Best way to unpack and edit a CDLC?

[dpslikeits1999]

I've been gone for a while but would like to get back to making and editing CDLCs.  The editing is for my own use.  Specifically, I'd like to add more sections to CDLCs that are more challenging to play so I can focus on smaller parts/riffs.  Is there a tutorial on unpacking CDLCs?  I know I've done it several years ago using RStookkitgui.  But that now says its for RS2014 only.  I assume there's some issues with remastered or perhaps it was the first Rocksmith it didn't work on.  Thanks.

[Shroud]

I don't have a tutorial but we can write some.

I haven't gone as far as creating CDLC from scratch, primarily out of fear of getting into another time sink (especially on tempo mapping tasks), but I do make changes to existing CDLC when I notice factual notes errors and when I disagree with fretting solutions.

Let me fetch my notes...

[Shroud]

These notes were written for my own use, so they aren't exactly pretty... I use 3 software tools: the DLC Builder, Editor on Fire (EOF) and Custom Forge Song Manager (CFSM):

 

 

WHEN FIXING A CDLC FOR THE FIRST TIME:

1.    Open DLC Builder
2.    Drag .psarc into DLC Builder and choose a folder to output all the files to.
3.    That folder will have .xml files for each arrangement (lead, rhythm, bass, alt paths, vocals,) and the lights.
4.     Goto Tools -> Remove DD, and choose the .xml file you want to edit (this will remove DD i.e. make all notes appear in track 0)
    Goto Tools -> Convert WEM to OGG

WHEN CONTINUING A PREVIOUS FIXING:

1-4.    Just open the existing .rs2dlc project from DLC Builder

MAKING CHART CHANGES:

5.    Open EOF and go to File -> Display -> x2 Zoom
6.    Goto File -> Import -> Rocksmith, then Select the .xml file for the arrangement you want to change, choose PART_REAL_BASS
7.    Goto File -> Load OGG, then Select the .ogg file for the audio
8.    Find the problem areas and make your changes*
9.    Save the EOF project (will create a new .xml or overwrite)
    
!    If errors in fret positions: Goto Track -> Rocksmith -> Fret Hand positions -> List, click Delete All and click Generate

UPDATE CDLC PROJECT AND FILE:

10.    Open the .rs2dlc file from the extracted .psarc folder (or just go back to DLC Builder)
11.    Select the original arrangement you changed, and copy the name of the Bass Tone Key somewhere
        also note down Scroll Speed, Tuning Pitch, Picked, Tuning and Priority
12.    Right click the original arrangement you changed and remove it
13.    Click the + next to Arrangements and import the newly created .xml file(s) from your EOF project folder
14.    Paste the name of the Bass Tone Key (or select tone from the Tones list below the instruments)
        also choose Scroll Speed, Tuning Pitch, Picked, Tuning and Priority
15.    Click "Build Test" or "Build Release" if you want to test the new arrangement or if you're ready for it to be considered completed**
16.    Open CFSM and add DD back
 

 

*    HOW TO DO BASIC EDITS IN EOF
    !never use shift to select multiple notes (selects all past notes?)

    mouse left-click    selects a note
    mouse right-click    add/delete a note
    mouse middle-click    opens properties of ALREADY SELECTED notes
    ctrl            keep pressed to select multiple notes

    change a note position    by selecting, then drag with mouse
    change a note fret    by selecting, open properties, edit fret number
    change a note duration    by selecting, then use mouse wheel
    add special markers    from properties

    add unpitched slide    don't set the slide property, increase note duration, Ctrl+U and set any fret up/down
                appears as a black slide over note duration + red arrow with fret under note
    add pitched slide    need two notes, set the linknext property
                appears as a purple slide over note duration + red slash with fret under note

    ! notes at the same time position move together, and show properties together
 

 

**    it looks like after editing in EOF, the XML track always reports an error about notes in the first bar
    but it seems that it's ok to just ignore it

 

[Shroud]

Instructions above are focused on editing the BASS track, but I guess it's trivial to notice where, and how to edit the guitar tracks similarly.

Just note that the method above destroys both Dynamic Difficulties and Fret Hand Positions, which are then regenerated automatically. That's because I always play charts at 100% difficulty, and I ignore FHP suggestions, so I don't care if both are autogenerated.

[dpslikeits1999]

Thanks.  I'll give it a try.  

[dpslikeits1999]

17 hours ago, Shroud said:

Instructions above are focused on editing the BASS track, but I guess it's trivial to notice where, and how to edit the guitar tracks similarly.

Just note that the method above destroys both Dynamic Difficulties and Fret Hand Positions, which are then regenerated automatically. That's because I always play charts at 100% difficulty, and I ignore FHP suggestions, so I don't care if both are autogenerated.

Thanks a bunch.  I successfully edited the CDLC and broke  Yngwie's Blitzkrieg into more manageable bite-sized chunks.