X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10
X Rebirth has a vibrant modding community. The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 has been tested to work with most major mods, including:
Warning: The tool is read-only. It does not violate Egosoft’s mod policy. You cannot use it to cheat (e.g., spawn items). It simply visualizes what the game already knows.
What is it?
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool is a specialized utility designed to unpack and repack the .cat (catalog) and .dat (data) archive files used by the game X Rebirth. These archives contain the game's core assets, including models, textures, scripts, and localization files.
Primary Functions:
Who uses it? This tool is intended for mod developers and advanced users. Casual players generally do not need this tool unless they are installing a mod that requires manual extraction or are investigating game assets.
Context within the X Series: In the X game series (X3, X Rebirth, X4), Egosoft uses a specific proprietary archive format. While mods can often be installed using the "extensions" folder with loose files, the Catalog Tool is essential for:
Note on Availability: Tools like this are typically hosted on the official Egosoft Forums or modding sites like Nexus Mods. If you are looking to download it, ensure you are getting it from a reputable source to avoid corrupted archives. Note that for later versions of the game or for X4: Foundations, newer or different tools (like X Cat Tool) may be preferred.
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool (now updated as part of the X Tools suite) is an official Egosoft utility essential for modders to extract and compile game data files for both X Rebirth and X4: Foundations. It provides both a GUI and command-line interface for managing .cat and .dat files, though it requires an Egosoft forum account for access. For more details, visit Egosoft. X Catalog Tool - X Community Wiki
X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is an essential official utility designed for modders to extract and compile game assets from the series'
catalog files. Released on December 13, 2016, version 1.10 significantly expanded the tool's versatility by adding support for catalog formats from earlier X games, making it a unified resource for the entire franchise. Key Features Dual Interface
: Includes both a command-line interface for advanced batch scripting and a user-friendly Windows GUI for quick manual tasks. Multi-Game Support : While packaged for , it works with X4: Foundations and legacy X titles. Essential Modding Functions
: Unpack game files (like scripts, textures, and models) to view or edit them.
: Repackage modified files into new catalogs for the game to load as extensions. How to Access & Install
The tool is available through two primary official channels: Egosoft Website : Download from the X Rebirth Bonus Material
You must have an Egosoft forum account with a registered X-series game or a linked Steam account to access the download. Steam Library : Search for
under the "Tools" category in your Steam library. Once installed, selecting "Play" allows you to launch the GUI Catalog Tool directly. Practical Usage Tip [WIP][Tutorial] Building your own ship for dummies 2
X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is an official utility used to extract and compile (catalog) and (data) files, which is essential for modding X4: Foundations
. Version 1.10 specifically added support for catalog formats from earlier X Community Wiki 1. Getting the Tool You can acquire the tool in two ways: : In your Steam Library, change the category filter to and search for . Install it like a standard game. Via Egosoft Downloads : If you have a non-Steam version, download it from the Egosoft Bonus Material
page. Note that you must have a registered game on your forum profile to access this download. 2. Launching the Tool
When you "Play" X Tools through Steam, you are typically given three options: Play X Tools
: Opens a command prompt in the tools directory for console-based operations (using Catalog Tool : Launches the GUI version
, which is much easier for beginners to use for extracting and creating files.
: Opens the documentation; it is highly recommended to read this for specific command-line switches. 3. How to Extract Files (GUI Method) X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10
Extracting allows you to view the game's XML scripts and assets. Steam Community Catalog Tool (GUI) from the X Tools launcher. Import Catalogs and navigate to your game's installation folder. Select the catalog you want to open (e.g.,
The tool will list all files inside. Select the files you want and click to save them to your PC. 4. How to Create Catalogs (Modding)
To make your mod functional, your files must be compiled back into a catalog. Steam Community
: Use the "Create" functions in the GUI Catalog Tool to pack your folder into new Automatic (Workshop Tool) : If you are uploading to the Steam Workshop, the included WorkshopTool.exe can automatically build catalogs for you using the Steam Community For more technical details, consult the X Catalog Tool Wiki for community-maintained documentation. X Community Wiki Are you planning to existing game files for study, or are you ready to your own mod for the first time? Acces Denied X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 - egosoft.com 12 May 2017 —
Here’s a concise guide for the X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 – a community-made asset browser for X Rebirth.
