November 2004 - 08:49 PM.

[erebusant]

I'm trying to bif my mega 1gb override install with the help from this thread but i have a slight problem my ogg/wav media files are about 500mb :S should i split them in 10 biffs? sucks

Radagast

Try to keep your biffs to around 100 mb maximum if you can.

[Hoppy]

I'm trying to bif my mega 1gb override install with the help from this thread but i have a slight problem my ogg/wav media files are about 500mb :S should i split them in 10 biffs? sucks

Radagast

Try to keep your biffs to around 100 mb maximum if you can.

WHOAHH!!. Hang on a second here . My override folder is 138mb with no biffing. My data folder is 4.5gb!!! Do you all have BG1 and BG2 w/BGT and mods for both sagas? I'll agree that biffing the override helps with slowdowns but can you biff the data? Hmmmm...

[erebusant]

I'm trying to bif my mega 1gb override install with the help from this thread but i have a slight problem my ogg/wav media files are about 500mb :S should i split them in 10 biffs? sucks

Radagast

Try to keep your biffs to around 100 mb maximum if you can.

WHOAHH!!. Hang on a second here . My override folder is 138mb with no biffing. My data folder is 4.5gb!!! Do you all have BG1 and BG2 w/BGT and mods for both sagas? I'll agree that biffing the override helps with slowdowns but can you biff the data? Hmmmm...

Biffing your override places the biffs in the data folder,,,,

[Hoppy]

Ok so my override is biffed. Yeah when I look at the data file there are 12-15 files (giant biff files). Ok that clears it up.

[Gort]

Try to keep your biffs to around 100 mb maximum if you can.

may I ask why?

[erebusant]

Try to keep your biffs to around 100 mb maximum if you can.

may I ask why?

Especially when biffing area files (.tis's; etc) if you make your biff to large your display will end up chopped and not the proper area.