Macros/Gear-Sets/Maps - Inquiry

I'm re-writing this first post a bit for the sake of clarity.

I AM NOT TRYING TO MOD OR EDIT THESE FILES, STOP GOING THIS DIRECTION!

I just want to locate which files are macros/gear equips-lockstyles/map markers/lock styles.

I want my own manual backups on an SD card, It'd also be nice to be able to share the macros/equip-sets/map markers/lock styles with friends.

Not interested in "check the USER dir" replies.
Google/etc was 'not' my friend for this inquiry.
I am NOT interested in posts that revolve around "not knowing what your doing" an such.

If you have nothing constructive to add, leave, do not post here. I will report you.

Thanks to those who actually help.. the trolls are not welcome here.

Serious biz only thread.

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Updating, what has been found so far: (a backup of this list is with me offline incase its needed)

(This section below is thanks to: Fenrir - Zenion)
Aucsort.dat = Auction Sorting
cnf.dat = In-game Configs
es0.dat thru es9.dat = Equip Sets
###.mrk = Map Markers
mcr.dat / mcr.sys / mcr.ttl (an variable names) = Spell/ability/item Macros


(This section below is thanks to: Cerberus - Gillesjboulon)
aix.dat = abilities sorting
bs.dat = mog safe
b2.dat = mog safe 2
ca.dat = mog case
cl.dat = mog house 'storage'
cmb0~9.dat = synthesis history
es0.dat thru es9.dat = Equip Sets
gmNotice.* = GM support related
is.dat / is_2.dat = inventory
mb.dat = locker
mix.dat = magic sorting
moix.dat = mounts sorting
sb.dat = mog satchel
sk.dat = mog sack
wr.dat = wardrobe (wr2.dat = wardrobe2...)


Maybe?:

ffxiusr.msg = Sent Messages (not /t) from others in-game


Remains Unknown What These Do/Are For:

ti.dat / pec.dat / eix.dat (not weapon skill sorting) / acq.dat / nmcr*.dat / timestamp.dat

Would saving the in-game settings into a file via the Final Fantasy XI Config utility [1] suffice, or do you specifically need the individual files?

It's under the Features tab, then In-Game Settings (Save / Restore).

Restoring them via said file can be done at the same place.

1. http://www.playonline.com/ff11/manua...?loc=en#140104

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dragoy

Would saving the in-game settings into a file via the Final Fantasy XI Config utility [1] suffice, or do you specifically need the individual files?

It's under the Features tab, then In-Game Settings (Save / Restore).

Restoring them via said file can be done at the same place.

1. http://www.playonline.com/ff11/manua...?loc=en#140104

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That might help solve part of the idea.. but won't be useful in the sharing macro's an equip-sets an map markers to friends bit.

Short answer: No. It's not user friendly.

Long answer: Sort of yes? In ..\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\USER\ there will be directories that are just hexadecimal values. Those correspond to characters; if you only use one character, perfect, you should only have one to check. There will be files that look like es#.dat, M#####.MRK, mcr#.dat mcr##.dat or mcr###.dat; those seem like likely candidates. When I loaded my data from server, tig.dat acq.dat AUCSORT.DAT cnf.dat mcr.dat mcr.sys mcr.ttl and mcr_2.ttl in that same folder also updated, and are probably related data.

If this doesn't help, I've got nothing; those are all of the files in the entire PlayOnline file structure that changed on saving macros to server then loading them.

If I had to guess, I would say the .MRK files might be your map markers, the mcr#.dat ones could be macros, and the es#.dat ones could be equipsets.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zenion

Short answer: No. It's not user friendly.

Long answer: Sort of yes? In ..\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\USER\ there will be directories that are just hexadecimal values. Those correspond to characters; if you only use one character, perfect, you should only have one to check. There will be files that look like es#.dat, M#####.MRK, mcr#.dat mcr##.dat or mcr###.dat; those seem like likely candidates. When I loaded my data from server, tig.dat acq.dat AUCSORT.DAT cnf.dat mcr.dat mcr.sys mcr.ttl and mcr_2.ttl in that same folder also updated, and are probably related data.

