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 LZO).
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 <chunk ID> <chunk data>. 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 07 30 04 03 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()[1] { while (true) { chunkID = ReadUInt32();[2] if (chunkID == 0xFACADE01) // no more chunks { OnNodLoaded();[3] return; } chunkFlags = GetChunkInfo(chunkID);[4] if (chunkFlags == 0xFACADE01 || (chunkFlags & 0x11) == 0x10) { skip = ReadUInt32(); if (skip != 0x534B4950) // "SKIP" { OnNodLoaded(); return; } chunkDataSize = ReadUInt32(); SkipData(chunkDataSize);[5] // skip unknown or obsolete chunk } if (chunkFlags != 0xFACADE01 && (chunkFlags & 0x11) != 0x10) { if (chunkFlags & 0x10) // skippable { skip = ReadUInt32(); // unused chunkDataSize = ReadUInt32(); // unused } ReadChunk(chunkID);[6] // 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:[7]
- lookbackstring:[8] 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.
- if this is the first lookback string encountered:
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:[9] contains meta information like the track environment, time of day, and author.
- lookbackstring id
- lookbackstring collection
- lookbackstring author
- fileref:[10] 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:[11] 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 (<CR><LF>) combination (0x0D and 0x0A). A single <LF> is part of a string.
Class descriptions
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
"<Thumbnail.jpg>"
byte thumb[thumbSize]
"</Thumbnail.jpg>"
"<Comments>"
string comments
"</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 >= 2:
if version < 5:
if version >= 4:
uint32 size
byte riff[size] // Avg lightmap webp file
uint32 size
byte jfif[size] // Intens/Avg lightmap jpeg file
if version == 3:
uint32 size
byte jfif[size] // Intens lightmap jpeg file
if version >= 5:
for each frame:
uint32 size
byte riff[size] // Avg lightmap webp file
uint32 size
byte jfif[size] // Intens lightmap jpeg file
if size != 0:
uint32 uncompressedSize
uint32 compressedSize
byte compressedData[compressedSize] // ZLIB compressed lightmap cache node
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
};
03043054 (skippable)
uint32 version (1) uint32 uint32 chunkSize uint32 itemCount (number of embedded items) uint32 zipSize (embedded items ZIP file size) byte zipFile[zipSize]
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
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
uint32 (-1?)
0305B00E (skippable)
uint32 uint32 uint32
CGameCtnBlockSkin (03 059 000)
03059000
string text string ignored
03059001
string text fileref packDesc
03059002
string text fileref packDesc fileref parentPackDesc
CGameWaypointSpecialProperty (03 13B 000)
0313B000
uint32 version
if version == 1:
uint32 spawn
uint32 order
if version == 2:
string tag
uint32 order
CGameCtnReplayRecord (03 093 000)
03093000 "Version"
uint32 version
if version >= 2:
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.
- The real part of the quaternion is calculated as cos(angle) which corresponds to a rotation of 2*angle around the rotation axis.
- The imaginary part of the quaternion (the rotation axis) is calculated as the vector (sin(angle)*cos(axisPitch)*cos(axisHeading), sin(angle)*cos(axisPitch)*sin(axisHeading), sin(angle)*sin(axisPitch)).
You can convert this quaternion to a transform matrix.
The velocity vector (direction and speed of movement) is calculated in a similar way: (speed*cos(velocityPitch)*cos(velocityHeading), speed*cos(velocityPitch)*sin(velocityHeading), speed*sin(velocityPitch)).
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.
03092005 (skippable)
uint32 raceTime
03092008 (skippable)
uint32 numRespawns
03092009 (skippable)
color lightTrailColor
0309200A (skippable)
uint32 stuntsScore
0309200B (skippable)
uint32 num uint64[num]
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
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:
uint32 flags
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 byte iconData[4*iconWidth*iconHeight] // one RGBA uint32 per pixel
0301A006 (header)
uint64 filetime // lightmap cache timestamp
0301A007
bool isInternal uint32 uint32 catalogPosition uint32 uint32 uint32
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 (Dev build), 8: Decal (Dev build), 9: Turret (Dev build), 10: Wagon (Dev build), 11: Block (Dev build))
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 unknown
CGamePlayerProfile (03 08C 000)
0308C000 "NetPlayerProfile"
string onlineLogin string onlineSupportKey
CMwNod (01 001 000)
01001000 "FolderDep"
uint32 number
for each number:
string dirName
References to the actual functions
- ↑ CMwNod::Archive
- ↑ CClassicArchive::ReadNat32
- ↑ CMwNod::OnNodLoaded
- ↑ CMwNod::GetChunkInfo
- ↑ CClassicArchive::SkipData
- ↑ CMwNod::Chunk
- ↑ CClassicArchive::DoString
- ↑ CMwId::Archive
- ↑ SGameCtnIdentifier::Archive
- ↑ CSystemPackManager::ArchivePackDesc
- ↑ CSystemArchiveNod::DoNodPtr
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).
- Trackmania Disassembler - includes a library allowing you to write your own applications that can read the format.
- TrackStudio (@archive.org) - a Windows TrackMania Forever track editor with 3D interface.
- Blockmix tools (@archive.org) - Challenge editing tools (Recompressor, ChallengeEdit, GBX-Master, CELightRotate, TmfBlockMixEdition).
- TMPakTool (@archive.org) - 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
- TMUnlimiter (@archive.org) - Patches the in-game track editor to remove the block placement restrictions. Source code
- GBXedit - Command-line based blockmix editor for TM² Stadium maps.
- MapEdit - 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).