GBX

TrackMania .gbx files (GameBox) are generic container files that can contain everything from configuration to textures to track definitions. They consist of a header, a reference table and the body.

In old versions of TrackMania they used to be text files – nowadays they are binary files. Integers are stored in little-endian order. The file body is often compressed (using ).

Engines, classes, chunks
A .gbx file more specifically stores the serialization of one or more class instances. There is one main instance, and optionally a number of auxiliary instances.

The serializable classes are organized into engines. Each class is also subdivided into chunks. A class is then not serialized in one go, but rather as a series of chunks. This allows Nadeo to easily extend classes in new TrackMania versions: instead of having to define a new class they can simply add more chunks to an existing one, and have older versions ignore these new chunk types.

The data in a .gbx file follows the pattern. A chunk ID is a 32-bit number that identifies the engine, the class, and the chunk in that class. If you for example see the bytes  in the file, that would correspond to the integer 0x03043007, and be interpreted as follows:

engine class chunk 03    043   007

All engines and classes are named; in this case, engine 3 is the Game engine, and class 043 in that engine is CGameCtnChallenge. Chunks do not have names.

Apart from chunk IDs there are also class IDs, which are just like chunk IDs except the chunk index part is ignored (and 0). For a complete overview of engines and classes, see Class IDs.

Header
The header contains things like compression information and the class ID of the main class instance. The current version of the header also provides a few chunks of the main class that serve as meta information (e.g. the thumbnail of a challenge).


 * byte[3] magic: "GBX"
 * uint16 version: currently 6
 * if version >= 3:
 * byte format: 'B' or 'T': Binary or Text (always B for version 6 gbx files)
 * byte compression: 'U' or 'C': Uncompressed or Compressed reference table (unused, always U)
 * byte compression: 'U' or 'C': Uncompressed or Compressed body (typically C for binary files)
 * if version >= 4:
 * byte unknown: 'R' or 'E': unknown purpose (typically R for binary files)
 * uint32 classID (class ID of main class instance)
 * if version >= 6:
 * uint32 userDataSize
 * byte[userDataSize]:
 * uint32 numHeaderChunks
 * HeaderEntry[numHeaderChunks]
 * uint32 chunkID
 * uint32 chunkSize (may have bit 31 set. This indicates a "heavy" header chunk which is skipped while scanning gbx files on game startup)
 * concatenated data of header chunks
 * uint32 numNodes: the total number of class instances related to this gbx file. This includes the main instance, any local auxiliary instances, and any referenced external nodes/files. An internal list will be allocated with this number of entries; the main instance is at index 0.

Reference table

 * uint32 numExternalNodes: the number of external nodes and files that this .gbx references. These come from other files located in the .gbx's .pak file. The references to these will be placed in the same list as the local nodes (see above). Both raw files (e.g. textures) and .gbx main instances can be referenced.
 * if numExternalNodes > 0:
 * uint32 ancestorLevel: how many folder levels to go up in the .pak folder hierarchy to reach the base folder from which files will be referenced.
 * uint32 numSubFolders
 * Folder folders[numSubFolders]
 * string name
 * uint32 numSubFolders
 * Folder folders[numSubFolders]
 * ExternalNode externals[numExternalNodes]
 * uint32 flags
 * if (flags & 4) == 0:
 * string fileName
 * else:
 * uint32 resourceIndex
 * uint32 nodeIndex (the index in the local node list where this external reference will be stored)
 * if version >= 5: (header version)
 * bool useFile (0 or 1, whether to use the file itself or the node that was loaded from the file)
 * if (flags & 4) == 0:
 * uint32 folderIndex: the depth-first index of the folder which the file is in. 0 means the base folder itself.

Body

 * if body is compressed:
 * uint32 uncompressedSize
 * uint32 compressedSize
 * byte data[compressedSize] (compressed with regular LZO)
 * else:
 * byte data[]

Reading the body
The file body contains further chunks of the main class instance, and may also contain auxiliary class instances. Reading the body is started by creating an in-memory instance of the class corresponding to the main class ID (instances are called nodes internally), and calling ReadNode on it:

ReadNode {    while (true) {        chunkID = ReadUInt32; if (chunkID == 0xFACADE01) // no more chunks {            OnNodLoaded; return; }        chunkFlags = GetChunkInfo(chunkID); if (chunkFlags == 0xFACADE01 || (chunkFlags & 0x11) == 0x10) {            skip = ReadUInt32; if (skip != 0x534B4950) // "SKIP" {                OnNodLoaded; return; }            chunkDataSize = ReadUInt32; SkipData(chunkDataSize); // skip unknown or obsolete chunk }        if (chunkFlags != 0xFACADE01 && (chunkFlags & 0x11) != 0x10) {            if (chunkFlags & 0x10) // skippable {                skip = ReadUInt32;          // unused chunkDataSize = ReadUInt32; // unused }            ReadChunk(chunkID); // read the chunk }    } }

The code 0xFACADE01 is used here for two different purposes. As a dummy chunk ID (read from the file), it signifies the end of the chunk list for the current class. As a flag (returned by the function GetChunkInfo), it signifies that the passed chunk ID is unknown. GetChunkInfo doesn't read anything from the file; it provides loading flags for the specified chunk ID. The flag 0x01 indicates that the chunk must be read. If this flag is not set, the chunk can be skipped (if possible). The second important flag is 0x10 and indicates whether the chunk is "skippable" or not. If it is, the chunk ID is followed by an uint32 0x50494B53 ("SKIP", shows up as "PIKS" in the file due to little-endian ordering) and an uint32 specifying the size of the chunk data. This allows older versions of TrackMania that don't know how to parse this chunk ID to skip over the chunk data and go to the next chunk. If the chunk is not skippable, the chunk data follows immediately after the chunk ID.

