Fallout 1 & 2 Tools
A task-oriented directory of Fallout 1 and Fallout 2 editors, viewers, converters, and developer tools. Start with the format or job below, then compare the tools in that category.
Project descriptions and selected upstream documentation were reviewed on 2026-09-12. This is a coverage audit, not a hands-on compatibility test of every executable. Repository links lead to source and project documentation; use their release/download instructions for binaries. Legacy identifies older utilities retained for a specific workflow, not a claim that they no longer work. This directory cannot guarantee discovery of every community tool.
Choose by format or task
| Format or task | Where to start | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| DAT: extract or package resources | Archives: DAT Explorer II, dat-unpacker, fo2dat | Fallout 1 DAT1 and Fallout 2 DAT2 support; packing versus extraction. |
| PRO, critters and items | Prototypes and critters: ProtoManager, F2wedit, Critters Editor | Supported object types and game version; LST and MSG references. |
| SSL, INT, dialogue | Scripting: sfall Script Editor, BGforge MLS, SSLC, int2ssl | Compiler/runtime compatibility; decompiled text is not the original source. |
| MAP, elevators | Mapping: BIS Mapper, Dims Mapper, Gecko | Game format and editor-specific setup. |
| Worldmap configuration, MSK | Worldmap and masks | Encounter browsing, image tiling, and walk masks are different jobs. |
| FRM, FR0–FR5, RIX, PAL | Graphics: FRM Workshop, frm2png, BGforge MLS, palette utilities | Palette indices, frame offsets, directions, and export format. |
| AAF, FON | Fonts: font editors and converters | AAF and FON are distinct formats. |
| ACM, WAV, LIP | Audio: FFmpeg, snd2acm, LIP Editor, VOCK | Decoding, encoding, and lip synchronization need different tools. |
| MVE | Video: FFmpeg, avi2mve, Interplay tools | Playback/export support does not imply MVE encoding. |
| GCD: premade characters | Character templates: CGCD | Creates GCD from a text definition; separate from save editing. |
| SAVE.DAT, character and inventory edits | Saves: F12se, fallout-se | Save format, mod-specific data, and supported fields. |
| MSG, LST, GAM, BIO, CFG/INI, TXT configuration | Text and configuration | Encoding, identifiers, list order, and syntax. |
| Runtime state, executable research, parser development | Debugging and Libraries | Runtime/version dependencies; code libraries are not standalone editors. |
Archives
Related format: DAT.
| Tool | Use and interface | Compatibility / limits | Project or download |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAT Explorer II | GUI archive browsing, search, extraction, and packing. | Fallout 1 and Fallout 2; Fallout 1 compression is unsupported. | Source and limitations, NMA download |
| Dat Explorer 1.43 — Dims | Legacy GUI packer/unpacker. | Retained for older workflows; DAT Explorer II describes itself as its replacement. | Mirror download |
| dat-unpacker — Falltergeist | Command-line extraction, including optional lowercase filenames. | Explicit DAT1/DAT2 selection. The documented usage covers extraction; do not assume packing from the repository tagline. | Source and usage |
| fo2dat — Adam Kewley | Command-line DAT2 archive extractor/creator. | Fallout 2; upstream repository is archived. | Source and usage |
| F1Undat-UI | GUI Fallout 1 archive extraction. | Legacy, archived repository; useful for DAT1-specific extraction. | Source |
Scripting
Related formats: SSL, INT, MSG, SCRIPTS.LST.
