How to unpack Shift 2 [Archive] - NoGripRacing Forums

redi

2 April 11, 18:58

This first posting is reserved for providing instructions, links to tools etc.

Please post here your findings on how to unpack Shift 2 and how to make the game work with the unpacked files.

The UCP v1.1 (http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287425) includes a well-tested unpacking script that takes care of unpacking and dummying out the most important S2U .bff archives**, and as an added bonus makes it simple and painless to distribute and install mods. If you follow the UCP install instructions, your game will be unpacked for you and you will receive the newest fixes and enhancements to S2U.

**: The UCP unpacks a superset of the files in JDougNY's [Experiment] Running Shift 2 Unpacked and Loose (http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265411) thread.

vistaro

2 April 11, 20:28

UNPACKING BFF FILES For those who love taking things apart, including myself.

1. First link: Download quickbms.exe, the well know tool to unpack Shift 1 files.
It can be used likewise in Shift 2 Unleashed. (Apparently not all files are accessible at this moment but there are still enough to make a number of changes.)
http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=166542

2. Following link: Download the Repacker Tools for bff files.
The unpacked files once revised can be reloaded in the bff file using this tool. Then you can put this bff file back in the Pakfiles folder of your main Shift 2 directory.
http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/need-for-speed-shift-68/nfs-shift-bff-tools-1740/

PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF YOUR ORIGINAL PAKFILES FOLDER (located in main directory Shift 2) SO YOU CAN UNDO ANY CHANGES MADE.
This is an example procedure: (make sure you have made a backup before continuing)
Opening BOOTFLOW.BFF
- Create a new folder named BOOTFLOW
- Unpack BOOTFLOW.BFF using quickbms.exe into this new folder
- Find the file you need to modify (BOOTFLOW has 723 files in it)
- Make your adjustments
- Use the Repacker.exe to reassemble (follow the instructions included when you download it, they are clear)
- Delete old BOOTFLOW.BFF (you still have your copy) Place the newly changed bff in the Pakfiles folder (main directory Shift 2).

- Keep the folders orderly, you can easily lose track of your work.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: the cameraconfig.xml file is the same in 2 different bff files: BOOTFLOW.BFF and IGPHASEACTIVATE.BFF. Replace both xml files if modified.

It's a time consuming job but if you are orderly you will be able to make a certain amount of adjustments. I have unpacked all bff files, each in a separate folder. Lengthy process but very useful now.

YB0b

2 April 11, 23:46

BOOTFLOW.BFF is in pakfiles folder.quickbms asks for .bms-file.
where can i find it?

Gabester

3 April 11, 02:30

BOOTFLOW.BFF is in pakfiles folder.quickbms asks for .bms-file.
where can i find it?

You need to download the "nfsshift.zip" attached to the post he linked to.

QuadCoremax

3 April 11, 13:42

Thx,

unpacking works quite good (had to isolate some files bspr, bfont => in GUI folder), yeah sure other files need now to be read somehow like the bin files (vehicle list bin file) so we can add more cars to the list, still idk exactly if the executable will mostly like that modification.

grudas

3 April 11, 19:28

hmm i repacked a dds file.. checked the file it was updated.. loaded up the game.. and the livery is the same as it was before.. good i thought i might have missed something.. went on and unpacked the file again and bang MY modified livery is there.. but why does the game show the original one there? even tho it isn't "physically" in the BFF?

tool831

4 April 11, 08:49

The files are repeated in several BFFs (at times), so you may need to check if your livery is duplicated in another BFF (this is why I won't bother with packed modding).

Use Juls extractor, his extractor skips files that have already been extracted. :thumbup: I used it and it found more textures within some .bff files, it also skipped over files already extracted.

This is the link Jul gave to me: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KPRDG4B0

tool831

4 April 11, 13:38

@ Tool
The problems I'm referring to are on repacking. If you're modifying a file that is repeated on several BFFs, you have to repack all BFFs that contain the file you modified, as you don't know which one the game is using.

Hmm.. I repacked but then again it was car files.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4553/shift2u2011040421085556.th.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4553/shift2u2011040421085556.jpg)

Sadly .bff files seem to have file size limits too.. I went over the size of a original .bff and it failed to load.

