StrawHat69 Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 HOW TO MOD - NOOB GUIDE I feel the need to make up a super noob guide to the completely clueless like myself who have NO idea what their doing! I first browsed this site and read some guides / browsed the different mods and how to install them and i was like... ugh? For my thanks to the community for helping me out and to all those who were like myself at some point (believe me im still a noob but i found a basic and easy how to!) i have made this guide! ---------------------------------------- First - Must Have Downloads Include - WinRar (http://www.rarlab.com/) pick ur correct download for ur system and bam done! - DAModder (http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=286) This is a Dragon Age Mod Helper (quick and easy intallations / unintallations : included and easy tracking system!) DAModder : This really is a must, it makes downloading Mods so much easier! Their is another Program called DA ModManagement - but i never used it and i love DAModder --------------------- First download DAModder and save it wherever u like (i saved it in my documents - downloads). Once you have downloaded DAModder right click the file and extract to DAModder... (the third extract option if using WinRar) and you get a brand new folder. Inside the Folder is the DAModder application (2nd option down) - double click that and a new window opens up which shows all extra downloads (including extra bought content) - u can see at the top of the window theirs an install / uninstall option! So Easy! After you have downloaded and extracted DAModder - go to any Mod - read through the description first to see what the mod is about, and read through the comments to see any helpful / negative comments ( i find it important to get others info about the mod ) Ontop of the page there are tabs, these tabs include all the necessary pages you need (ie: File and Comments) Click on File - and the closest file to the top is allways the newest so you usually want that one, sometimes their are optional files below and below those are OLD (which are a no no to download) Once you have clicked on the file to download - a new page will open up - the new page will either ask to install or ask to choose a server (doesnt matter which server just do that and then it takes u to the page which asks to install) Once you have the download box up, click SAVE, - save it wherever u want (i used Documents - Downloads) Once this is done open the area in which you downloaded it, next to the downloaded file it will say EITHER: WinRAR ZIP archive - OR - WinRAR archive. If the downloaded file says WinRAR ZIP Archive you do not need to do anything further (no extracting necessary) - open up the EXTRACTED DAModder file and open up the window which was discussed earlier (to show all the downloaded content) DRAG the WinRAR ZIP archive file - INTO - the opened DAModder window and it will ask to install / installation complete. If you get an error message it is becuase the file you TRIED to drag was a WinRAR archive (NO ZIP ATTATCHED) Dont Panic! this just means that you must FIRST EXTRACT the file using WinRAR - Right Click the file and choose the third option which says extract to (file name) this will create a new folder The New Folder is in place of the WinRAR ZIP archive - essentially it is the same thing, DRAG the ENTIRE NEW EXTRACTED FOLDER into the Open DAModder window - and it will install just like the WinRAR ZIP archive! Its as easy as that! ---------------- Warning - some mods dont go well together / their are issues with similar mod content - for example changing character customization mods (such as MORE HAIR STYLES and PINEAPPLE s Vibrant Colors etc etc) - In case of needing to download multiple mods of these Character Customization options you need to Download a new mod called - CharGenMorph Compiler - (http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=971) This compiles the specific files into one folder / file type so that they dont override eachother (if you try to use More Hair Styles and Pineappletree s Vibrant Colors they will override eachother so one will only be avaible - this Mod allows you to use both) IMPORTANT : Make sure all mods are downloaded first before using this (ie: More Hair Styles and Pineappletree s Vibrant Colors) - done all at the same time saves multiple do overs!To use this mod seems complicated but it isnt! First - the downloaded CharGenMorph must be EXTRACTED using WinRar, as mentioned above - do it Open up the new extracted folder and go to the second option - DA_CharGenMorph Compiler - once its opened go to the tab above which says Path Configuration You Will see 2 options, the 1st says - to the left of the page - Dragon Age Install Path - click on it so its highlighted - over to the right is the file, it is GOING to come from, so make sure its your Dragon Age Main File - to change the file location click on the little box with 3 dots [...] all the way to the right - this is where the GAME is installed. (ie: Program File x86 Dragon Age) The 2nd says - to the left of the page - My Documents Dragon Age Override Folder - this is where the override file is (this file is where you place extracted mods into IF YOU DO NOT HAVE DAMODDER - its much more difficult to NOT use DAModder!) - Make sure you highlight it, then click the little box with 3 dots and make sure the file is Users\x\Document's\BioWare\packages\core\override Once the file destinations are correct click the first tab - click re-scan for xml files to the right - check mark the box below which says Back Up Files (allways good) - finally click the bottom box to compile and it SHOULD work! -------------------------------- I know this was a "omg too much to read..." and i felt the same way about reading everyone elses guides! So i have placed a video in this guide from YOUTUBE which helped me figure it out (step by step movie of how to download More Hair Styles with and without DAModder / as well as downloading DAModder!) Dragon Age Mods - More Hairstyles ( ) Another video done by the same person is a how to install DAModder AND an easy installation of a weapon (very simple step by step) Dragon Age Mods - Dark Flame Sword and Shield (http://www.youtube.com/user/tassadar94#p/u/3/mHp_G1YizQY) ----------------------------- CREDITS The community for making this awesome site Bioware for making Dragon Age The Epic Few who took time to answer my noob questions and nudge me along Youtube User - who helped me understand MUCH better by using visuals (movie) --------------------------------Reading is nice and watching is nice as long as its step by step... i have provided both of these options in hopes that users will use both, or depending on how they favor learning they have the option. Once again id like to thank this community... this gameplay expierence im having now is incredible, so much better than the first non mod run! (2nd run through using lots of mods - everything is working / no glitches so far!) ' **** Top Endorsed Mods (usually the more favorite) - (http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/top/alltime.php) browse through this page first to see any u like! Everyone who would like to use this guide on other sites please do, im not copy righting this or anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trucidation Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Just one thing though, I'd prefer not to recommend people use WinRAR. For one, the free version is a trial - yes, you can go past the date, but that's not exactly legit and some people don't like that. I'd recommend using something like IZArc instead ( http://www.izarc.org/ ). It handles .rar, .7z, .zip, ... actually it handles pretty much any archive format. Plus it is true freeware so you can use it with a clear conscience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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