DDB

Description

.ddb files are definition database files used by the game runtime and LevelEdit tooling.

In OpenW3D, .ddb is written/read through the shared SaveLoad framework and stores definition data plus preset data.

References

• wwsaveload/saveload.cpp

• wwsaveload/saveloadids.h

• wwsaveload/definitionmgr.h

• Tools/LevelEdit/EditorChunkIDs.h

• Tools/LevelEdit/PresetsLibForm.cpp

• Tools/LevelEdit/PresetMgr.cpp

• Tools/LevelEdit/Preset.cpp

• Tools/LevelEdit/FileLocations.h

• Combat/savegame.cpp

• wwlib/chunkio.h

Specification

Container model

.ddb uses the same chunk container used by the SaveLoad system:

• Chunk header: uint32 ChunkType + uint32 ChunkSize.

• ChunkSize MSB indicates sub-chunks.

• Micro-chunks use 1-byte type + 1-byte size.

SaveLoad writes one top-level chunk per subsystem using that subsystem’s Chunk_ID().

Top-level content in OpenW3D

LevelEdit preset save calls write two main subsystems:

• _TheDefinitionMgr (chunk id CHUNKID_SAVELOAD_DEFMGR from saveloadids.h).

• _ThePresetMgr (chunk id CHUNKID_PRESETMGR from EditorChunkIDs.h).

Within PresetMgrClass

PresetMgrClass stores:

• CHUNKID_PRESETS: each preset saved under its persist factory chunk id.

• CHUNKID_EMBEDDED_NODE_DATA: * CHUNKID_PRESET_ID * CHUNKID_NODE_LIST

PresetClass payloads include:

• CHUNKID_COMMENTS string chunk.

• CHUNKID_VARIABLES micro-chunks such as definition ID, temporary flag, parent ID, and manual dependency strings.

Typical file locations and usage

• Global editor DB: presets\\objects.ddb.

• Temp editor DB: Presets\\temps20.ddb.

• Exported per-map DB: <map>.ddb.

• Runtime load path derives <map>.ddb from map name and loads definitions before level data.