This is stupid.. :glare: We really do need "-loose" option.

juls

5 April 11, 07:53

I am the invisible man.

AprilSwift

5 April 11, 10:11

repack.exe always stopped working and crash wtf how do i repack things when it is always crashing?

vistaro

5 April 11, 12:04

repack.exe always stopped working and crash wtf how do i repack things when it is always crashing?

The repack.exe looks first for the unpacked files, you have to browse to that exact folder otherwise it will crash.

example using Bootflow.bff:
When you start the repacker.exe you have to make these choices:
source Folder: D:\EA\BFF FILES\BOOTFLOW
(navigate to the exact folder with the unpacked Bootflow files you just modded)
Original BFF Archive: D:\EA\BFF FILES\BACKUP FILES\BOOTFLOW.BFF
(this is the bff file you unpacked. You should make a copy of the original bff files to work with)
New BFF Archive: D:\EA\SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED\PAKFILES\BOOTFLOW.BFF
(this is the original Bootflow.bff that you want to replace in your main Shift directory)

VOODOO4368

5 April 11, 14:49

Thanks!!!

x2400

5 April 11, 17:23

I tried to unpack a game using game_unpack.bat (20.7KB). it ran for awhile and freezed at *.bfont file so I couldn't continue. I did few times but they were all same result. Then I tried as QuadCoremax said, moved .bfont and.bspr files to other folder then ran same file again. This time game is unpacked as it was with S1 (now still running). Did I go to right way for unpacking S2? How can I unpack the .bfont and.bspr files? What are .bfont and.bspr files about?

vistaro

5 April 11, 18:03

X2400, you did the right thing.
I wouldn't worry about the .bfont (display of characters: text) or .bspr (files associated with track maps) at this moment.
This remains a temporary solution until the game can be useable in unpacked mode.
The real expert modders are seriously looking into the matter. I think it's a good idea to wait and see what they come up with.

stewart read

6 April 11, 18:02

Just got the game on steam. Does anyone know if I can unpack the game on Steam or if the unlock everything works with steam?
Thanks in advance

vistaro

8 April 11, 07:57

Just got the game on steam. Does anyone know if I can unpack the game on Steam or if the unlock everything works with steam?
Thanks in advance
You can modify the Pakfiles folder. I'd make one copy of the whole Shift 2 U Pakfiles folder to keep as a backup and another copy to work with. When you make adjustments you can copy the modded BFF files to the original game after. This way your Steam original version remains intact. You can undo the modding be replacing that BFF file with your safe backup copy.
The unlock mod is in a BFF file so you can use it without problems.
Keep in mind there is still work to be done before it's playable in unpacked version.

GQ4Life

8 April 11, 08:58

2. Following link: Download the Repacker Tools for bff files.
The unpacked files once revised can be reloaded in the bff file using this tool. Then you can put this bff file back in the Pakfiles folder of your main Shift 2 directory.
http://www.racedepartment.com/downlo...ff-tools-1740/

link not working

vistaro

8 April 11, 12:58

vistaro

8 April 11, 13:05

http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/need-for-speed-shift-68/nfs-shift-bff-tools-1740/

This is the correct link. You have to have an account at Racedepartment and login to have access to the file. I didn't set it as a link but typed the whole URL.

SidV

9 April 11, 17:35

DRTPolo16v

12 April 11, 05:58

i have unpacked the scirocco livery bff, the extracted skins come in high res too.. (livery01, livery01_hr), but when repacking the tool doesnt repack the _hr files. any help on this..??

speedlinept

18 April 11, 06:51

i have unpacked the scirocco livery bff, the extracted skins come in high res too.. (livery01, livery01_hr), but when repacking the tool doesnt repack the _hr files. any help on this..??
hi , have you tested my archives.xml ?
http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1348622&postcount=368

vistaro

18 April 11, 06:58

Hey guys,

i want to convert some of my engine sounds to Shift2U. Can somone point me to the necessary bff files to unpack related to engine sounds. I m completely new to NFS Modding so help is much appreciated.