| Tool | Use and interface | Compatibility / limits | Project or download |
|---|---|---|---|
| sfall Script Editor — phobos2077 and contributors | GUI SSL editing, completion, function hints, associated MSG preview, and external compiler integration. | Fallout 2/sfall workflow; configure the compiler and headers for the target project. | Original project, rotators source collection |
| BGforge MLS | Editor integration for SSL completion, navigation, diagnostics, compilation, and visual dialogue editing. | VS Code extension and language-server integrations; consult editor-specific setup. | Project and installation |
| sfall SSLC | Command-line SSL-to-INT compiler with preprocessing and optimization. | Select syntax/options for the target runtime; sfall-only functions require sfall. | Source, compiler documentation |
| int2ssl — Anchorite / sfall updates | Recover readable script text from INT bytecode. | Updated version is included in the sfall modderspack; comments and original source structure are not recovered. | Distribution and opcode support |
| ReDefine — rotators | Batch script-source transformations. | Developer workflow for mass editing; review generated changes. | Project |
| BIS compiler — Interplay | Legacy official Fallout 2 script compilation. | Useful for reproducing old build environments. | TeamX compiler collection |
Prototypes and critters
Related format: PRO. Prototype edits also depend on LST and MSG identifiers.
| Tool | Use | Source / availability |
|---|---|---|
| Fallout ProtoManager | Edit item/critter PRO files and AI packets; export selected parameters to CSV. The NMA download is an unofficial build based on Mr.Stalin's source. Support described here is for items and critters, not every PRO type. | Resource listing, source collection |
| F2wedit — Cubik2k | Create/edit item PRO files for Fallout 1 and Fallout 2. Uses the game DAT files and executable. | Author's release thread; resource updated March 2026. |
| Prototype Editor — KIA | Legacy Fallout 2 PRO editor. | TeamX listing |
The original specialist critter editor remains available:
| Tool | Description | Author | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fallout 1/2 Critters Editor v.1.4.6.11 | Simple editor for critters *.pro files in Fallout 1 and Fallout 2. | Cubik2k | [1] |
Fonts
Related formats: AAF, FON. These pages also contain browser previews for inspecting a font before editing it.
Fallout Font Converter, by Trykos, is a legacy AAF/BMP conversion option.
| Tool | Description | Author | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAF editor | AAF font editor. | Wasteland rat | [1] |
| aaf2txt | Represents an AAF font as a text file. | Noid | [1] |
| Fallout Service Box: Font Editor | AAF font editor. | Keymone | [1] |
| FON edit - Source code | A program for viewing and editing font FON files. | Anchorite, Wasteland Ghost | [1] |
Mapping
Related formats: MAP, PRO, elevators.
Gecko is an additional Fallout 2 map editor with source and build instructions. It reads loose resources and DAT archives; its stated compatibility goal includes vanilla Fallout 2 and original Mapper maps. Follow its resource setup instructions before use.
The established mappers and conversion utilities below remain useful for existing projects:
| Tool | Description | Author | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIS mapper | The official map editor for Fallout 2. | Interplay | [1] |
| BIS Mapper Patched + resources | The official map editor for Fallout 2, patched and with additional resources. | Horusxav | [1] |
| Elevator editor | Elevator editor for Fallout 2. | Mynah | [1] |
| Dims Mapper 0.99.3.1 | An alternative map editor to the official BIS Mapper for Fallout 1/2. Made by Dims, updated by Fakels (aka Mr.Stalin) with usability improvements and fixes, and further updated by Radegast for properly loading epax.map/easter.map from F2RP. | Dims, updated by Mr.Stalin and Radegast | [1] [2] [3] |
| FO2 to FO1 map converter 2.1.3.7 | Tool for converting from Fallout 2 format, edited in BIS mapper, to Fallout 1 format. | Cubik2k | [1] |
Worldmap and masks
Related formats: worldmap configuration, worldmap data, MSK, FRM.
