Visual Hotkeys Editor (GenHotkeys)

The Visual Hotkeys Editor provides an integrated, graphical tool within GenHub for customizing unit, structure, upgrade, and ability hotkeys for both Command & Conquer: Generals and Zero Hour.

Overview

Hotkeys in C&C Generals and Zero Hour are traditionally encoded within string tables (generals.csf) and INI definition files. Modifying them manually is tedious and error-prone. The GenHotkeys tool enables players to:

• Inspect and customize hotkeys across all factions (USA, China, GLA, and Zero Hour generals)
• Visually identify conflicting hotkeys across shared command sets
• Generate stamped icon overlays that render key letter badges onto command button textures
• Export configurations directly as standalone .big addons managed through GenHub's Content Addressable Storage (CAS)

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Key Features

• Faction & Category Filtering: Quickly filter commands by faction (USA, China, GLA, Boss, Laser, Superweapon, Air Force, Tank, Infantry, Nuke, Toxin, Stealth, Demo) and category (Buildings, Units, Upgrades, Abilities).
• Conflict Detection: Real-time validation highlights conflicting hotkey assignments on the same unit or command set, with a Next Conflict navigation button.
• Profile Management: Create, clone, rename, and delete custom hotkey profiles saved locally in JSON format.
• Icon Overlay Generator: Renders hotkey letter stamps into TARGA (.tga) textures for command buttons, providing in-game visual reminders on the command bar.
• Addon Integration: Packages custom hotkeys directly into a .big file and registers it as an Addon in GenHub for one-click attachment to game profiles.

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Technical Details

.big Archive Priority & Load Order

When an addon is exported, GenHub packages the customized string table and button textures into an archive formatted as:

!Hotkeys_<ProfileName>_<Game>.big

C&C Generals and Zero Hour mount .big files in alphabetical order at startup. The leading exclamation point (!) ensures that hotkey archives take precedence over vanilla BIG archives (INIFiles.big, English.big, Textures.big), guaranteeing that customized hotkeys and overlay textures reliably override vanilla assets.

Language & String Table Replacement Caveat

IMPORTANT

The hotkeys editor generates string definitions located at Data/English/generals.csf inside the .big archive.

• English Installations: Custom hotkeys, bracketed hotkey markers ([K]), and tooltips replace vanilla text seamlessly.
• Localized (Non-English) Installations: If loaded into non-English game installations (such as German, French, or Chinese versions), the high-priority .big file will supply English strings for the command bar and units. Users playing on non-English clients should be aware that game tooltips and unit names will display in English when the hotkey addon is active.

Addon Lifecycle & Update Flow

• First Export: Clicking Create Addon builds the .big archive in temporary storage, copies it into GenHub CAS, and creates a local content manifest.
• Subsequent Exports: When modifications are made to an existing profile, the button dynamically transitions to Update Addon. Exporting updates the existing manifest in place via UpdateLocalContentManifestAsync, refreshing content hashes and keeping game profile associations intact without leaving orphaned manifests in the content pool.