The bff file you are looking for is the: IGPHASEVEHICLEAUDIO.BFF file.
The various files inside have an .fsb extention.

SidV

19 April 11, 15:51

thank you vistaro :-)

vistaro

23 April 11, 05:20

hi , have you tested my archives.xml ?
http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1348622&postcount=368
I have unpacked files using your method. Thank you! This way I had access to a lot more files and am now working on them.

nprofitt

24 April 11, 04:17

speedlinept

27 April 11, 07:45

I keep trying repack.exe with no success.... I have even made my folder directories simpler, and it stil keeps acting like I'm doing something wrong... Here's an example of what I've been trying to do...

repack d:\unpacked\bootflow d:\bffbackup\bootflow.bff D:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED\pakfiles\bootflow.bff

Where am I missing it?

Thanks for your help!
use BffInject.exe , thought that it works.
I'm new in the shift 2
but I can do mods;)
Well, naturally! It was to make a joke, for tm2 players, who saw the ads of the output tm2.
and fell like Cannard :-P
HAxad1VGpzc
and
PVrTLlsPyts
next step, change the textures , and a machinima video :mrgreen:
@vistaro
I am happy if I help!

The Driver

7 May 11, 15:26

I can't unpack Shift 2, and I really want to try modding Shift 2, a bit only.
-D

vistaro

12 May 11, 05:50

I can't unpack Shift 2, and I really want to try modding Shift 2, a bit only.
-D
The steps mentioned above (beginning of thread) should get you going.
Sorry for the late reply.

skillman

5 June 11, 19:27

use BffInject.exe , thought that it works.
I'm new in the shift 2
but I can do mods;)
Well, naturally! It was to make a joke, for tm2 players, who saw the ads of the output tm2.
and fell like Cannard :-P
HAxad1VGpzc
and
PVrTLlsPyts
next step, change the textures , and a machinima video :mrgreen:
@vistaro
I am happy if I help!

Could help me pls? I used bffinject, i used bff unapck to unpack Vehicles folder, i have copied skin to that folder and nothing, in shift 2 i have the same normal skin:/, how put skin in to my shift 2 :/ help me.
IT'S WORKING! xD i don't need help now.

shaystarwars98

6 June 11, 02:35

Is unpacking Shift 2 safe yet?

Are the race loading times slower because of the unpacking?

Kaerar

6 June 11, 03:25

It's safe because the loose command doesn't work. So doing an unpack doesn't do anything...

shaystarwars98

8 June 11, 18:53

So the race loading times aren't affected either?

Mahjik

8 June 11, 18:55

So the race loading times aren't affected either?

It won't use the unpacked files. Any changes made need to be repacked for the game to use them. So no, load times aren't affected by unpacking the game since it doesn't use the unpacked files.

shaystarwars98

8 June 11, 19:40

So if I delete some files (such as that annoying transmission whine) after I unpack the game, they won't go away ingame until I repack?

khildram

9 June 11, 10:46

It won't use the unpacked files. Any changes made need to be repacked for the game to use them

How come the game does not use unpacked files ? :?:

Are you sure of this ? Because I was able to unpack some BFFs, remove them, and it is working fine (i.e. VehicleHRLiveries.bff).

Try BFFTools 1.45 :
http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=23167

- Start BFFUnpacker.exe
- Select a BFFi.e. I tested SHIFT2/Pakfiles/VehicleHRLiveries.bff
- Extract All to SHIFT2 install base directory (not into Pakfiles)
i.e. X:\Games\SHIFT2\
- Rename SHIFT2/Pakfiles/VehicleHRLiveries.bff

You should still have liveries in game.
(Of course your settings ingame should use HR textures ;-) )

I was able to replace some liveries without issues. I did not need to repack.