The function OnNodLoaded is used by some classes to prepare the read data (e.g., to make them compatible with newer versions of the engine).

Chunk data is not self-describing; the program itself has to know how to read each one. In fact, if your program doesn't know a specific chunk ID and the chunk is not skippable, you can't even tell how long the chunk is.

We will first describe a number of "primitives" that are used when reading and writing chunks. Then we will describe the contents of a number of common chunks.

Primitives

 * bool: 32-bit little-endian integer that can be 0 or 1.


 * byte, uint16, int32, uint32, uint64, uint128, float: regular little-endian encoding.


 * vec2:
 * float x
 * float y


 * vec3:
 * float x
 * float y
 * float z


 * color:
 * float r
 * float g
 * float b


 * string:
 * uint32 length
 * byte chars[length] (, older files sometimes with, not zero-terminated)


 * lookbackstring: a form of compression which allows to avoid repeating the same string multiple times. Every time a new string is encountered, it is added to a string list, and from then on this list entry is referenced instead of repeating the string another time.
 * if this is the first lookback string encountered:
 * uint32 version (currently 3)
 * uint32 index: bit 31 and 30 define the string type. If both bits are 0, the index is a number. The actual index is represented by the bits 0-29. If this value is 0, a new string follows (and will be added to the string list). If it is greater than one, use the string at stringlist [index - 1]. If no data is provided (unassigned), the bits 30 and 31 indicate how this state is stored. If bit 31 is set, the string "Unassigned" is used, but if bit 30 is set, the value -1 is stored instead.
 * If the bits 0 through 29 are 0 and bit 30 or 31 is 1:
 * string newString. Append to the string list.

Note: the lookback string state is reset after each header chunk. The string list is cleared completely, and the next lookback string will again trigger the version number. If index represents a number (bits 30 and 31 not set), it describes the position inside a global string table. In most cases it concerns the ID of a collection.

Note: Virtual Skipper 2 uses version 2 of the lookback strings. In this version, the string is always stored, the index always contains the position within the global name table, and the field with the version is also always present.


 * meta: contains meta information like the track environment, time of day, and author.
 * lookbackstring id
 * lookbackstring collection
 * lookbackstring author


 * fileref: path to an external file, e.g. a skin.
 * byte version (currently 3)
 * if version >= 3:
 * byte[32] (checksum)
 * string filePath (skin: if version < 2 relative to Skins folder else relative to user folder)
 * if filePath.length > 0 && version >= 1:
 * string locatorUrl


 * noderef: a reference to an auxiliary class instance.
 * uint32 index. if this is -1, the node reference is empty (null).
 * if the index is >= 0 and the node at the index has not been read yet:
 * uint32 classID: instantiate a new node for this class ID and store it in the node list at the specified index.
 * ReadNode

Note: In case of a text format .gbx file (marked by a 'T' in the header) all numbers and strings are stored as one line of ASCII text in each case. Every line ends with a carriage return-linefeed combination (0x0D and 0x0A). A single is part of a string.

Encapsulation
Encapsulation is a special kind of chunk behavior added in ManiaPlanet that handles lookbackstrings and noderefs differently.


 * A new temporary lookbackstring list is created just for this chunk - the counting of strings starts from 1 again. However, the previous state of lookback strings is not reset.
 * An index of the noderef is not included and the node is not added to the node list. That list is not reset either.

It looks like this:

CSystemArchiveEncapsuledChunk::CSystemArchiveEncapsuledChunk; // ... CSystemArchiveEncapsuledChunk::~CSystemArchiveEncapsuledChunk;

In this range of code, you need to set up your binary reader to handle the two rules above.

Here is the list of chunks that use encapsulation:


 * CGameCtnChallenge 03043040, 03043041, 03043043, 03043044, 0304304E, 0304304F (version < 2), 03043054, 03043058 (version >= 1)
 * CGameCtnMacroBlockInfo 0310D00B, 0310D011
 * CGamePlayerProfileChunk_GameScores 03146000, 03146002, 03146004
 * CGamePlayerProfileChunk_ScriptPersistentTraits 03170000

CGameCtnChallenge (03 043 000)
03043002 "TmDesc" byte version if version < 3: meta (trackUID, environment, mapAuthor) string trackName bool 0 if version >= 1: uint32 bronzeTime (ms) uint32 silverTime (ms) uint32 goldTime (ms) uint32 authorTime (ms) if version == 2: byte if version >= 4: uint32 cost (Copper price; since version 12: Display cost) if version >= 5: bool multilap if version == 6: bool if version >= 7: uint32 trackType (0: Race, 1: Platform, 2: Puzzle, 3: Crazy, 4: Shortcut, 5: Stunts, 6: Script) if version >= 9: uint32 0 if version >= 10: uint32 authorScore if version >= 11: uint32 editorMode (bit 0: advanced/simple editor, bit 1: has ghost blocks) if version >= 12: bool 0 if version >= 13: uint32 nbCheckpoints uint32 nbLaps

