Tools

File Editing

These are current tools, through which the contents of a .data file can be extracted with a .dict file.

Toolbox.Reborn (Recommended)

Toolbox.Reborn was created by KillzXGaming and is the most advanced tool for working with .dict and .data files. It can extract textures, models, as well as general data chunks.

GitHub repository: https://github.com/KillzXGaming/Toolbox.Reborn

NLG-File-Editor-Tool (In-development)

NGL-File-Editor-Tool was created by KillzXGaming and is a simple tool to extract/edit files from .dict/data.

GitHub repository: https://github.com/KillzXGaming/NLG-File-Editor-Tool

CTR Studio

CTR Studio was developed by the Map Studio Project, with the primary contributor, again, being KillzXGaming, and is a culmination of previous tools developed for modding applications, like Toolbox.Core and, most importantly for Luigi's Mansion 2 modding, the NextLevelLibrary. The tool allows you to edit files and visualize 3D objects. It is still very much a W.i.P.

GitHub repository: https://github.com/MapStudioProject/CTR-Studio

LM2L

LM2L was created by hadashisora and is presumably the first-ever tool that was able to extract data from Next Level Games' .dict and .data file formats. The tool can extract files from a .data file, as well as the textures contained in it.

GitHub repository: https://github.com/hadashisora/LM2L

Data Extractor and Repacker (In-development)

Data Extractor and Repacker (or D.E.a.R.) was created by Schweini07 as a research project to understand the structures of .dict and .data files. It can currently extract files from a .data file but is planned to be comparable to the ability of CTR Studio.

GitHub repository: https://github.com/Schweini07/DEAR

Graphic Designing

These tools are one of the best when it comes to graphic design. From vector to raster, here are the tools you need to make visual edits in your Luigi's Mansion 2 mods.

Inkscape

Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor. Vector graphics are a form of computer graphics that are made from geometric shapes with points, lines, curves, and polygons. Before rasterization, you can zoom in as far as you want, but you will not find a single pixel. They technically have an infinite resolution.

Download page: https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.3.2

paint.net

paint.net is a raster graphics editor. Raster graphics are a form of computer graphics that represents a two-dimensional picture via a grid of pixels.

Download page: https://www.dotpdn.com/downloads/pdn.html

Code Browsing/Editing

These tools are used to browse and edit code in not only Luigi's Mansion 2, but other Nintendo games too!

Ghidra

Ghidra is a reverse engineering suite which can be used to reverse engineer the code of LM2. For this you will need to convert `code.bin` to an ELF executable file.