If this doesn't help, I've got nothing; those are all of the files in the entire PlayOnline file structure that changed on saving macros to server then loading them.

If I had to guess, I would say the .MRK files might be your map markers, the mcr#.dat ones could be macros, and the es#.dat ones could be equipsets.

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I think your right.. makes sense the .mrk would be the maps, though I think that Aucsort.dat is prolly something to do with how we tell the AH to sort things =)
I didn't want to just assume what files were associated an how if I could avoid it.. but so far.. seems like we'll have to go this route.

I've had other games in the past where I assumed the wrong thing of file names, turned out poorly or ruined stuff. I was trying to avoid that here.

So what we seem to have:

###.mrk = map markers
mcr.dat / mcr.sys / mcr.ttl (an variable names) = macros
Aucsort.dat = auction sorting
cnf.dat = in-game configs
ffxiusr.msg = sent messages (not /t) from others in-game


Uknown Still

es.dat / aix.dat / b2.dat / bs.dat / ca.dat / cl.dat / is.dat / mb.dat / sb.dat / sk,dat / ti.dat / wr.dat / mix.dat / pec.dat / eix.dat / acq.dat / moix.dat / cmb.dat / timestamp.dat

An of course we can prolly just ignore the gm marked files =p I hope ( #.siz and #.fdt ), maybe the gst file without an extension too?

It seems like one might be able to get away with just copying an pasting the entire contents over to another friend.. but.. years ago this caused errors an a file system check from the pol viewer was needed as I recall to restore things to working order.

Hence why I'm going thru all this, of course.. SE could just help or make this more user friendly an we could just stop here.
I won't hold my breath on that however.

Oh an before someone from SE says this should be in the suggestion box.. right.. >.> we'll get on that as soon
as SE over hauls the pol viewer an UI in-game among other things -.- meanwhile, back to biz here..

Apologies.

I went and assumed (which I generally avoid as much as possible) a little bit regarding how the Save / Restore works. Should have waited until I had a moment to test it.

I imagined it would simply slap the restored things over the current things, but it seems it is actually tied to the characters, which means at least moving the files around is necessary. To which extent those individual files might be tied to characters, I don't know at this time, and poking around with them deeper starts getting a bit too much towards being a violation of them User Agreements and stuffs. :V

Yeah, things may work if you simply replace them, but things might also break. ^^;

(By the by, the PlayOnline messages are in another castl... I mean directory. The 'ffxiusr.msg' is something else.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Auriga

I've been looking around for a more solid source of info an found sketchy stuff/guess-work/incomplete info at best.

Is there a solid source on knowing which files are macros/gear equips-lockstyles/map markers?

I want my own manual backups on an SD card, long story short.
It'd also be nice to be able to share the macros/equip-sets/map markers with friends.

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I just copied the entire folder, I know that's not the advice you're looking for, but it honestly makes more sense than picking out individual files. But you may have a specialized purpose, and at least for me, the relevant files are located here:
D:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\USER\bae7d6
(Note that I specifically installed the game to Program Files and not Program Files (x86), so change as appropriate)

I'm not really sure the macro book files (99% sure the MRK files are the macro book files) are useful just by themselves, but I did some searching on my own to see if anyone's talked about this and came up dry as well.

That being said: The server backup feature works just fine, I used it to restore my macros and such after building a new PC and it worked flawlessly. No need for any manual file copying. Just press + at the character select screen or use the mouse to access the menu in the top right corner. Just something to consider.

Offering this out of genuine desire to help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alhanelem

I just copied the entire folder, I know that's not the advice you're looking for, but it honestly makes more sense than picking out individual files. But you may have a specialized purpose, and at least for me, the relevant files are located here:
D:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\USER\bae7d6
(Note that I specifically installed the game to Program Files and not Program Files (x86), so change as appropriate)

I'm not really sure the macro book files (99% sure the MRK files are the macro book files) are useful just by themselves, but I did some searching on my own to see if anyone's talked about this and came up dry as well.

