Difference between revisions of "COB"
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[[File:C1 Updated Object Injector.png|right|thumb|COBs are added to the world using the [[Injector]] (Updated C1 edition pictured).]] | [[File:C1 Updated Object Injector.png|right|thumb|COBs are added to the world using the [[Injector]] (Updated C1 edition pictured).]] | ||
− | A '''COB''' (also cob, COb) is a '''C'''reatures '''Ob'''ject - an object in the game for either [[Creatures]] or [[Creatures 2]]. These objects are stored in .cob files, which contain an image (or images), a description, and some [[CAOS]] coding | + | A '''COB''' (also cob, COb) is a '''C'''reatures '''Ob'''ject - an object in the game for either [[Creatures]] or [[Creatures 2]]. These objects are stored in .cob files, which contain an image (or images), a description, and some [[CAOS]] coding. In [[Creatures 3]] and [[Docking Station]] COBs are known as [[agent]]s. |
Those who make COBs are known as [[COBbler]]s. | Those who make COBs are known as [[COBbler]]s. | ||
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==Installing COBs== | ==Installing COBs== | ||
− | Cobblers should include a [[readme]] text file detailing specifics of how to install their COBs, but this is a rule of thumb. | + | Cobblers should include a [[readme]] text file detailing specifics of how to install their COBs, but this is a rule of thumb. |
+ | |||
+ | '''Caveat:''' Installing too many COBs can cause [[clash]]es or overwhelm the world's [[scriptorium]] (sum total of all [[CAOS]] coding in the given [[world]]). | ||
+ | |||
===C1=== | ===C1=== | ||
*.cob files go in the main Creatures directory (usually C://Program Files/Creatures) | *.cob files go in the main Creatures directory (usually C://Program Files/Creatures) | ||
Line 19: | Line 22: | ||
===C2=== | ===C2=== | ||
− | == | + | {{stub}} |
− | + | ||
+ | ==RCB Files== | ||
+ | Files with the extension '''.RCB''' are '''R'''emove'''C'''O'''B''' files, which remove [[Creatures 1]] COBs and their [[script]]s. Every C1 COB should come with an RCB, but for those that don't there is the [[Universal Remover Spray]]. [[BoBCoB]] and [[CrEd32]] can automatically generate RCB files from any COB file. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Developer information== | ||
+ | |||
+ | For the original [[Creatures]], there are no official cob-making programs - [[BoBCoB]] is probably the most popular unofficial one - but there are both [[COB Compiler|official]] and unofficial [[:Category:Tools|tools]] for [[Creatures 2]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Creatures 1=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Creatures 1's COBs are simpler than all later COB/agent files. | ||
+ | As with all Creatures file formats, they are in little-endian order. | ||
+ | |||
+ | They are simply defined as such: | ||
+ | {| border="1" | ||
+ | ! Length !! Type !! Description | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2 bytes || integer || COB Version (I've only ever seen 1) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2 bytes || integer || Quantity Available (for injecting) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 4 bytes || integer || Expiration month | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 4 bytes || integer || Expiration day | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 4 bytes || integer || Expiration year | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2 bytes || integer || Number of object scripts | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2 bytes || integer || Number of install scripts | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 4 bytes || integer || Quantity Used (for injecting) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | varies || 0 or more string blocks || Object scripts | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | varies || 0 or more string blocks || Install scripts | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 4 bytes || integer || Picture width | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 4 bytes || integer || Picture height | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2 bytes || integer || unknown (always seems to be the same as the picture's width) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | varies || SPR picture data || Picture. Encoded like a single frame of an [[SPR]] with no header. | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | varies || string block || COB Name | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | String blocks are defined as follows | ||
+ | {| border="1" | ||
