Zoo Tycoon 1 File Formats and Tools to Open Them

File Formats

Blue Fang used a custom .INI file implementation to handle the game's entity and system configuration. Making copies of asset directories containing these configuration files allowed for modders to create their own expansive content for the game. The game also has its own set of proprietary graphics formats that require other tools to extract. Below are common file formats relevant to modders interested in making their own content for the game:

Configuration Files

*Text Editors

Any text editor that can handle line endings that have 1 or 2 control characters. This includes WordPad that comes with MS Windows, but not Notepad because Notepad understands only 1 type of line ending. VS Code in particular is a fantastic option.

File Extension	Implied Monikor	Purpose	Suggested Tools to Open
`*.cfg`	Configuration	Game systems configuration	Any text editor*
`*.ani`	Animation	Animation configuration	Any text editor*
`*.scn`	Scenario	Scenario configuration	Any text editor*
`*.ucb`	User-Created Building	Building configuration	Any text editor*
`*.ucs`	User-Created Scenery	Scenery configuration	Any text editor*
`*.uca`	User-Created Animal	Animal configuration	Any text editor*
`*.ai`	Artificial Intelligence	Official entity (AI) configuration	Any text editor*
`*.lyt`	Layout	Layout configuration	Any text editor*
`*.txt`	Text	Non-localized text and user-made animal info	Any text editor*

Recommended tools to edit configuration files

Tool	Where to Find	Relevent File Types it Opens	Description
Notepad++	Notepad++	`.txt`, `.ucs`, `.ai`, `.scn`, `.ani`, `.cfg`, `.ucb`, `.uca`, `.pal`, `.lyt`, `.txt`	Notepad++ is a free and open-source text editor. It can be used to edit many of the text-based files found in the game.
VS Code	Visual Studio Code	`.txt`, `.ucs`, `.ai`, `.scn`, `.ani`, `.cfg`, `.ucb`, `.uca`, `.pal`, `.lyt`, `.txt`	Visual Studio Code is a free and open-source text editor. It can be used to edit many of the text-based files found in the game.

Asset Packs

*.ztd Files

*.ztd files are just zip files and can be opened with any zip utility. 7zip is a known quantity and easily-accessible, but chances are you probably have a similar utility installed already.

File Extension	Implied Monikor	Purpose	Suggested Tools to Open
`*.ztd`	Zoo Tycoon Data	Packaged assets	7zip

Recommended tools to open *.ztd files

Tool	Where to Find	Relevent File Types it Opens	Description
7-Zip	7-Zip	`.ztd`	7-Zip is a free and open-source file archiver. It can be used to extract and compress `*.ztd` files.

Graphics Files

File Extension	Implied Monikor	Purpose	Suggested Tools to Open
No extension	None	Graphics file	ZooT, APExp, ZT Studio
`*.bmp`	Bitmap	Fring and grid graphics	GIMP, any graphics editor
`*.lle`	Unknown	Pre-rendered terrain blending graphics	Unknown
`*.tga`	Targa	Award, terrain, and user interface graphics	GIMP, any graphics editor
`*.pal`	Pallette	Color palette	ZooT, APExp, ZT Studio

Recommended tools to open terrain graphic files

Tool	Where to Find	Relevent File Types it Opens	Description
GIMP	GIMP	`.bmp`, `.tga`	GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor. It can be used to create and edit `.bmp` and `.tga` files found in the game.

Recommended tools to open the proprietary graphics files

Info

The link to Zoot 1.1 goes down on occasion. If you are unable to access the link, you might need to wait a few days for it to come back up due to server issues.

Tool	Where to Find	Relevent File Types it Opens	Description
Zoot 1.1	Zoot 1.1	Proprietary graphics files for the game do not have an extension, `*.pal`	Zoot 1.1 is a modding tool that can be used to create and edit ZT1 proprietary graphics files. Note: Zoot 1.1 is found in the second comment.
ZT Studio	ZT Studio	Proprietary graphics files for the game do not have an extension, `*.pal`	ZT Studio is a modding tool that can be used to create and edit ZT1 proprietary graphics files.

Misc Binary Files

lang*.dll

Contains Zoo Tycoon Localizable Resources using TEXT, BITMAP, MENU, DIALOG, STRINGTABLE, and ACCELERATORS blocks.

File Extension	Implied Monikor	Purpose	Suggested Tools to Open
`lang*.dll`	Dynamic Link Library	Localizable resources	Resource Hacker, Risoh Editor
`*.zoo`	Zoo	Zoo Tycoon save	Zoo Tycoon 1, Any hex editor
`*.wav`	Wave Sound File	Sounds	Audacity, Audition, Tenacity

Recommended tools to open lang*.dll files

Tool	Where to Find	Relevent File Types it Opens	Description
Resource Hacker	Resource Hacker	`lang*.dll`	Resource Hacker is a free and open-source resource editor for Windows applications. It can be used to edit the game string tables.
Risoh Editor	Risoh Editor	`lang*.dll`	Risoh Editor is a free and open-source resource editor for Windows applications. It can be used to edit the game string tables.

Recommended tools to open *.wav files

Tool	Where to Find	Relevent File Types it Opens	Description
Audacity	Audacity	`.wav`	Audacity is a free and open-source digital audio editor and recording application. It can be used to edit and create `.wav` files.
Tenacity	Tenacity	`.wav`	Tenacity is a free and open-source digital audio editor and recording application. It can be used to edit and create `.wav` files.

These files can all be found inside of the game's default install directory at C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Zoo Tycoon.