That being said: The server backup feature works just fine, I used it to restore my macros and such after building a new PC and it worked flawlessly. No need for any manual file copying. Just press + at the character select screen or use the mouse to access the menu in the top right corner. Just something to consider.

Offering this out of genuine desire to help.

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I realize that your just offering the help, an thats cool.. but this is a subject that people are treating like "nuclear launch codes" an their really not.
This game has been out for far too long for "no one to know anything" so I won't back down.

SE needs to give us a straight forward way to share this between chars/accounts/friends/manual backups to SD cards.
I don't personally want to re-write all of those (macros) for others over an over an over again. I doubt anyone else does either.

If we press on with this, only 1 of 2 things can happen. Lets keep going.

Quote:

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This game has been out for far too long for "no one to know anything" so I won't back down.

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I think you overestimate the desire of anyone to actually go and dissect all these files and have discussions about it everywhere.

I have an inkling where you might be able to find some information on this, but posting about it here might have negative consequences (But hopefully, by this fact you might know what I'm referring to.)

Quote:

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SE needs to give us a straight forward way to share this between chars/accounts/friends/manual backups to SD cards.

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Maybe straightforward is being a little generous, but we already have the means to do this. As I said, the server backup does work, but you can only store the user data for one character. There are four more client-side back-up slots on that menu, so that counts for something.

There's also one other option. There is a backup feature in the new FFXI config tool, which I didn't even know about til i thought to look at it after this thread:
https://i.imgur.com/qxYhgS2.png

This appears to back up the user data associated with all of your characters. You can just save it to your SD card or whatever, and restore it later. This backup file appears to be compressed, as it is smaller than the sum of the files in the folder.

Quote:

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but this is a subject that people are treating like "nuclear launch codes" an their really not

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I'm really not sure anyone is trying to keep a secret for you, just because you couldn't find info doesn't mean that people conspired to keep it under wraps. In order for stuff like this to get studied/analyzed/tools made/whatever, someone with the skills and know how needs to be a player of the game, realize there's a problem, and create a solution.

That said: I opened one of those MRK files in notepad. Here's the contents of one

Quote:

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KMIX”& u marker 
      


m n marker
  
       


menu r  0 ``p``p` 

menu but o 
 
 H ÜÿF. Station
  F. Bivouac #1

ûÿáÿF. Bivouac #2
§ÿ/ F. Bivouac #3

CK Coalition OU Coalition  NV Coalition UM Coalition        


menu a

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There is some binary data which you can't see because it doesn't render on this forum, but there's also some other text there, which corresponds with map markers on a specific area map. So these MRK files store the map markers both you and the game placed on maps.

Based on this, the files like "mcr.dat, mcr1.dat" appear to be macro data.

Edit: I opened these in notepad as well and found my macro text amongst various binary data. So yes, the mcr#.dat files are your macro books. mcr.dat is the first book, mcr1 is the second, and so on.

So hopefully that helps demystify those "nuclear launch codes." I would not reccomend editing these files though, there is binary data in there, so changing the text from there is probably not a good idea and could break things- especially given each file has a fixed size (which makes sense as each macro line can only be a fixed length).

Alhanelem - I hear all that, as for negative consequences.. I think some people are "assuming too much" about what I'm trying to do here -.-

I wrote a bigger block of text.. but I won't be stressed further about this a certain way.

The above does not address giving the macros/equip-sets/map markers to say friend B.
Provide steps that reliably do so, or this continues.

Thanks =)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Auriga

The above does not address giving the macros/equip-sets/map markers to say friend B.

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If you were a little less cryptic from the beginning I would have figured out that this is what you wanted to do. Thanks for clarifying that.

Unfortunately from the digging I did above along with how the data is stored in the folders, it does appear these files are keyed to the character and can't be easily transferred the way you want to (As evidenced by the backup files not being able to be used this way)

There honestly should be an easier way to do it, I 100% agree, but I don't see one. I can certainly try to ask around to see if I can find any evidence to the contrary though. I can't imagine, however, that nobody's ever tried to do this, so hopefully the reason there's no info isn't because it simply isn't possible.

