Visual Basic 6.0 HEX Editing Functions - For Hacking ROMs.

By: Darthatron


Before we start:
Today I'm going to teach you how to make a basic program to Hack Diamond/Pearl in Visual Basic 6.0. Please, before reading on make sure you learn the very basics of Visual Basic 6.0 from somewhere, Google it or something. I'd give you links, but I do believe that is against the rules. Also, be sure you already own a Copy of VB6, you cannot download it from Microsoft anymore. You will have to find other ways of locating it.

Now, I'm going to show you how to make a Starter Editor for D/P.
_______________

Before you start coding... Step 1:
Before you even think of beginning to code you will need several Functions and of course the remarkable 'clsCommonDialog' Class Module.

First off, let's get you the Class Module, it is very helpful. And it stops people from getting the annoying "Component 'comdlg32.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid." Error. You can get it here. Please note, I have no idea who wrote it, but whoever they were they were truly a genius.

Also, you will need the HEX Editing Module, with all Functions made by me. You can get that here.

Add those 2 files into your project, and then we can continue.
_______________

Now, let's begin. Step 2:
Now, you will want to make 2 Buttons.
1 Named "cmdOpen" and the Caption "Open"
1 Named "cmdSave" and the Caption "Save"

And also, make 3 ComboBoxes. (These will hold which Pokemon will be in the PokeBalls.)
1 Named "cmbPoke1" and the Style set to 2.
1 Named "cmbPoke2" and the Style set to 2.
1 Named "cmbPoke3" and the Style set to 2.

