Installing, editing and managing PK3's

What is a PK3?
A PK3 (or Pak 3) is a type of file archive (a file containing other files, usually compressed to take up less space) and is essentially the same as a zip folder, just with the extension .pk3. JKA will load files within the gamedata\base (or gamedata\NameOfModYouArePlaying eg japlus) folder as well as the contents of any .pk3 files

Basically, they contain much of the files that make up the game as well as most mods (skins, maps etc) you can download.

Installing PK3s

• Find the file and copy it with crtl+c (If you downloaded the PK3, it was probably in a zip file, if so open up the zip and copy the pk3 inside.)
• Find your base folder. This is usually C:\Program Files\Lucas Arts\Jedi Academy\GameData\base
• Paste the pk3 into your base folder.

If you are using a mod like JA+ or Clanmod you should usually paste into the gamedata\japlus or gamedata\clanmod folder instead of base. You should only use the base folder if you want whatever you are using to work with the base game or with all mods and remember to check the readme for whatever you are installing as some things work differently. Click here for more details about using different mod folders.

Anatomy of a PK3
The assets0-3.pk3 files have a specific folder structure that the game's code looks in to find the files to load. For example, the 3D models for all of the weapons in the game are found in models/weapons2/. Each weapon model has parts to it in each of their folders: the model file itself: model.glm (similar), texture image files, and usually an .md3 file for the world model. Another example is NPC files are located in ext_data/npcs/ and can each be edited via a text editing program, they are just renamed .txt files. If you plan on making your own mods, take some time to get familiar with how the default assets are laid out. DO NOT edit the assets themselves.

If you have a mod idea similar to one you know exists, look to see how they made theirs, and what files they used to make theirs work.

Another thing to always remember is the folder structure MUST be the same as the assets to work, and must be in the root. For example if you're putting your files and folders for your mod in a project folder, do not zip up that project folder, zip up the folders inside of that so that they are in the root of the pk3 file. It should look just like other mods you've downloaded before.

Opening PK3s
The .pk3 file extension is just a .zip file renamed. That means you can open it just like a ZIP on anything else that reads compressed folders, which all operating systems can do natively. Renaming the file extension from .pk3 to .zip and then double clicking is the fastest way to open a pk3 without any setup, but if you plan on modding this will slow you down immensely. Here are some better options for what we recommend:

Windows
Option #1
You can actually set Windows to recognize .pk3 as a .zip through command prompt. Open up Command Prompt as admin by clicking the Start menu and typing cmd, right click and Run as Administrator. Type this and hit enter:

assoc .pk3=CompressedFolder

You now can simply double click .pk3 files in your File Explorer to open them just like .zip files. You can drag and drop files into existing zips, etc. Very handy!

Option #2
If you want a more robust option, we recommend using 7zip. That will allow you to view and edit the files in more ways. Many people prefer it.

Option #3
A tool specifically for opening PAK files like PK3 was created many years ago called Pakscape. It still works to this day, however it does struggle with modern permissions and so saving files isn't reliable and occasionally will corrupt on save. Some people still prefer to use it though.

MacOS
The best tool to use for compressed files and being able to view them in a browser window is called MacZip. Download and install that, and then right click a .pk3 file in Finder, where it says Open With, click the drop down and go to Other. Uncheck the "Recommended Applications" and scroll down to MacZip and double click it. Now MacZip will open all .pk3 files in a Finder-like window and you can drop and drop files to and from it.

Linux
7zip exists only in console form on Linux, which chances are if you're using Linux you would be okay with that. If you want a nice GUI to work with, try PeaZip.

Editing The Contents of a PK3
You can copy any files you like in or out of the PK3 to edit them and put them back in. You can also delete files or add entirely new ones in the same way as you would when navigating folders on windows. (be sure to click save when you are done if you are using Pakscape, if it works).

Never modify the original assets pk3 files, put your modifications into a new pk3 with a name that comes alphabetically after "assets", that way they will take precedence. If you edit your assets, it can consequently break the game, especially if you don't know what you're doing. Always create a new pk3.

PK3 Naming
Jedi Academy always loads PK3s in alphabetical order. If you have too many pk3s added to your base or mod folder sometimes the mods with the earlier name alphabetically wont work properly. This is because the later pk3s alphabetically are effectively loaded over the top of the earlier ones. This also means that if I install two pk3s each containing a file of the same name, one called "file.pk3" the other called "zzzzzzfile.pk3", the version in "zzzzzzfile.pk3" will be used. Just keep in mind they must be loaded AFTER the assets, so the name must be alphabetically after it, like "ast..." or "assf" at the very minimum, but most people just add z's.

In short, if you want to make sure that one skin is displayed further up the menu, or that one particular file is definitely loaded fully, add a ton of "z"s to the front of its name.