Hexing

Hexing is the editing of,  ,  ,  ,    and   files by players in order to modify and customize them. The term comes from the hex editor software originally used for the process. Using a hex editor edits the binary code of the file and has an added layer of difficulty because it requires the use of checksums to ensure the files are not corrupted.

Players who hex are called hexers, and hexed breeds and especially hexed individual Petz are often referred to as hexies.

Most modern-day hexers used a combination of Pet Workshop and LNZ Pro for hexing breeds and individual Petz.

Personalization
Like all base-game breeds, the following can be customized for flavor in hexed breeds:


 * Adoption Center and Pick A Pet images
 * Default Adoption Center names
 * On-screen Tips

Hexing Petz
The  files of individual Petz are structured very similarly to breed files, making hexing them in LNZ Pro a straightforward process. However, most hexers create hexed individual Petz by first hexing a breed file and then simply adopting one Pet from it.

Additionally, individuals may be hexed in a hex editor to change their personality values, which can make them into trotters or tricksters, remove permanent fleas from Alley Cats, remove Sleepy Sickness, etc. Petz hexed this way must be played with in-game at least once so their  file displays YALP ("PLAY" spelled backwards) as a marker for where these values can be found.

Brexing
Brexing is the process of breeding Petz with a hexed breed file in the lineage to affect what the offspring will look like.

Hexing Toyz
Most Toyz are made of animated filmstrips rather than the ballz and linez of other game components. Hexing these involves using a graphic editor like Photoshop to change each individual frame.

Petz-specific

 * LNZ Pro
 * Pet Workshop
 * Tinker

Hex editors

 * Resource Hacker
 * Notepad

Official Reactions
"'Some fans modify the files in their game and offer them for downloading on their fan sites. We think this is cool! In fact, we're flattered. But since Ubi Soft did not create this content, installing any modified files not from Ubi Soft breeches our warranty and support policies. In other words, if it breaks the game, we cannot help you fix it.' - Catz 5 and Dogz 5 manuals"