You also have to make the List Property of all the ComboBoxes to this:
Code:
??????????
Bulbasaur
Ivysaur
Venusaur
Charmander
Charmeleon
Charizard
Squirtle
Wartortle
Blastoise
Caterpie
Metapod
Butterfree
Weedle
Kakuna
Beedrill
Pidgey
Pidgeotto
Pidgeot
Rattata
Raticate
Spearow
Fearow
Ekans
Arbok
Pikachu
Raichu
Sandshrew
Sandslash
Nidoran-F
Nidorina
Nidoqueen
Nidoran-M
Nidorino
Nidoking
Clefairy
Clefable
Vulpix
Ninetales
Jigglypuff
Wigglytuff
Zubat
Golbat
Oddish
Gloom
Vileplume
Paras
Parasect
Venonat
Venomoth
Diglett
Dugtrio
Meowth
Persian
Psyduck
Golduck
Mankey
Primeape
Growlithe
Arcanine
Poliwag
Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
Abra
Kadabra
Alakazam
Machop
Machoke
Machamp
Bellsprout
Weepinbell
Victreebel
Tentacool
Tentacruel
Geodude
Graveler
Golem
Ponyta
Rapidash
Slowpoke
Slowbro
Magnemite
Magneton
Farfetch'd
Doduo
Dodrio
Seel
Dewgong
Grimer
Muk
Shellder
Cloyster
Gastly
Haunter
Gengar
Onix
Drowzee
Hypno
Krabby
Kingler
Voltorb
Electrode
Exeggcute
Exeggutor
Cubone
Marowak
Hitmonlee
Hitmonchan
Lickitung
Koffing
Weezing
Rhyhorn
Rhydon
Chansey
Tangela
Kangaskhan
Horsea
Seadra
Goldeen
Seaking
Staryu
Starmie
Mr.Mime
Scyther
Jynx
Electabuzz
Magmar
Pinsir
Tauros
Magikarp
Gyarados
Lapras
Ditto
Eevee
Vaporeon
Jolteon
Flareon
Porygon
Omanyte
Omastar
Kabuto
Kabutops
Aerodactyl
Snorlax
Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Mewtwo
Mew
Chikorita
Bayleef
Meganium
Cyndaquil
Quilava
Typhlosion
Totodile
Croconaw
Feraligatr
Sentret
Furret
Hoothoot
Noctowl
Ledyba
Ledian
Spinarak
Ariados
Crobat
Chinchou
Lanturn
Pichu
Cleffa
Igglybuff
Togepi
Togetic
Natu
Xatu
Mareep
Flaaffy
Ampharos
Bellossom
Marill
Azumarill
Sudowoodo
Politoed
Hoppip
Skiploom
Jumpluff
Aipom
Sunkern
Sunflora
Yanma
Wooper
Quagsire
Espeon
Umbreon
Murkrow
Slowking
Misdreavus
Unown
Wobbuffet
Girafarig
Pineco
Forretress
Dunsparce
Gligar
Steelix
Snubbull
Granbull
Qwilfish
Scizor
Shuckle
Heracross
Sneasel
Teddiursa
Ursaring
Slugma
Magcargo
Swinub
Piloswine
Corsola
Remoraid
Octillery
Delibird
Mantine
Skarmory
Houndour
Houndoom
Kingdra
Phanpy
Donphan
Porygon 2
Stantler
Smeargle
Tyrogue
Hitmontop
Smoochum
Elekid
Magby
Miltank
Blissey
Raikou
Entei
Suicune
Larvitar
Pupitar
Tyranitar
Lugia
Ho-oh
Celebi
Treecko
Grovyle
Sceptile
Torchic
Combusken
Blaziken
Mudkip
Marshtomp
Swampert
Poochyena
Mightyena
Zigzagoon
Linoone
Wurmple
Silcoon
Beautifly
Cascoon
Dustox
Lotad
Lombre
Ludicolo
Seedot
Nuzleaf
Shiftry
Taillow
Swellow
Wingull
Pelipper
Ralts
Kirlia
Gardevoir
Surskit
Masquerain
Shroomish
Breloom
Slakoth
Vigoroth
Slaking
Nincada
Ninjask
Shedinja
Whismur
Loudred
Exploud
Makuhita
Hariyama
Azurill
Nosepass
Skitty
Delcatty
Sableye
Mawile
Aron
Lairon
Aggron
Meditite
Medicham
Electrike
Manectric
Plusle
Minun
Volbeat
Illumise
Roselia
Gulpin
Swalot
Carvanha
Sharpedo
Wailmer
Wailord
Numel
Camerupt
Torkoal
Spoink
Grumpig
Spinda
Trapinch
Vibrava
Flygon
Cacnea
Cacturne
Swablu
Altaria
Zangoose
Seviper
Lunatone
Solrock
Barboach
Whiscash
Corphish
Crawdaunt
Baltoy
Claydol
Lileep
Cradily
Anorith
Armaldo
Feebas
Milotic
Castform
Kecleon
Shuppet
Banette
Duskull
Dusclops
Tropius
Chimecho
Absol
Wynaut
Snorunt
Glalie
Spheal
Sealeo
Walrein
Clamperl
Huntail
Gorebyss
Relicanth
Luvdisc
Bagon
Shellgon
Salamence
Beldum
Metang
Metagross
Regirock
Regice
Registeel
Latias
Latios
Kyogre
Groudon
Rayquaza
Jirachi
Deoxys
Turtwig
Grotle
Torterra
Chimchar
Monferno
Infernape
Piplup
Prinplup
Empoleon
Starly
Staravia
Staraptor
Bidoof
Bibarel
Kricketot
Kricketune
Shinx
Luxio
Luxray
Budew
Roserade
Cranidos
Rampardos
Shieldon
Bastiodon
Burmy
Wormadam
Mothim
Combee
Vespiquen
Pachirisu
Buizel
Floatzel
Cherubi
Cherrim
Shellos
Gastrodon
Ambipom
Drifloon
Drifblim
Buneary
Lopunny
Mismagius
Honchkrow
Glameow
Purugly
Chingling
Stunky
Skuntank
Bronzor
Bronzong
Bonsly
Mime Jr.
Happiny
Chatot
Spiritomb
Gible
Gabite
Garchomp
Munchlax
Riolu
Lucario
Hippopotas
Hippowdon
Skorupi
Drapion
Croagunk
Toxicroak
Carnivine
Finneon
Lumineon
Mantyke
Snover
Abomasnow
Weavile
Magnezone
Lickilicky
Rhyperior
Tangrowth
Electivire
Magmortar
Togekiss
Yanmega
Leafeon
Glaceon
Gliscor
Mamoswine
Porygon-Z
Gallade
Probopass
Dusknoir
Froslass
Rotom
Uxie
Mesprit
Azelf
Dialga
Palkia
Heatran
Regigigas
Giratina
Cresselia
Phione
Manaphy
Darkrai
Shaymin
ArceusThat is just a list of Pokemon so the User can easily select which Pokemon they want to be in each PokeBall.
_______________

Now, let's begin coding. Step 3:
Ok. After reading the basic I'm sure you'll know what this line of code does.

Code:
Dim LoadedROM As StringFor those of you who 'forgot' what that line does I shall explain, in very little detail. That line basicly just enabled you to use the Variant "ROMLocation" to store the location of the ROM you let the User select.

Alright, so put that code at the very start of your Code. That way you can use it all through-out the current Form.
_______________

Making and decoding the 'Open' Button. Step 4:
Ok, in the 'View Object' Mode, double click your Open Button. Now, you should get something that looks like this in your code window:
Code:
Private Sub cmdOpen_Click()

End SubWhat we want to do inside there is make the actual 'Open Dialog', and allow the User to choose which ROM they would like to edit. So... In the blank space there put the following code.
Code:
Dim cdgOpen As clsCommonDialog
Set cdgOpen = New clsCommonDialog
LoadedROM = cdgOpen.ShowOpen(Me.hwnd, "Open Pokemon NDS ROM...", , "NDS ROMs (*.nds)|*.nds")
cmbPoke1.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855304, 2)))
cmbPoke2.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855308, 2)))
cmbPoke3.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855312, 2)))In the spoiler I will explain what each line does in as much detail as I can be bothered.
Content hidden:
Click here to view.
Code:
Dim cdgOpen As clsCommonDialogThat line just makes a new Variant called "cdgOpen" and will let you set it as a CommonDialog Control.