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is the ultimate utility for extracting, viewing, and repacking game files in Egosoft's space simulator,
Whether you are a seasoned modder looking to tweak ship textures or a curious player wanting to see how the game's universe is built, this tool is your gateway to the game's core files.
Below is a complete blog post draft ready for your website or community forum.
Unleashing the Universe: A Guide to the X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10
If you have ever wanted to dive deep into the inner workings of
, change game textures, or overhaul the economy, you have likely run into
files. These are the packed archives where Egosoft stores all the game's assets. To open them, you need the right key. Enter the X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10
—the community-standard utility designed specifically to unpack and repack these archives.
Here is everything you need to know to get started with modding and file extraction! 🚀 What is the X Rebirth Catalog Tool?
The Catalog Tool is a lightweight, dedicated utility that interacts with the specific compression and file structures used in Extraction:
Pulls out XML files, scripts, sound files, and textures so you can edit them. Repacking: Compresses your modified files back into a format that the game can read as a mod. Tree Viewing:
Allows you to browse the folder structure of the game without extracting massive amounts of data first. 🛠️ Key Features of Version 1.10
Version 1.10 brought several quality-of-life improvements and stability fixes over earlier iterations: Improved Compatibility:
Better handling of larger archive files without memory crashes. Fast Search:
Quickly locate specific scripts or assets across multiple loaded catalogs. Batch Extraction: Extract entire folders or specific file types (like all files) in a single click. Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simpler UI for adding files to a new catalog. 📖 How to Extract Your First File
Ready to see what is under the hood? Follow these quick steps to extract your first game file: Download and Run:
Download the tool from the official Egosoft forums or trusted community modding hubs. Load a Catalog: Open the tool, click File > Open , and navigate to your installation directory. Select a file (e.g., Browse the Assets: X Rebirth has a vibrant modding community
You will see a folder tree. Navigate to the file you want to inspect (such as a ship script or a user interface XML). Right-click the file or folder and select
. Choose your destination folder, and you are ready to start editing! 💡 Top Tips for Modders Always Backup:
Never overwrite the original game catalogs. Always save your modified files into a separate folder in the game's extensions directory. Load Order Matters:
reads catalogs in numerical order. Higher numbers will overwrite files in lower-numbered catalogs. XML Patches are Best:
Instead of replacing a whole file, learn to use XML diff patches. It makes your mods much more compatible with future game updates! 📥 Where to Download
You can find the official download links, user guides, and troubleshooting threads directly on the Egosoft Forums Modding section.
Happy modding, captains! May your custom empires thrive in the vastness of space. Should we adjust the tone of this post to make it more for hardcore modders, or would you like to add a step-by-step tutorial on how to pack a mod?
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is an official utility developed by Egosoft that allows players and modders to interact with the game's data structure. Released in December 2016, this version significantly expanded the tool's utility by adding support for catalog formats from earlier X games. Core Functions and Features
The tool serves as a bridge for anyone looking to modify the game's core files or package their own creations.
Extraction and Compilation: It enables the decompression of .cat and .dat files for modification and the subsequent compression of mod files for in-game implementation.
Dual Interfaces: It features both a command-line interface for advanced automation and a graphical user interface (GUI) for ease of use.
Legacy Support: Version 1.10 is notable for its backward compatibility, supporting catalog formats from the entire X series.
Modding Essential: Because X Rebirth and its successor, X4: Foundations, store all game-relevant data in these catalogs, the tool is a prerequisite for virtually all forms of modding. How to Access and Install The tool is primarily available through two main channels:
Steam: It is included in the "X Tools" collection (formerly "X Rebirth Tools"). Users can find it by navigating to their Steam Library, selecting the "Tools" filter, and installing "X Tools".
Official Website: For those with GOG or non-Steam versions, it can be downloaded directly from the Egosoft Bonus Material page.
