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This file lists which files define the game map. It can be found in the game's <code>data</code> directory, and is known as <code>'''gta3.dat'''</code> in [[GTA III]], <code>'''gta-vc.dat'''</code> in [[GTA VC]], and simply <code>'''gta.dat'''</code> in [[GTA SA]]. The same file format is also used for <code>'''[[default.dat]]'''</code>.
The '''gta*.dat''' file lists which files define the game map. It can be found in the game's <code>data</code> directory, and is known as <code>'''gta3.dat'''</code> in [[Grand Theft Auto III]], <code>'''gta_vc.dat'''</code> in [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]], and simply <code>'''gta.dat'''</code> in [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]. The same file format is also used for the <code>'''default.dat'''</code> file in the same directory.


== Format ==
== Format ==
Each line links to a map file, unless it's empty or starts with a <code>#</code> (denoting a comment, which are ignored by the game). Since there are different types of files, a keyword is needed for each entry. Most entries use the following format, where the path is relative to the game's base directory:
The files are in plain text format so they can be opened with any text editor (like [[wikipedia:Microsoft Notepad|Notepad]]). Line comments are indicated by the character <code>#</code> (number sign) and empty lines are allowed. They can be placed anywhere in the file. Since there are different types of files, a keyword is needed for each entry. Most entries use the following format, where the path is relative to the game's base directory:
  &lt;keyword&gt; &lt;path&gt;
  &lt;keyword&gt; &lt;path&gt;


Although the file itself is not split up into sections, entries are usually grouped by type and arranged in a special order according to the game's loading sequence:
Although the file itself is not split up into sections, entries are usually grouped by type and arranged in a special order according to the game's loading sequence:
# Archives (<code>[[IMG]]</code>)
{|class="wikitable center-col-2"
# [[Images.txt|Image list]] ''(GTA IV only)''
!Keyword ||Games ||style="width: 64em;" |Description ||Example
# [[Water (GTA 4)|Water]] ''(GTA IV only)''
|-
# Item Definitions (<code>[[IDE]]</code>)
|CDIMAGE ||{{Icon|3}} {{Icon|VC}} ||rowspan="2" |Links to additional [[IMG Archive|IMG archives]] (other than the hardcoded ones). In GTA San Andreas, a maximum of five entries are supported; any more will crash the game. <code>CDIMAGE</code> is supported in GTA III and GTA Vice City but it is unused in the default data files. ||
# Collision Files (<code>[[Collision File|COLLISION]]</code>)
{{Pre|
# Map Areas (<code>[[Zone|MAPZONE]]</code>, <code>[[IPL]]</code>)
CDIMAGE MODELS\EXAMPLE.IMG
# Item Placements (<code>IPL</code>)
}}
|-
|IMG ||{{Icon|SA}} {{Icon|4}} ||
{{Pre|
IMG MODELS\EXAMPLE.IMG
}}
|-
|IMGLIST ||{{Icon|4}} ||Links to external [[Images.txt|image list]] files. ||
{{Pre|
IMGLIST common:/DATA/EXAMPLE.TXT
}}
|-
|WATER ||{{Icon|4}} ||Links to external water plane placement files. The identifier can hold more than one parameter. It is unconfirmed either this also works for other identifiers. ||
{{Pre|
WATER common:/DATA/EXAMPLE1.DAT
WATER common:/DATA/EXAMPLE2.DAT common:/DATA/EXAMPLE3.DAT
}}
|-
|IDE ||{{Icon|t}} {{Icon|4}} ||Links to [[IDE|item definition]] files. ||
{{Pre|
IDE DATA\MAPS\EXAMPLE.IDE
}}
|-
|COLFILE ||{{Icon|t}} ||Links to collision files. An additional parameter between keyword and path associates the file to a level. If this is 0, the col file is used by the whole map; a higher number (1 to 3) assigns it to one of the level. ||
{{Pre|
COLFILE 0 MODELS\COLL\EXAMPLE.COL
}}
|-
|MAPZONE ||{{Icon|3}} ||Links to zone files. ||
{{Pre|
MAPZONE DATA\EXAMPLE.ZON
}}
|-
|IPL ||{{Icon|t}} ||Links to [[IPL]]-style item placement and zone files. ||
{{Pre|
IPL DATA\EXAMPLE.ZON
IPL DATA\MAPS\EXAMPLE.IPL
}}
|-
|TEXDICTION ||{{Icon|t}} ||Links to external [[TXD|texture dictionaries]]. ||
{{Pre|
TEXDICTION MODELS\EXAMPLE.TXD
}}
|-
|MODELFILE ||{{Icon|t}} ||Links to external model files. ||
{{Pre|
MODELFILE MODELS\GENERIC\EXAMPLE.DFF
}}
|-
|SPLASH ||{{Icon|t}} ||Links to splash screens that appear when transitioning between levels. The argument for these is '''not''' a path, but just the name (without extension) of a texture dictionary in the <code>\models\txd</code> directory. Might be ignored, though. ||
{{Pre|
SPLASH loadsc2
}}
|-
|HIERFILE ||{{Icon|t}} ||Unknown purpose. ||
|-
|EXIT ||{{Icon|t}} ||Stops any further processing of the file. ||
|}


