The Movies File Formats

This page will link to the various file formats used by the game, and what those files are for. "File Format" is determined specifically by the extension of the file name, in the same convention as Windows files. So an "INI" file, for example, is one that has a file name of "addictions.ini". Because most of the files are proprietary data formats created by Lionhead to specifically meet their needs, most will require extensive data analysis, and specialized tools to read and write that data.

At DCMF, we're hoping to eventually do this -- either ourselves, or imparting the knowledge necessary to help others develop the tools to read and write ALL of these formats.

File Extension	Description	Notes	Typical Dir Location
.fan	Facial Animations	These files contain numeric controls over the 'muscles' that make facial expressions on actors. They have an ID in each file that seems to correlate with the numbers used for facial expressions in Scene files (.flm). Yet there seems to be more than one definition per ID possible. How the game determines which to use when more than one expression is defined for that ID is not clear yet.	/animations/facials/
.fx	Animation Effects (?)	These files seem to contain sound effects that are triggered during animations, as well as what appears to be references to facial expressions, and some references to LHTS String data	/animations/fx/
.anm	Animations	These files contain sequences of bone rotations, which controls how Actors move, as well as how certain set elements move. For instance, when an elevator door opens or shuts, it is controlled by an animation.	/animations/high/
.seq	Animation Sequences	These files contain lists of animations for an actor to perform in sequence. There are a list of floats that may control how much of each animation is used.	/animations/sequences/
.lug	Sound Files	These files contain audio data, often what is heard in the background on a set. There is support for individual sound names within the files, that can then be called elsewhere by this shortcut. There appears to be support for multiple sounds triggered randomly.	/audio /audio/atmosphere/ /audio/en-uk/ (or for your install language)
.lps	Lip Sync Files	These files contain morph data for synchronizing mouth movements with an audio track. TM can generate this data automatically from an audio track in the Advanced Movie Maker (AMM)	/audio/lipsync/
.ogg	Music Files	These are compressed audio tracks, using an open-source audio format. Many sound-editing programs will allow export to .ogg	/audio/music/
.dds	Direct Draw Surface files	These are standard Direct X texture files. Technically, they are bitmaps that are optimized for display on a 3D model via Direct X. Every image used in The Movies is one. They support alpha channels (i.e. transparency maps). Use a tool like DDS Convertor or a plugin to convert from an ordinary bitmap to a .dds	varies
.cam	Camera Flythrough Files	These files are the paths that the camera takes as it flies through the set when you preview it by double-clicking on the set in Lot View in the game.	/cameras/ /cameras/scenes/ (what are these for ?)
.cos	Costume Files	These files contain the costume data that defines all the elements of a costume, including textures, attached meshes, and slider choices.	/costume/datas/
.dlc	???	These files are short text descriptions of certain game elements.. perhaps shown when the mouse hovers over them? Very funny stuff though... For example, prop_guard_dog.dlc: Woof off!	/dlc/
.fnt	Font Files	These are fonts used in the game.	/fonts/en-uk/ (or for your install language)
.par	Particle Descriptor Files	These files, from the Stunts & Effects Add-on Pack, appear to only be an uncompiled text file describing the elements used in each particle effect. Perhaps these were left to aid us in deconstructing the particle effects (which they did) or they were included by mistake. The elements the game uses to display actual particle effects are .mfx files.	/fx/ /fx/minspec/
.mfx	Particle Effects Files	These files are the 'compiled' versions of the text-basd .par files, which controls the special particle effects (explosions, flashes, sparkles, lasers, and weather effects).	/fx/final/ /fx/final/minspec/
.hd	Head Files	These files may hold 3D data, or morph targets for basic actor face shapes.	/heads/
.lnd	Land files	These files hold the layout of the lot (?)	/landscape/ /lots/ /savedefaults/
.rob	???	These files are plain-text files, with references to certain meshes and values. Unknown purpose.	/landscape/
.msh	Mesh Files	These files contain the 3D, textures, animation bones, and grouping data for every element in the game. Sets, Props, Lot Dressing, Actors, Costumes, Costume Accessories, Special effects, Hair, Latex Heads, etc.	/mesh/ /mesh/fx/
.inf	ExtraInfo Files	These files contain additional information about meshes. They are named the same as the mesh they are related to.	/mesh/extrainfo/
.pak	Pak Files	These files contain all of the other files in the game, in a compressed format much like a Zip file, with directory structure included. The games data is normally drawn from the .pak files, but if the file exists within the same directory structure of the /data/ directory, the game will use this file instead. In this way, mods found in the /data/ directory can override the default files in the pak, essentially altering the game data, without needing to alter the actual core game files themselves. Deleting these modified files from the /data/ directories will revert the game back to its original 'factory' state. Files can be extracted from the .pak files to be modified using MED or reshoot.	/pak/
.csv	Comma-Separated Values Files	These are text-editable files that contain data in fields separated by commas. They can be opened and edited with a text editor, or much easier with Microsoft Excel, or similar spreadsheet application.	varies
.trl	Trailer Files	These files contain all the information the game uses to open a movie in the AMM (Advanced Movie Maker).	/sample movies/ (and User Data folder ...)
.jad	Save Game Files	These contain data about the user's save game	User Data folder
.flm	Scene Files 010 Editor Template	These files contain all data that make up a to be shot, including Extras, Animations, Motion Paths, Camera Movements, Props, Set Info, Facial Expressions, Sound Effects, Particle Effects, and Actor Costumes. These are the raw scenes, before any cutting or post production work is done in the AMM	/scene/interactions/ -- these are on-lot and other game scenes. and /scene/interactions/(subdirectory for each set number)
.lhts	String Database	These files contain all string data used in the game, in friendly, human-readable text.	/text/EN-UK/ (Or appropriate standard language ID)
.act
.dat
.raw
.low			/textures/specials/lowresshad/
.txd			/textures/postproc/
.mfl	Movies Flash Files		/ui/flash/
.prx

Categories:

CategoryTechnicalInfo
CategoryDocumentation