(Proceeds to ask on the discord for you-know-what-software)

Edit: I can't post it here, but if you can provide some way for me to reach you outside of this forum I found some information that will be useful to you. NUCLEAR LAUNCH CODES
(In other words, there do exist... things... that will allow you to export/import client side character data such as macros)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alhanelem

If you were a little less cryptic from the beginning I would have figured out that this is what you wanted to do. Thanks for clarifying that.

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Lets see now..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Auriga

It'd also be nice to be able to share the macros/equip-sets/map markers with friends.

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Nope.. nope.. don't see anything cryptic here.

As for discord.. I'm fairly easy to find in the right places. However I cannot speak on the subject of.. stuff you mentioned.
It does appear that despite our differences.. we can at least agree this should be easier. Always nice to see common ground.

I do see your last active time stamp was Dec. 24, 2022 in game.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Auriga

SE needs to give us a straight forward way to share this between chars/accounts/friends/manual backups to SD cards.
I don't personally want to re-write all of those (macros) for others over an over an over again.

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They really don't, because who on earth does that?

And what you have listed here is long-winded and probably broken all of your "friends" games, so next they will be on the forums saying that their game doesn't work.

Rather than mess with things you're not meant to be messing with - The best option would be a download button under the Macro saving setting in the game menu followed by an import/export option.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Auriga

Lets see now..



Nope.. nope.. don't see anything cryptic here.

As for discord.. I'm fairly easy to find in the right places. However I cannot speak on the subject of.. stuff you mentioned.
It does appear that despite our differences.. we can at least agree this should be easier. Always nice to see common ground.

I do see your last active time stamp was Dec. 24, 2022 in game.

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Well I guess I missed something reading it the first time :p

TLDR of all of this though, is there is a thing that exists that will let you do what you want to do, but since it falls under "third party tools," can't really talk about it on this forum. Conclusively, there is no "official" way to do it.

I would suggest adding a post about this in the QOL thread in general discussion.

And yeah, it's been a little while, I've been subbed the entire time but I keep getting distracted with other non-MMO games lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sirmarki

They really don't, because who on earth does that?

And what you have listed here is long-winded and probably broken all of your "friends" games, so next they will be on the forums saying that their game doesn't work.

Rather than mess with things you're not meant to be messing with - The best option would be a download button under the Macro saving setting in the game menu followed by an import/export option.

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If you have nothing constructive to add, don't post.

So, just for fun, I tried copying over the all the mcr files from one user to another. mcr.dat, mcr.sys, mcr.ttl, mcr_2.ttl replaced, mcr1.dat to mcr49.dat added new. Completely copied over the macro palettes from my geo/whm/sch/drk character to my war01 never been outside the city storage mule. No errors, no loss or corruption that I can see. It just worked.

Mind you, I was trying to copy over macros from my smn/blm/drg/brd/cor character, so this is still kind of guesswork and trial and error, but it's doable as long as you keep backups.

es0.dat through es9.dat did the equipsets, again, no trouble, just have to worry about doing it blind.

I would advise doing this while the character you're copying data to is not logged in, but I suspect the worst that will happen is that you could accidentally overwrite the copied equipsets with blank ones.

copying equip sets isnt going to be much use unless the other character has all the same gear. but good to know that they can just be copied.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Auriga

If you have nothing constructive to add don't post.

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I added a solution.

Don't post? HAHA!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Auriga

If you have nothing constructive to add don't post.

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Try taking a permanent break from posting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zenion

So, just for fun, I tried copying over the all the mcr files from one user to another. mcr.dat, mcr.sys, mcr.ttl, mcr_2.ttl replaced, mcr1.dat to mcr49.dat added new. Completely copied over the macro palettes from my geo/whm/sch/drk character to my war01 never been outside the city storage mule. No errors, no loss or corruption that I can see. It just worked.

Mind you, I was trying to copy over macros from my smn/blm/drg/brd/cor character, so this is still kind of guesswork and trial and error, but it's doable as long as you keep backups.

es0.dat through es9.dat did the equipsets, again, no trouble, just have to worry about doing it blind.

