X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is an official utility released by Egosoft that allows players to extract and compile the files used by X4: Foundations
. This is an essential tool for modders who need to access the game's internal XML files, scripts, and assets. X Community Wiki Key Features Legacy Support
: Version 1.10 (released December 13, 2016) added support for catalog formats from earlier Dual Interface : It can be run as a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for ease of use or via a Command Line (CLI) for advanced scripting and automation. Core Functionality
: Used primarily for extracting game files (unpacking) and creating new catalog files (packing) for mods. How to Access the Tool
Access to the official tool requires a registered Egosoft account with a linked game (like Steam Users : The easiest way is to download the collection from the
section of your Steam Library. Once installed, click "Play" and select "Catalog Tool". Direct Download : It is available under the X Rebirth Bonus Material section on Egosoft's website. Usage Guide Extracting Files Open the GUI version of the tool. "Import Catalogs" and navigate to your game's installation folder (e.g., Select the files you wish to view (e.g., ) and click to save them to a local folder. Modding Workflow After extracting, use a text editor like Visual Studio to edit the XML files. Modders often use the -prefersinglefiles
startup property in the game to test edited files before packing them back into a Are you planning on extracting specific scripts or are you looking to create your first mod for X Rebirth? X Rebirth Official Tools - egosoft.com
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is an official utility from Egosoft designed to manage .cat and .dat files for X Rebirth and X4: Foundations. Released in December 2016, version 1.10 notably added support for legacy catalog formats from earlier X series games. Core Features
Dual Interface: The tool operates as both a Windows command-line console (XRCatTool) and a graphical user interface (GUI) for ease of use.
Extraction & Creation: It allows players to unpack game files to view internal data (like XML scripts) or compile their own modified files back into catalogs for modding.
Multi-Game Support: While originally for X Rebirth, the tool is essential for modding X4: Foundations and supports all previous X titles as of version 1.10. How to Access and Use
Download Location: You can find it on the Egosoft Downloads page under X Rebirth -> Bonus Material.
Steam "X Tools": Steam users can also find it by navigating to the Tools section of their Steam Library, searching for X Tools, and installing it. Basic Workflow: Launch the GUI version of the tool.
Use Import Catalogs and navigate to your game's installation folder.
Select the desired catalog file (e.g., 08.cat) to see its contents.
Select specific files and click Extract to save them to your drive for editing.
Note: Always read the included readme.txt file for specific usage details and command-line parameters. X Catalog Tool - X Community Wiki
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is an essential utility for modders of X Rebirth and X4: Foundations, used to manage the compressed file formats that house the games' assets. Originally released as part of the official X Tools (formerly "X Rebirth Tools"), version 1.10 was a significant update that expanded the tool's versatility across the franchise. Key Features of Version 1.10
The 1.10 update, released on December 13, 2016, introduced several critical improvements:
Legacy Support: It added compatibility for catalog formats used in earlier X games, making it a "one-stop" tool for extracting legacy assets. X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10
Dual Interfaces: The tool provides both a Windows-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for ease of use and a Command Line Interface (CLI) for advanced users or batch processing.
Format Handling: Specifically designed to extract and compile .cat (catalog) and .dat (data) files, which is a prerequisite for any form of deep modding or XML editing. How to Access the Tool
For users on Steam, the tool is bundled within the X Tools collection. You can find it by navigating to your Steam Library, selecting "Tools" from the dropdown, and searching for "X Tools".
Non-Steam Users: A standalone version is typically hosted on the Egosoft Downloads Page under the "Bonus Material" section for X Rebirth. Practical Usage in Modding
Extraction: Modders use the tool to "unpack" the game's core files. For example, loading 08.cat allows you to access aiscripts or libraries to see how the game’s logic functions.
Creation: After making changes to XML files, the tool can repack them into a new catalog for distribution as an extension.
Steam Workshop: The catalog tool is often used alongside the Workshop Tool to prepare mods for official publishing. Modding Resources Guide :: Steam Workshop for X Rebirth and X4
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is the ultimate utility for extracting, viewing, and repacking game files in Egosoft's space simulator,
Whether you are a seasoned modder looking to tweak ship textures or a curious player wanting to see how the game's universe is built, this tool is your gateway to the game's core files.
