[request] Modding tutorial for a beginner

[4rchy12]

Hello guys,

 

I just wanted to start making my own mods for oblivion.

but before I could start, I wanted to know if there are:

 

1) some programs I shouldn't miss before starting? Which ones?

2) some tutorials for modding oblivion?

 

My aim is to create a new questline or something but I think that should take some months until I'm good enough for that...

 

Sorry if there is already a topic like mine but I didn't find anything through the search function...

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Greets 4rchy

[Ark of Truth]

Google is your friend

[DocClox]

The main program you want is the "Construction set".

 

Aside from that, it's like Arky says: google for "oblivion" "Construction set" and "tutorials" and you'll get a ton of the things.

[BruceWayne]

Moved to Oblivion general discussion.

[Emily]

Modding requires multiple proficiency with multimedia tools.

 

Audio: audacity or sony sound forge.

2d: photoshop & microsoft sdk.

3d: Niffscope. Blender. Max.

 

Construction Set optimum uses are limited to your skill, experience and understanding with the tool above. Since CS only purpose are only registering data entry in our binary for the game.

[Guest ThatOne]

'Fraid I can't agree with you on this one, Emily; I've been modding for years and have absolutely no knowledge of image or audio programs. Except for making a GIF image, which is useless.

 

On the other hand, I do know a few things about the CS, and a bunch about nifskope. Those two programs are enough for most mods. Basic use of Blender is a plus - but not required.

 

For tutorials: google is your friend, as Ark said.

[Emily]

'Fraid I can't agree with you on this one, Emily; I've been modding for years and have absolutely no knowledge of image or audio programs. Except for making a GIF image, which is useless.

 

On the other hand, I do know a few things about the CS, and a bunch about nifskope. Those two programs are enough for most mods. Basic use of Blender is a plus - but not required.

 

For tutorials: google is your friend, as Ark said.

 

 

Of course, That's from art designer prespective. Who create Dialogs, textures, music, sound effect, shaders, animating, new static, monster making for years.

Emily can't handle quest, command console, function and AI as good as garcemac and you.

We use different tool and method to work on our projects.

 

Regardless the new modder might find it useful.

More or less.

[Myst42]

Oh... I'll meddle in this too

 

Basically, there are lot's of programs, but everything depends on what you WANT do do

For example me, I know just basic stuff of the CS, how to link cosmetic compilations (hair and eyes), edit races, create new ones, create and use master files as resource, create items, spells, leveled lists and place them on the world.

Stuff I don't know: for example, how to make script, quests, dialog, and create world

 

However my real area of knowledge is Blender, building meshes, rigging them and animating, also a bit of Photoshop to texture stuff, that one's limited but I can manage.

 

My goal: to have a nice looking game with cool and beautiful races, make everything look better, but ultimately design clothing and armor. Next project is big replacer for everything

 

Other people specializes in quest or dungeon creation

Some build texture replacers

Some (very few) do scripting (Scripting is the most advanced stuff, make your advanced math teachers look like monkeys)

And some dedicate their time to sex mods

 

I'd say its probably impossible for a modder to know everything, it's just too much

 

But one point in common for all specialties is at least basic use of the CS

 

So everything depends on your goal

[GMac2021]

Google is your friend  LOL.

 

Google probably brought him (or her)  here, and yet there are still no answers to their question...

 

No, Google is not ANYONE`s friend. Google is actually hugely unhelpful, and is just as likely to return blank pages with no information as it is to return results for Skyrim instead of Oblivion. Searching for ``TES IV Oblivion Modding`` or ``TES IV Oblivion Modding Help`` or even ``TES IV Oblivion Help PLEASE OMG MY GAME IS F*CKING BROKEN` returns NO useful information - and NOTHING from Lover`s Lab. I checked. Unless you happen to guess the EXACT word-for-word search terms that Google expects, you are f*cked. Even if you happen to guess the exact search term that Google asks you for - you are still probably sh*t out of luck. Because Lover`s Lab is not paying AdSense to direct people to specific threads. 

 

A good chunk of the Google results for Lover's Lab are horribly out of date. 2011. 2012. Useless now. How much work has GregAtHit done to modernize this mod... Google is shit. A lot of people search Google for answers concerning Oblivion, and they get directed to Lover's Lab. Skyrim results are a bit better. Not much, but a bit better.

 

Do you not think that the OP hasn't already used Google? That is probably how he or she found this site in the first place. Maybe Lover's Lab needs to invest in AdSense and buy lisitings for specific topics. Without sending Google some cash - Lover's Lab is at the mercy of Google's batshit insane, paranoid, and uselessly out of date algorithm.

 

Being helpful as we always are - we have not answered one single question that the OP asked. This site is no longer a community forum, it is a tight-knit little clique of people who think they are better than everyone else - except for a few exceptions. But I am sure that they will change soon enough...

 

Emily, forgive me...

 

Answer his questions. Use "Google" if you have to.

 

1) some programs I shouldn't miss before starting? Which ones?
2) some tutorials for modding oblivion?

 

Maybe you could just reply by posting USEFUL HELP ON HOLD in massive red letters like I usually see here. When someone asks for help, the first thing they want to see is a condescending post from an arrogant asshat responding with a smiley face. Shit! If it wasn`t for Smiley faces, my Oblivion install and personal mods probably would not even work! 

 

The arrogance of this forum is so close to the paranoia shown by the Nexus that there is no discernible difference. Lover`s Lab (except for few exceptions) is arrogant. People that come here (via GOOGLE!!! LOL!) are laughed at and insulted and told to follow a load order that has not been relevant in over one year. WTF... I have been here for a long time, and even my load order only consists of MAYBE six mods included in the recommended load order. 

 

Lover`s Lab is a forum for hard-core modders now. Everyone else can just f*ck off and use Google.  And when they finally get here, they just end up getting yelled at, or have their questions answered by a happy little yellow Smileyface, YAY!

 

For the OP: Start here: http://cs.elderscrolls.com/index.php/Category:Functions_(CS_1.0) Links are on that site. Take your time to read them and get comfortable with them. Dick around by changing a few mods.

 

Read this: http://cs.elderscrolls.com/index.php/TES4Edit_Cleaning_Guide#Type_.232:_Wild.2FUndesirable_Edits

 

It all seems horribly complicated, but it is not. Modding ths game is fun.  A great hobby!

 

P.S. Sorry for my punctuation! I am chatting with my friend from Japan and my keyboard is set up  to talk to him. LOL. Oops.

[4rchy12]

Thanks to everyone so far who posted a reply.

I'll try to get used to the programs you mentioned above.

 

Any further links/tutorials welcome.

 

[D_ManXX2]

If it just tutorial to work with CS then try here:

http://www.theengineeringguild.co.uk/

 

The Engineering guild has many great step by step tutorial to work with CS and dialog and making quests for all bethesda games from Oblivion to skyrim from fallout 3 to Fallout New Vegas. 

 

Not sure why but it seem to be forum down, but you can still download the tutorials from the download section on the main page.