Glossary

List of words that need more context

Summary

Published: ??? by manavortex Last documented edit: February 04 2024 by LadyLea

A comprehensive list of jargon you might see on this Wiki or around our community. This glossary is not alphabetical, so be sure to use your browser search function to find what you're looking for. (CTRL+F for most applications)

General

• GitHub: A website which hosts code and helps programmers collaborate on projects. The source code for e.g. WolvenKit or Cyber Engine Tweaks is hosted there. You can compile the WolvenKit source code yourself, or for non-developers you can find WolvenKit releases here first.

• REDengine: The proprietary video game engine developed by CD Projekt Red for The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Witcher 3 uses REDengine 3 (RED3), Cyberpunk 2077 uses REDengine 4 (RED4).

Modding Tools

• Official Modkit for The Witcher 3 (WCC): An official CDPR command-line tool for modding The Witcher 3. Legacy WolvenKit makes extensive use of the Modkit. If you want to mod the Witcher, you're in the wrong wiki, choom!

• REDmod: An official CDPR command-line tool for modding Cyberpunk 2077.

• WolvenKit: The unofficial community modding toolkit.

• WolvenKit CLI: The command line interface version of WolvenKit. (Formerly CP77 Tools)

• CP77 Tools: The original Cyberpunk 2077 modding Command Line Tools. (Renamed and moved to WolvenKit CLI)

• Noesis: (obsolete) A 3d viewer with plugin support for Cyberpunk 2077's file extensions. While Noesis can import and export 3D models, animations, and images, you should use Wolvenkit instead.

• 010 Editor: (obsolete) A hex-editing software that can be paired with a custom template to parse REDengine resource files and access its content. You can use Wolvenkit instead.

WolvenKit

• masklist: The masklist file is a custom .txt document used as a helper file to generate new mlmasks using the Import/Export tool.

• Material json: Material json files are used by the Import/Export tool during for the mesh I/O process. The json will be named after the mesh file then suffixed with .Material.json (i.e. judy_01.Material.json)

Game Files

• Cooked/Uncooked: Whether a file is compressed by the REDengine build process.

  • Cooked: Files extracted with the Asset Browser using WolvenKit (including Legacy) are cooked files. See also: https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/SharingAndReleasing/Deployment/Cooking/
  • Uncooked: After using the Official Witcher 3 Modkit to import an FBX to W2MESH, this file is uncooked. Rather than calling these files imported, the uncooked terminology is derived from the cooked (compressed) file state.

• Packed: CDPR games do not load loose files, but rather compress resources into archives. This compression process is called packing. The Witcher 3 uses ".bundle" files, while Cyberpunk 2077 uses the ".archive" file format.

• Raw: Generic term used to refer to non-REDengine files that have a resource counterpart. The raw format of the REDengine XBM texture format can be TGA, PNG, DDS, etc. e.g. "Do you have the raw texture?" - This is an inquiry about the TGA/PNG/DDS counterpart to a game texture file.

• Resource: A technical term for a REDengine asset file (e.g. .xbm, .mesh, .env).

• W2RC/CR2W: The file magic number for REDengine files. REDengine resource files are commonly referenced as W2RC/CR2W files for shorthand.

Modding

• Reference: A string value in a resource that exists in another resource, and it is used to chain resource together as they are loaded into the game. Some examples are a DepotPath that points at another resource, a list index that points at a material entry, and an appearance that points at a component.

• Vanilla: Original or unmodified i.e. Johnny Silverhand's vanilla appearance can be changed with a DLC.

• Legacy: Techie slang for "the old system". Note that the new system doesn't have to be better, just newer.

Mods

Core Mods

CET: Cyber Engine Tweaks, a core scripting framework utilized by the majority of mods.

Red4Ext: a core script extender, which allows modders to add new features, modify the game behavior, add new scripting functions or call existing ones in your own plugins.

Redscript: is a core script compiler that can be integrated with the game and used to add/replace game scripts.

Archive XL: a modding tool that allows you to load custom resources without touching original game files, thus allowing multiple mods to expand same resources without conflicts. Requires Red4Ext.

Tweak XL: a modding tool and a framework to create mods that modify TweakDB, a proprietary database of REDengine 4, containing essential information about game entities and behavior. Requires Red4Ext.

Codeware: is a library and framework for creating redscript and Cyber Engine Tweaks mods. Requires Red4Ext.

Other optional mods that greatly enhance user experience

AMM: Appearance Menu Mod is your ultimate Photo Mode helper that allows you to use tools to move NPCs and V around, pose them and further expand your photography portfolio; change the time of day or even teleport to a curated list of locations. Unleash your creativity by changing NPCs looks - now with extended features by using Appearance Creator Mod - decorate with endless props, and so much more awaits! Requires CET and Codeware.

PhotoMode-EX: a custom characters framework and QOL tweaks for Photo Mode.

EquipmentEx: an extender of Cyberpunk's core functionality in regards to clothes transmog system.

Cyberware-EX: an extender of Cyberpunk's core functionality in regards to cyberware slot expansions system.