fsfreader

A small command line program to read files containing files embedded into a FSF structure.

What is FSF?

FSF is a proprietary file format from AMX. For details search for patent number WO 2007/030421 A2. A FSF file may contain several files and was invented to have a lightweight file system on an embedded controller. AMX is using it to save the data for configuring a panel. The program TPDesign (either version 4 and 5) is using it.

What for is fsfreader?

This program is able to read a FSF file and extract all the files in it. If the files were extracted from a TP4 or TP5 file, all resulting files are decoded and unziped (TP4) or decrypted (TP5). fsfreader detects the type of file. While binary files like fonts, graphic files and the like are never encrypted or compressed, they are taken as they are. All XML files (files ending in .XMA and .XML) ere either compressed or encrypted. In TP4 files this files are compressed, while in TP5 files they are encrypted. fsfreader detects the kind of file and uncompressed or decrypt them accordingly. Even if this is mixed in the TPx file (never seen a mixed file).

Compile the program

fsfreader was developed on Linux. It needs at least a C++ compiler which supports C++17 standard. Because the program makes use of the new filesystem methods. G++9 or newer is perfect, as well as Clang5 or newer. It should compile with older compilers too, but there is no guaranty.

You need the following prerequisites:

• GNU C++ compiler version 9 or newer, or Clang compiler version 5 or newer (or any other C++ compiler supporting the filesystem methods).
• ZLib library
• openssl

1. Download the source from this page.
2. Enter the directory where you've downloaded the source and create a directory named build
3. Enter the just created directory build and type:

• cmake ..
• make
• sudo make install

How to use the program?

Syntax: fsfreader -f <infile> [-d <directory>] [-t] [-v] [-h]

Parameters

Parameter	Comment
-f --file	The path and name of the input file. This must be a FSF file (TP4 or TP5).
-d --directory	Optional. The output directory where the content of the FSF file will be saved. If ths parameter is omitted, the files are written into the current directory.
-t --transfer	This make FSFReader to create a directory structure. All the graphic files are moved to images, the sound files are moved to sounds and the fonts are moved to fonts. The rest remains in the main directory.
-a --alternate	Use alternate password and salt for TP5 file. This may be useful if the file was repacked by TPControl.
-p --password	Use individual password to decrypt TP5 file.
-s --salt	Use individual salt to decrypt TP5 file.
-v --verbose	This makes the program very noisy. It prints out how it internaly follows the block structure of the input file.
-h --help	A small help that explains the available parameters.