03043003 "Common" byte version meta (trackUID, environment, mapAuthor) string trackName byte kind (0: (internal)EndMarker, 1: (old)Campaign, 2: (old)Puzzle, 3: (old)Retro, 4: (old)TimeAttack,           5: (old)Rounds, 6: InProgress, 7: Campaign, 8: Multi, 9: Solo, 10: Site, 11: SoloNadeo, 12: MultiNadeo) if version >= 1: bool locked (used by Virtual Skipper to lock the map parameters) string password (weak xor encryption, no longer used in newer track files; see 03043029) if version >= 2: meta decoration (timeOfDay, environment, envirAuthor) (decoration envir can be different than collection envir) if version >= 3: vec2 mapOrigin if version >= 4: vec2 mapTarget if version >= 5: uint128 if version >= 6: string mapType string mapStyle if version <= 8: bool if version >= 8: uint64 lightmapCacheUID if version >= 9: byte lightmapVersion if version >= 11: lookbackstring titleUID

03043004 "Version" uint32 version 03043005 "Community" string xml

The XML block contains everything the 003 header chunk does, except for the password. Unlike the 003 chunk, however, it also contains the list of dependencies for the track (images, mods, music, etc.), as well as the version number of the software that created the track, the actual number of laps, and an optional Mod name.

03043007 "Thumbnail" uint32 version if version != 0: uint32 thumbSize "" byte thumb[thumbSize] "" "" string comments ""

03043008 "Author" uint32 version uint32 authorVersion string authorLogin string authorNick string authorZone string authorExtraInfo

0304300D meta (vehicle, collection, author)

03043011 noderef collectorList noderef challengeParameters uint32 kind (0: (internal)EndMarker, 1: (old)Campaign, 2: (old)Puzzle, 3: (old)Retro, 4: (old)TimeAttack,            5: (old)Rounds, 6: InProgress, 7: Campaign, 8: Multi, 9: Solo, 10: Site, 11: SoloNadeo, 12: MultiNadeo) 03043012 string

03043013 ReadChunk(0x0304301F)

03043014 (skippable) uint32 string password (old style password with weak xor encryption. This chunk is no longer used in newer track files; see 03043029) 03043017 (skippable) uint32 numCheckpoints Checkpoint[numCheckpoints]

Checkpoint: uint32 uint32 uint32 03043018 (skippable) bool uint32 numLaps

03043019 (skippable) fileref modPackDesc 0304301C (skippable) uint32 playMode (0: Race, 1: Platform, 2: Puzzle, 3: Crazy, 4: Shortcut, 5: Stunts)

0304301F meta (trackUID, environment, mapAuthor) string trackName meta decoration (timeOfDay, environment, envirAuthor) uint32 sizeX uint32 sizeY uint32 sizeZ bool needUnlock if chunkId != 03043013: uint32 version uint32 numBlocks for each block: lookbackstring blockName byte rotation (0/1/2/3) byte x    byte y     byte z     if version == 0: uint16 flags if version > 0: uint32 flags if (flags == 0xFFFFFFFF) continue (read the next block) if (flags & 0x8000) != 0: custom block lookbackstring author noderef skin if (flags & 0x100000) noderef blockparameters

Note: blocks with flags 0xFFFFFFFF should be skipped, they aren't counted in the numBlocks.

Note: It is possible that additional blocks with flags 0xFFFFFFFF (Unassigned) follow after all other blocks. 03043021 noderef clipIntro noderef clipGroupInGame noderef clipGroupEndRace 03043022 uint32 03043024 fileref customMusicPackDesc 03043025 vec2 mapCoordOrigin vec2 mapCoordTarget 03043026 noderef clipGlobal 03043027 bool archiveGmCamVal if archiveGmCamVal: byte GmMat3 (vec3 x 3) vec3 float float float

03043028 ReadChunk(0x03043027) string comments 03043029 (skippable) uint128 passwordHash (salted MD5) uint32 CRC32("0x" + hex(passwordHash) + "???" + trackUID)

0304302A bool

0304303D (skippable) bool unknown uint32 version if version >= 5: uint32 frames  // If version < 5 then frames = 1 if version >= 2: for each frame: uint32 size byte image[size]  // Image is JPEG/JFIF or WEBP/RIFF file format if version >= 3: uint32 size byte image[size] if version >= 6: uint32 size byte image[size] if size != 0: uint32 uncompressedSize uint32 compressedSize byte compressedData[compressedSize] // ZLIB compressed lightmap cache node

03043040 (skippable) "items"

Note: This chunk has its own lookback string state (is encapsulated with CSystemArchiveEncapsuledChunk).

Note: Version 5+ can have data that is based on the count of certain types of items in the item array. If you want to modify items in TM2020, you can come across issues when modifying the item array and it becomes rather difficult. This can be resolved by downgrading the version to 4. This downgrade should only affect item snapping - which is "useful" only when deleting items in the map editor.

