PAL File Format

This document describes the raw data format of the color palette (PAL) file. The same format was used for both Fallout and Fallout 2, giving all PAL files complete compatibility with both game engines.

General Information
Information about PAL files was obtained by various TeamX members through analyzing relevant functions in MAPPER2.exe and FALLOUT2.exe, as well as trying to implement a simple FRM display in a program.

Technical Information
PAL files contain a palette used when rendering FRM frame data. It has a table for transforming RGB values into an index in the palette used for extracting fonts(?), and also has several tables at the end whose uses are not clear.

Required Fields
As referenced below, the 'Palette' area and the 'RBG Conversion Table' area  are required elements in PAL files.

.exe-Generated Data
The purpose of the '.exe-Generated Data' which is concatenated onto the file is not clear. When loading PAL files, if these tables don't exist  and   will generate them itself. Also note that the values in the palette taken from FRM files are subject to certain changes.