I did not test on a fully unpacked game though, so maybe you are talking of a fully unpacked game ? :?:

On another note, the BFFInject.exe does not work well with the game, even with the Archive.xml provided by speedlinept.
It seems it has a hardcoded incomplete list of bff. :-(
You can see from the Cache directory it creates that it only processes list for the original Archive.xml

Also BFFCompiler.exe states there is no Archive.xml... but it's there... :?:

Mahjik

9 June 11, 12:57

How come the game does not use unpacked files ? :?:=

Because S2U doesn't support the "loose" mode like Shift 1 had.

beetleatwar1977

9 June 11, 13:30

Renaming the bff doesnt change anything - Shift2 load all avaiable bffs in the folder ;)

shaystarwars98

9 June 11, 23:09

Griff

9 June 11, 23:20

Found out a fully unpacked Shift 2 directory does not use the unpacked files. I just got a black screen when I tried to launch Shift 2. A black screen is what you would get from a unpacked Shift 1 if you didn't use the "-loose" option, but unfortunately there is no "-loose" option for S2U. :(

I've been over why -loose is gone several times. The concept of files with hundreds of thousands of game assets is dead - even with an ssd a custom packed lightweight package like BFF can be an order of magnitude faster for asset loading...

djotefsoup

10 June 11, 01:12

Hi Griff,

While I agree that .wad should have killed it back in 1993, it is kind of disgustingly useful for modding purposes :) - especially if we can eg edit game data 'live' and have the game simply reload a singular file without needing to repack or restart the game.

I'm sure that the removal of -loose and run-time-xml compilation type stuff has made a huge impact in some test cases and for people on, say, an HD-less Xbox360 arcade. But as someone with an SSD, here's what I get in comparison.

Note that these tests are run with Better Shift Visuals, HDMod, Overhaul 2 and 15 unique cars defined in Shift 1 - as much as I could possibly make it in S2U's favour (S2U is also running at lower anisotropic (4x vs 8x)/shadow/motion blur settings - medium rather than high). All run from a cold boot, measured from an external camera at 30fps from last frame of menu to first visible frame of race.

Shift 2: Nordschleife tourist, identical cars, Falken Porsche 911 - 13.704 seconds

Shift 2: Nordschleife tourist, same class, Nissan GTR R35 - 15.247 seconds

Shift 1: Nordschleife tourist, identical cars, cayman s bonuscar (probably best comparison skin load wise to the Falken) - 12.727 seconds

Shift 1: Nordschleife tourist, same class, Nissan GTR R35 - 13.227 seconds

Shift 1: Nordschleife tourist, worst case skin load, Porsche 997GT3RSR (16 unique 4096x skins), identical cars - 17.421 seconds

Should I check if this is broken somehow? This is on a fairly ordinary i3 540 with an HD4870, 4GB, and a Corsair Force SSD. I mean - order of magnitude sounds nice - but I'm just not seeing that at all here. If it ever got below 10 seconds I guess we could technically call it that but I mean, even if I absolutely stack the deck as far as I can in S2U's favour, it's still not really that much different here and actually slightly worse in certain situations.

racerm

12 June 11, 01:41

I have unpacked several of the tracks when I do and go into the folder that the unpacked track is located, the structure is as it should be but when I look at the track in 3dsimed almost all or most of the textures are not present, is there another folder that I need to unpack that contains all or most of the textures, looking forward to your help and thanks in advance.

SETH Alpine

13 June 11, 17:07

I tried to put my car in the 2, and with the problems unpacked/repack, it reminded me my first headaches when i was searched how to modify the first Shift ... I prefer to stay on the 1, at least, we can do!
So, I think I'll look for another platform, if I can not play with my own concepts, the game quickly loses its interest ... No new circuits for the PC ...
Clearly Rfactor 2 does not seem up to snuff, perhaps GTR3 ...
It sucks, it really lacks a serious game that take into account the desires of creations of the players..:thumbdown:

bandina

15 June 11, 07:57

Hi I have now bought the game and I was wondering if is possible like in the NFS1 unpack the game and run it with (-Loose) or have to for play repack the game. I'm in confusion:crying:

Bye and thank everybody:thumbup:

Kaerar

15 June 11, 08:02

Loose doesn't work but extracting the files with their correct folder paths and renaming the original file works.

bandina

15 June 11, 08:11

Thanks then is not necessary repack the game for play.:thumbup:

shaystarwars98

17 June 11, 02:15

if is possible like in the NFS1 unpack the game and run it with (-Loose) or have to for play repack the game. I'm in confusion:crying:

Everyone has been over this many, many times. I'm sorry, but it is pretty obvious from this thread and a THOUSAND other ones that "-loose" does NOT work with Shift 2, and that you need to repack in order to run the game.

