Learning How to Mod

[angelfenriz]

I've never made my own mod before, Should I start tinkering with fallout and oblivion or should I wait till Skyrim is out? I'm guessing it will be a totally new creature as far as how things work?

[Iv000]

You should tinker with the Construction Set in Oblivion. Or the GECK in Fallout, they are almost the same.

Get familiar with the UI, learn how to open cells, how to place objects, create NPC's, create new cells, create new weapons and armor (With existing meshes and textures) and maybe try to create a short quest.

That should give you the knowledge to jump right into Skyrim's Creation Kit (Which will function similar like the Construcion Set/Geck).

 

I was surprised when I found out how fun it was tinkering with the functions of the Construction set and the GECK.

It wasn't difficult to learn either, it's mostly drag 'n drop and pick a number.

 

Use this site to help you out:

http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Main_Page

 

And if you have questions just ask.

And have fun! :thumbsup:

[Lingwei]

I can't find a link to an article atm but I can vaguely recall reading that the creation kit would have a similar style to the CS and Geck so it should be relatively simple for experienced modders to quickly pick it up and start working on it, at least as far as basic things such as creating new cells and adding new items etc. There will be a fair bit of new learning to with quests etc because of the radiant story system. I'm hoping they have a proper dialogue editor like the New Vegas Geck had. Creating complex dialogues with the Oblivion and Fallout 3 Geck was like swimming with a hand tied behind your back.

 

It's up to you whether you want to try or not. I'd say at least getting the basics of using the tools such as how to create and build cells, basic scripting etc could be useful. There are a lot more tutorials available for the CS and Geck at the moment and when the CK is released everyone else will be new so you will have to either work off Bethesda's tutorials, which have a lot of 'assumed knowledge' (and don't really teach you the "why" of what you are doing as well as modder written tutorials) or wait a number of months before other modders start figuring out the CK and writing tutorials for it.

Edited October 6, 2011 by Lingwei

[Blu02]

Depends much on more exactly what area you want to be modding. If you want to create objects and textures you could start messing around with Photoshop and 3dstudiomax, or whatever programs you might prefer. That stuff takes a lot more time to learn than the Construction Set of Skyrim, but atleast you're able to use the real deal right away ;) Lynda has some very good video-tutorials for this. But there are tons available if you search on google or youtube.

[tricolour]

Is there any tutorial/video/faq how to put stuff up onto nexus (and maintain mods)? I am an intermediate level modder (levels, scripting, nif editing for TES4, FO3 & FONV), but I have never used this site for upload. I am sure it is pretty straight forward, but still, any link/info would be nice.

 

Is there more detailed info than this? http://wiki.tesnexus.com/index.php/How_to_upload_mods

Edited October 9, 2011 by tricolour

[forcekitty]

I also wanted to start learning how do mod especially the skeletons and what, like the ones used for the BBB in oblivion. But from what I hear it's going to be completely different due to the the fact that the body, like the face frame work, will be adjustable with sliders. I should of bought Oblivion on the pc long ago and started learning. After witnessing what people modded with the skins, skeletons and armor sets really got me interested into it. Do you any of you how this will work if they will have body sliders as well? And what kind of creation tools sets are they speaking of? Since I will be totally new at this.

[JimboUK]

Is there any tutorial/video/faq how to put stuff up onto nexus (and maintain mods)? I am an intermediate level modder (levels, scripting, nif editing for TES4, FO3 & FONV), but I have never used this site for upload. I am sure it is pretty straight forward, but still, any link/info would be nice.

 

Is there more detailed info than this? http://wiki.tesnexus.com/index.php/How_to_upload_mods

 

There really isn't much to it, just zip it up along with the readme, select files>add file on the site and the rest is obvious. Once the file is up you'll have admin options so you can make alterations. What I would suggest is keeping it hidden until you've added any images, you probably don't want the first comment to some numpty complaining about the lack of pics.

[tricolour]

Thanks. Tips about how to make the best of nexus is something I think that should be promoted.

[Uzibeatle]

Thanks. Tips about how to make the best of nexus is something I think that should be promoted.

 

Great idea indeed.

I've been a consumer of mods here on the Nexus for some years now.

 

One thing I've noted is the lack of central authority and MAINTAINED FAQ's for things

like this. For both users of mods submitted by authors, or for authors of mods with a solid

guideline of what is expected.

 

I've seen countless cases of this issue, and this is say just one of many:

 

Say a new modder comes along and publishes their new effort. Lets say it is a pretty nice effort and worthy

of downloading.

They describe the mod in a reasonable manner. Say they even manage

to put pics up if that is relevant.

 

They fail in one big area , and far too often.

 

. They assume too often the users or browsers of the site

are all advanced in the skills of installing mods. A simple pointer to required

steps to get mods to work would work wonders. Failing that, then the modder

should explain what is needed and work with the presumption he/she is talking

to a audience that has no knowledge of how to install a mod.

If extra steps are needed for his/her

mod that go beyond the norm, those should be explained.

 

It is so easy to forget there are 'nubs' coming along that haven't learned to

walk yet, much less run.

I could go on with a expanded list of consistent issues I've noted but I'll just stop at that one simple example.

 

 

I've often felt the Nexus would benefit greatly to a central

set of FAQ's that authors could point to via links for just this sort

of thing. But those FAQ's would require maintenance.

Of course the FAQ repository would have to be game specific, for the most part.

The FAQ section would have course have to have a easy to find headliner

on the main blurb sections of the site.

That would avoid a lot of excess typing.

Far as I know no such thing exists.

 

Oh, this isn't meant to be a slight on the folks maintaining the Nexus.

I know this isn't a huge budget outfit. So much to cover, so little tarp, not enough injuns.

Just saying.

 

To the OP. Good luck and remember to grow Rhino Skin as no matter

what one does you'll need that.

 

EDIT. PS> any stressed English formations seen above I will blame on the bourbon I have consumed this efening.

Edited October 22, 2011 by Uzibeatle