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File Types

ADePT uses some own file types as well as common file types for images and media.

ADePT File Types

The programs of the ADePT toolkit use some special file types that can be recognised by their extension. The extensions of all ADePT file types start with ad.

Usually, a game consists of a game file (adv) and a look file (adl) as well as several data files, which are common windows file types for images, sounds, and the like (see below).

The following ADePT file types are defined:

ExtensionFile TypeAssociationDescription
adtadventure text(AdvPlay)A language definition for the game interface.
advadventure gameAdvPlayDefines an adventure game as used by the ADePT engine.
adradventure resourceAdvPack, (AdvPlay)Contains resources of a game.
admadventure text mapping(AdvPlay)Contains mappings from abbreviations to full text.
adsadventure saved game(AdvPlay)Used when you save your progress in game.
addadventure saved diary(AdvPlay)The diary in readable text format when saving a game.
adladventure lookAdvLook, (AdvPlay)The look for an adventure game.
adgadventure grammar(AdvMake)Defines a grammar used by the compiler.
adcadventure game codeAdvMakeThe code to create an adventure game.
adpadventure resource packageAdvPackThe list of resources for a resource file.
adoadventure look codeAdvMakeThe code to create an adventure look.
adiadventure include code(AdvMake)Include file for adventure code.
rsiinstallation specification(RSinstall)Information for application installation.

Note: If the associated executable is bracketed, the file type is used by that program, but you can't open it directly with that program. That means, you can't associate it with the executable to start the program by double clicking in the explorer.

Common File Types

To make the development of adventure games as convenient as possible, ADePT uses common file types for images, sounds, videos, and the like.

The following lists the different supported file types.

Image File Types

All image file types can be used as images for scenes, regions, objects, and in dialogs. For tools, cursors have to be used.

ExtensionFile Type
cur, aniwindows (animated) cursor
icowindows icon
bmp, rlewindows bitmap
wmf, emfwindows/enhanced meta file
jpgjpeg compressed image

Note: Unlike it is usual in windows, icons and cursors are not loaded according to the colour resolution of windows when used as images. Instead, you can select one of several images by appending a colon (:) and the number of the image (starting with 0). Usually, you will only use cursors and icons with one image. When used as the main window icon or as tool cursor, the standard windows mechanisms are used for loading. Animated cursors can only be used for tools.

Media File Types

The ADePT engine supports multi-media via MCI (Media Control Interface) of windows. Therefore, it supports most of the media types that are supported by the Windows Media Player. Which media types are supported depends also on the mci drivers that are installed and properly working. ADePT also supports playback of CD-Audio tracks.

Media files are used by the media actions, which start and stop playback of media files.

The following list gives an overview of the most used and known media file types supported by the ADePT engine. The list is not exhaustive.

ExtensionFile Type
mid, smf, rmimidi sequencer music
wavwindows wave file
mp3mpeg compressed audio
wmawindows media audio
aviwindows audio/video
mpgmpeg compressed video
wmvwindows media video

Note: You have to install an actual version of the Windows Media Player and/or other media applications that support these media types and that provide access via MCI.