I hope there is no more confusion around this subject.

Kaerar

17 June 11, 02:20

Nope don't need to repack. You can run loose files, just have to recreate the internal bff folder structure and rename the bff to .bak (or whatever). That way the game is forced to use loose assets.

shaystarwars98

17 June 11, 02:22

bandina

17 June 11, 09:13

shaystarwars98

18 June 11, 01:51

Thanks guy I have understand, but it is possible to have an exsemple of the unpack, I remember with NFS1 I unpacked all file into the packfiles.With NSF2 I can unpacket all file into the packfile and then when I have modified a file what I have to do ?:?:

I'm not sure I understood your question correctly; I'm sorry. Maybe you would want to try Google Translate if English isn't your first language? :-)

I think what you're trying to ask is: Once I unpack a BFF and then modify the contents what do I do?

You can download the BFF Repacker here (http://www.racedepartment.com/downlo...ff-tools-1740/). The repacker, well, repacks (gasp!) the contents into a single BFF file, which you will then replace and write over the original. You will need an account at RaceDepartment (which I haven't created yet myself due to my laziness) to download the repacker.

bandina

18 June 11, 12:29

thank a lot I'll try

SETH Alpine

18 June 11, 22:00

Kaerar

19 June 11, 06:59

Yeah, testing it with the Career Mod. Works fine. If all the Liveries are out in the open you can just switch DDS files too.

Just trying to find the Livery list so I can add/edit current ones ;)

tulib202

19 June 11, 22:01

Yes but not every bff can be unpacked and deleted, you're forced to use some of them. As the game refuses to read the unpacked data. It's certain that you can unpack all the files in the pakfiles/dir folder an remove them. But for the others, not so good

tulib202

19 June 11, 22:06

I told this to you people ages ago. Looks like nobody cared or took notice.
Modding pros xD

Kaerar

20 June 11, 03:46

:p I took notice :D

matt2380

24 June 11, 11:09

Nope don't need to repack. You can run loose files, just have to recreate the internal bff folder structure and rename the bff to .bak (or whatever). That way the game is forced to use loose assets.

:ohmy:

Could everyone with more info please share your experience on which bff's can and can't run unpacked? This is very valuable information! It would be great to build a list of unpackable bff files.

tulib202 mentioned that the bff's in the pakfiles/dir folder appear to run unpacked. Perhaps it is those bff's which only contain files that aren't duplicated in other bff's?

Kazumi

13 August 11, 20:19

loose vehicleHRliveries (liveries...) and weathertextures (skyboxes)

basically textures. no issues for me :thumbup:

sasan a

20 January 12, 18:45

ooooooooooooooooh i cant

sasan a

20 January 12, 19:43

oh i cant cownload quickbms

goatrage

15 March 12, 23:01

so how do i unpack shift 2?

MU71L473D

15 March 12, 23:15

so how do i unpack shift 2?

just use the unpacker provided in the ucp 1.096 pre-release ;)

ermo

17 March 12, 13:30

:ohmy:

Could everyone with more info please share your experience on which bff's can and can't run unpacked? This is very valuable information! It would be great to build a list of unpackable bff files.

tulib202 mentioned that the bff's in the pakfiles/dir folder appear to run unpacked. Perhaps it is those bff's which only contain files that aren't duplicated in other bff's?

As of UCP v1.1-pre1.0.96, the UCP includes an unpacking script which is also its own documentation in terms of what can and cannot easily run unpacked.

So if you want a (mostly) unpacked game, just use the UCP.

chainspoon

16 April 12, 12:13

Thanks a lot for telling this.

