Question about setting up for modding...

[Scynix]

Hey guys/gals,

To start, the last time I modded was for Battlefield 1942. I've really enjoyed Fallout 3, and would really like to ... get back into the modding scene.

 

I do my own work, modeling, texturing, everything. My problem is, back in those days, setting up was pretty quick/easy. Now it seems far more complicated (at least to someone like me coming from a relatively basic environment).

 

I've managed to throw together replacement textures, script new events and the like, but for the life of me I do not understand the modeling.

 

To wit, I've created a backpack model that I wish to use as a container. I intended to add it as a new model, or, at minimum, replace an existing container with it.

 

The guide at the top of the forum does not make sense to me. I apologize, it just sounds like so much broken English I have no idea what it's talking about.

 

I have a feeling it's because I never modded with Oblivion, and a lot of this stuff seems to imply that you should have previous knowledge of Oblivion modding.

 

I'm told to copy the Nitristripsdata and paste it over the replacement, but my Nitristrips data is literally blank. It seems to have no effect.

 

Also, do I need to extract all of the data files so that my modeling tools can load them efficiently? It seems when I link new textures, it does the entire directory tree (d:/Games/Fallout 3/etc" instead of what old schoolg ames would do (base directory, %installdir%/data or what not)

 

I apologize for so many questions. I feel stuck between "newbie" and "knows what he's doing". I've modeled an XM8, some furniture, and new textures for a mission chain I had intended to create, but if I can't get over this modeling knowledge gap I'm screwed.

 

Thanks again.

[Scynix]

Ok, I stand corrected, I've figured out nitristripsdata (sortive). I've replaced static objects.

 

Textures is more confusing at the moment, but I'll keep trucking.

 

Any advice on proper folder structure would be nice.