PK4 unpacking?

[low_grade]

So I gather that only Poptop and the makers of Doom have ever used the PK4 extension, and for some reason WinRAR and WinZip won't recognize it. So what do you guys use to make the user extra content archives?

[nedfumpkin]

Someone wrote a java utility for unpacking, I'll post it this evening when I get a chance, or if you download the Trainmaster passenger carriages off the extras page, it's got the files and instructions for packing and unpacking pk4

http://hawkdawg.com/cgi-bin/counter/download.pl?file=060

Note...this package is different from what is released with TM since it expands to two more eras. I will be replacing this file when I have a complete express set put together. But the extras are nice.

[Wolverine@MSU]

PK4 files can be unpacked by using PJay's "PK4unpack" utility, a JAVA script, that I think is available in the Archive. PK4 files can be packed with the utility provided by PopTop in the CtoC expansion. I'm pretty sure that instructions for packing and unpacking PK4 files have been posted on the Forum somewhere. Do a search, and you should be able to find them.

[low_grade]

So, I see the PK4pack and PK4unpack directories, and in the PDF it says that in order to unpack a pk4 you enter java pk4unpack <file> from a command prompt, but when I do this from the directory that has the pk4 file, java returns the error java.lang.classnotfoundexception, which leads me to believe that there's some kind of installation I need to do in order to make this work.

So, please, what else do I have to do?

[nedfumpkin]

there's no installation, you just need to have all the files in the same folder, and type the command exactly. It is case sensitive.

I use a batch file to do it because It's a pain to type out each time, and so much easier to paste into editor. The last time I used the batch it had this as its only line.

java PK4unpack glenaldencoalco.pk4

Works every time.

[WPandP]

If you're looking for something with a GUI rather than command-line interface, I've been using Watto Studios Game Extractor, which can handle RRT3's PK4 files. It'll let you examine the contents of a PK4 and just extract the file(s) that you need, which can be helpful. For packing, though, you still need to use the command line utility.

[low_grade]

Thanks a million!

I'm probably not going to go gung ho on modifying images, but I wanted to try adding a few locomotives. The first one would be an 0-6-0 in 1842 for European campaigns, the GWR Hercules Class, that's roughly equivalent to the Baldwin, useful for grade and freight hauling. Wish me luck!

[Hawk]

Is that pk4 utility still available somewhere?

Edit 1: Never mind. I found it. It's in the Trainmaster Rolling Stock Developers Kit, found in the Extras section of the archives in the 'Tips, Tutorials, Utilities, etc.' section.

[Gumboots]

there's no installation, you just need to have all the files in the same folder, and type the command exactly. It is case sensitive.

I use a batch file to do it because It's a pain to type out each time, and so much easier to paste into editor. The last time I used the batch it had this as its only line.

java PK4unpack glenaldencoalco.pk4

Works every time.

Not every time.

Code: Select all

'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

Ha.

[nedfumpkin]

I think you need sun java installed, but I just read that it has a major security flaw so I'm not sure what to say. Look it up and it's a free install.

[Gumboots]

I already had Java installed. The problem and the fix is described here: How do you stop the error 'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command operable program or batch file?

I found that after a bit of Googling, and it fixed the error for me.

They reckon the exploit has been patched, but I've disconnected Java from my browser anyway, for the time being at least. Using it for desktop scripts is still safe.