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boolbada makes new weapon for who want to translate C&C Mods. I don't need iconv, python, and any string table editors anymore. Thanks to boolbada.

Preparations:

• I use these tools for all process: CsfStuff, C&C BIG Extractor, FinalBig
• CsfStuff require Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Runtime.
• I'm using Windows. So, This post is for Windows.

Well, I want to replacement for FinalBig cause there's some error for extract from Red Alert 3. There is another extractor. But, I can't find better save .big tool and also, I want both for one tool. But not today. :(

1. Extraction mod.str from Mod.

• Download C&C BIG Extractor.
• Open .big file where mod.str in there.
• Find and select mod.str, Click [Extract Files] button and extract where do you want.
• Now mod.str is out from mod now.

2. Traslate mod.str using text editor whatever you want and must save encode UTF-8.

3. Convert mod.str to x.csf (C&C3 = cnc3.csf, Red Alert 3 = gamestrings.csf)

• Download and Unzip CsfStuff.
• Open any terminals you want and type "str2csf.exe mod.str x.csf".
• mod.str is now x.csf.

4. Add x.csf to mod

• Download FinalBig.
• Run FinalBIG.exe and open .big file what you extracted mod.str before.
• Delete mod.str in .big and add file x.csf
• Add file path like this: C&C3 = cnc3.csf, Red Alert 3 = data/gamestrings.csf
• And must click [Save] button. It's done.

Now play game with mod for test. Much better than before right ? :D

Q. Need to merge main game strings and mod.str ?

• Refer to 1, extract x.csf from main game.
• Download and Unzip CsfStuff.
• Open any terminals you want, And type "csf2str.exe x.csf x.str"
• x.csf is now x.str.
• Don't close terminals and type "merge_str.exe x.str mod.str merged.str"
• Then strings from x.str are overwrited by mod.str and result is merged.str.
• Merge is complete and go back to 3. Don't confuse between mod.str and merged.str.

Q. You want to know how to use CsfStuff ?

• Follow download link and it's github link. Guide is there.
• If you type just program name on your terminal without input and output, Help message for that program will be up.

※ There is new updated post. This post is just for archive.

I write this for remember how to translate C&C Mods to Korean. My last translation was almost 8 years ago. So, I was forgot many of things and that happen to many mistakes with new translation project.

As you know, Most C&C Modders are using mod.str for language strings. But mod.str is not support non-Latin Languages like CJK(Chinese, Japanses, Korean). So I need to convert mod.str to .csf file. I heard that all mods after Red alert 2 have same problem.

First of all, Thanks to boolbada who make str2csf.py and how to convert mod.str encode. If I didn't read his blog post, I can't translate any C&C Mods. You can see my post is just translation of his post with latest update.

I use these tools for all process: iconv, Python3, str2csf.py, FinalBig, StringtableEditorII

※ I guess StringtableEditorII is just for Korean. Encode use EUC-KR. If you are not Korean, Maybe you need something different CSF editing tools like Bibber's C&C String Editor, Alexander's Turbo String Table Editor. Unfortunately, Turbo Editor 2.0.1 version link is broken. That link is for 2.0.0 by Wayback machine.

@boolbada

Normally, Other countries' mods are make str instead of using csf.
Somehow, They don't need go this way and that to txt <-> csf.
And also, They don't need StringTableEditor what terribly inconveninet tool.
That's much better twice. :(

1. Extraction mod.str from Mod.

• Download FinalBIG and unzip. Maybe any other .Big Editor is okay.
• (For only extract, I recommend Bibber's C&C BIG Extractor)
• Open .big file where mod.str in there.
• Find mod.str, Select mod.str, Edit -> Extract
• Now mod.str is out of mod now.

@boolbada

str file must be convert to utf-16.
So, How can I do this ? Using text editors with converting unicode ? Or notepads ?
Unfortunately, Then all of special characters like something stick on a 'e' will be break.

You don't want it ? Using iconv.

Normally str using in English. :| Convert latin1 to utf-16 will works.
Then special character will be convert beautifully.
Sometimes, utf-8 break characters. utf-16 is the only answer.

2. Convert mod.str's encode to UTF-16 using iconv

• I'm using Windows. So, I will download iconv for Windows. I download static 64bit portable zip file.
• Unzip them. And after that, There is iconv.exe at bin folder.
• Please mod.str with iconv.exe at the same path.
• Open Command Prompt at that path, Type this: iconv -f latin1 -t utf-16 mod.str > mod2.str
• Now mod.str have UTF-16 encode.

3. Convert mod.str to x.csf (C&C3 = cnc3.csf, Red Alert 3 = gamestrings.csf)

• You can see str2csf.py is python script. Download and install Python3. Maybe you need reboot.
• Download str2csf.zip and unzip. There is str2csf.py
• Please mod2.str and str2csf.py at the same path.
• Open Command Prompt at that path, Type this: str2csf.py mod2.str x.csf
• Now mod2.str is convert to x.csf

Now I can translate with any CSF editors like StringtableEditorII. But, This is very inconvenient and I want to use any Text editor. So, I will convert one more.

@boolbada

Did you succeed convert str ? then now, You can use my script. Py means Python script.

4. Convert x.csf to x.txt

• I use StringtableEditorII. So, Download and unzip it.
• Run StringtableEditorII.exe, Select 도구(Tool) -> CSF2TXT
• Find and select x.csf before you made.
• Save x.txt and now I can open x.txt file with Text Editor. I can Translate !
• (If your CSF Editor has same convert function. You can use any other editor.)
• Translate is complete ? then Run StringtableEditorII.exe, Select 도구(Tool) -> TXT2CSF and save x.csf
• Caution. C&C3 = cnc3.csf, Red Alert 3 = gamestrings.csf

5. Add x.csf to mod

• Run FinalBIG.exe and open .big file what you extract mod.str before.
• Delete mod.str in .big and add file x.csf
• Add file path like this: C&C3 = cnc3.csf, Red Alert 3 = data/gamestrings.csf
• And must click save button. It's done.

Now play game with mod for test. Damn, It's so long trip right ? :D

@boolbada

StringTable Convert. The end.

※Caution: Korean.

Red2.net: The most famous C&C fansite of Korea.
- Red2.net

CreBay Naver Cafe: Developers of Red Alert 2 GmhanMod community. Hosted by Naver.
- Cafe.naver.com

CNFC Naver Cafe: C&C Naver Fansite Cafe. especially generals series. Hosted by Naver.
- Cafe.naver.com

DCinside C&C Gallery: C&C Gallery is subpage of DCinside the biggest community in Korea. somthing like minor 4chan.
- Gall.dcinside.com

Ruliweb C&C Board: C&C Board is subpage of Ruliweb the biggest console games information and also have PC games' too.
- Bbs1.ruliweb.daum.net

(Dead) Betagam C&C Board: C&C Board was subpage of Betagam where core PC game fansite in Korea.
- Betagam.danawa.com

※Caution: Korean.

Red2.net - Red2.net

CNFC Naver Cafe - Cafe.naver.com

CreatingBay Naver Cafe - Cafe.naver.com

DCinside C&C Gallery - Gall.dcinside.com

Ruliweb C&C Board - Bbs1.ruliweb.daum.net

(Dead) Betagam C&C Board - Betagam.danawa.com