Newbie Modder

[Jueg]

So I installed DAO Toolset a while back and being new to modding and everything, I thought I should ask if anyone has any pointers and if they are willing to share.

 

I want to take up modeling, you know, creating custom weapons and armor. I don't even know the name of the thing I want to do. Anyway, whatever the name of creating custom weapons and armor is I want to learn how to do it. Is anyone willing to help this newbie out?

 

The reason why I am doing this is that I am sick of having to beggar mods from people under Mod Requests. So I decided it is time for me to grow up and make my own mods.

 

EDIT: Took a peek. Can't say I understood anything.

Edited April 14, 2012 by Jueg

[amycus]

Well, what you are basically describing is modelling. Pure and simple.

 

I have so far made one custom armor from scratch fro DA:O, so I can try to give you some pointers.

 

If you want to make completely new custom armor, not a simple retexture of already existing items, then you need a 3d editing software. Blender and 3ds max are the most common ones. Blender is always free, while 3ds max is only free if you are a student. Personally I'm using 3ds max. If you are not a student, you also have the alternative of getting gmax (which is basically a very old and simpler version of 3ds max. It does the job though, and its always free).

 

Blender is a bit less user-friendly than 3ds max, but on the other hand there are usually more tutorials available for Blender.

 

Then you need to download an export/export script for the 3d editing software you are using.

 

If you decide to use blender:

http://dragonage.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=268

 

If you decide to use 3ds max or gmax:

http://social.bioware.com/project/2336/ make sure to read the belonging .pdf

 

And here is a link you might find useful: The topic I made when I first started out and had no idea how to make custom armor.

http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/313360-custom-armor/

I highly siggest you check it out. Contains some video tutorials as well.

 

That should get you started. Let me know if you have any questions (might not be of much more help if you decide to use blender though. Not too used with that).

Edited April 14, 2012 by amycus

[Jueg]

Can't find MAO and DDS files for path setup. Where can I find 'em?

 

BTW, since I am no student and therefore can't get 3DS Max, I went with Gmax. By student, did you mean art student or just some student?

[amycus]

Can't find MAO and DDS files for path setup. Where can I find 'em?

 

BTW, since I am no student and therefore can't get 3DS Max, I went with Gmax. By student, did you mean art student or just some student?

Not sure in what stage you are currently in (extracting the DA:O resources with the toolset?), but this thread can hopefully help you:

http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/8/index/699210/1

 

Personally I didn't care about extracting the .dds files. You only need them if you want to make certain changes to already existing armors. Otherwise it just takes space on your computer.

 

As for 3ds max, they do ask you to name your school, but they will also offer the alternative "homeschooling".

 

The only negative thing is that you "only" get a 3-year licence for it, so one might just see it as an extended trial period.

Edited April 14, 2012 by amycus

[Jueg]

If you want to make completely new custom armor, not a simple retexture of already existing items

 

Forgot to mention. To get the hang of it, I just want to make retex for the moment. You know, just to get the hang of it.

 

In the link you forwarded there was talk of Photoshop, do I need it?

Edited April 14, 2012 by Jueg

[amycus]

If you want to make completely new custom armor, not a simple retexture of already existing items

 

Forgot to mention. To get the hang of it, I just want to make retex for the moment. You know, just to get the hang of it.

 

In the link you forwarded there was talk of Photoshop, do I need it?

 

Yes, I forgot to mention this: You need EITHER photoshop OR Gimp with a .dds plugin (gimp is free, photoshop is not). You need gimp or photoshop to make or edit textures, and you need the .dds plugins to them since this is the image file format that games use.

 

So instead of saving an image as a .jpg or .gif, you save it as a .dds.

 

If you ONLY want to retexture exisitng items, then its easier to just use this:

http://social.bioware.com/project/41/

(you will still need photoshop or gimp to edit .dds files though)

[Jueg]

Is there a way I can extract mmh files from dds or something else? Is it even possible? If not how can get my hands on an mmh file? (DA tools uses them)

 

EDIT: Found it. If you are new to modeling like me, here's a link. It might help you. :happy:

 

Question: How can retex a 3rd party or official DLC weapons and armor?

 

I recently acquired something called 'tazpn's Command Line Tools'. Will it be useful?

 

CORRECTION: Wrong choice of words. I decided it is better for to retex to get the hang of it. At first, I was like "I'm gonna make my own mods, my very own custom weapons and armor, How cool is that!" but when I saw how great a pain it is to create items from scratch that excitement just flew away. Not that I still don't make them now, I am still up for it.

 

I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I wasted your time. I didn't mean to.

 

You'll have to forgive me if there are any problems with my English. I am not a native speaker (or writer :D , I know lame joke :P )

Edited April 16, 2012 by Jueg