Extracting .cat question

[Observe]

Using the XRCatToolGUI program, I've extracted all the 01.cat files into a directory named "unpacked". Should I now be able to delete the 01.cat/dat files and have the game access the unpacked files instead?

It's been a long time since I modded X games, but as I recall in X3, one could delete the data files residing in the root directory, after having extracted them. I understand that this shouldn't be necessary, because the unpacked files take priority over the packed ones. At least that's how it used to be.

The reason this is coming up, is because I've just started modding the game and I don't seem to be accessing the extracted files. I thought I would prove that the extracted files are being accessed by deleting the compressed ones.

Thanks.

[euclid]

Long time no see Observe

And no, the game will use the cat unless you add a corresponding command line parameter (prefersinglefiles) in which case the game will expecte the extracted folder structure in the main root rather than in any user-created folder.

Cheers Euclid

[Observe]

Ah yes. I'd forgotten about the -prefersinglefiles command. I guess I should read my old tutorials Thanks!

One more thing (for now): Am I correct in assuming that we don't need to extract the xx_sig.cat files? Used to be, we only had .cat and .dat files. I'm guessing the "sig.cat" files are some sort of verification check that isn't needed for messing around as a modder?

[euclid]

Yes, please do not interfere in any way with these sig files as it may cause a lot of nasty things to your game.

Cheers Euclid