Elder Scrolls Forum: Needed: Mod installation tutorial!

We can make 'em all day long, and they ain't gonna' be worth a hoot if people can't use 'em.

Have seen several posts recently on various boards concerning mod installation ("Big yellow boxes!" (I love it-

)). Reading the titles of these posts might be cute for those of us who "know the way", but I doubt it's very amusing to those who download our mods with high hopes and then wind up with a world full of "Big yellow boxes!".

(excuse me for a second... (still snickering))...

Just PMed kathode to try and get the old thread re-pinned, but that may not be possible, as it came down after the forum upgrade, and may be gone.

Just PMed Sirkandi, requesting that a (hopefully) short tutorial could be made that (hopefully) will be pinned, and also suggested that if Sirkandi does take this on, that a text version be created for inclusion in all mods.

In the interim, I'm going to try my hand at it, and I hope others will add to/modify/flame this thread:

To prospective mod downloadees (er.. downloaders (whatever)):

There are three typical formats that a mod will come in: .zip, .rar, .ace. You WILL need a suitable decompressor program to decompress the mod (winzip's the only one that comes to mind, but there are others).

Very first thing! Read the readme in it's entirety! We spend, literally seconds creating these readme files, so please take the time to go through them! As a general rule...

Let me talk about general rules for a second: They don't exist. Sorry. I don't know how many times I've downloaded a mod and read the readme which tells you to "unzip" the file to the C:\Program Files\Bethesda Sotworks\Morrowind\Data Files folder, and have the thing create a second Data Files folder under the existing one (Big yellow boxes!) (could be my .zip program, too)

(excuse me for another second... (more snickering)).

So, lets go at this another way, and define the contents of a mod:

Typical files included with a mod-

.esp

This is the file that gets created when one saves a mod in the editor. This is the one that has all of the information (changes) that the game engine looks for when initializing the mod upon start-up of the game. It will contain dialog entries, new characters, changes and additions to exteriors, new interiors, etc..

This file goes in the C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files folder.

Some mods have ONLY this file (and hopefully a readme). These types of mods use only resources (models/textures/etc.) that are included with the original game (and/or add-ons).

In these types of mods, this is the only file you will have to insure is placed in the correct folder.

Again: .esp goes in C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files

There are also .esm files, that are roughly equivalent to .esp, and go in the same folder, but I'll let somebody else explain that (I got enough problems here already).

icons (.tga or .dds)

Now it gets a little more complicated. Some mods have new items, (weapons/armor/etc.) that will require new icons. People who have created these types of mods will have added new meshes/textures to those already existing in the MW/Trib/BM game world. Many of these will require new icons. Icons are what will display in the inventory menu (icon representation of a sword for example).

Icon files go in the C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files\Icons folder.

But... (you knew there was going to be a "but" didn't you)

Most icons (but not all) will go into a sub-folder of the Icons folder. For example: Armor icons MAY go in C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files\Icons\a folder, or weapon icons MIGHT go in C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files\w folder.

Some have user created folders (new). Some use those already used in the game; a or w as noted above (a note here: If you check the icons folder in a new (un-modded) game, there will be NO other subfolders (a,w,etc.). These only need to be created if new content is introduced. In this case, new icons. You can take a look at these (original) sub-folders on the CS disk if you want to.)... However, there are some modders who just use the Icons folder itself to store the new icons in (have taken to this myself).

Again, icon files go in C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files\Icons folder (or sub folders).

Meshes (.nif)

Meshes are the 3D wireframe models that are used for all 3D objects in the game. These are used for things like walls,rugs,swords,armor,books,cups... any object that is tangible in the game.

The same format for icons holds true here. There is a Meshes folder under the Data Files folder right under the icons folder, and it can also make use of subfolders ("a" for armor, "w" for weapons, etc.), and again, a modder may choose to use the Meshes folder itself to store these .nif files instead of the subfolders.

Meshes (.nif) files go in C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files\Meshes folder (or sub folders).

Confused yet?

Textures (.tga, .bmp, .dds)

Last but not least are textures. Textures are the "skins" that cover the wireframe meshes (above). Textures can be .bmp, .dds, or .tga files.

They are a little simpler. All textures go in the C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files\Textures folder. There are typically no sub-folders used here (although if I remember right, sombody's mod I once downloaded did use a sub-folder).

There is a little bit of a rub though: Texture files can be the same as icon files (no .bmp files though (.dds and .tga)), so don't make the mistake of putting icon file textures into the textures folder and expect mod nirvana. Usually if you misplace an Icon texture, you'll see a "default" icon in you're inventory menu (all white box with crossed red circle). This is not a "game threatening" situation, so if you see this just go on about your business and move the texture to the right folder at your leisure.

One other note: Some .nif files have their associated textures imbedded, meaning that you will see no other textures included with the mod (could be a "mix", though). You will know these because their files size will be quite a bit larger than typical .nif files.

There are other types of files that I'm not going to cover here. There aren't many uses of them. These include mostly sound files. Maybe you'll get the general idea from the above.

What this is all leading up to:

First thing: Open the file with your decompression program and take a look at the contents. Make a mental note of the number and types of files. I don't know about other .zip programs, but mine does not show directory structure, just the files. However, directory structure is usually in there (coded??). Having some idea of what files are in the mod (compressed file) will help you determine if the extraction went as planned.

Generally, if you've got your extraction program (winzip, etc.) set up to extract the contents of the compressed file (mod) to the correct target folder, all will go as planned. If the readme says to extract to the Data Files folder, then aim your extraction program there and extract. Now... Open explorer, and check to see if the thing looks like it extracted correctly. Again, generally, if you see the .esp in the appropriate folder (C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files), then the thing probably extracted correctly.

The following is important!

The next thing to check is to see if you've got another Data Files folder under the real Data Files folder. If you see this, then the mod (.zip, .rar, .ace) file did not extract correctly. Delete the new Data Files folder (NOT THE ORIGINAL), and point your extraction program to C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind (one folder higher) instead, and extract again... and again, at least check to see if the .esp file is in the C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind\Data Files folder.

At this point, you should be seeing a pattern here. Yes, Binky, not all is as it should be...

That's the reason that many of us extract the mod to a temporary folder, and then hand place the files into the appropriate folders under the Morrowind folder. Done this way, you'll be able to see the directory structure, too.

I typically copy them instead of moving them, and keep the temporary folder that I origianally extracted the mod to. That way, if you want to remove the mod at a later date, you have a permanent record of what files were included with the mod.

I quit!

My fingers are tired.

Somebody else finish it...

We (at least me) do not make these mods intentionally difficult to install. It's just that not all things go as planned, and it's a shame when a modder spends a bunch of time to make an excellent mod, and then sees questioning posts because installation didn't go right for someone.

Please bear with us.

And best of luck to you prospective modees out there. There are some truly wonderous mods floating around, and if you enjoy the game as much as I do, then installation isn't as much of a chore. Even done manually. A few times and you'll get it...

Either that, or we'll see more posts about....

"Big yellow boxes!" (yep... you guessed it...

)

(PS-My appologies to the individual who coined the term "Big yellow boxes". You were one of the reasons I've sat here since Tuesday typing this post (4.5wpm not counting errors). Hope you understand it was all in good fun.)

--------------------
Grumpy
My mods

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