Martin918RSR

26 July 12, 13:14

Uhm I'm new to modding.. So my problem is that I unpack a file put in completely new liveries and when I try to repack it it says that it can't find some kind of dds file or that the file is being used elsewhere... It says "cany create new bff archive could not find file 'C:\Program files\electronic arts\SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED\pakfiles\Vehicles\_paint_colors\vehicles \textures\aston_martin_dbr9_livery04_spec.dds' "

ermo

27 July 12, 15:35

Aim:
To combine bug fixes and enhancements while preserving the driving feel of stock S2U. There are no deliberate physics changes included, but car handling is improved in some cases as a result of bug fixing. There are also some enhancements included that would have been nice to see in an official patch.

To maintain a partially unpacked S2U baseline that will make it easier and more convenient to create and distribute custom skins and mods for S2U w/UCP installed, such as tulib202's Career Mod, brrupsz' Polish Tyre Mod (PTMu) and M12_Warthog's Ferrari DLC conversion.

Is there a particular reason why you'd rather not use the UCP (http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287425)?

dovis3

13 August 12, 15:23

please could you help me when i unpack the game i got black screen, or maybe you could fix it with team wiever. i can mod any game i got but this one just dosent go well :-)

davidcracker

23 February 13, 17:50

ermo

23 February 13, 22:35

i' got an problem

when i want to open UCP_create_JSGME_install.cmd it says:
-Uh Oh Something went awry
The process failed during the following step:
- \Mods\S2U_Unpacked_version\ wasn't found? Did you Read The Fine Manuel?
-Please review the error message given, act appropriatly, and try again :)

i've got this folder?
what can i do?

Did you actually "Read The Fine Manual" as the error message suggests? If you go read the manual, you'll quickly understand what the error message is ever so gently telling you to do.

Hint: You've skipped a step. Reading the online manual / README will help you understand which step you skipped. 8-)

intoxfr

24 February 13, 03:06

haha in my school rtfm does mean that at all xD !
But yeah dude keep calm, read the manual carefully it's help a lot ! =)

intoxfr

25 February 13, 10:53

Hi guys i was asking to myself if we can proceed in a different way to unpack the game.
Maybe it could help guys like me who don't have a powerfull computer =)
before unpacking the game with UCP, installing mods created by xpertvision wich needs a "packed" game (great up of fps btw !) and after unpack the game correctly, i never tried it myself. maybe someday i will try this way =)

PhilH959

25 February 13, 11:56

Subb'd

davidcracker

25 February 13, 16:08

Now it works, I forgot to instal the dlc packs (speedhunters and legen)
But there is nothing from them. no new cars no drag nothing from it.
What can i do, to get that?

intoxfr

25 February 13, 19:26

ha i know why David !
the SpeedHunter & Legends its the 1.02 dlc maybe you forgot to install the 1.01 pack before ?
http://www.nfs-mania.com/downloads/index.php?act=category&id=421

hope it will help you :)

but you must restart the install by 0 i guess, let us know

jimmycelt

26 February 13, 21:45

I have installed ucp newest version is 1.0.99e after installing patch 1.01 and 1.02 I have followed the instructions to the letter but it would just start for a few seconds and then crash with no error from windows.What can i do?I did all this from a fresh install can anyone tell me when i put in S2U_Unpacked_version game wont load in at start the game is un packed and am useing JSGME but when i take the S2U_Unpacked_version back out game wrks again im trying to get the UCP_Ferrari_add-on to work can any help me you can email me at jimmycelt34@yahoo.com thanks

mickaelMK

2 May 13, 21:50

hello,my name is michael,i problem by import model car unpacks of shift 2(pc) in software Zmodeler (Missing material file ".bmt".) files is fine and ready but do not know.:crying::crying::crying::crying:
please help In the case this erorr (Missing material file ".bmt".)
not install any patch in game and I do not know how import file unpacking the game in zmodeler Correctly.(Please show me the way)
I'm confused mind does not know what to do??!!
please see mistake Please tell me if you know my mistakeو You'll be grateful thanks,sorry for my bad english Because I beginner,Sorry I talked too much :-)
please check and see my link image
http://s4.picofile.com/file/7748446020/1_my_file_unpack.jpg

image num 1# is Unpacking the image from the computer

http://s4.picofile.com/file/7748445799/2.jpg

image num 2# is my Problem :(