| Tool | Use | Requirements / limits |
|---|---|---|
| Fallout 2 Worldmap Editor — Cubik2k | Edit encounters in worldmap.txt. | Distributed as an alpha version; narrower than a full MAP editor. |
| Fallout 1 Encounter Tweaker — Cubik2k | Change Fallout 1 worldmap encounter frequency. | Legacy executable patching tool; consult the author's version-specific high-resolution patch compatibility notes. |
| Fallout encounter table viewer and parser — phobos2077 | Browse encounter tables from worldmap.txt. | Python 3 converts the input to JSON; the viewer runs from a local web server. This is a browser/parser, not a general worldmap editor. |
| msk2bmpGUI — QuantumApprentice | Worldmap image preparation, tiling and mask workflows; also previews FRM animation. | Read the project controls and export instructions for the specific image/mask operation. |
Audio
Related formats: ACM, LIP, sound effects. The ACM page includes a local-file browser player for quick inspection.
| Tool | Use | Requirements / limits |
|---|---|---|
| FFmpeg / ffplay | Decode ACM to standard audio; play or inspect supported media from the command line. | Interplay ACM decoding is documented; ACM encoding is not. |
| libacm / acmtool | Command-line ACM decoding, playback, and inspection, plus a reusable decoder library. | Documents mono/stereo overrides for incorrectly tagged audio. |
| snd2acm — Abel | Legacy WAV-to-ACM encoding. | Use for the reverse direction from acm2wav. |
| LIP Editor — Anchorite | Legacy LIP editing. | Talking-head synchronization. |
| wav2lip — Eimink | Legacy WAV-to-LIP generation. | Inspect the generated timing in game. |
| Regsnd — Abel | Legacy sndlist.lst updates. | Sound-list metadata workflow. |
| VOCK — Vocal Output Creation Kit | Pipeline from dialogue/audio through ACM, phoneme alignment, LIP generation, and DAT packaging. | Requires external tools including FFmpeg, snd2acm and alignment dependencies; follow the step-specific setup. |
Legacy standalone decoder:
| Tool | Description | Author | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| acm2wav | Convert ACM sound to WAV. | Abel | [1] |
Graphics
Related formats: FRM, PAL, colors, RIX. For worldmap tiling and masks, see Worldmap and masks.
| Tool | Use | Requirements / limits |
|---|---|---|
| FRM Workshop — Metaphyzik | Create FRM sprites from BMP frames, preview animation, adjust frame positions, and export BMP frames. | Legacy tool preserved on Nexus; useful for sprite assembly and offsets. |
| frm2png — rotators | Convert FRM art to PNG. | Export/conversion tool, not a general FRM editor. |
| BGforge MLS animation viewer | Preview and convert animations, including FRM and directional FR0–FR5; PNG import/export. | Version 3.12.0 notes specify combined FRM output and FPS as the only editable option. |
| FRM recoloring scripts — Dr Felix | Batch palette-index replacement and a GUI for selecting frame regions. | FRM and FR0–FR5; author's NMA instructions cover palettes and the recolour.txt mapping. |
| Frame Animator — Joshua | Legacy FRM editing. | Alternative sprite workflow. |
| frmcat — Anchorite | Combine six directional FRMs. | Legacy command-line utility. |
| PAL View — Anchorite | Inspect PAL files. | Legacy viewer. |
| rix2bmp — Serge | RIX-to-BMP export. | Legacy converter. |
| HeadFrmPatcher | Patch talking-head FRMs for sfall's 32-bit head options. | Archived, runtime-specific specialist utility. |
Legacy FRM/RIX browser:
| Tool | Description | Author | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium FRM Browser (English) 1.3 | Playing of FRM and RIX files on Windows platforms, easy to use, maximum usability. | Titanium | [1] |
Video
Related format: MVE.
FFmpeg / ffplay can decode Interplay MVE for viewing or conversion to other formats. The published support table does not list MVE encoding; use the legacy encoding tools below for that workflow.
| Tool | Description | Author | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| avi2mve | AVI to MVE converter. | Abel | [1] |
| GUI for avi2mve | GUI for avi2mve converter. | Tehnokrat | [1] |
| MVE Joiner | Merges several MVEs into one. | Abel | [1] |
| MVE Player, MVE Player Stuff | Library for playing MVE. MVE to EXE converter. With source code and format description. | Unknown | [1] |
| MVE Tools | Utilities for working with MVE. | Interplay | [1] |
Text and configuration
Plain-text editing is the normal workflow for SVE movie subtitles, MSG, LST, GAM, BIO, CFG/INI, AI.TXT, PARTY.TXT, PIPBOY.TXT, worldmap configuration, credits, and text-based book, ending, and critical-hit overrides.
