GTExplorer is an extractor, viewer, and repacker for Gran Turismo 1 (PlayStation) archive files, with optional full disc dump/rebuild via mkpsxiso.

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Features

• Extract GT-ARC / GT-ZIP archives
• Repack extracted folders back to .DAT / .ARC (uses manifest.txt when present)
• Optional TIM pack expansion and rebuild
• Optional INST / ENGN sample expansion
• Region file lists for real asset names on extract
• Built-in Asset Viewer (TIM, TIM packs, GT-CTEX, GT-PS)
• Preview for sequences, filename lists, GTHTML, and car part tables (SPEC, COLOR, …)
• TIM tools — convert / re-encode / replace / batch convert (requires Pillow)
• Setup / Workspace — project paths for originals, mods, and disc tools
• Disc dump & rebuild (optional) — run dumpsxiso / mkpsxiso from the GUI
• In-app User Guide (Help button or Help → User Guide)

💡 Prefer a clean Extract All (with manifest.txt) before editing and repacking.

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Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• PyQt6 ≥ 6.4
• Pillow — needed for the Asset Viewer and TIM tools

pip install -r requirements.txt

Optional: disc rebuild

GTExplorer does not ship mkpsxiso. To dump or build full disc images:

1. Download the official release: Lameguy64/mkpsxiso
2. Place mkpsxiso.exe and dumpsxiso.exe in the project's tools/ folder (see tools/README.txt)
3. Configure the paths under File → Setup / Workspace…

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Quick start

Windows

run.bat

From the repo root

python src/main.py

1. On first launch, complete Setup (input / output folders).
2. File → Open .DAT — or click an archive in the Input list.
3. (Optional) pick a region Names list in the toolbar.
4. Extract → Extract All into your output folder.
5. Edit files on disk, then Extract → Repack.

Press the toolbar Help button for the full User Guide.

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Setup / Workspace

Open via File → Setup / Workspace…

Section	Purpose
1. Working folders	Input = original .DAT / .ARC files (read-only). Output = extracts and packs.
2. Disc dump & rebuild	(Optional) Paths for the disc image, dumpsxiso XML, disc file tree, and built .bin/.cue.

Suggested layout:

C:\GT1\
  GAMEFILES\       ← input (original archives or dumped disc files)
  _mods\           ← output (extracts / intermediate packs)
  disc_files\      ← dumpsxiso extract (full disc tree)
  gt1.xml          ← dumpsxiso project XML
  _built\          ← mkpsxiso output .bin / .cue

For a simple single-root setup, point the default project paths at something like C:/GT1/.

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Typical mod loop

1. Dump the disc (optional, once) — Tools → Dump disc (dumpsxiso)… or from Setup.
2. Open a .DAT → Extract All.
3. Edit TIM / text / other assets in the extract folder.
4. Repack the folder into a new .DAT.
5. Copy the modded .DAT into the disc file tree, using the same path/name as the original.
6. Tools → Build disc (mkpsxiso)…, then boot the new .cue in an emulator.

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Archive kinds

Kind	Detection	Examples
Standard GT-ARC	@(#)GT-ARC	COURSE.DAT, CAR.DAT, SOUND.DAT, MENU_RAW.ARC
Compressed GT-ARC	Mangled @(#)GT-A / RC	CARINF.DAT
Raw GT-ZIP	No ARC wrapper	GAMEFONT.DAT

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Detected file types

Content	Extension	Notes
TIM texture	.tim	Preview, replace, re-encode
TIM pack	.tpk	Expand / rebuild with Extract TIMs
GT-PS / GT-CAR / GT-CTEX / GT-SKY	.ps / .car / .tex / .sky	Models & textures
Nested GT-ARC	.arc	Open Nested ARC
GTHTML	.gthtml	Menu / script data
INST / ENGN / SEQG	.ins / .es / .seq	Sound & sequences
SPEC, COLOR, TIRE, …	matching	Car part tables
Filename lists / text	.idx / .txt	Name tables & messages

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Tools folder

tools/
  README.txt          ← ships with the project
  mkpsxiso.exe        ← you add (official release)
  dumpsxiso.exe       ← you add

Binaries are gitignored — each user installs the official build themselves.

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Keyboard shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Ctrl+O	Open archive
Ctrl+Shift+O	Open extract folder
Ctrl+E	Extract selected
Ctrl+F	Focus filter

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Credits

• pez2k / gt2tools — prior research into GT1 files
• Lameguy64 / mkpsxiso — optional disc dump & rebuild

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License

MIT — see LICENSE.