Where to install mods?

[ariinya]

As the topic says. I just returned my Xbox 360 version to the store for a PC version, just so I could enjoy these wonderful mods, but I can't seem to figure out how to install them. I've tried both DAModder and DAO Mod Manager, but neither works very well for me.

 

I'd prefer to just manually install most of these, but I'm not sure if they ALL go into the same folder area, or how to deal with conflicts, or even how to RECOGNIZE conflicts. How do I make/edit a chargenmorphcfg file, and will simply copy and pasting info from differing ones work? What mods will absolutely NOT work with one another? I'm trying to learn, but it's all just an information overload for me.

[Tikkidew]

You've asked quite a few questions. Best way to get through this is to keep it simple. Let's start with what mods do you want to install? :)

[DarkeWolf]

lets also discuss what kind of problems you're having with damodder and damodmanager, as those can simplify the process greatly.

 

conflicts are easy to recognize. a conflict results in when the affect of a newly installed mod doesnt show up, or doesnt work, because of a mod that's already installed.

 

for the most common conflicts, its because both of them are using a file with the same filename, but different versions of it. to resolve that conflict you have to use a file that has the information for both the conflicting mods written into it. IE- that particular file has to be rewritten as the game will not recognize nor read both versions of that file.

[ariinya]

Oooh, joy, this is gonna be fun to list out, hehe. ^^ I forget the names of these mods, so I'll just have to go by the file names... which are mostly the same anyway.

 

Natural Bodies

Endgame Dialogue Epilogue Slide Fixes

Alistair Dialogue Patch

Better Sex Cutscenes - Zesty for Dialogue Tweaks

Dialogue Tweaks

CC Extra Tints and Tones

Chargen Package

Deathblow Lieutenants

Dragon Age Redesigned

Ren's Hair

Learned Form Abilities

Of Noble Cast

Pet Persists Through Load Area

PTs Vibrant Colors

White Teeth

 

Then some extra things for Natural Bodies, which I just pulled into the appropriate files. Just one type. I think I chose Gynoid or whatever. Also, for the chargenmorphcfg file... with Ren's hair, there was included some type of .exe that seemed to update it. I don't know if that brought all the different things together or not, but it seemed to. I made a backup of my old one before I used the program and compared it to the new one.

 

Also, I wanted to use Bidelle's Makeup Studio, but again the problem is with the chargenmorphcfg file. I don't know what to add, or where to add it, or or or... it's driving me nuts!

[Tikkidew]

I recommend going with "Natural Bodies all in one". Easier to config.

 

http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=554

 

I will show you how to install and config this mod.

 

First extract "Natural Bodies all in one", and drag and drop the file into DA:O MM as seen in the pic below.

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/9646/25667675.jpg

 

Click Yes

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/1548/89345527.jpg

 

Next, in the bottom window pane of Modmanager, right click "Natural Bodies all in one" and select install.

 

It will take a moment to install, once it's finished "Natural Bodies all in one" will appear under the "Installed overrides" window in Modmanager.

Right click it and choose "config"

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/4200/92304945.jpg

 

A new window will appear (resizable) where you can customize all your skins and models for each race.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2462/93929818.jpg

 

To test it (keep mod manager running), start up DA:O and go load up a save, remove armor to see the effects of the mod. Here's a tip people don't realize. You don't need to close DA when making a change. Just go to the main menu in DA. ALT+TAB to your desktop. Make a change in Mod Manager like we did in the last step (Natural Bodies all in one -config), maximize DA, and load up your last save. Voila!

 

All other mods with the .dazip extension use Modmanager to install. You will see all your mods under the "installed DAzip" window pane in MM.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4921/86598107.jpg

 

Manual install mods like "Pineappletree's Vibrant Colors" or "Better Sex" go into your overdrive folder.

C:\Users\<USER>\Documents\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\core\override (My Documents in XP)

 

Dragon Age Redesigned has a self installer (Make sure you install ALL Mods) The main file only effect NPCs, to get companions you need to install each file in the "Core Characters" folder.

 

If you have any questions pls lemme know.

P.S.

 

Once you install Pineappletree, CC, Chargen, More Hairstyles packages use the "chargenmorphcfg.xml" below.

http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/download.php?id=2869

 

Make sure there are no other chargenmorphcfg.xml files hidden in your override folder or they will conflict.

[ariinya]

Thank you, Tikki. Perhaps you can help me with another thing, though?

 

I found another character appearance mod that I like a lot, called Planes Traveller. It makes changes to eyes, skin color, tattoos. Only, I don't know how to make the changes into the chargenmorphcfg file. I tried to do it manually, using the file names and the same format as the others, but it didn't seem to work.

[Tikkidew]

Sure no problem ...

 

Hmm .. I just did the work for you ... so now, use the chargenmorphcfg.xml I attached below. It has the Planes Skin and Completion added (plus all the other aesthetic mods). The eyes need to be added through Toolset, sorry.

[ariinya]

Sure no problem ...

 

Hmm .. I just did the work for you ... so now, use the chargenmorphcfg.xml I attached below. It has the Planes Skin and Completion added (plus all the other aesthetic mods). The eyes need to be added through Toolset, sorry.

 

Thank you much, my saintly friend! I would glomp you if I could.

 

I finally went and read the directions. When I get frustrated, I get impatient and start making stupid mistakes, so I'm downloading the toolset now, which is going to be another bear to learn. So.. does that mean that I can only create faces using those eyes outside of the game? I'm not quite sure what the toolset does.

[Tikkidew]

Hehe you're welcome. :)

 

Yikes, the toolset has a pretty steep learning curve. Gooooood luck!

 

There is a "preset" mod that uses those eyes, maybe check them out. (Just plop them in your override, they will replace the Bioware presets.)

 

http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=723

 

I used it to help make my mage, check her out ....

 

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/6197/razielx.jpg

[Mwulf]

I've been having a bit of trouble installing mods as well, and the mod-manager utilities have been less than perfect for me (for example, I'm still getting error messages and lock-ups when I try to install the "better bodies all-in-one" file.

 

Anyway, I've found that, contrary to the instructions included with many mod files, that the documents-directory (C:\Users\<USER>\Documents\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\core\override) doesn't work. I've only been able to get manual-installation mods to work by placing them in the INSTALLATION directory (C:\Games\Dragon Age\packages\core\override). It's possibly because I'm operating on Windows 7. (I haven't played long enough to determine if ALL of my mods are working, but several appear to be--the ones that are easy to see from the chargen screens).