Use a text editor that preserves the required encoding and line endings. Follow the linked format page for syntax and identifiers. For SSL/MSG projects, BGforge MLS and sfall Script Editor add language-specific assistance. A dedicated GUI is not required for every text format.
Debugging
| Tool or reference | Use | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| sfall Debug Editor | Inspect/change live globals, map variables, objects, prototypes, and arrays through FalloutDebug.exe. | Requires the matching sfall debugging setup; this is runtime editing rather than an offline save editor. |
| Engine research resources | Disassemblers, debuggers, historical databases, and executable tooling. | Select references for the exact executable version. See also symbols and structures. |
Libraries
For tool authors rather than point-and-click editing:
| Project | Useful area | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| rotators fallout-tools | DatLib, libacm, compiler/editor source, and prototype tooling. | Source collection; inspect the individual project's build requirements and license. |
| Fallout 2 CE | Cross-check readers, writers, and runtime behavior against engine code. | Engine implementation, not a standalone format SDK. |
| fallout-se | SAVE.DAT parsing and structured character export. | Rust core and command-line/browser frontends; see documented unsupported edits. |
Historical compiler source retained from the original directory:
| Tool | Description | Author | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klingon Academy compiler source code | Related Star Trek Scripting Language compiler source; retained for historical compiler research, not as a Fallout build tool. | Interplay | [1] |
Character templates
CGCD — rotators creates GCD premade-character data for Fallout 1 and Fallout 2 from an editable character.txt definition. It is a command-line generation workflow, separate from changing an existing SAVE.DAT. The GCD page also links a binary mirror.
Saves
Related formats: savegame structure, GCD. A SAVE.DAT editor does not automatically edit every sidecar or character-template format.
| Tool | Use | Compatibility / limits |
|---|---|---|
| Falche Fallout 1 editor | Legacy character stats, skills, traits, and perks editing. | The listing targets Windows Fallout 1 and explicitly excludes inventory editing. |
| F12se | Universal Fallout 1 and Fallout 2 save editor. | Source project for the established editor listed below; check its instructions for the target game/mod. |
| fallout-se — Ali Raheem | Command-line save inspection, JSON export, and selected character/inventory edits; browser frontend also available. | Work in progress. Upstream marks full world-state editing and adding a previously absent inventory PID as unsupported; web editing is in early testing. |
Original distribution and attribution:
| Tool | Description | Author | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal savegame editor for Fallout & Fallout 2 | Save editing for Fallout 1 and Fallout 2. Source code | vad | [1] [2] |
Sources and further discovery
- rotators/fallout-tools: Fallout 1/2 tool sources, including DAT Explorer II, ProtoManager, Script Editor, and audio utilities.
- NMA Fallout 2 utilities: release pages and downloads. Individual entries above link to the relevant resource or author thread.
- NMA Fallout General Modding: specialist tools, author updates, and usage discussions that are not always mirrored as resources.
- TeamX historical utility mirror: legacy tools and original attributions.
Coverage and contributions
Some niches are covered by source references or manual workflows rather than a verified dedicated editor: raw worldmap.dat state and complete save sidecar editing. Do not infer support for them from a tool's general Fallout label.
When adding a tool, state the input/output formats, operation, target game/runtime, interface, project/download link, and any known limitation. Identify mirrors and forks. Record hands-on verification separately from a documentation review. The TeamX mirror preserves additional historical utilities; listings here prioritize distinct tasks over duplicating every old version.