Editing save games?

[Kazmir]

Did one of the recent patches/expansions change the way saved games are handled? It seems I can no longer edit them with a simple wordpad, and instead of the usual easy-to-edit text I get a fumble of weird marks when I try to open a save. Is this working as intended or is it just me?

Is there any way to 'fix' this or another way to edit your saves?

Thanks in advance, and please move the topic if I posted this in the wrong section!

 

[Keinwyn]

it is because the game auto ticks the box to compress saves when you manually save game. Just untick the box to create a normal save.

It is located (IIRC) on the bottom right of the save menu.

 

[Kazmir]

it is because the game auto ticks the box to compress saves when you manually save game. Just untick the box to create a normal save.

It is located (IIRC) on the bottom right of the save menu.

Ahh, thanks a ton! I had set off the option 'compress autosaves' but apparently there was another button elsewhere as well...

 

[Shuriken]

Ahh, thanks a ton! I had set off the option 'compress autosaves' but apparently there was another button elsewhere as well...

Yeah, it is confusing. The changelog said it was on by default, which would seem to indicate you can change the default, which would be done through the options in the main menu. But nope, you don't seem to be able to change the default. You have to do it on a case by case basis.

The new compressed save is actually just a zip, although I've not been able to extract the contained files from it, you can see them when you open the save with the proper software.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Yeah, it is confusing. The changelog said it was on by default, which would seem to indicate you can change the default, which would be done through the options in the main menu. But nope, you don't seem to be able to change the default. You have to do it on a case by case basis.

The new compressed save is actually just a zip, although I've not been able to extract the contained files from it, you can see them when you open the save with the proper software.

Errr....

Options/Settings - Game - Compress Autosaves.
Manual saves have a box you can untick right to its name.


Also, use Notepad++.
It's free.
Wordpad is not only hardly able to open these files, but might mess up edits.

Uncompressing works with 7zip.
I use 'right-click' on the file, '7zip' and then 'extract'.

 

[Emre Yigit]

The autosaves work fine, once you set them to save as uncompressed files.

The named saves, don't: http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?766866-GUIDE-How-to-save-games-without-compression-%28post-RoI%29

 

[Shuriken]

Errr....

Options/Settings - Game - Compress Autosaves.
Manual saves have a box you can untick right to its name.

Those are autosaves. Not all saves.

Also, use Notepad++.
It's free.
Wordpad is not only hardly able to open these files, but might mess up edits.

I've never had an issue with regular Notepad. It lacks some of the markup, so major editing is a pain, but it does well enough.

Uncompressing works with 7zip.
I use 'right-click' on the file, '7zip' and then 'extract'.

Thanks, I'll have to do that. I tried both WinRAR and the windows default ability (by changing the extention to .zip. Both ended with the same result so I gave up. Glad to hear there is a program that can do it though.

 

[ahhheygao]

I've never had an issue with regular Notepad. It lacks some of the markup, so major editing is a pain, but it does well enough.

That depends on your OS language setting. Default English OS should be fine, but editing save file Notepad can lead to CTD for people who use a foreign language as system language. I can edit save files in Notepad just fine when I do switch back to English, but my default system language for daily use is Japanese... and I definitely must use Notepad++.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Those are autosaves. Not all saves.

..and as i said it's a setting you can change, when you untick the box in Main Menu - Options - Game - Compress Autosaves.

Thanks, I'll have to do that. I tried both WinRAR and the windows default ability (by changing the extention to .zip. Both ended with the same result so I gave up. Glad to hear there is a program that can do it though.

Your'e welcome. Though you won't need to, when you untick the box right to the save file name while saving manually. See the link Emre Yigit posted above.

 

[gorillacakes]

Yeah I have been using the ordinary wordpad since the original Europa Universalis until the guys on the forum here mentioned notepad ++. The problem I have with it is that the information is presented horizontally rather than vertically so it is harder to find what you want. Then again I could just be cranky becuase I have to get used to it...

 

[Emre Yigit]

FWIW, I use something called Edit Pad Pro (the free version) and find it more user-friendly than notepad ++, though notepad ++ does have certain abilities which the free version of EditPad Pro lacks.

 

[Shuriken]

..and as i said it's a setting you can change, when you untick the box in Main Menu - Options - Game - Compress Autosaves.

I'm not sure you're reading what I'm writing.

That option only affects how autosaves are saved. It doesn't affect regular saves made by hitting the "save" button in the menu.

 

[Drake_Hound]

Download notepad ++ , make sure you do not compress the save you want to edit .
That is it , so check when you save if it compressed or not .