N3 DEF Chas Bornemann Simulator Cyberworld chas@simcyberworld.com http://www.simcyberworld.com What is N3 DEF? N3 Def is a file decompiler for Nascar 3. It allows you to view the entire contents of any 3do, trk or lp file in a organized manner. All output is to text based def files that can be viewed with Notepad, Wordpad or Dos Edit. Some 3do files may be too large to view with Notepad however. As a replacement I suggest DOS Edit or Edit Plus available at http://www.editplus.com A file compiler to create new 3do's, trk's and lp files is already in the works. This is a preliminary release to allow you to become familiar with the file formats prior to actually working with them. Future support will also be given for all non-graphical files in the sim including the racesave.bin, cfg files and setup files. GETTING HELP? An extensive help file (including file formats) is included in this version of N3 def. You may access it from any screen in the program by pressing the F1 key. If you need further assistance, contact me at chas@simcyberworld.com INSTALLATING THE PROGRAM. To install N3 def double click the setup.exe file. The program is set to install to c:\program files\n3def. You may change the default installation directory. CONFIGURING THE INI FILE. If you do not properly configure the ini file, a run-time 68 error will occur. The ini file can be edited with any text editor such as Windows Notepad (Start menu - Accessories - Notepad). Steps to configuring the ini file: 1) Enter the path to your Nascar 3 game on the first line. Currently the path is to Nascar 3 on my system and is left there as an example of how to type your path. 2) The next 6 lines are paths to various tools you may use in editing. There are default paths (for my system) to winmip and 3doed in the file as examples. If you use these tools, change the path to the correct one for your system and the program will work. You can enter up to 6 tools in the ini file that can be called from within the program. If you do not wish to use this feature of N3 Def, you will need 6 lines that look like this "","" For each line where a tool is not entered, make sure it also looks like "","" Should you have any questions regarding setting up other tools to work with N3 Def, email me at chas@simcyberworld.com OPENING A DEF FILE: A def file is a text based file that contains all the file parts (definitions) of the file you decompiled. The first time you attempt to view a Def file in Windows, through either Notepad or Wordpad you may be asked to select a program to open the file with. At this point, I recommend (especially if you use the program often) to leave the "Always Use this program to open this file" checked ! That will allow you to open it with your favorite text editor without this annoying little window. FINAL NOTES: This tool is inspired by Marcello Bassino the original author of N1 Def and N2 Def. Thanks Marcello for all you have done for sim racing and your absence is missed every day. Comments and suggestions regarding this program are very much welcome. Send them to chas@simcyberworld.com Finally, thanks to Stan Allen (The Pits) for beta testing this program and repeatedly breaking it on me. Stan ole chap, you sure kept me busy (and yessir, I did read all those mails). Hope you enjoy the tool and always have fun ! Chas Simulator Cyberworld http://www.simcyberworld.com