Binary Merge Viewer - bcssov/IronyModManager GitHub Wiki

The Binary Merge Viewer is used when Irony detects a conflict involving a binary file, such as a texture, model, sound, or any non-text game asset.
Binary files cannot be diffed or merged like script files, so Irony provides a minimal, focused interface for selecting which version of the binary file should be used in the final patch mod.

1. Overview

Binary Merge Viewer opens automatically whenever a conflicted file is not text-based.
Examples include:

  • .dds, .png, .tga textures
  • Audio files
  • Models
  • Any file format that cannot be parsed as text

Unlike the main Merge Viewer:

  • No virtual definition is created
  • Binary files cannot be edited inside Irony
  • The viewer only allows choosing which mod’s binary file should be used

See the main Merge Viewer documentation for general behavior:
→ Merge Viewer

2. Definitions

The list of definitions behaves the same as in the main Merge Viewer, except for one important difference:

  • Binary conflicts do not have a virtual definition.

Every listed entry corresponds to the binary file as provided by a specific mod.

See the regular Merge Viewer page for how definitions work:
→ Merge Viewer

3. Preview (Images Only)

As of Irony 1.6, the Binary Merge Viewer attempts to show a preview for supported image formats.

  • If the file is a texture (DDS, PNG, TGA…), Irony displays its preview
  • If the image cannot be displayed, or the format is unsupported, a blank placeholder is shown

If an image should preview but doesn't, report:

  • Mod name
  • Definition name / file path

Other binary files (audio, models, etc.) cannot be previewed and are listed as binary blocks only.

4. Choosing a Binary File (Take Left / Take Right)

Binary conflicts are resolved by choosing which version of the file should win.

Available actions:

• Take Left

Selects the left-side binary file as the output.

• Take Right

Selects the right-side binary file as the output.

Only one binary file can be chosen.

Once you select Left or Right, the Resolve button becomes available.

5. Resolve

Clicking Resolve performs the following:

  • The selected binary file is written directly into the patch collection mod
  • The conflict disappears from the Conflicted Objects list → Conflicted Objects
  • It will reappear only if:
    1. The collection changes
    2. A mod updates the binary file
    3. You reset conflicts manually → Reset Conflicts

Binary files cannot be merged—only selected.

6. Limitations

Binary Merge Viewer does not support:

  • Editing
  • Text diff
  • Virtual definitions
  • Block-based merge actions
  • External merge tools
  • Fine-grained conflict resolution

Binary conflict resolution is binary in the literal sense:
choose left or choose right.

Summary

Binary Merge Viewer provides:

  • A simple interface for resolving conflicts involving binary assets
  • Image previews for supported textures
  • Quick Left/Right selection
  • Patch-mod output identical to regular conflict resolution

This tool is essential for resolving asset overrides and ensuring the final game uses the correct binary resources.