Possible to manipulate save file?

[SpacePilotMax]

I'm wondering if it's possible to (automatically) manipulate a save file to swap out parts. This could be used as a mod save file scrubber as not to destroy entire vessels and to replace the DLC parts so that there is a lesser split.

[SpaceMouse]

It wouldn't be done within KSP but KSP Save files are just text files so it probably wouldn't be that hard to write a windows program to do it.

[Superfluous J]

The big problem is orientation and positioning. If the new part is a different size or shape your ship could get pretty - and literally - bent out of shape.

[sarbian]

On 3/10/2018 at 1:49 AM, SpaceMouse said:

It wouldn't be done within KSP

Why?

[Hotel26]

It's possible.  Telemagic currently works this way.  But it requires a user to F5 (Save), then run the tool, then F9 (Reload).  Might be OK for your application since you want to sanitize a state before loading it.

Kraft is another example: it's a read-only tool that analyzes the contents of .craft files, which are quite similar to save files.

Being able to parse those kinds of text files is the main work required to be able to do this.

Edited March 11, 2018 by Hotel26

[SpaceMouse]

7 hours ago, sarbian said:

Why?

I suppose you COULD, but all you really need to do is run a script once to change the save file. It's been a while since I coded.