arcdEx

arcdEx is a free Linux tool for examining and extracting files from .arcd archives created by the Defold game engine. It can list archive contents and extract files, including compressed files and files encrypted with Defold’s default key. It also handles related resources: users can inspect .texturec files and extract their contained textures, or inspect compiled .luac files and extract Lua source code. The tool supports batch extraction and command-line use, and runs as a Java JAR. To work with an archive, provide the .arcd file; arcdEx guesses paths to the associated .arci index and .dmanifest manifest. The repository identifies support for manifest version 5, while the README also lists versions 1 through 4. Multiple .arcd files from a Defold web game must be combined before use. The README distinguishes desktop applications, which contain compiled Lua bytecode, from web projects up to Defold 1.3.4, which contain Lua source. The project is licensed under AGPL v3, and patches are welcome.

arcdEx covers archive, texture, and compiled Lua inspection for Defold files, with batch and command-line use. Its encryption and multi-part archive limits matter when choosing it for a particular project.

arcdEx suits Linux users who need to inspect or extract assets from Defold game archives. It may also suit developers seeking a command-line or batch workflow for those files.

arcdEx is a free Linux utility for inspecting and extracting files from Defold game archives. It is best suited to developers and asset researchers who need command-line access to Defold resources rather than a general-purpose archive editor. Its focused extraction tools are useful, but encryption and multi-part archive limits narrow the projects it can handle.

Overview

Built for Defold’s .arcd archives, arcdEx can list contents and extract files, as well as inspect texture resources and compiled Lua files. You supply an archive and it guesses the paths to the associated .arci index and .dmanifest manifest. That suits the expected Defold file layout, but does not make arcdEx a general archive utility.

It runs from Java as java -jar arcdEx.full.jar, with batch extraction and command-line support. Archive repacking is not supported, so the tool is for examining and recovering assets, not modifying an archive for redistribution. The project is licensed under AGPL v3; patches are welcome, while feature requests and bug reports are disabled.

Key features

Archive inspection and extraction

arcdEx lists archive contents and extracts compressed or encrypted files. It decrypts only when the default Defold encryption key is used, which makes it a poor fit for archives protected with another key. For compatible archives, combining listing and extraction in one command-line tool keeps the workflow focused.

Textures and Lua

The tool can inspect and extract .texturec files and their contained textures, including Basis UASTC and .basis resources. It can also inspect compiled .luac files and extract Lua source code from them. The distinction between desktop and web projects matters: desktop applications contain compiled Lua bytecode, while web projects up to Defold 1.3.4 contain Lua source code.

Manifest versions and web archives

The repository says this version supports manifest version 5, while the original README covers versions 1 through 4. That gives it a path across those manifest generations, but users should match the tool to the archive’s version. Web games that use multiple .arcd files require those archives to be combined before arcdEx can use them, adding a preparation step for multi-part projects.

Pricing

arcdEx is free: the arcdEx plan costs nothing. There is no paid plan or stated usage cap, and no free trial is offered because the tool itself is free. It is a straightforward choice for occasional inspection as well as batch extraction without a subscription cost.

Platforms

Linux is the supported platform. The Java JAR invocation defines the workflow, so readers seeking a graphical desktop editor or a Windows or macOS option should choose another tool.

Who it's for

Choose arcdEx when you need to inspect Defold archives, extract compatible assets in batches, or recover Lua source from supported files using a command line. It is less suitable if you need to repack archives, handle web games with multiple archives without first combining them, or decrypt files that use a non-default key.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Archive listing, extraction, texture inspection, and Lua source extraction cover several useful Defold asset types in one tool.
• Pros: Batch and command-line support suit repeatable extraction workflows.
• Pros: Free use avoids plan costs for individual projects.
• Cons: Decryption works only with the default Defold key, excluding archives encrypted with other keys.
• Cons: Multi-part web archives must be combined first, and repacking is not available.
• Cons: Linux-only platform support and disabled feature requests and bug reports limit its fit for users who want a graphical interface or issue-based support.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of options, browse Game Asset Extractors.

• Rusted PackFile Manager is a free alternative with Linux, Windows, API, and self-hosted platforms; its MIT License permits use, copying, modification, distribution, and sale with a copyright notice.
• SLADE3 is a free desktop editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows; beta builds may have bugs, crashes, and unfinished features.
• Source 2 Viewer is free and open source, supports Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and describes itself as reverse-engineered and unaffiliated.
• AssetRipper offers a free stable and nightly build for Windows, Mac, and Linux, plus a Premium plan for $10 a month billed monthly.
• Crowbar is a free Windows alternative with optional donations.
• Crowbar is a free Windows alternative with optional donations.
• Game Asset Tool offers a free Windows download with optional support contributions of $1.00, $2.00, $5.00, or $10.00.
• OpenKh is free, Apache-2.0 licensed software for Linux, macOS, and Windows that requires the .NET 8.0 Runtime.

Verdict

arcdEx is a practical pick for Linux users who need focused Defold archive, texture, and Lua inspection with batch extraction and no price barrier. Its main appeal is the range of Defold resources it can extract from one command-line workflow; its main reason to look elsewhere is the default-key-only decryption, compounded by the need to combine multi-part web archives and the lack of repacking.