Note: Access to the download on Egosoft’s site requires a registered forum account with a linked X game. Using the Tool for Modding Unable to download the Catalogue Tool - egosoft.com
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is a utility developed by Egosoft for managing and extracting game data from .cat and .dat files. While originally designed for X Rebirth, it is widely used by the modding community for X4: Foundations to unpack game assets for modification. Key Features and Usage
Unpacking Game Files: The tool allows users to extract the entire game directory into a readable format. This is a foundational step for modders looking to inspect or change game assets like models, textures, and scripts.
GUI Interface: Version 1.10 includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that is generally considered self-explanatory. Users can simply select the catalog files and choose a destination path for extraction.
Modding Workflow: In tutorials for building custom ships, such as those found on the Egosoft Forums, the tool is used alongside other utilities like the XRConverter to transform extracted models into formats compatible with 3D modeling software. Technical Recommendations
Path Formatting: When unpacking files, it is highly recommended to create a separate folder for the unpacked game (e.g., C:\X4Unpacked) that contains no spaces in the file path. Some subsequent conversion tools may fail if spaces are present in the directory name.
Root Directory: For advanced modding, once files are extracted, tools like the XRConverter are often placed directly into the mod's root directory to process the models. Warning: The tool is read-only
What is the X Rebirth Catalog Tool? The X Rebirth Catalog Tool (v1.10) is a specialized utility designed for the space simulation game X Rebirth, developed by Egosoft. Its primary purpose is to extract and pack the game’s proprietary .cat and .dat files. These archives contain everything from textures and 3D models to the XML scripts that govern the game’s universe. Core Functionality
While Egosoft games have used catalog systems for decades, the Rebirth tool was built to handle the engine's specific compression and file indexing. Its utility is two-fold:
Decompression: It allows modders to "unpack" the game, making the raw assets readable and editable.
Mod Distribution: It enables creators to "repack" their custom content into a format the game engine can prioritize and load seamlessly. How to Use the Tool
Operating the tool is a straightforward process, typically handled via a Command Prompt or by dragging and dropping files onto the executable.
Preparation: Place the XRCatTool.exe in a dedicated folder. Ensure you have the .cat file (the index) and the corresponding .dat file (the data) ready.
Extraction: To view game files, run a command like:XRCatTool.exe -p "C:\PathToGame\01.cat" -out "C:\ExtractedFiles"This breaks down the massive archive into a standard folder structure.
Modification: Edit the XML files or swap textures within the extracted folders.
Packing: To turn your changes into a mod, use the -c (create) command to wrap your new folder back into a .cat and .dat pair that the game can read from its extensions folder. Impact on the Community
Version 1.10 stabilized many of the early versioning issues, ensuring that file paths and compression headers remained consistent with the game's updates. Without this tool, the "open" nature of X Rebirth would be inaccessible, as the community would be unable to fix bugs, overhaul the UI, or add new ships to the galaxy.
Before we focus on the specifics of version 1.10, it’s important to understand the tool’s core purpose. The X Rebirth Catalog Tool (often abbreviated as XRCT) is an external application that reads your save files (save_00x.xml or .gz) and presents the data in a clean, searchable, and filterable interface.
Think of it as a third-party asset tracker. It allows you to:
In essence, it does what the in-game map should have done at launch.
Even with a stable release, users may encounter hiccups. Here are solutions to the top three issues reported with version 1.10:
Issue 1: "Failed to load save—Out of Memory"
Issue 2: Missing DLC wares
Issue 3: Tool crashes upon scanning for NPCs
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is not just a nice-to-have; for serious players, it is mission-critical. It takes a clunky, often frustrating asset management experience and turns it into a sleek, data-driven command center. The improvements in parsing speed, trade analysis, and crew management make version 1.10 the definitive release.
If you are still flying blind in the X universe, download this tool immediately. Your empire’s efficiency—and your sanity—will thank you.
Do you have a favorite feature of version 1.10? Share your tips in the community forums, and don’t forget to back up your saves before loading them into any third-party tool.
Best for:
Not recommended for:
Tip: Use XRCT 1.10 together with the official XRCatTool.exe – extract with XRCT, modify files, then repack with the official tool.