Note: The following information may not be 100% accurate.


 * connectedItemPairs: Array of AnchoredObjects index pairs where the first item (of pair) is the item that will delete the second item (of pair). Example: (87, 110) - item #87 will delete item #110, when #87 gets deleted.
 * snappedBlocks: Values are indexes of the Blocks array (chunk 0x01F). -1 = snapped to an item and you should use the index of snappedItems.
 * snappedItems: Values are indexes of the AnchoredObjects array (this chunk). -1 = snapped to a block and you should use the index of snappedBlocks.
 * snapItemGroups: Separates item "deletion groups" via a simple number. Usual values are between 0 and 5. You can index these with itemSnapIndexes values.
 * itemSnapIndexes: Uses the values above to connect them with the item list. Values are indexes of snappedBlocks/snappedItems arrays. Any index of this array corresponds to the same AnchoredObjects index, except -1, which means the item is not snapped.

uint32 version uint32 uint32 size uint32 (10) uint32 numItems for each item: node item (CGameCtnAnchoredObject, direct node) if version >= 1 && version != 5: uint32 connectedItemPairCount uint2 connectedItemPairs[connectedItemPairCount] // 2 uint32 per element if version >= 5: // TM2020 uint32 snappedBlockCount uint32 snappedBlocks[snappedBlockCount] if version < 7: uint32 snapItemGroupCount uint32 snapItemGroups[snapItemGroupCount] if version >= 6: uint32 snappedItemCount uint32 snappedItems[snappedItemCount] if version >= 7: uint32 snapItemGroupCount uint32 snapItemGroups[snapItemGroupCount] if version != 6: uint32 size uint32[size] // unknown atm uint32 itemSnapIndexCount // should be the same as the item count itself uint32 itemSnapIndexes[itemSnapIndexCount]

03043044 (skippable) uint32 unknown (0) uint32 size uint32 classID uint32 version if version >= 2: uint32 count (number of metadata records) for each count: string varName uint32 varType switch varType: case EType_Boolean: bool case EType_Integer: int32 case EType_Real: float case EType_Text: string case EType_Int2: int32 int32 case EType_Int3: int32 int32 int32 case EType_Vec2: float float case EType_Vec3: float float float case EType_Array: uint32 typeKey uint32 typeValue uint32 arrayElements for each arrayElements switch typeKey: case EType_Boolean: bool case EType_Integer: int32 case EType_Real: float case EType_Text: string switch typeValue: case EType_Boolean: bool case EType_Integer: int32 case EType_Real: float case EType_Text: string case EType_Int2: int32 int32 case EType_Int3: int32 int32 int32 case EType_Vec2: float float case EType_Vec3: float float float case EType_Array: recursively read multidimensional arrays

The variable type is to be interpreted as follows: enum eScriptType {    EType_Void = 0, EType_Boolean, EType_Integer, EType_Real, EType_Class, EType_Text, EType_Enum, EType_Array, EType_ParamArray, EType_Vec2, EType_Vec3, EType_Int3, EType_Iso4, EType_Ident, EType_Int2, EType_Struct }; Maniaplanet 4.1 has changed the way script types and values are written. The code now does the following:


 * First write the list of all types (all types appear only once).
 * For each value, write the index of the type in the list, and then write the value.

Writing the types and values has not changed except for the addition of structures which are a plain list of members.

Also note that the indices are written in the following form:


 * If the index is < 128, it is written directly into one byte (because this covers 99% of the cases).
 * Otherwise, it is written in the first 7 bits of the first byte and in the following 2 bytes, a total of 23 bits (7+8+8). The 8th bit of the first byte is set to 1.

Note that this scheme is also used to write string lengths.

03043054 (skippable)

Note: This chunk has its own lookback string state (is encapsulated with CSystemArchiveEncapsuledChunk).

uint32 version (1) uint32 uint32 chunkSize uint32 itemCount (number of embedded items) meta items[itemCount] uint32 zipSize (embedded items ZIP file size) byte zipFile[zipSize] uint32 textureCount string textures[textureCount]

21080001 "VskDesc"

byte version if version < 1: meta (trackUID, environment, mapAuthor) string trackName bool unknown uin32 unknown if version < 1: byte unknown byte unknown if version < 9: byte boatName (0: Acc, 1 : Multi, 2 : Melges, 3 : OffShore) if version >= 9: lookbackstring boat (separated by line feed: Boat name, website, boat ID) if version >= 12: lookbackstring boatAuthor byte raceMode (0: Fleet Race, 1 : Match Race, 2 : Team Race) byte unknown byte windDirection (0: North, 1: NE, 2: East, 3: SE, 4: South, 5: SW, 6: West, 7: NW) byte windStrength (Force: windStrength + 3) byte weather (0: Sunny, 1: Cloudy, 2: Rainy, 3: Stormy) byte unknown byte startDelay (0: Immediate, 1: 1 Min, 2: 3 Min, 3: 5 Min, 4: 8 Min) uint32 startTime if version >= 2: uint32 timeLimit bool noPenalty bool inflPenalty bool finishFirst if version >= 3: byte nbAIs if version >= 4: float courseLength if version == 4: byte unknown uint32 windShiftDuration if version >= 5: int32 windShiftAngle byte unknown if version == 6 || version == 7: bool unknown string unknown if version >= 7: bool exactWind (Exact wind: !exactWind) if version >= 10: uint32 spawnPoints if version >= 11: byte aILevel (0: Easy, 1: Intermediate, 2: Expert, 3: Pro) if version >= 13: bool smallShifts if version >= 14: bool noRules bool startSailUp

