I'm having truble modding Fallout 3.

[Iforth]

I'm new to gaming on the computer, and when I comes to modding, I have no idea what I'm doing. I've downloaded mods, I think I extracted the files using 7-Zip, I've tried ArchiveInvalidation and just about every other method I've heard of so far other than FOMM. When I click on the data files option in game, though, all I get is the Fallout3.esm. Any suggestions?

P.S. If it makes any difference, the game data is in the "Program Files" folder. I heard that was a bad thing, but was also told there was nothing I could do to change that.

 

UPDATE: Got it working. Thanks for the help, guys!

Edited October 30, 2011 by Iforth

[caramellcube]

what does your folder structure look like from Program Files down?

is it like this?

 

program files

> Bethesda Softworks

. > Fallout 3

. . > Data

. . . > Fallout3.esm

. . > Fallout3.exe

. . > FalloutLauncher.exe

 

if so, where are the .esp and .esm files installed?

 

edit - added dots to the folder structure, the forum doesn't seem to be displaying tabs

Edited October 30, 2011 by caramellcube

[ElderMalaclypse]

If you are planning to play FO3 with mods then I strongly suggest you use both FOMM and BOSS.

 

You first start out with just a few mods, then you get more and more and pretty soon don't know what files are associated with what mod and you will run into a mod conflict. FOMM is a tremendous help for beginners in not only figuring out what the problem mod is, but it makes installing/uninstalling so much easier.

 

FOMM is not very difficult to learn but as with any program may require you to read a bit. It also has some helpful features built in including archiveInvalidation so you dont have to mess with that either.

 

BOSS is as easy as installing it and then whenever you want it to adjust your load order you double click the icon...thats it.

 

As far as the mods themselves each should come with a readme or instructions on the description page on how to install it. Most are the standard: place the .esp and .esm files in your Fallot 3/Data folder, install meshes to the Fallout 3/Data/Meshes folder, and textures to the Fallout 3/Data/Textures folder. There are variations on this every once in awhile but most follow that general outline.

 

Good Luck

- Mal

[Iforth]

If you are planning to play FO3 with mods then I strongly suggest you use both FOMM and BOSS.

 

You first start out with just a few mods, then you get more and more and pretty soon don't know what files are associated with what mod and you will run into a mod conflict. FOMM is a tremendous help for beginners in not only figuring out what the problem mod is, but it makes installing/uninstalling so much easier.

 

FOMM is not very difficult to learn but as with any program may require you to read a bit. It also has some helpful features built in including archiveInvalidation so you dont have to mess with that either.

 

BOSS is as easy as installing it and then whenever you want it to adjust your load order you double click the icon...thats it.

 

As far as the mods themselves each should come with a readme or instructions on the description page on how to install it. Most are the standard: place the .esp and .esm files in your Fallot 3/Data folder, install meshes to the Fallout 3/Data/Meshes folder, and textures to the Fallout 3/Data/Textures folder. There are variations on this every once in awhile but most follow that general outline.

 

Good Luck

- Mal

 

 

It never actually gave me a meshes or texture folder, just a meshes file and textures file in the data folder. Will it make a difference if I just make the folders and throw the meshes/textures in there?

[Iforth]

what does your folder structure look like from Program Files down?

is it like this?

 

program files

> Bethesda Softworks

. > Fallout 3

. . > Data

. . . > Fallout3.esm

. . > Fallout3.exe

. . > FalloutLauncher.exe

 

if so, where are the .esp and .esm files installed?

 

edit - added dots to the folder structure, the forum doesn't seem to be displaying tabs

 

Mine is:

Program Files

>Bethesda Softworks

.>Fallout 3

..>Data

...>Music

...>Shaders

...>Videos

 

The esm is saved in the Data folder.

[ElderMalaclypse]

 

It never actually gave me a meshes or texture folder, just a meshes file and textures file in the data folder. Will it make a difference if I just make the folders and throw the meshes/textures in there?

 

 

 

If your Fallout 3/Data folder does not have a Meshes or a Textures folder, then yes, create those folders in the Fallout 3/Data folder and place the files inside. I thought those folders were created when you install Fallout but am not 100% sure.

 

The .dds files are textures and the .nif files are meshes. I gather you already figured out the .esp/.esm files go in the Data directory.

Depending on how the the files are called within the mod they may have to be in specific folders in the Meshes/Textures folder but if that is the case the mod readme or instructions should explain.

Edited October 30, 2011 by ElderMalaclypse

[Iforth]

 

It never actually gave me a meshes or texture folder, just a meshes file and textures file in the data folder. Will it make a difference if I just make the folders and throw the meshes/textures in there?

 

 

 

If your Fallout 3/Data folder does not have a Meshes or a Textures folder, then yes, create those folders in the Fallout 3/Data folder and place the files inside. I thought those folders were created when you install Fallout but am not 100% sure.

 

The .dds files are textures and the .nif files are meshes. I gather you already figured out the .esp/.esm files go in the Data directory.

Depending on how the the files are called within the mod they may have to be in specific folders in the Meshes/Textures folder but if that is the case the mod readme or instructions should explain.

 

Cool. Thanks a lot!