FrostyToolSuite Linux version

The most advanced modding platform for games running on DICE's Frostbite game engine.

Uses Dinput8Proxy, WinmmProxy, CryptHook and Wine-symlink-dll.

Uses SharpSevenZip.

Changes in this fork

• Fixed symbolic linking of files in mod deployment.
• Added hard linking option for mod deployment (off by default).
• Reworked actions tab and fixed it's performance.
• Fixed drag and drop on Linux.
• Fixed game icons on Linux.
• Added Install mods button.
• Fixed BCryptVerifySignature patching with Dinput8Proxy and CryptHook.
• Fixed multi threading issues in the program.
• Fixed minimize, maximize, close buttons on Linux.
• Fixed some file removal issues.
• Added warning for BetterInitFs plugin.
• Disabled auto update.
• Updated project to .NET framework 4.8.1.
• Added exceptions logging for mod installation.
• Added basic Wine installation validation.
• Rewritten support for 7z archives.

Linux and Steam guide

• Install native Steam (no flatpaks, snaps, or other shenanigans).
• Add FrostyModManager.exe as a non-Steam game.
• In Steam properties of Frosty set compatibility to later Proton-GE (10-28 as of writing).
• Launch Frosty in Steam, click Scan.
• Choose your game, add mods, add mods with Add mods button (or drag and drop them).
• Install mods with Install mods button.
• After mods installation take note of launch options provided by manager, add these options to the Steam game under game properties.

Differences between hard and soft links

Hard links

Pros:

• Fast
• Safe
• Reliable

Cons:

• Game directory with hard links reports ~twice the size it actually takes

Symbolic links

Pros:

• No issues with reported game directory size
• Clear indication in file explorer if file is modded or not

Cons:

• A little less safe, experimental

Symbolic links on Linux aka Mission Impossible

Even if Linux supports symbolic links just fine, Wine does not implement their support at all. But fortunately there is a loop hole, that allowed me to reimplement symbolic links under Wine.

I've implemented simple Wine-symlink-dll, which is a custom Wine PE DLL. This allows me to perform basic symbolic link operations under Frosty. It does its job alright.

To translate Windows paths to Linux I'm using wine_get_unix_file_name from Wines windows.h header.

It is an experimental approach with risks, that hacks Wines safeguards, but until Wine starts properly supporting symlinks it's the best we have.

Setup

1. Download Git https://git-scm.com/download/win.
2. Create an empty folder, go inside it, right click an empty space and hit "Git Bash Here". That should open up a command prompt.
3. Press the green "Code" button in the repository and copy the text under "HTTPS".
4. Type out git clone <HTTPS code> in the command prompt and hit enter. This should clone the project files into the folder.
5. Open the solution (found under FrostyEditor) with Visual Studio 2019, and make sure the project is set to DeveloperDebug and x64. Close out of retarget window if prompted.
6. Only build the projects themselves, never the solution.

License

The Content, Name, Code, and all assets are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.