Since [[GTA IV]] has various subdirectories which need to be identified there are new identifiers at the start of the path. They identify the exact location relative to the executeable file. Those are:
Since [[Grand Theft Auto IV]] has various subdirectories which need to be identified there are new identifiers at the start of the path. They identify the exact location relative to the executeable file. Those are:


  platform:
  platform:
Line 27: Line 84:
which finally is transformed to (e.g.)
which finally is transformed to (e.g.)
  C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto 4\PC\DATA\MAPS\MANHAT\MANHAT12.IPL
  C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto 4\PC\DATA\MAPS\MANHAT\MANHAT12.IPL
== Keywords ==
=== COLLISION ===
''GTA III, VC and SA''
With these entries [[Collision File|collision files]] are defined. An additional parameter between keyword and path defines the map part they belong to. If this is 0, the col file is used by the whole map; a higher number (1 to 3) assigns it to one of the [[Zone|map zones]].
Example:
COLFILE 0 MODELS\COLL\GENERIC.COL
=== IDE ===
''GTA III, VC and SA''
These entries link to [[IDE|item definition]] files.
Example:
IDE DATA\MAPS\generic.IDE
=== HIERFILE ===
{{Incomplete}}
=== IMG ===
''GTA SA only''
These entries define additionally used [[IMG archive]]s (other than the hardcoded ones). You can only define a maximum of five entries. Any more will crash the game.
Example:
IMG DATA\PATHS\CARREC.IMG
IMG DATA\SCRIPT\SCRIPT.IMG
IMG MODELS\CUTSCENE.IMG
=== IMGLIST ===
''GTA 4 only''
These link to external [[Images.txt|image list]] files.
Example:
IMGLIST common:/data/images.txt
=== IPL and MAPZONE ===
''GTA III, VC and SA''
These keywords are used to link to [[IPL]]-style item placement and [[zone]] files. <code>MAPZONE</code> is only used in GTA3 and ''might'' be synonymous with <code>IPL</code>.
Example (GTA3):
MAPZONE DATA\MAP.ZON
IPL DATA\GTA3.ZON
Example (GTA SA):
IPL DATA\MAP.ZON
IPL DATA\INFO.ZON
IPL DATA\MAPS\LA\LAn.IPL
IPL DATA\MAPS\LA\LAn2.IPL
=== MODELFILE ===
''GTA III, VC and SA''
These link to external, mostly generic [[DFF|model files]].
Example:
MODELFILE MODELS\GENERIC\WHEELS.DFF
=== SPLASH ===
''GTA III, VC and SA''
These define the splash screens that appear while loading the map. The argument for these is '''not''' a path, but just the name (without extension) of a [[texture dictionary]] in the <code>txd</code> directory. Might be ignored, though.
Example:
SPLASH loadsc2
=== TEXDICTION ===
''GTA III, VC and SA''
These link to external, mostly generic [[TXD|texture dictionaries]].
Example:
TEXDICTION MODELS\GENERIC.TXD
=== WATER ===
''GTA 4 only''
These link to external [[Water (GTA 4)|water]] plane placement files.
Example:
WATER common:/DATA/WATER.DAT
The WATER identifier can hold more than one parameter. It is unconfirmed either this also works for other identifiers.
Example:
WATER common:/DATA/WATER.DAT common:/DATA/WATERLOW.DAT


{{fdl}}
{{fdl}}
{{3-navi}}
{{VC-navi}}
[[Category:Map Formats]]
[[Category:Map Formats]]
[[Category:GTA III Modifications]]
[[Category:GTA Vice City]]
[[Category:Modifications]]
{{modding}}
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