Below is a complete blog post draft ready for your website or community forum.
Unleashing the Universe: A Guide to the X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10
If you have ever wanted to dive deep into the inner workings of
, change game textures, or overhaul the economy, you have likely run into
files. These are the packed archives where Egosoft stores all the game's assets. To open them, you need the right key. Enter the X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10
—the community-standard utility designed specifically to unpack and repack these archives.
Here is everything you need to know to get started with modding and file extraction! 🚀 What is the X Rebirth Catalog Tool?
The Catalog Tool is a lightweight, dedicated utility that interacts with the specific compression and file structures used in Extraction:
Pulls out XML files, scripts, sound files, and textures so you can edit them. Repacking: Compresses your modified files back into a format that the game can read as a mod. Tree Viewing:
Allows you to browse the folder structure of the game without extracting massive amounts of data first. 🛠️ Key Features of Version 1.10 X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1
Version 1.10 brought several quality-of-life improvements and stability fixes over earlier iterations: Improved Compatibility:
Better handling of larger archive files without memory crashes. Fast Search:
Quickly locate specific scripts or assets across multiple loaded catalogs. Batch Extraction: Extract entire folders or specific file types (like all files) in a single click. Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simpler UI for adding files to a new catalog. 📖 How to Extract Your First File
Ready to see what is under the hood? Follow these quick steps to extract your first game file: Download and Run:
Download the tool from the official Egosoft forums or trusted community modding hubs. Load a Catalog: Open the tool, click File > Open , and navigate to your installation directory. Select a file (e.g., Browse the Assets:
You will see a folder tree. Navigate to the file you want to inspect (such as a ship script or a user interface XML). Right-click the file or folder and select
. Choose your destination folder, and you are ready to start editing! 💡 Top Tips for Modders Always Backup:
Never overwrite the original game catalogs. Always save your modified files into a separate folder in the game's extensions directory. Load Order Matters:
reads catalogs in numerical order. Higher numbers will overwrite files in lower-numbered catalogs. XML Patches are Best:
Instead of replacing a whole file, learn to use XML diff patches. It makes your mods much more compatible with future game updates! 📥 Where to Download
You can find the official download links, user guides, and troubleshooting threads directly on the Egosoft Forums Modding section.
Happy modding, captains! May your custom empires thrive in the vastness of space. Should we adjust the tone of this post to make it more for hardcore modders, or would you like to add a step-by-step tutorial on how to pack a mod?
To understand the power of this tool, let’s walk through a classic modding scenario: Fixing the "Over-Powered Taranis Destroyer."
The Taranis (a Xenon capital ship) has a main battery that fires too fast. To fix this, a modder needs to edit a specific XML file—bullets.xml—which is buried deep inside cat_04.dat. Without the Catalog Tool, that file is inaccessible.
Using X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10, the modder does this:
XRebirthCatalogTool.exe extract -in "E:\Steam\steamapps\common\X Rebirth\cat_04.dat" -out "C:\ModProject\" -filter "*bullets.xml*"
In one command, the tool drills into the archive, finds the exact file, and extracts it to the mod project folder. The modder edits the XML, changes the bullet’s rate value from 0.5 to 1.5, and then repacks it:
XRebirthCatalogTool.exe pack -in "C:\ModProject\extracted" -out "C:\ModProject\my_new_cat.dat"
Suddenly, the Taranis fires at a balanced, lore-friendly rate. Without version 1.10, this would have required manually hex-editing or using unstable, outdated extractors.
Most players don’t realize that version 1.10 has an undocumented talent: creating minimal patches. When you repack a folder, the tool only writes files that have changed. This means mod authors can distribute a .cat file that is 10 MB instead of 500 MB, containing only the altered ship textures or script lines.
This efficiency is why the Civil War and Conquest & War overhaul mods for X Rebirth were possible. Their authors used 1.10 to inject thousands of small changes without corrupting the base game catalogs. The Real Magic: From Gibberish to Gold To
Rating: 7.5/10
X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is a solid, reliable utility that excels at its primary job: extracting and browsing .cat files. Its lack of repacking functionality and abandoned development status hold it back from being the definitive catalog manager. However, for modders and tinkerers who need a fast, no-fuss extraction tool with a clean GUI, it remains a valuable part of the X Rebirth modding toolkit – even years after its last update.
