How do i get mods to work with each other?

[BlastNBurn]

Hi, I am new to installing mods, and I am having some trouble getting my mods to work together. I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but if I download two different mods, and they each have a folder of the same name, say they both have a "meshes" folder, how do I get them both to work at the same time? I am having some trouble with this, and any help would be appreciated.

[TGBlank]

Same folder doesn't mean they edit the same things (check the contents of the folder, ultimately, they should be different). Just copy one folder over the other (not in, over).

[roguehallow]

Blast 'n Burn ~

 

Sorry if this is a bit long and technical, but here goes...

 

Open up the folder where you have Fallout 3 installed in Windows Explorer and get comfortable with the folder structure. There should be a Data folder, which is the master reference for any asset files like textures and sounds in the game.

 

However, unless you've extracted all the game's .bsa files - a typical early step for mod makers - then the Data folder probably won't have much in it. This is okay!

 

When you open a zipped mod it should contain, at the very least, an .esp file. You probably know to move that directly into the Data folder so the game will know it's there. The mod may also come with its own folders, like the Meshes or Textures folder. Drop those into the Data folder as well. Remember that if the mod comes with its own Data folder, that should be combined WITH the game's Data folder, NOT put inside it.

 

Say the two mods you're installing both come with their own Texture folder. You add the first Texture folder to the Data folder. If there wasn't already a Texture folder there, then this becomes the game's new master Texture folder, where you'll put all texture files in the future.

 

Now you add the folders from the second mod. In Vista you'll have the option of Merging the folders; in XP you may need to open the second mod's Texture folder and manually copy its contents into the game's Texture folder. The point is not to completely overwrite one identically-named folder with the other, but to combine their contents.

 

It may happen that two mods alter the same asset file, and you will be asked if you want to overwrite one file with another. This is part of the risk of using multiple mods. If this is the case, always make sure that what you want the object to look like in the game is the file doing the overwriting.

 

And of course, if a texture is dependent on a mod .esp to work, make sure the mod is checked in the game's Data Files or in the Mod Manager. Oh, and if you don't have the Mod Manager, get the Mod Manager:

 

http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=640

 

It may take a little practice to get every mod working right every time. Also remember that sometimes people packaging the mods make mistakes in organizing their folders. Always pay attention to the installation instructions provided with a mod, and if the mod doesn't have any, just contact the mod uploader and request them.

 

I hope that helps!

[BlastNBurn]

Thank you guys very much for the help. I successfully got all my mods working together :)