Advice from EXPERIENCED Modders

[BegunValkery]

Look, I know nothing about modding, or figuring out problems from installing them, but I want and need more knowledge about every little detail of all of the concepts. I'm not asking for all of your time, but I want to know more info. about the red boxes and the exclamation point inside whenever I put an attachment on any of my weapons. All I thought I was supposed to do was extract the files, put the esp. files in my fallout 3 data folder, then check it in FOMM. I would really like to know if I was supposed to do more, if so, then how? I'm a bit agitated at the moment. Please and thank you.

[ub3rman123]

You have to put the meshes and textures into the same location. If the file you extracted has two folders (Or maybe just one of them) called Meshes/Textures, you need to move both folders into the same location as the .esp and click yes to overwrite all (Don't worry, it won't overwrite anything unless there's something with the same names as the new meshes in the same location).

 

Step by step:

1. Open the downloaded file with something.

2. Examine the contents. Most mods with new assets will include 3, maybe four files: The .esp, a Meshes folder, and a Textures folder. And maybe a ReadMe. You don't need to save the ReadMe if it's a simple mod.

3. Take the first three items and move them into your Data folder. By default this is at C:\Program Files (x86) (<On Win7)\Bethesda Softworks\Fallout 3\data

4. Open FOMM.

5. Check off the .esp to be running.

6. If textures are messed up (They look like they blend in with the background or shift images), you'll want to install Archive Invalidation Invalidated.

[kingtitan]

A good rule of thumb- ALWAYS read any documentation provided with mods. The most likely thing that happened for you was that the meshes or textures were not pathed correctly by the original modder, and therefore they did not install correctly for your game. I also highly recommend keeping a backup copy of the mod in a temporary location until you know with out a doubt that the mod installed correctly. That way, if it didn't install correctly, you can look at the file structure within the backup copy and make changes where necessary.

 

All I thought I was supposed to do was extract the files, put the esp. files in my fallout 3 data folder, then check it in FOMM

-A mistake most beginners make so don't feel bad. I would always recommend reviewing the files you download. Unfortunately, not all mods are water-tight, especially since practically anyone that thinks they just made the world's best mod can upload here; if you haven't noticed many new people love to upload their personal mods when the best and most practically useful mods make up a small minority. Anyway, like I said, my best assumption is that you failed to pay enough attention! But we all make that mistake at some point or another. Its always a good place to learn!

[ub3rman123]

Oh yeah, read the documentation. I just don't archive it or anything because usually it's the same as the description.