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Civilization III BIX/BIQ file format
The old thread on the BIC format will remain as is, covering vanilla Civ3, and this new thread is started to help out with the cration of new utilities working with BIX and BIQ files. (Of cource there will also be help here when someone is trying to work with all the formats)
Currently only the latest versions of the formats are presented, except some comments on how to load the latest PTW format without making a thread on PTW only.
Original thread
BIC 4.01
Table of Contents
TOPFirst a small FAQ on the BIC/BIX/BIQ format.
Q: What are the different fileformats and versions?
A:
There are three fileformats, BIC, BIX and BIQ.
The BIC file format is the original fileformat for vanilla Civ3
The BIC format has versionnumbers from 2 to 4.01.
The PTW BIX versions have all major version 11, and the latest version is 11.19
C3C BIQ files start at 12.06 with C3C 1.00f, and is at 12.07 by 1.12 beta patch.
Q: I tried to edit my scenario using notpad, and now it's no longer loadable in the editor. What did I do worng?
A:
The scenariofiles are binary files and must be edited with binary safe edtors, either hexadecimal editors or editors designed to work on the files (as the included editor)
Q: I'm trying to load a BI* file in a hex-editor, but it's nothing near what's described in this thread!
A:
By default the scenariofiles are compressed by the editor, this can be disabled in the editor options, or you can use my SAVExpand utility to decompress the file.
Currently only the latest versions of the formats are presented, except some comments on how to load the latest PTW format without making a thread on PTW only.
Original thread
BIC 4.01
Table of Contents
- FAQ
- File Format
- SECTIONS
- BIC file indicator
- VER# [BIC Header]
- BLDG (Improvements and Wonders)
- CTZN (Citizens)
- CULT (Culture)
- DIFF (Difficulty Levels)
- ERAS (Eras)
- ESPN (Diplomats and Spies)
- EXPR (Combat Experience)
- GOOD (Natural Resources)
- GOVT (Governments)
- RULE (General Settings)
- PRTO (Units)
- RACE (Civilizations)
- TECH (Civilization Advances)
- TFRM (Worker Jobs)
- TERR (Terrain)
- WSIZ (World Sizes)
- FLAV (Flavors)
- WCHR [World Characteristics]
- WMAP [World Map]
- TILE [Tiles]
- CONT [Continents]
- SLOC [Starting Locations]
- CITY [Cities]
- UNIT [Units]
- CLNY [Colonies]
- GAME [Additional Scenario Properties]
- LEAD [Player Data]
- BIC file indicator
- Notes
- Credits
TOPFirst a small FAQ on the BIC/BIX/BIQ format.
Q: What are the different fileformats and versions?
A:
There are three fileformats, BIC, BIX and BIQ.
The BIC file format is the original fileformat for vanilla Civ3
The BIC format has versionnumbers from 2 to 4.01.
The PTW BIX versions have all major version 11, and the latest version is 11.19
C3C BIQ files start at 12.06 with C3C 1.00f, and is at 12.07 by 1.12 beta patch.
Q: I tried to edit my scenario using notpad, and now it's no longer loadable in the editor. What did I do worng?
A:
The scenariofiles are binary files and must be edited with binary safe edtors, either hexadecimal editors or editors designed to work on the files (as the included editor)
Q: I'm trying to load a BI* file in a hex-editor, but it's nothing near what's described in this thread!
A:
By default the scenariofiles are compressed by the editor, this can be disabled in the editor options, or you can use my SAVExpand utility to decompress the file.
... and it's topped already 
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