CGameCtnCollectorList (03 01B 000)
0301B000 uint32 archiveCount SCollectorStock archive[archiveCount] meta (blockName, collection, author) uint32 numPieces

CGameCtnChallengeParameters (03 05B 000)
0305B000 (all fields are ignored) uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32

0305B001 string tip string tip string tip string tip

0305B002 (all fields are ignored) uint32 uint32 uint32 float float float uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32

0305B003 (all fields are ignored) uint32 float uint32 uint32 uint32 uint32

0305B004 uint32 bronzeTime (ms) uint32 silverTime (ms) uint32 goldTime (ms) uint32 authorTime (ms) uint32 ignored

0305B005 (all fields are ignored) uint32 uint32 uint32

0305B006 uint32 count uint32 items[count] (ignored)

0305B007 uint32 (ignored)

0305B008 uint32 timeLimit (ms) uint32 authorScore (ms)

0305B00A (skippable) uint32 (0?) uint32 bronzeTime (ms) uint32 silverTime (ms) uint32 goldTime (ms) uint32 authorTime (ms) uint32 timeLimit (ms) uint32 authorScore (ms)

0305B00D noderef raceValidateGhost (CGameCtnGhost) (usually -1)

0305B00E (skippable) string mapType string mapStyle uint32

CGameCtnBlockSkin (03 059 000)
03059000 string text string ignored

03059001 string text fileref packDesc

03059002 string text fileref packDesc fileref parentPackDesc

03059003 "TM2020" uint32 version fileref secondaryPackDesc

CGameWaypointSpecialProperty (03 13B 000)
Mapped to the new GameData engine (2E) as class CGameWaypointSpecialProperty (2E009000).

0313B000 uint32 version if version == 1: uint32 spawn uint32 order if version == 2: string tag uint32 order

CGameCtnAnchoredObject (03 101 000)
03101002 uint32 version meta (itemFile, collection, author) vec3 pitchYawRoll byte blockUnitX byte blockUnitY byte blockUnitZ lookbackstring anchorTreeId vec3 absolutePositionInMap CGameWaypointSpecialProperty waypointSpecialProperty (-1 if not a waypoint, otherwise direct node) if version < 5: uint32 if version >= 4: uint16 flags if version >= 5: vec3 pivotPosition if version >= 6: float scale if version >= 7: if (flags & 4) == 4: fileRef packDesc if version >= 8: // TM 2020 vec3 vec3

CGameCtnReplayRecord (03 093 000)
03093000 "Version" uint32 version if version >= 3: meta (trackUID, environment, author) uint32 time (ms) string nickName if version >= 6: string driverLogin if version >= 8: byte 1 lookbackstring titleUID

03093001 "Community" string xml

The XML block contains the UID and replay ("best") time like in the header. It also contains the version number of the software that created the replay; optionally the respawns count (can be -1 or larger), the Stunts score, and a validable flag; and in recent versions occasionally two checkpoints fields.

03093002 "Author" (header) uint32 version uint32 authorVersion string authorLogin string authorNick string authorZone string authorExtraInfo

03093002 (body) uint32 size byte GBX[size] (the track the replay was recorded on)

03093007 (skippable) uint32

03093014 uint32 ignored (0xA) uint32 numGhosts noderef ghosts[numGhosts] uint32 ignored uint32 num uint64[numExtras]

03093015 noderef

CGameGhost (03 03F 005)
0303F005 uint32 uncompressedSize uint32 compressedSize byte compressedData[compressedSize]: (compressed with zlib deflate) uint32 classID bool bSkipList2 uint32 uint32 samplePeriod uint32 uint32 size byte sampleData[size] (samples of position, rotation, speed... of the car during the race) uint32 numSamples if numSamples > 0: uint32 firstSampleOffset if numSamples > 1: uint32 sizePerSample if sizePerSample == -1: uint32 sampleSizes[numSamples - 1] if bSkipList2 == 0: uint32 num int32 sampleTimes[num]

0303F006 uint32 IsReplaying ReadChunk(0x0303F005)

A sample record looks as follows: vec3 position uint16 angle     (0..0xFFFF -> 0..pi) int16 axisHeading (-0x8000..0x7FFF -> -pi..pi) int16 axisPitch  (-0x8000..0x7FFF -> -pi/2..pi/2) int16 speed      (-> exp(speed/1000); 0x8000 means 0) int8 velocityHeading (-0x80..0x7F -> -pi..pi) int8 velocityPitch  (-0x80..0x7F -> -pi/2..pi/2) ... (more unknown data)

The rotation of the car is calculated as a quaternion. You can convert this quaternion to a transform matrix.
 * The real part of the quaternion is calculated as which corresponds to a rotation of  around the rotation axis.
 * The imaginary part of the quaternion (the rotation axis) is calculated as the vector.

