Modding in Full Ace: the Patch system

Modding in Full Ace: the Patch system

How Full Ace finds and loads modded files.

Full Ace uses a Patch system to let mods provide their own versions of game files without modifying the original game installation.

When Full Ace needs to load a file, it first looks for a modded version in the Patch folders. If none is found, it falls back to the original game file.

1. What is the Patch system?

The main Patch folder is located inside the game's LocalData folder:

SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Full Ace Tennis Simulator\LocalData\Patch

This folder provides a separate location for modded files. A mod can therefore replace or customize game content without changing the files installed by the game itself.

The basic principle When Full Ace loads a file, it first checks the appropriate Patch locations. If a matching file is found, that file is used. Otherwise, Full Ace continues until it eventually falls back to the original installed file.

2. How Full Ace looks for modded files

Suppose the game needs to load a file located at:

Relative_Game_Path\filename.ext

For example:

Sounds\fault_01.ogg

Depending on the context, Full Ace checks several Patch locations in a specific order.

When applicable: item (character, court or tournament)-specific files

When Full Ace is in the process of loading assets specific to a given item with Unique ID UID, it first checks:

1 Patch\Items\xxxUIDxxx\filename.ext

where xxx on both sides could be any text.

2 Patch\Packs\PackName\filename.ext

for each pack PackName listed in the stadium's PackList.txt

3 Patch\Packs\All-Items\filename.ext

Learn more about Packs in section 4 below →

4 Patch\Relative_Game_Path\Surface\filename.ext

only when the item is a court, according to its surface type (see just below)


where
  • Items is Players, Stadia, or Tourneys depending on the item type.
  • Surface is Hard, Indoor, Clay, or Grass depending on the court's surface.

General Patch files

If no item is currently being loaded, or if no item-specific file has been found, Full Ace checks:

1 Patch\Relative_Game_Path\filename.ext

If that has failed too, Full Ace finally falls back to the original installed file.

3. Creating folders with the appropriate Unique IDs

There is a tool inside the game for that. Launch Full Ace, go to EDITOR and select the item(s) you want to customise, then use the button Create MOD folder icon.
This button will automatically create Patch folders for each of the selected items that don't already have one, and open the folder for the item that is currently shown in the editor.

The Create MOD folder icon button is missing.

It should be just above the 3D view on the right of the editor layout. However the buttons there will only appear if you already have a Patch folder under SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Full Ace Tennis Simulator\LocalData. If you don't, just create an empty folder Patch there and the buttons should appear.

If there are 2 or more folders containing the same Unique ID, Full Ace will pick one of them arbitrarily. So make sure there is only one for each Unique ID. The Create MOD folder icon button will only create a new folder for an item if there isn't one already.

4. Packs

Packs make it possible to share the same modded files between several players or stadia without duplicating those files.

For example, suppose you create custom balls for a particular manufacturer and want to use them on several stadia.

Patch\Packs\Ball_BrandW\ball_hires.png

You can then add the pack name to the PackList.txt of every stadium where you want those balls to appear:

Ball_BrandW

The same texture can therefore be used by multiple stadia without having to create a copy for each one.

Why use a Pack?

Use a Pack when the same custom content should be shared by several characters or stadia.

Packs have several advantages:

  • Save disk space: a resource only needs to be stored once, even if it is used by many characters or stadia.
  • Centralize resources: shared files are kept in one place, making them easier to organize and maintain.
  • Update resources easily: changing a file in the Pack automatically updates it for every character or stadium using that resource.
All-Players, All-Stadia and All-Tourneys are automatic packs that apply to all corresponding items without having to add them to a PackList.
However, they have a lesser priority than any pack in the PackList: in other words, any resource that is specific to a given item has priority over one that is applied to all items.

For certain cases where it might be convenient, a PackList may also target a specific file inside a pack by using:

PackName\specific_file.ext

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Looking for a practical introduction? Create Your First Mod →

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