Sharing tools and prefabs
Share GIANTS Editor scripts, prefabs, templates and modding software on ModBarn, how files are checked for malware, staff review for software, and downloading and reporting tools.
On this page
- Before you start
- Categories
- What you can upload
- Share a tool
- Scripts that go to staff
- New versions
- For players: downloading and reporting
- For ModBarn staff
- Troubleshooting
- "The zip has files that aren't allowed here"
- It's been waiting for staff a while
- "Fill in the summary and description in Details first"
- Staff hid my tool
- Related
Approved modders can share the things that help others make mods: GIANTS Editor scripts, prefabs, templates and modding software. They live in Tools & Prefabs next to the mod lists, belong to your modding team like your mods, and are always free downloads. Every file is virus-scanned and checked before anyone can download it, and software also waits for ModBarn staff.
Before you start#
- You need Modder access and a team, the same as for mods. See Becoming a ModBarn modder.
- Only share your own work, or work you have written permission to share, and follow the ModBarn Modding Guidelines. Nothing can be sold or locked behind payment.
Categories#
| Category | What goes in it | Who publishes it |
|---|---|---|
| GIANTS Editor scripts | Lua scripts for the GIANTS Editor, with their XML and images | Your team, once it passes the checks |
| Prefabs & models | .i3d prefabs and models with their textures, sounds and materials | Your team, once it passes the checks |
| Templates & samples | Example mods, XML templates and starter files | Your team, once it passes the checks |
| Software | Programs that help make mods | ModBarn staff, after they check it |
A tool can't move between Software and the other categories once it has a file, because they're checked differently. Create a new tool instead.
What you can upload#
Scripts, prefabs and templates are one .zip. Inside it, only these file types:
.i3d, .shapes (.i3d.shapes), .anim, .lua, .xml, .xsd, .dds, .png, .jpg,
.jpeg, .tga, .psd, .gdm, .grle, .ogg, .wav, .txt, .md, .pdf, .json,
.csv, .ini, .cfg, .fbx, .obj, .mtl, and text files called README, LICENSE and
the like.
Software is a .exe, .msi or .jar file, or a .zip that may also hold .exe, .dll,
.jar, .msi, .config, .manifest, .ico, fonts, .pak, .dat, .py, .bat, .cmd
and .ps1 files besides the types above.
Both are under 2 GB. The check refuses:
- programs, installers or archives (
.zip,.rar,.7z...) inside a scripts, prefabs or templates zip; - any file whose contents don't match its name, like a program renamed to
.png; - shortcuts and Windows script-host files (
.lnk,.vbs,.js,.hta,.scr...) anywhere; - password-protected zips (they can't be scanned), and paths that point outside the zip.
A file that's infected, or disguised (a renamed program, a path out of the zip), is deleted, hides the tool, and counts as an unsafe upload, the same as an unsafe mod. Too many and your account goes under review.
Share a tool#
Each tool has an Edit Tool page with tabs: Details, Images, File & versions, Reports and, for the team leader, Danger zone. A row of steps along the top ticks off what's done.
Open Modder › Tools & Prefabs and press New tool. Pick the team, a name and the category, then press Create and continue.
In Details, write a Summary (one sentence) and a Description: what it does, how to install and use it. Add the Game, any Requirements (e.g. GIANTS Editor version) and, if it's open source, a Source code link. Press Save details. You can't upload until the summary and description are filled in.
In Images, add up to 6 JPG, PNG or GIF images under 8 MB. The first one is the main image; press Make main to change it. Optional, but people decide on them.
In File & versions, enter the Version, choose the file and press Upload. Keep the page open while it uploads and is checked.
Scripts, prefabs and templates that pass show Ready to publish: press Download to test if you want, then Publish. Software, and files with flagged scripts, show Waiting for staff. You get a notification when staff approve it (it goes live at once) or say why they didn't.
After the first release you can hide the tool, or show it again, with Display to public in Details.
Scripts that go to staff#
The check reads every .lua file. A script that does things GIANTS Editor scripts rarely need
goes to ModBarn staff instead of your Publish button, even outside the Software category:
- running system commands (
os.execute,io.popen); - deleting or moving files (
os.remove,os.rename); - loading native code (
package.loadlib,ffi); - running code built from text (
load,loadstring) or looking up functions by name (_G[...]); - long blocks of encoded text or escaped bytes, which can hide code;
- scripts bigger than 2 MB.
This is checked in comments too. File & versions lists which file was flagged and why.
New versions#
Upload the new file in File & versions with its Version and What's new in this version (required once the tool has a release). People keep the current version until the new one is published, or approved by staff for software. Uploading again while a file is waiting replaces it, and puts software back in the review queue.
Every release is listed with its changes under Versions on the tool's page.
For players: downloading and reporting#
Open Tools & Prefabs in the ModBarn menu, filter by category, search, and open a tool. The tool's page shows:
- What we checked: the virus scan date, the file check, and Checked and approved by ModBarn staff with the date for software;
- the team that made it, with a link to their team page and its Fan Support, if they take it;
- the SHA-256 of the file, so you can compare it with your download (
Get-FileHash filein PowerShell); - Report a problem, the same as on mod pages. See Reporting a mod.
Staff checks lower the risk but can't promise a program is perfect. Only run software you need, and report anything odd. Windows may warn about programs that aren't code-signed.
For ModBarn staff#
Admin › ModBarn › Tools & Prefabs lists the files Waiting for review and every tool. A new item is also posted to the ModBarn reports channel. Open one to see the file's contents, flagged scripts and SHA-256, and press Download to inspect (the link works for 10 minutes).
Run programs only in a virtual machine or sandbox. Check the program does what the description says and nothing else: no downloads from other sites, no changes outside the game's folders, nothing asking for passwords or Discord tokens. Then:
- Approve and publish puts it live at once (with an optional note to the team);
- Reject and delete the file needs a reason, which the team gets in a notification.
Hide tool takes a tool off the site (the team can't upload or publish while it's hidden), and Delete tool removes it with its files. Reports on tools are in Mod Reports, under Tools & Prefabs.
Troubleshooting#
"The zip has files that aren't allowed here"#
The message lists them. Take them out, or put programs in a Software tool, and upload again.
It's been waiting for staff a while#
Staff check every software version by hand. Open a ticket from Modder › Tickets if it's been more than a few days.
"Fill in the summary and description in Details first"#
Uploads need the summary (at least 10 characters) and description (at least 30) saved first.
Staff hid my tool#
Open a ticket from Modder › Tickets to find out why and what to fix.