The velocity vector (direction and speed of movement) is calculated in a similar way:.

CGameCtnGhost (03 092 000)
CGameCtnGhost is a subclass of CGameGhost. If you encounter an unknown chunk ID while reading a CGameCtnGhost instance, delegate it to CGameGhost.

03092000 (skippable) uint32 meta playerModel vec3 uint32 numSkinRef fileref skinRef[numSkinRef] uint32 string ghostNickname string ghostAvatarFile uint32

03092005 (skippable) uint32 raceTime

03092008 (skippable) uint32 numRespawns

03092009 (skippable) color lightTrailColor

0309200A (skippable) uint32 stuntsScore

0309200B (skippable) uint32 numCheckpoints for each checkpoint: uint32 time uint32 stuntsScore (usually 0 in TM2)

0309200C uint32 ignored

0309200E lookbackstring uid

0309200F string ghostLogin

03092010 lookbackstring

03092012 uint32 ignored uint128

03092013 (skippable) uint32 uint32

03092014 (skippable) uint32

03092015 lookbackstring playerMobilId

03092017 (skippable) uint32 num fileref skinPackDescs[num] string ghostNickname string ghostAvatarName

03092018 meta

03092019 uint32 eventsDuration (if 0 then stop reading this chunk) uint32 ignored uint32 numControlNames lookbackstring controlNames[numControlNames] uint32 numControlEntries uint32 ControlEntry[numControlEntries] uint32 time (ms + 100000) byte controlNameIndex uint32 onoff (1/0) string gameVersion uint32 exeChecksum uint32 osKind uint32 cpuKind string raceSettingsXML uint32

CGameCtnCollector (03 01A 000)
Base class for CGameCtnBlockInfo, CGameCtnMacroBlockInfo, CGameCtnObjectInfo and CGameCtnDecoration.

Mapped to the new GameData engine (2E) as class CGameCtnCollector (2E001000).

0301A003 "Desc" (header) meta (name, collection, author) lookbackstring version string pageName (slash-separated folder path where the block appears in the editor) if version == 5: lookbackstring if version >= 4: lookbackstring if version >= 3: struct SCollectorDescFlags {        uint32 __unused2__ : 1; uint32 IsInternal : 1; uint32 IsAdvanced : 1; uint32 IconDesc   : 5;   // 0 = Unknown, 1 = NoIcon, 2 = 64x64, 3 = 128x128 uint32 __unused__ : 24; };    uint16 catalogPosition (order of the blocks within pageName) if version >= 7: string name if version >= 8: byte prodState (0: Aborted, 1: GameBox, 2: DevBuild, 3: Release)

0301A004 "Icon" (header) uint16 iconWidth uint16 iconHeight if (int16)iconWidth >= 0 && (int16)iconHeight >= 0: byte iconData[4*iconWidth*iconHeight] // one RGBA uint32 per pixel else: uint16 version if version >= 1: uint32 size byte iconData[size] // WebP image

0301A006 (header) uint64 filetime  // lightmap cache timestamp

0301A007 bool isInternal uint32 uint32 catalogPosition uint32 uint32 uint32

0301A008 byte string skinFile

0301A009 string pagePath (same as in chunk 0301A003) bool hasIconFid if hasIconFid: noderef iconFid lookbackstring

0301A00B meta

301A00C string name

301A00D string description

0301A00E bool iconUseAutoRender uint32 iconQuarterRotationY

0301A00F string defaultSkinName

CGameCtnObjectInfo (03 01C 000)
Mapped to the new GameData engine (2E) as class CGameItemModel (2E002000).

0301C000 (header) uint32 itemType (0: Undefined, 1: Ornament (formerly: StaticObject), 2: PickUp (formerly: DynaObject), 3: Character, 4: Vehicle, 5: Spot, 6: Cannon, 7: Group, 8: Decal, 9: Turret, 10: Wagon, 11: Block, 12: EntitySpawner

0301C001 (header) uint32

0301C006 uint32 defaultCamIndex (-1 = none, 0 and above = camera index; used for cars)

0301C008 uint32 numNadeoSkinFids noderef fids[numNadeoSkinFids] (file references)

0301C009 uint32 version = 10 uint32 numCameras noderef cameras[numCameras] (references to CGameControlCamera; used for cars)

0301C00A noderef decoratorSolid (CPlugDecoratorSolid)

0301C00B noderef stemMaterial (CPlugMaterial) noderef stemBumpMaterial (CPlugMaterial)

0301C00C noderef raceInterfaceFid

0301C010 noderef bannerProfileFid (file reference to e.g. BannerProfileCanyon.Texture.gbx)

0301C012 vec3 groundPoint float painterGroundMargin float orbitalCenterHeightFromGround float orbitalRadiusBase float orbitalPreviewAngle

301C013 noderef audioEnvironmentInCar (CPlugAudioEnvironment; used for cars)

301C014 noderef baseAttributes (CGameAttributes; unused?)

