ExtractPbo (Gui) and ExtractPboDos version 2.xx by mikero.

WIN VISTA and beyond. This exe is not compatible with winxp.

See readmeGeneral and fixes


ExtractPboDos is a dos console only application for spread freaks.

ExtractPbo is the gui version which contains ExtractPboDos inside

ExtractPbo works in an identical manner to ExtractPboDos in console mode.

 

ExtractPbo does what it's name suggests.

ExtractPbo covers the nuances of all Bis 'pbo' files from the very first cwc demo to Arma3. This includes (but is not limited to):

Extractpbo will specifically not extract vbs2 'ebo' files.

In the following documentation a 'pbo' is considered to be: .pbo, .ifa, ,ebo, .xbo

ExtractPbo uses a heuristic approach to output the best possible results to the best-possible output folder. While you can over-ride the default options the general scenario is that the extractor will

a $pboPrefix$.txt is always written out, even for flashpoint pbos, because it is the header of the pbo that (generally) contains a lot more that a prefix=. in the specific case of prefix= itself (if any), it is always //commented out because it plays no part in repacking the pbo later (the mechanism for packing IS the\path\to\folder.

usage

    extractpbo [-options...] NameOfPbo[.pbo|.xbo|.ebo]/aFolder/AnExtractionList [SomeFolder]

.extensions are not required. a 'pbo' is considered to be ANY *.xbo,*.ebo,*pbo

options (optional, case insensitive)

-L list only

-LB brief dir style output

-N Noisy

-P do not pause  (allow the controlling program to handle the return status)

-W Warnings are errors

 

====OUTPUT FOLDER And Junctions====

Distinctions exist between folder output for OFP vs non OFP (ARMA)

The dll detects the difference.

Thus:

For OFP:

    extractppo thing.pbo >> contents to thing\

    extractpbo thing.pbo anywhere >> contents to anywhere\thing\

For ARMA:

    extractppo thing.pbo >> contents to thing\'prefix'\

    extractpbo thing.pbo drive:\anywhere >> contents to contents to anywhere\'prefix'\

the anywhere clause for arma allows creation of a p:\ca by specifying

    extractpbo thing P:\

 

 


Be WARNED

Extractpbo will add folders to existing ones, BUT, it will NOT over-write exisitng content.

if you specify an 'interesting' destination. you will get, 'interesting' results.


extraction behaviour

** Fundamentally, a folder is created of the same name as the pbo in the same folder as the pbo.

 

** Arma pbo's will, in addition, create subfolders based on the detected prefix. Thus:

    ExtractPbo Thing

 

OFP: pbo thing.pbo -> thing\.....

ARMA: pbo thing.pbo -> thing\Prefix\......

**============================

** Specifying a destination

**============================

**

ExtractPbo thing P:\

thing.pbo ->P:\prefix\.... will create a perfect namespace based on the prefix.

thing.pbo ->P:\thing\prefix\....

ExtractPbo thing P:\SomeWhere

thing.pbo ->P:\Somewhere\prefix\...

thing.pbo ->P:\Somewhere\thing\.........

=============================

Specifying a relative destination address

=============================

you can't. drive: MUST be specified

====Other examples====

extractpbo thing

    will extract thing.pbo to thing\ folder and derapify any content (such as mission.sqm) that has been binarised

extractpbo -L thing

    does a dir listing of pbo content along with added info

extractpbo Folder [toSomewhere]

    will recurse subfolders of above searching for pbo files.

 

==warning messages====

"1st/last entry has non-zero real_size, reserved, or BlockLength field"

"reserved field non zero anywhere in entry bodies (except xbo)"

    Normally an attempt to prevent extraction and should present no issues. But, users should suspect something wonky in the author's implementation

"no shakey on arma";

    early pbo makers did not create the appended 21 byte sha. This causes issues only if attempting to sign the pbo for MP play

"residual bytes in file" // throws an error anyway

    something has been either misinterpreted, or the pbo maker is at fault

"arma pbo is missing a prefix (probably a mission)";

    missions do not require prefix entries. But, as a matter of de-riguer, they normally have them.


ExtractPbo,exe is ExtractPboDos.exe with Window dressing (pun intended).

Major Features:

This application implements a consistent user interface. To whit:

To keep the interface noise free and simple to use, there is no facility for selective Parsing/Compression/Encryption. All of these 'features' use tried and proven algorithms inside the dll including which types of files require modification.

Dos Mode:

It will operate, just like before, in dos (console) mode, allowing batch file processing, drag n drop, and dos console operations. It will behave as nature intended, and as described, in the ExtractPbo readme.  A more versatile and extensive range of -options exist in this  mode for the connoisseur (or insane). The very popular Arma2P extractor for instance uses Dos Mode.

