Getting started

This document is for end users that want to start modding Jagged Alliance: Back in Action. This guide uses compiled versions of the tools.

Setting up the toolchain:

1. click on the link below:
   Tools
2. click on each file
3. click raw
4. If you are not familiar with the Windows command line, read a short primer.

Alternate setup (if you want to download the entire repository)

1. click on the link below:
   Zipped repository
2. save the file
3. unzip the files
4. the tools are located in sbobovyc-JA-BiA-Tools-{version}\dist

Video example

Installing JABIA modding tools

File formats

• pak - custom archive format being used by JABiA
• pak.crypt - encrypted pak files
• ctx - compiled text, stores most in game text, supports multiple languages
• deg - stores dynamic decal information
• cui - compiled user interface file, definitions of in game GUI and its layout
• crf - compiled resource file, 3D models used by JABiA
• caf - compiled animation file

Tool description

• pak_magick.exe - unpacks .pak and .pak.crypt files
• ctx_magick.exe - decompiles/compiles .ctx files
• deg_magick.exe - decompiles/compiles .deg files

Using the tools

Each tool comes with help text.

1. open a command line
2. navigate to the directory that has the tools
3. run the tools with the -h flag:
   pak_magick.exe -h
4. you should see some help text

Drag and drop

• all the unpacking/packing tools work with drag and drop
• example: drag data_win32.pak into the pak_magick.exe icon
  pak_magick video example

First steps

pak_magick.exe now supports .pak.crypt files.
JABIA uses cryptopp

1. copy configs_win32.pak,interface_win32.pak and all .pak/.pak.crypt files found in JABiA's root directory to a work directory
2. unpack configs_win32.pak and interface_win32.pak
3. unpack all the data*_win32.pak files sequentially, starting with data_win32.pak
4. unpack all the voice*_win32.pak files sequentially, starting with voice_win32.pak
5. unpack all .pak.crypt files
6. you now should have a bin_win32 directory containing all the game's configuration files and assets, excluding the levels, videos and some sounds