I'd like to use file_open_read and similar functions, but I am unable to open the text file I've stored in the wrs. How can I extract it for manipulation?

Thanks as always!

Quoted from manual for file_cpy.
...
Then you can use standart file_open_read and other functions with extracted file. The only con is that you can't pack files back into wrs.

Also take a look in the manual at combining file_load() and then add_buffer().
Ive never used it but it may help, if it works the way I think it does.
File_Load() loads the file from WRS into memory space (not extract to the hard disk),
and add_buffer() puts the memorised file into the 3DGS virtual file system, so any
file_open type function can access.
Theoretically...

Thanks, both very much.

Vadim, yeah I found the file_cpy func about an hour after I posted. I assume that your "Quoted from the manual..." was to encourage me to check the documentation more thoroughly, which is always good advice, but please don't assume that someone hasn't already been searching. I know how annoying it is when someone is a forum leech, so I search the documentation, wiki, and forums for at least a couple hours before posting. It hurts when someone thinks that you're being lazy. Of course, I probably should have immediately made the connection between unpacking a text file from a wrs and "file_cpy", heh =P In any case, I really appreciate everyone's help and time!

Sorry for the deviation, back to the subject-
I try to use file_cpy, but it fails (returns 0). I renamed my text file .pak and added a BIND statement in the wdl file of the level I built. I published with the "starter" and "resource" boxes checked and the publish dialog indicated that myFile.pak was added to the wrs, so I'm fairly certain that it's in there. I tried using "add_resource()" to open the wdl in the loading project, but it doesn't actually seem to make any difference (it says myLevels.wrs is opened regardless of whether or not I have add_resource in there).

I haven't tried file_load() and add_buffer() yet; honestly I couldn't decipher what add_buffer did. I'll check it out.

Don't hesitate to chime in if you notice anything bogus about what I'm doing! Cheers!

alas, still stuck. Here's my code:

llist* golf_levels;
char* wrsFile;

function main()
{
on_x = switchLevel;
on_exit = cleanup;

golf_levels = new_llist();
TEXT* tDir = { strings = 10; flags = VISIBLE; }


//search for all wrs files
txt_for_dir( tDir, "*.wrs" );

STRING* rootName = "#40";
STRING* courseName = "#40";
STRING* levelName = "#40";
STRING* pakName = "#40";
STRING* wrsName = "#40";

//TODO: Do this for each string found!
str_cpy(wrsName, _chr((tDir.pstring)[0]));


//Load the wrs file for inclusion later
long fileSize;
wrsFile = file_load( wrsName, NULL, &fileSize );
if( wrsFile == NULL )
{
diag("\nUnable to open file: "); diag(wrsName);
return;
}


//remove the extension
str_cpy( rootName, wrsName );
str_trunc( rootName, 4 );

//create the level name
str_cpy(courseName, rootName );
str_cpy(levelName, rootName );
str_cpy(pakName, rootName );

//and add extensions
str_cat(courseName, ".txt");
str_cat(levelName, ".wmb");
str_cat(pakName, ".pak");


STRING* str_name = "#40";
STRING* str_description = "#1024";
STRING* str_weather = "#40";

//make sure the names are what we expect
diag("\n courseName: "); diag( courseName );
diag("\n pakName: "); diag( pakName );
diag("\n rootName: "); diag( rootName );
diag("\n wrsName: "); diag( wrsName );

//add the resource file and load it into a buffer
add_resource( wrsFile );
add_buffer( wrsName, wrsFile, fileSize );

if( file_cpy(courseName,pakName) != 0 )
{

var filehandle_n = file_open_read( courseName );
file_find( filehandle_n, "Name:" );
file_str_read( filehandle_n, str_name );
file_find( filehandle_n, "Desc:" );
file_str_read( filehandle_n, str_description );
file_find( filehandle_n, "Wthr:" );
file_str_read( filehandle_n, str_weather );

diag("\n"); diag( str_name );
diag("\n"); diag( str_description );
diag("\n"); diag( str_weather );
}
else
{
diag("\nCopy failed");
}

level_load(levelName);
wait(2);

//Enumerate levels via special objects placed in an empty level
int current_level_num = 0;
ENTITY* currentEntity = ent_next(NULL);
while( currentEntity != NULL )
{
STRING* lvlString = str_create("#24");
str_cpy( lvlString, currentEntity.string1 );
llist_add( golf_levels, lvlString );
current_level_num++;
currentEntity = ent_next(currentEntity);
}


levelID = 0;
if( golf_levels->numItems > 0 )
level_load( (STRING*)llist_get(golf_levels, levelID) );
else
diag("\nNO LEVELS AVAILABLE!");
}

Any ideas?

Sorry, but I cant help any more than this, as I only own commercial and therefore
dont have resource packing available so I cant test my theories.

This is the best I can figure, insert this into your code

Haven't gotten it yet, but just wanted to say thanks for taking time out of your day! You're a hero, for certain.

Back into the fray...