301C015 uint32 objectInfoType (0: Undefined, 1: Ornament, 2: PickUp, 3: Character, 4: Vehicle)

0301C016 noderef defaultSkinFid

0301C017 uint32 version = 0 bool isFreelyAnchorable

0301C018 int version = 0 bool isUsable

0301C019 int version noderef phyModel               // CPlugSurface noderef visModel               // CPlugSurface if version >= 1: noderef visModelStatic     // CPlugSolid2Model

CGameCtnDecoration (03 038 000)
03038000 "MoodRemaping" byte version string dirName ReadChunk(0x03031000)

03038001 byte version uint32 unknown

CGameCtnCollection (03 033 000)
03033001 "Desc" byte version lookbackstring collection bool needUnlock if version >= 1: string iconEnv string iconCollection if version >= 2: int32 sortIndex if version >= 3: lookbackstring defaultZone if version >= 4: meta (vehicle, collection, author) if version >= 5: string mapFid vec2 vec2 if version == 5: vec2 mapCoordElem if version == 6 || version == 7: vec2 mapCoordElem vec2 mapCoordIcon if version >= 7: string loadscreen if version >= 8: vec2 mapCoordElem vec2 mapCoordIcon vec2 mapCoordDesc string longDesc if version >= 9: string displayName if version >= 10: bool isEditable

03033002 "CollectorFolders" byte version string folderBlockInfo string folderItem string folderDecoration if version == 1 || version == 2: string folder if version >= 2: string folderCardEventInfo if version >= 3: string folderMacroBlockInfo if version >= 4: string folderMacroDecals

03033003 "MenuIconsFolders" byte version string folderMenusIcons

CGameSkin (03 031 000)
Moved to engine Plug (09) as class CPlugGameSkin (090F4000).

03031000 "Skin" byte version string dirName if version >= 1: string textureName string sceneId byte number for each number: uint32 classId string name string file if version >= 2: bool needMipMap if version >= 4: string dirNameAlt if version >= 5: bool useDefaultSkin

CGamePlayerProfile (03 08C 000)
0308C000 "NetPlayerProfile" string onlineLogin string onlineSupportKey

CGameCtnMediaClipGroup (03 07A 000)
0307A003 uint32 ignored (0xA) uint32 numClips for each clip: noderef clip uint32 numClips for each clip: vec3 referenceFramePosition (NaN if none) uint32 referenceFrameRotation uint32 triggerCondition (0: None, 1: Time < arg, 2: Time > arg, 3: Already triggered, 4: Speed < arg, 5: Speed > arg, 6: Not already triggered) float triggerArgument uint32 numTriggers for each trigger: vec3 position

CGameCtnMediaClip (03 079 000)
03079002 uint32 uint32 numTracks for each track: noderef mediaTrack string clipName uint32

03079003 uint32 uint32 numTracks for each track: noderef mediaTrack string clipName

03079004 (all fields are ignored) uint32

03079005 uint32 ignored (0xA) uint32 numTracks for each track: noderef mediaTrack string clipName

03079007 uint32 localPlayerClipEntIndex

0307900A bool stopWhenLeave

0307900D uint32 uint32 version uint32 numTracks for each track: noderef mediaTrack string clipName bool stopWhenLeave bool bool stopWhenRespawn string float uint32 localPlayerClipEntIndex

CGameCtnMediaTrack (03 078 000)
03078001 string trackName uint32 ignored (0xA) uint32 numTracks for each track: noderef mediaBlock uint32 unknown

03078004 bool keepPlaying uint32 ignored (0)

CControlEffectSimi (07 010 000)
07010003 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp vec2 position float rotation (in rad) float scaleX float scaleY float opacity float depth bool centered

07010004 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp vec2 position float rotation (in rad) float scaleX float scaleY float opacity float depth float float isContinousEffect float float bool centered uint32 colorBlendMode bool isContinousEffect

07010005 ReadChunk(0x07010004) bool isInterpolated

CGameCtnMediaBlockCameraPath (03 0A1 000)
030A1002 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp vec3 cameraPosition float pitch (rad) float yaw  (rad) float roll (rad) float FOV bool anchorRot uint32 indexTargetPlayer (maxint: None, 0: Local player) bool anchorVis uint32 indexAnchorPlayer (maxint: None, 0: Local player) vec3 targetPosition float weight float float float float

CGameCtnMediaBlockCameraCustom (03 0A2 000)
030A2005 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp uint32 interpolation (0: None, 1: Hermit, 2: Linear, 3: FixedTangent) uint64 unused (0) vec3 cameraPosition float pitch (rad) float yaw  (rad) float roll (rad) float FOV bool anchorRot uint32 indexTargetPlayer (maxint: None, 0: Local player) bool anchorVis uint32 indexAnchorPlayer (maxint: None, 0: Local player) vec3 targetPosition float leftTangentX float leftTangentY float leftTangentZ float rightTangentX float rightTangentY float rightTangentZ

CGameCtnMediaBlockCameraEffectShake (03 0A4 000)
030A4000 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float intensity float speed

CGameCtnMediaBlockImage (03 0A5 000)
030A5000 noderef CControlEffectSimi fileref image

CGameCtnMediaBlockMusicEffect (03 0A6 000)
030A6001 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float musicVolume float soundVolume

CGameCtnMediaBlockSound (03 0A7 000)
030A7001 fileref sound uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float volume float pan