+ | ! Length !! Type !! Description | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1 byte || integer || String Length (if 255, use second string length) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2 bytes || integer || String Length (if first string length was less than 255, this string length ''does not exist'') | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | varies || string || String (If this is a script, lines of [[CAOS]] are comma-separated with no whitespace between them) | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Creatures 2=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{stub}} | ||
+ | |||
==Related links== | ==Related links== | ||
*[[Agents]] | *[[Agents]] | ||
− | |||
*[[Modding in the Creatures series]] | *[[Modding in the Creatures series]] | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081231203855/http://www.frimlin.com/bobware/ BoBWare (C1/C2)] (archived) | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081231203855/http://www.frimlin.com/bobware/ BoBWare (C1/C2)] (archived) | ||
+ | *[https://web.archive.org/web/20170814234111/http://www.gamewareeurope.com/GWDev/cdn/cdn_more.php?CDN_article_id=95 Creature Labs' Technical COB Information for Creatures 2] | ||
+ | |||
[[Category:Development]] | [[Category:Development]] | ||
+ | [[Category:File formats]] |
Revision as of 17:44, 5 May 2020
A COB (also cob, COb) is a Creatures Object - an object in the game for either Creatures or Creatures 2. These objects are stored in .cob files, which contain an image (or images), a description, and some CAOS coding. In Creatures 3 and Docking Station COBs are known as agents.
Those who make COBs are known as COBblers.
Contents
Finding COBs
Many older C1 COBs are linked to from CObfinder General, Norntropolis and TazzMann's CREATUREs UNIVERSE, and a good list of C2 COBs can be found at Creatures of Avalon. There is a growing list of C1 COBs on GirlySatan's Creatures Webpage. Unfortunately, one popular site spanning all games (Where's The COB?) was taken down in late 2001/early 2002.
If you like a COB, why not add it to the list of known COBs?
Installing COBs
Cobblers should include a readme text file detailing specifics of how to install their COBs, but this is a rule of thumb.
Caveat: Installing too many COBs can cause clashes or overwhelm the world's scriptorium (sum total of all CAOS coding in the given world).
C1
- .cob files go in the main Creatures directory (usually C://Program Files/Creatures)
- .rcb files go in the main Creatures directory
- .spr files go in the Creatures/Images directory
- .wav files (if present) go in the Creatures/Sounds directory
C2
This stub could use more information. |
RCB Files
Files with the extension .RCB are RemoveCOB files, which remove Creatures 1 COBs and their scripts. Every C1 COB should come with an RCB, but for those that don't there is the Universal Remover Spray. BoBCoB and CrEd32 can automatically generate RCB files from any COB file.
Developer information
For the original Creatures, there are no official cob-making programs - BoBCoB is probably the most popular unofficial one - but there are both official and unofficial tools for Creatures 2.
Creatures 1
Creatures 1's COBs are simpler than all later COB/agent files. As with all Creatures file formats, they are in little-endian order.
They are simply defined as such:
Length | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
2 bytes | integer | COB Version (I've only ever seen 1) |
2 bytes | integer | Quantity Available (for injecting) |
4 bytes | integer | Expiration month |
4 bytes | integer | Expiration day |
4 bytes | integer | Expiration year |
2 bytes | integer | Number of object scripts |
2 bytes | integer | Number of install scripts |
4 bytes | integer | Quantity Used (for injecting) |
varies | 0 or more string blocks | Object scripts |
varies | 0 or more string blocks | Install scripts |
4 bytes | integer | Picture width |
4 bytes | integer | Picture height |
2 bytes | integer | unknown (always seems to be the same as the picture's width) |
varies | SPR picture data | Picture. Encoded like a single frame of an SPR with no header. |
varies | string block | COB Name |
String blocks are defined as follows
Length | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
1 byte | integer | String Length (if 255, use second string length) |
2 bytes | integer | String Length (if first string length was less than 255, this string length does not exist) |
varies | string | String (If this is a script, lines of CAOS are comma-separated with no whitespace between them) |
Creatures 2
This stub could use more information. |