Handling.dat Explained! The whole story and modding your cars.

NorthernComfort · 09-15-2009

Hey everyone,

I've always liked playing with the "handling" files in all of the previous GTA's, and still do in GTA IV. However, I never took the time to fully investigate the game's physics and figure out what all of the parameters did (I only played with the ones that made the most sense). Upon searching for a more comprehensive explanation of the parameters in the GTA IV handling.dat, I found only incomplete guesses at what some of them did. Thus, I took it upon myself to do some experimenting (and I do mean experimenting) to make an educated guess at the functions of ALL the parameters, not just a few. I have documented my results in the tables below so that you may use them to your advantage.

I do not claim that these are 100% correct; in fact my theoretical standpoints on some parameters may be far off. But I did my best to formulate likely theories. If anyone sees any problems, or has noticed something different themselves, feel free to point it out and I will look into it, and perhaps we can shed even more light on the game's physics.

Being in the engineering field, I must say I found it extremely annoying that the programmers of this game did not seem to base these vehicle handling characteristics on real life equivalents. When the sum of forces does not equal mass x acceleration, then what can you be sure of?

Nonetheless, the system makes some sense in itself at least, even if it doesn't accurately represent true physics.

I did not play with the flags much, since they are either harder to test or self explanatory. I did include tables of them for convenience.

***IMPORTANT NOTE***

If you plan on modding your handling.dat (located at "~Program Files\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\common\data\handling.dat"), BACK UP THE ORIGINAL IN CASE YOU WANT TO RESTORE IT!

Furthermore, you need to replace the "filelist.pak" (located at "~Program Files\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\pc\data\filelist.pak") with the modified version found here. Again, BACK UP THE ORIGINAL BEFORE YOU REPLACE IT!

Now, without further delay, here are the tables as promised! If anyone knows a place where I can host them that will not run out of bandwidth please let me know! The site I used might work but I'm not sure for how long.

I also made a small diagram for coordinate directions in case anyone is unsure.

X Y Z Directions

Handling Table

Flags Table

Sedo · 09-15-2009

I'm used to the handling files from the previous editions but with the changes in IV this is of good use, thanks !

tho I don't understand why the filelist.pak as I edit my files without any probs

NorthernComfort · 09-15-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sedo

I'm used to the handling files from the previous editions but with the changes in IV this is of good use, thanks !

tho I don't understand why the filelist.pak as I edit my files without any probs

When I first tried changing values they had no effect on the game. I found out after some research it was necessary to replace this file to get modding to work (on the latest version anyways).

Sedo · 09-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernComfort

When I first tried changing values they had no effect on the game. I found out after some research it was necessary to replace this file to get modding to work (on the latest version anyways).

Ah that could explain some difficulties I had with mods ! I'll try them again with this file then

tnx for the info mate

strewart · 10-14-2009

Fantastic work, I don't know how you had the patience to mess around with all that. Good to be able to change things and have some idea what it will do.

Also, hmmm everything I read in the last few days (been awol for ages) suggested GTAIV v 1.0.4.0 (latest) could be modded without any kind of filecheck. Well, I was able to mod weapons and add new cars after I finally figured out how to edit the files (went straight from XP to 7, I am an administrator why am I continually asked to approve things!) but trying to get rid of the startup screen and change handling, the game still launched but nothing changed.

To cut a long story short, either the modified filelist.pak or Alexander Blade's File Check fix (I put both on at the same time) is still needed in 1.0.4.0 to get it modded properly. Sorry if everyone knew this, I haven't played the game in months and just spent several hours trying to get it working.

critical_error · 2 Weeks Ago

Uh i have a problem, any changes i make to handling.dat have no effect in-game. Replacing filelist.pak crashes my game while loading.

09-15-2009	#1
NorthernComfort Registered User Newbie Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6	Handling.dat - EXPLAINED!! The whole story and modding your cars. Hey everyone, I've always liked playing with the "handling" files in all of the previous GTA's, and still do in GTA IV. However, I never took the time to fully investigate the game's physics and figure out what all of the parameters did (I only played with the ones that made the most sense). Upon searching for a more comprehensive explanation of the parameters in the GTA IV handling.dat, I found only incomplete guesses at what some of them did. Thus, I took it upon myself to do some experimenting (and I do mean experimenting) to make an educated guess at the functions of ALL the parameters, not just a few. I have documented my results in the tables below so that you may use them to your advantage. I do not claim that these are 100% correct; in fact my theoretical standpoints on some parameters may be far off. But I did my best to formulate likely theories. If anyone sees any problems, or has noticed something different themselves, feel free to point it out and I will look into it, and perhaps we can shed even more light on the game's physics. Being in the engineering field, I must say I found it extremely annoying that the programmers of this game did not seem to base these vehicle handling characteristics on real life equivalents. When the sum of forces does not equal mass x acceleration, then what can you be sure of? Nonetheless, the system makes some sense in itself at least, even if it doesn't accurately represent true physics. I did not play with the flags much, since they are either harder to test or self explanatory. I did include tables of them for convenience. *IMPORTANT NOTE* If you plan on modding your handling.dat (located at "~Program Files\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\common\data\handling.dat"), BACK UP THE ORIGINAL IN CASE YOU WANT TO RESTORE IT! Furthermore, you need to replace the "filelist.pak" (located at "~Program Files\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\pc\data\filelist.pak") with the modified version found here. Again, BACK UP THE ORIGINAL BEFORE YOU REPLACE IT! Now, without further delay, here are the tables as promised! If anyone knows a place where I can host them that will not run out of bandwidth please let me know! The site I used might work but I'm not sure for how long. I also made a small diagram for coordinate directions in case anyone is unsure. X Y Z Directions Handling Table Flags Table Last edited by NorthernComfort : 09-15-2009 at 01:14 PM. Reason: Changed picture links.

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09-15-2009	#2
Sedo Registered User Newbie Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2	I'm used to the handling files from the previous editions but with the changes in IV this is of good use, thanks ! tho I don't understand why the filelist.pak as I edit my files without any probs

10-14-2009	#5
strewart Registered User Newbie Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	Fantastic work, I don't know how you had the patience to mess around with all that. Good to be able to change things and have some idea what it will do. Also, hmmm everything I read in the last few days (been awol for ages) suggested GTAIV v 1.0.4.0 (latest) could be modded without any kind of filecheck. Well, I was able to mod weapons and add new cars after I finally figured out how to edit the files (went straight from XP to 7, I am an administrator why am I continually asked to approve things!) but trying to get rid of the startup screen and change handling, the game still launched but nothing changed. To cut a long story short, either the modified filelist.pak or Alexander Blade's File Check fix (I put both on at the same time) is still needed in 1.0.4.0 to get it modded properly. Sorry if everyone knew this, I haven't played the game in months and just spent several hours trying to get it working.

2 Weeks Ago	#6
critical_error Registered User Newbie Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Uh i have a problem, any changes i make to handling.dat have no effect in-game. Replacing filelist.pak crashes my game while loading.