030A7002 uint32 playCount bool isLooping

030A7003 uint32 version uint32 playCount bool isLooping bool isMusic if version >= 1: bool stopWithClip if version >= 2: bool audioToSpeech int audioToSpeechTarget

030A7004 fileref sound uint32 ignored (1) uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float volume float pan (unused) vec3 soundTransmitorPosition

CGameCtnMediaBlockText (03 0A8 000)
030A8001 string text noderef CControlEffectSimi

030A8002 color textColor (with in-game color selector format)

CGameCtnMediaBlockTrails (03 0A9 000)
030A9000 float timeClipStart float timeClipEnd

CGameCtnMediaBlockTransitionFade (03 0AB 000)
030AB000 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float opacity color transitionColor (with in-game color selector format) float ignored (1.0)

CGameCtnMediaBlockFxColors (03 080 000)
03080003 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float intensity float blendZ         (far) float distance       (near) float distance       (far) additionnalParameters (near) additionnalParameters (far)

additionnalParameters format: float inverse float hue float saturation float brightness float contrast color float ignored (1.0) float ignored (1.0) float ignored (1.0) float ignored (0.0)

CGameCtnMediaBlockFxBlurDepth (03 081 000)
03081001 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float lensSize bool forceFocus float focusZ

CGameCtnMediaBlockFxBlurMotion (03 082 000)
03082000 float timeClipStart float timeClipEnd

CGameCtnMediaBlockFxBloom (03 083 000)
03083001 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float intensity float sensitivity

CGameControlCameraFree (03 084 000)
03084003 float timeClipStart float timeClipEnd lookbackstring cameraView uint32 indexTargetPlayer (0: Local player)

CGameCtnMediaBlockTime (03 085 000)
03085000 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float timeValue float tangent

CGameCtnMediaBlock3dStereo (03 024 000)
03024000 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float separation float screenDist

CGameCtnMediaBlockTriangles (03 029 000)
03029001 uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp uint32 numKeys uint32 numPoints for each key: for each point: vec3 pointPosition uint32 numPoints for each point: color pointColor (with in-game color selector format) float opacity uint32 numTriangles for each triangle: (index of the 3 vertices forming the triangle) uint32 vertex1 uint32 vertex2 uint32 vertex3 uint32 ignored (1) uint32 ignored (0) uint32 ignored (0) float ignored (1.0) uint32 ignored (0) uint64 ignored (0)

CGameCtnMediaBlockGhost (03 0E5 000)
030E5001 float timeClipStart float timeClipEnd noderef ghostModel (CGameCtnGhost) float startOffset

030E5002 uint32 version if version < 3: float timeClipStart float timeClipEnd if version >= 3: uint32 numKeys for each key: float timeStamp float noderef ghostModel (CGameCtnGhost) float startOffset bool noDamage bool forceLight bool forceHue

CMwNod (01 001 000)
01001000 "FolderDep" uint32 number for each number: string dirName

Applications and Libraries that can inspect/modify the file format

 * GbxDump - a Windows tool to dump and analyze the header of all kinds of .Gbx files.
 * GBX Data Fetcher - a PHP module with classes to extract useful data from .Challenge|Map.Gbx files (including the thumbnail image), .Replay.Gbx files and .Pack.Gbx|.pak files, as well as parse their XML blocks.
 * Extract GBX data - a PHP script to format and print data from all file types supported by the GBX Data Fetcher module.
 * Tally GBX versions - a PHP script to tally some version data from all .Challenge|Map.Gbx files (includes sample challenges in all known versions).
 * GBX.NET - a C#/.NET parser for .Gbx files.
 * pygbx - a Python library to parse .Gbx files.
 * gbx.js - a slim, fast and easy to set up Gamebox (GBX) parser written in vanilla JavaScript.
 * ManiaPlanetSharp - a .NET library, written in C#, which provides easy-to-use, object-oriented ways to access data and services related to ManiaPlanet.
 * Trackmania Disassembler - includes a library allowing you to write your own applications that can read the format.
 * - a Windows TrackMania Forever track editor with 3D interface.
 * - Challenge editing tools (Recompressor, ChallengeEdit, GBX-Master, CELightRotate, TmfBlockMixEdition).
 * - an open source tool which can open and edit .pak files in an Explorer-like interface. Comes with a C# library which you can use in your own applications to work with .pak files. Download & Source code
 * - Patches the in-game track editor to remove the block placement restrictions. Source code
 * - Command-line based blockmix editor for TM² Stadium maps.
 * - GUI-based blockmix editor for all ManiaPlanet maps.
 * ReplayToChallenge download - a Windows tool to extract a Challenge from a .Replay.Gbx file (includes source code).
 * GbxDecompress download - a Windows tool that decompresses or compresses the file body of a given .Gbx file (includes source code).
 * EmbeddedItems download - a Windows tool that indicates all embedded items of a given .Map.Gbx file (includes source code).
 * GbxLightMap download - a Windows tool to extract the lightmaps from a given .Map.Gbx file (includes source code).
 * GbxMetadata download - a Windows tool that indicates the persistent attributes of a given .Map.Gbx file (includes source code).
 * [[File:Krzychor-campaign-maker.zip]] - a Windows tool that allows to create custom campaigns for TMNF/TMUF. Sources not included.