A New Manual Modder, with Questions

[MalevolentSpoon]

So I've just now gotten into modding my Fallout 4, and for reasons that aren't important I chose to install all my mods manually. So far it's gone really well... I think. There's just some things I'm not sure about.

 

For instance: Some mods have these fomod files, some have files full of images or .jpgs, and others have things like single .xml, .ini, and .dll documents laying around too, and I'm just not sure if I should be moving these files into my game's data folder as well, or if it's fine not to worry about them.

 

And, specifically, there's Laser Bolt FX (For Fallout 4), which has just a wall of .dds files that I've not seen any other mod have. Those I would need, wouldn't I?

Edited February 12, 2018 by MalevolentSpoon

[DrakeTheDragon]

In case of Fallout 4 modding questions you'd be better off asking them inside the Fallout 4 sections, in this case here would be ideal I think: https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/forum/3510-fallout-4-mod-troubleshooting/

 

In case of such mod-manager-specific file or archive formats like FOMOD, a proprietary file format of the Fallout Mod Manager (FOMM) and also the Nexus Mod Manager (NMM), these can likely only be installed via the managers they're meant for. If you want to install these manually, you'll in most cases first have to unpack them and mix'n'match their parts individually, as they're not rarely containing optional or multiple-choice features for you to choose from. Additionally there'll also not rarely be supportive folders, for example for install scripts/procedures, step-by-step wizards, and/or screenshots.

 

But as we're talking about Fallout 4 here, it's not automatically a given files like XML etc. are only for the manager and can be ignored. So it's always paramount to read any manual install instructions you find for the mods you want to install.

 

Case in point, this "wall of DDS files" you mentioned are all optional/replacement textures for the laser beams packed away into appropriately named subfolders not automatically used by the mod or game, but having to be chosen from.

[MalevolentSpoon]

Either way, that was all very helpful tidbits. I'll hit the proper forum next for confirmation. Thanks, friend.