I would advise doing this while the character you're copying data to is not logged in, but I suspect the worst that will happen is that you could accidentally overwrite the copied equipsets with blank ones.

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Thanks for looking into it further =)

(Updated list moved to my first post and in my latest post)

I don't have anything constructive to add, but I am getting deja vu. I remember long ago before they added the ability to save and load client data (map markers, macros etc.,) we had to copy some files and make our own backups.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tarmarkvar

I don't have anything constructive to add, but I am getting deja vu. I remember long ago before they added the ability to save and load client data (map markers, macros etc.,) we had to copy some files and make our own backups.

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The backup feature existed a lot longer than most people think. for years though, it was hidden behind a secret key combination rather than there being a menu on the character select screen accessible with +.

I do remember copying files before that, but an obviously incomplete examination by me determined that you couldn't simply distribute those files to other people and have them work. But it turns out that is possible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alhanelem

The backup feature existed a lot longer than most people think. for years though, it was hidden behind a secret key combination rather than there being a menu on the character select screen accessible with +.

I do remember copying files before that, but an obviously incomplete examination by me determined that you couldn't simply distribute those files to other people and have them work. But it turns out that is possible.

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I know of this "secret" you speak of, I remember when I first found it.. made bouncing between pc's an ps2's alot easier. As before I would have to re-write ALL of the macros over an over an over again >.>!

Part of the idea behind this thread is to spare friends the pain of having to ever write them.. an hey.. if we got some pro's to help here.. they could share their stuff with the rest of us an we could finally head towards getting them to new people an speed up things for them too.

So many nice possibilities.. but for now.. we resolve what the files "are" and "are not".. an ya know.. if SE is paying any attention to this.. their help would be nice too.. but as some others have suggested.. their budget determines how much they even "care" in the first place an by reaching this point it seems they don't care at all.

Yes I am trying to provoke them, I want them to be involved here.. they cannot say I am not trying to get them to be a part of this, they HAVE the chance to step in an do something for us. An once more.. I am not trying to edit or mod the files, I just want to copy/backup/move or share them. All fair play by my count.

Thanks again to all who're helping with all this.

Quote:

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Yes I am trying to provoke them, I want them to be involved here.. they cannot say I am not trying to get them to be a part of this, they HAVE the chance to step in an do something for us. An once more.. I am not trying to edit or mod the files, I just want to copy/backup/move or share them. All fair play by my count.

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Honestly, they probably don't want people to do this or it would already be a feature. I'm 100% behind you that it should be a thing, but posting here with the hope that the devs will change it is mostly a pipe dream.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alhanelem

Honestly, they probably don't want people to do this or it would already be a feature. I'm 100% behind you that it should be a thing, but posting here with the hope that the devs will change it is mostly a pipe dream.

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Maybe.. maybe not.. but if nothing else WE will get something done here if they refuse to help us. Bottom line they have their chance to step in an assist.


Updating, what has been found so far: (a backup of this list is with me offline incase its needed)

(This section below is thanks to: Fenrir - Zenion)
Aucsort.dat = Auction Sorting
cnf.dat = In-game Configs
es0.dat thru es9.dat = Equip Sets
###.mrk = Map Markers
mcr.dat / mcr.sys / mcr.ttl (an variable names) = Spell/ability/item Macros


(This section below is thanks to: Cerberus - Gillesjboulon)
aix.dat = abilities sorting
bs.dat = mog safe
b2.dat = mog safe 2
ca.dat = mog case
cl.dat = mog house 'storage'
cmb0~9.dat = synthesis history
es0.dat thru es9.dat = Equip Sets
gmNotice.* = GM support related
is.dat / is_2.dat = inventory
mb.dat = locker
mix.dat = magic sorting
moix.dat = mounts sorting
sb.dat = mog satchel
sk.dat = mog sack
wr.dat = wardrobe (wr2.dat = wardrobe2...)


Maybe?:

ffxiusr.msg = Sent Messages (not /t) from others in-game


Remains Unknown What These Do/Are For:

ti.dat / pec.dat / eix.dat (not weapon skill sorting) / acq.dat / nmcr*.dat / timestamp.dat