Need help with modding

[Divisi]

Hi, I'm completely new to modding and I'd like some info/help on how to do this. I already have the construction set for Oblivion and know the bare bones basics on how to work it, but other than that i know nothing. I'd really like to start modding, I really enjoy other people's work and would like to contribute.

 

What I've done so far is decide to change up the Arcane University area of the Imperial City, I've never really liked how all the plants and such were in one area and I want to spread them out and add new ones; that's all I've got so far, I'm going to try to think of other things. Are there any shortcuts i can use to move them, or make more of them rather than dragging from the object window?

 

Could I also have general information on how to make mods for beginners.

 

This is probably a lot to cover, but I've looked it up online and I just don't do well reading from a post someone made years ago and is in an archive now.

 

Thanks!!

 

Edit: Is it possible to save a mod plugin to go back to it later? Do you just load up the Oblivion master file and whatever others you used and your mods plugin file?

Edited September 4, 2012 by Divisi

[cfh85]

Depending on what you want to do, you should find most of what you need to know HERE . As far as moving objects goes it's pretty much just basic click and move...

 

If you want to create a new plugin just don't set any esps as 'active', this will result in a prompt, just say yes. The first time you save it will ask you for a name.

 

Take note, loading up anything other than the oblivion esm isn't too good an idea for a beginner. You may cause your plugin to be dependant on other files.

 

What is your long term aim with regards to modding? In my opinion most aspects are quite basic, although time consuming, whilst other areas (creating new meshes/textures/scripts) can be quite challenging

[DocRob]

Just a quick tip on your question about plants--if you want to add plants of the same type as ones already there, without dragging them from the objects menu, select the plant, hit CRTL-D, then drag the plant to the new location; might have to hit CTRL-D more than once for it to take effect (at least that's what happens to me sometimes.) Best of all you can hit it as many times as needed--say 4 times, if you want four copies of the same plant. I use this extensively for things like lights, etc. and it's a real time saver. (If you accidentally move the original, just hit CRTL-Z to undo.)

 

Chf85 linked to about the best resource there is for modding, but you should also check out the Wiki here on the Nexus; particularly here. Some of them provide a bit more detail than the CS Wiki does. And, to echo his sentiments--it really is pretty basic, but be prepared to spend a HUGE amount of time at it. I've been modding now for about 2 months or so and it surprises me how even the simplest of things can take hours of time (manipulating, setting up, testing, etc.) Of course I'm enjoying the heck out of it, though. :dance:

 

Do the tutorials on the CS Wiki; it's a good "hands on" experience to get a feel for things (at least, try the ones that look like they might be along the lines of what you'd like to do in the future.) And don't be afraid to copy/paste various scripts, etc. from there as a basis for your own work; they're there for use or learning, after all. Me, I've copied several and then gone on to tweak 'em to my tastes. The only other advice I can offer is to try what worked for me: create a few "test" mods that you can try out ideas and see how different things work; as you figure them out, keep those mods aside so you can refer back, if needed, or even import elements from.

 

Good luck, and looking forward to seeing what you can do down the road. :thumbsup:

[wetblanket]

As mentioned above, duplication is very useful for setting out plants. Also rotation and scaling make the plantings more natural-looking by adding variation. You can do this on multiple selections at once, duplicate, scale, rotate repeatedly to get mass plantings very quickly. Select random plants for duplication, not a tight group, and overlap the copies to avoid a repetitive pattern. Just like a real garden, try to have larger plants at the rear and smaller ones at the front.

 

You will find you can't rotate trees in the normal way. You can however use a plant as a placeholder, rotate it and then use the 'replace' command to change it to a tree. Have fun.