Code:
Set cdgOpen = New clsCommonDialogAlirght, that part let's you "Set" the cdgOpen Variant to be the same use as a Normal CommonDialog Control, well mostly anyway.


Code:
LoadedROM = cdgOpen.ShowOpen(Me.hwnd, "Open Pokemon NDS ROM...", , "NDS ROMs (*.nds)|*.nds")Now... That line is probably the most important so far. It actually shows the Open Dialog, and set's the "LoadedROM" Variant to the returned String. (I'll try and dim that sentence down a bit tomorrow, when I'm not so tired.)


Code:
cmbPoke1.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855304, 2)))Ok, this may very well be the most important HEX Editing you will ever learn. Infact, we have to break this down a little more to completely understand some of the functions...

Quote:
Code:
CInt() is a function that is used to convert a HEX String into an Integer. You ALWAYS have to have a "&H" before the actual HEX number, otherwise it will return errors. Very annoying errors. :(Code:
ReverseHEX() is a Function made by yours truely. It is helpful in ROM Hacking due to the fact it will automaticly flip any HEX String you give it. This is good because data like Pokemon Numbers, Item Numbers and Offsets can be stored as Reversed HEX Numbers.Code:
ReadHEX() is another Function made by me which is used to read specific Hexadecimal Data from a ROM, or another File. This is the most important HEX Editing Function you will ever come across. You will almost always need this in making a ROM Hacking Tool.Ok... So, basically we have gone through all the Functions there and now we just need to get them to work.

Code:
cmbPoke2.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855308, 2)))As above.

Code:
cmbPoke3.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855312, 2)))As above.

_______________

How to make a 'Save' Button. Step 5:
Ok, we are nearly there. We just have to make this Save Button, then we are basically finished.

Once again go into 'Design Mode' and double click your Save Button. You should get some code that looks like this:
Code:
Private Sub cmdSave_Click()

End SubWhat we want to do is add some code in there and to write the Data from the Combo Boxes to the ROM.

Ok... So, in the blank area there, put this code in.
Code:
WriteHEX LoadedROM, 2855304, ReverseHEX(Right("0000" & Hex(cmbPoke1.ListIndex), 4))What that code does is, it writes the data back into the ROM as the Flipped HEX String. But ofcourse, I will go into detail about what each Function does.
Content hidden:
Click here to view.
Code:
WriteHEX() is yet another Function made by me which is used to save data into a Files Binary Data (aka it saves the HEX), this is incredibly helpful for any programmer who is in the HEX Editing Industry. :PCode:
ReverseHEX() was explained before. Read up for more details.Code:
Right() is a function used to right a string from the right for a certain amount of characters. For example Right("Darth Is Cool", 7) would return the String "Is Cool". This is great for fixing up the length of a string, so it is never too long. :)Code:
Hex() is a another VB6 Function used to convert an Integer(Number) to a Hexadecimal Number. Example: Hex(99) would return "63", because 99 as an integer = 63 as Hex.
Woot! Nearly finished now... All you have to do is add the other 2 ComboBoxes, with the fixed offsets to write to and you are done. I'll let you do that, to see if you've learned anything.
_______________

Pretty your program up a little. Step 6:
All you got to do here is make your program look nice, add some picture or something. Just something to make it look original, and to help make using your tool more enjoyable.
_______________

FINISHED!. Step 7:
Finally, you are done. Your code should now look like this:
Code:
Dim LoadedROM As String

Private Sub cmdOpen_Click()
Dim cdgOpen As clsCommonDialog
Set cdgOpen = New clsCommonDialog
LoadedROM = cdgOpen.ShowOpen(Me.hwnd, "Open Pokemon NDS ROM...", , "NDS ROMs (*.nds)|*.nds")
cmbPoke1.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855304, 2)))
cmbPoke2.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855308, 2)))
cmbPoke3.ListIndex = CInt("&H" & ReverseHEX(ReadHEX(LoadedROM, 2855312, 2)))
End Sub

Private Sub cmdSave_Click()
WriteHEX LoadedROM, 2855304, ReverseHEX(Right("0000" & Hex(cmbPoke1.ListIndex), 4))
WriteHEX LoadedROM, 2855308, ReverseHEX(Right("0000" & Hex(cmbPoke2.ListIndex), 4))
WriteHEX LoadedROM, 2855312, ReverseHEX(Right("0000" & Hex(cmbPoke3.ListIndex), 4))
End SubIf it doesn't look something like that, you didn't follow my guise properly. Just try again and read carefully. Good luck making some cool Pokemon Hacking Tools!