If you only unpack files, get it. If you need to repack, look elsewhere.
The X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 is an official utility developed by Egosoft that allows players and modders to interact with the game's data structure. Released in December 2016, this version significantly expanded the tool's utility by adding support for catalog formats from earlier X games. Core Functions and Features
The tool serves as a bridge for anyone looking to modify the game's core files or package their own creations.
Extraction and Compilation: It enables the decompression of .cat and .dat files for modification and the subsequent compression of mod files for in-game implementation.
Dual Interfaces: It features both a command-line interface for advanced automation and a graphical user interface (GUI) for ease of use.
Legacy Support: Version 1.10 is notable for its backward compatibility, supporting catalog formats from the entire X series.
Modding Essential: Because X Rebirth and its successor, X4: Foundations, store all game-relevant data in these catalogs, the tool is a prerequisite for virtually all forms of modding. How to Access and Install The tool is primarily available through two main channels:
Steam: It is included in the "X Tools" collection (formerly "X Rebirth Tools"). Users can find it by navigating to their Steam Library, selecting the "Tools" filter, and installing "X Tools".
Official Website: For those with GOG or non-Steam versions, it can be downloaded directly from the Egosoft Bonus Material page.
Note: Access to the download on Egosoft’s site requires a registered forum account with a linked X game. Using the Tool for Modding Unable to download the Catalogue Tool - egosoft.com
X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 (often bundled as part of "X Tools") is an official utility released by Egosoft for managing and extracting game data files. It is essential for modders who need to access the core XML and asset files of the game or pack their own modifications into the game's native format. X Community Wiki Key Features and Functionality Dual Interface : Supports both a command-line (XRCatTool.exe) and a Windows GUI version for ease of use. File Management : Allows users to Legacy Support
: Version 1.10 (released December 13, 2016) introduced support for catalog formats from earlier X games Cross-Game Compatibility : While designed for , the tool is also used for X4: Foundations Egosoft Forum Access and Installation Steam Users : Available in the Steam Library under the category as Direct Download : Non-Steam and GOG users can download it from the Egosoft Bonus Material
Accessing the download requires an Egosoft forum account with a registered game or a linked Steam account. Egosoft Forum Usage Overview Acces Denied X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 - egosoft.com
The Catalog tool is available for download from the egosoft.com Downloads page under X Rebirth -> Bonus Material. Egosoft Forum Noob Question: no self-made mods working - egosoft.com
X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10 (often abbreviated as XRCT or simply Catalog Tool) is a community-developed utility designed to unpack, browse, and manage the .cat catalog files used by X Rebirth. These catalog files are compressed archives containing the game’s core assets: 3D models, textures, scripts, UI files, sound effects, and configuration XMLs.
Unlike later X games (like X4: Foundations) which use more accessible file structures, X Rebirth relies heavily on these proprietary catalogs. The tool is essential for modders, texture artists, and advanced players wanting to tweak game parameters without extracting gigabytes of data manually.
For players of Egosoft’s ambitious space simulation, X Rebirth, managing assets, tracking trade routes, and locating rare wares across the vast universe can feel like a full-time job. While the game offers a deep and rewarding economy, its default UI has often been criticized for making large-scale inventory and fleet management cumbersome. Enter the X Rebirth Catalog Tool 1.10—a community-driven lifesaver that transforms how you interact with your game data.
Whether you are a veteran trader, a station-building magnate, or a lore hunter searching for rare data vaults, version 1.10 of this tool represents a significant leap forward. This article will dive deep into what the X Rebirth Catalog Tool is, what’s new in version 1.10, how to install it, and how to leverage its features to dominate the X universe.
Previous versions sometimes choked on heavily modded save files or those exceeding 500MB. Version 1.10 introduces a more robust XML parser that handles compression and corruption more gracefully. This means you can now load late-game empires with hundreds of capital ships without crashing the tool.
XRCatalogTool.exe.D:\Steam\steamapps\common\X Rebirth).index files from .cat archives. First load may take 20–60 seconds.