BSAOpt vs Crowbar

BSAOpt is free, open-source Windows software for managing and recompressing BSA archives. It presents archive contents like directories, allowing files inside to be addressed directly, and can deduplicate files. Copy, Pack, Unpack, and Convert operations depend on the selected input and output. The listing says compression is roughly 5% better for files and 20% better for WAV files. Supported formats are BSA and ZIP, with archive extraction and mod packaging included. Version history lists Morrowind support, Fallout compatibility, and Xbox-type archives. Version 1.6.3 added recognition for XWM, FUZ, OGG, GID, and PEX files. Optional logs and a broken-header dialog can attempt recovery from corrupt BSAs. It is partially multi-threaded, supports 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista or later, and requires administrator execution when UAC is enabled. The listed version is 1.6.3, updated 14 January 2013.

Crowbar is a free modding tool for working with GoldSource and Source models and game packages. It can decompile MDL and related files into QC, SMD, and other related files, and can compile models when the game’s authoring tools or SDK and Crowbar’s studiomdl.exe are available. Viewing models likewise requires the game tools or SDK and Crowbar’s hlmv.exe. For archives, Crowbar can unpack, view, and search Valve VPK, Garry’s Mod GMA, Bloodlines VPK, Tactical Intervention FPX, and Fairy Tale Busters APK files. It can pack folders into VPK and GMA packages and supports batch extraction. Workshop functions allow downloading and publishing items for supported games. Game setups can link a game folder to its compiler, viewer, and package tools. On Windows, file associations and drag-and-drop can open VPK, QC, MDL, and folder inputs. The requirements page lists.NET Framework 4 and Windows XP or later, or Linux or Mac OS with a way to run a.NET Framework program. Crowbar is listed at free; donations are optional.