Windows Mode:

Windows mode is how most (new) users will prefer to use it.

Switching between Dos and Windows Mode:

ANY parameters supplied on the command line invoke Dos Mode. This occurs as a natural result of simply using it in a dos console to begin with and specifying a pbo to extract,  or, dropping a file onto the exe icon. On the other hand, simply invoking this exe from a dos console with NO parameters, invokes the gui.

Windows mode uses previously recorded 'session' data of which files, what targets, to start with (including window positioning and size).


ExtractPboGui will extract the content of any 'pbo' except  encrypted vbs2. (yes, it does extract vbs2lite)

The over-riding philosophy of all MikeroTools (not just this one) is to maintain backward compatibility. To this end, the same 'behaviour' can be expected from files emanating from the very first cwc demo, Resistance, Xbox Elite, Arrowhead, TOH, Arma3, IFA extensions, Vbs2lite. There are nuances to each type which the underlying dll takes care of. They are hidden from the user (and hidden from developers using the dll who only want to 'see' a uniform API). ExtractPboGui utilises over a decade of lessons learned in the dll about things-pbo. Underneath the covers it is exceptionally powerful and above all, robust.

Options available in this gui are intentionally bare minimal. The intent being, 'just extract the damn thing'.

Installation:

Self installer: sit back and watch the pretty lights.

Manual Install:

Anywhere that gives you a thrill, but take note that dePbodll is also required for this gui. (of course)

'pbo'

In this documentation 'pbo' is meant to infer SomeFile.pbo :

To avoid the risk of tediousness everywhere else, a 'pbo' can actually be an .xbo .ebo, .ifa, or, indeed, a .pbo. If a .toh ever gets introduced (or any other 'pbo' extension) you can be sure the underlying dll will 'understand' it's a Packed Binary Object.

Gui options:

PboName

Use the browse button (...) to select any 'pbo' from anywhere, including net drives.

Output Path

Use the browse button (...) to select the beginning of the extraction point or simply type or paste it in. The Browse button allows you to create new folder(s) for the beginning should you wish to.

Note most carefully. This is the beginning path of all extracted content. From this point on, the nature of the pbo determines how that path will be filled (by prefix, by pboname)

If you wanted to re-create the bis engine's view of 'files', you would set the Output Path to "P:\"

Destination Folder

ExtractPboGui autogenerates this path based on the OutputPath above, catenated with the internal prefix of the selected pbo (if any), or it's pboname (if none). There is no facility to change this catenated prefix.

Allow Overwrite

If the Destination Folder already exists, you will normally be asked before extracting. Allow Overwrite removes this sometimes annoying safety feature.

Be aware this is the Destination Folder being over-written, not, the entire Output Path.

Remove Folder Before Extraction.

In a fair and reasonable world, you wouldn't want 'stale' paa's remaining via some previously extracted content. Or any other 'file' you might have placed there. Unfortunately the nature of Arma prefixed pbo's is such that nost of the pbo's live inside the file space of some other pbo. If you extracted Air3.pbo and THEN extracted Air.pbo (it's root). Air3 content would be inadvertently removed.

BUTTONS

EXTRACT

Should speak for itself. The main purpose of this application!

SAVEAS

For whatever reason wanted, the current contents of this pbo can be saved anywhere, including a new name for the pbo, or indeed an existing pbo including the original. (protection dialogs exist).

The 'current' contents may indeed be 'as is' or some/ all /none of the contents may have been renamed/ added to, moved, or deleted.

Sneak Peak

The file and folder header entries of the 'pbo' are listed in this panel as soon as any valid file is selected. While exceptionally useful for advanced work, you can safely ignore them for simply extracting your 'pbo'.

Output Screen

Is (almost) identical to the dos console screen output on the dos mode of this exe

Initially it shows the basic pbo header type whenever a pbo is selected. This, together with Sneak Peak, is useful when you're browsing multiple pbo's, not necessarily wanting to extract them.

Ultimately, this screen lists the content as it is being extracted: it's compression, it's encryption, it's (de)Rapification, and any errors encountered.

DRAG n DROP

The list below of possibilities should all be intuitive.

You can:

Dropping files into the pbo are problematical in the sense of bi's braindead file referencing but opportunity's exist to drag out, fix a texture, drop it back in as but one, of many possibilities.

Dragging out (or simply viewing) a single file such as the all important config.bin/cpp speaks for itself.

 

Expandable Dialog

As implemented, the Gui initialises in 'basic view'. Simply extend the edges of it's borders (or open in full screen mode) to view very-long-filenames eg, to suit your purpose.

 

Enjoy