Question for you experienced modders

[drataax]

Where/How do you learn to script and create these models for new races, different types of weapons, and even new storylines? I just want to learn how to do these things and even maybe help with a MOD. If you could point me in the right direction, that would help me a alot.

[Akrid]

Well you have come to the right place.

 

Scripting; There are two types of scripting in the TES:CS (The Elder Scrolls Construction Set) The first is Dialoge(sc), and the second is normal script.

 

-Dialoge can be accessed in the menu or in the windows opened by clicking on NPC's in the TES:CS. There most of the mission based scripting is made. You can play around with the options here and study the Help guide in your TES:CS (find in menu) to learn how to script.

 

-Normal Script is not nessesary to make a mod but if you want to do advanced modding or help with a big mod you need to know about scripts and global scripts and start scripts, I call these normal scripts. You would use these to make a house appear after say a journal entry occurs or make everyone in a certain gang die when your player activates a switch. Start scripts are scripts that start from the begging of the game to get the game going and put the world in motion, you should not mess with these unless you know what your doing. To learn how to script look at other in game scripts (you go to the scripty editor via the menu in the TES:CS) and study what they do. Programming is complex and takes time. I taught myself because books just skipped over things and people never had the time to exlpain it to me.

 

Models; you need either Gmax (free) and a program to make it's files into .NIF's or 3Dstudio Max 3.0 or 5.0 (6.0 wont export .NIF's) cost around $3,000 to $5,000 for 3DsMax and you need to down load a .NIF exporting program for it also. As for learning how to Model, well I'm still learning my self. I have 3DsMax 5.0 and it has exellent tutorials.

 

I'm out of time, I'm sure otheres here will help you with the rest.