Best way to make a new machine in Contraptions/Manufacturing?

[Pyroteknics]

Hi all

 

I'll preface this by saying I'm looking to get into FO4 modding though most guides are pretty old and been using Seddon4494's videos as some reference but still seems a complex beast.

 

Obviously wanting to start small, I would like to make a new machine in Contraptions that builds Nuka World raider armour. I believe the assets are already there so would reference the builder model but then linking a terminal to set what armour to build. This then relies on two DLC's (Contraptions for the machine template and Nuka World for the actual armour ref ID's) so I assume needs referencing? There is a mod Manufacturing Extended but I don't think I would need to reference this?

 

I've seen a few tools, mainly being xEdit, FO4 Edit and the GECK. Which one is preferred in this example and is it possible to 'disassemble' an existing mod to see how it works? The closest mod I could see for reference that is similar to what I'd like to make is the Under Pressure (https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/19941) mod which has a machine making an item by needing a terminal to set what to build.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice / tips!

[pepperman35]

Not sure building a Contraptions type that machine builds Nuka World raider armour would be starting off small. I'd say you should start by downloading and installing the Creation Kit, examine existing machines from the Contraptions DLC to understand how they work (i.e., reverse engineer), then go from there. FO4 modding guides are somewhat dated but then again so is FO4. Kinggath has a good tutorial series on yourtube that you may find helpful: Bethesda Mod School. Learn the CK basics, applying these to your mod concepts, when you get stuck use forums such as these to ask questions.

[Pyroteknics]

Hey thanks for the advice, I'll check out his videos as well.

 

You're probably right in saying that making a Contraptions machine may not be as small as I'd think it is (referencing 2 different DLC's, items list to build, terminals and putting it into build menus etc) but hopefully is where I'd like to end up with in future.