Effective way to edit DBC files ?

[thesixth]

Hi guys!

I'd like to discuss and get a hang of the most effective ways of editing DBC files.
(How, what with etc.?)

I've been looking allover for a fast, effective and simple way of editing DBC files.
Sadly, most field definitions on DBC files are really out of date, I'm working with the 3.0.3 WoW and I was thinking if anyone could tip me with tools that'd be of good use when editing theese files.

Now, I'm currently working on a hybrid custom class for my private server.
For that I need to create custom spells, items and quests etc.

The crusial part is that most editors doesn't have a field localization and multi DB-loading-functions like the old DB-editor 0.5b by noisehole.
I would really love you a long time if there was some sort of field-definition description or any experience at all that someone would share with me/us.

I have, by the way, found various fast and fuctionating DBC editors but somehow they are missing the simple function of even adding rows. (Trying to create new spells from scratch)

Maybe those of us with the same interrests could start a discussion thread about DBC-editing?
Maybe a gathering of people could learn together start a DBC-specialist team or something in that direction?

There aren't any guides on the forum that tells you how to do this and I'm sure alot of people would appreciate this, so, again, please...!
Methods and ways to fully edit DBC files, and some definitions/descriptions/experience to share is on the top prior.

Appreciated!

Anyway, my work-in-progress here is the starting point of a major-customized server project.
I plan on flipping the script totally with this one, PM me if you want to hear it out.

Cya!:wave:

Ps!
People tip me of a DBC->CSV conversion , BUT on a file like Spell.dbc I wouldn't bother trying so don't post if you haven't figured out a way to do this.

Let's make this clear. File extension CSV - Comma Separated Value file

What you would be doing IF you've had tried this, is make the data in each column od the DBC-file converted to a CSV-format that seperates the data thrugh "," (commas).

Originally, Spell.DBC contains about 230 columns++ which my example will not, but I'm sure you guys will get the idea.

Now, with a little fantasy you could immagine a row in the DBC-column system of SIX columns like this:
_____________________________
| 0| 0| 0| 43| 0| 1|

Hence, with SIX commas, the converted CSV result would look like this:
0,0,0,43,0,1

Spell.dbc for one, contains strings that are actual full sentences.
Which means in order for blizzard to formulate theese respective sentences with correct grammar they need to use "," commas doubtless.

Now if one part of the DBC-collumn table of FIVE collumns looks like this:
____________________________________________________________________
| 0| 12| Slashes the enemy, causing d% damage blabla..| 4| 3|

Imagine the converted CSV-result, can you?
0,12,Slashes the enemy, causing d% damage blabla..,4,3

The reading of the CSV file in the convertion process would most likely think of each comma as a column sperating Data.
The convertion back from CSV to DBC would then look like this:
____________________________________________________________________
| 0| 12| Slashes the enemy| causing d% damage blabla..| 4| 3|
In case you didn't notice, the original column system was built upon FIVE and now, after the conversion has SIX columns seperating data:
The reading of the CSV file in the convertion process would most likely think of each comma as a column sperating Data.

This would most likely WRECK the whole column system of the DBC thus you WILL recieve an error with Spell.dbc upon loading the Database.

File extension CSV - Comma Separated Value file

I, myself have not tried this and I could be wrong, but common sense tells me with99,99999%certainty that this process is a complete waste of time.

Please don't try to tip me of something that surely won't work.

[stoneharry]

I couldn't be bothered to read the whole thing, but it looks like you've got a good idea of what your going to do. I'd just like to point out editing the DBC's has always been 100% illegal with Blizzard and also there are actually some guides on DBC editing basics on here. I can remember two off by heart, changing zone types and what a mounts displayid is, oh wait there was fixing the '?' on custom items with DBC editing as well.
Well anyway, good luck! I don't have time for anything on this scale

[Hellgawd]

Somewhat wrong forum; Looks more of a discussion post, and as such, should be renamed and posted in the Discussion forum. Another thing is that DBC editing belongs more in the model editing section than in the emulation section. Cheers.