Making MODS info?

[Minotaur]

Hi all,

Y'know, the more time I spend (now that I have learned about it) with MODS/add on's and custom characters and the like, the more enjoyable I find the whole process. I mean, for any of the add on's to be there, SOMEBODY had to make them, right?

Then I D/L'd the IEEP from BGteem. (close enough)

Anyway, I think I would like to start making my own mods/kits add on characters, etc, but I am wondering if anyone knows where I can get some basic info? Is there a FAQ for mods, kits, character creation or item making anyplace around here?

Or maybe I should just put up a post asking for advice/help in the classified section here?

One last thing... Look, I KNOW that these types of questions must sound stupid coming from a newbe, I have read the FAQ and am trying to tread lightly. Please don't think to harshly of me - EVERYONE has to start SOMEWHERE and I thought a good place would be asking the people who might know (that would be y'all ) for their imput.

Thank You.

Minotaur

[Mini Me]

dont worry, its not a stupid question. My advice is you explore all the forums at TeamBG and Forgotten Wars.

These are the two biggest modding communities and have lots of advice floating around. They also have pages of tutorials, tutorials.teambg.net and Forgotten Wars' tutorials.

Of course that is just BG2 there.

[Robnark]

if you're just starting out, I'd highly reccomend neverwinter nights. the toolset that comes with it makes it very easy to create incredibly varied mods, even without learning its scripting language.

[Minotaur]

Thanks, I may have to look into that, again.

Actually, I played with that lil toolset awhile back and had mixed results. Got good until the part where I had to join the parts of the dungeon then things went south.

I’ve been fooling around with the BG2 Kit Creator today and having decent enough luck with it. EXCEPT…

I do fine (I think) until I get to the part that brings up a screen labled “Spells/Abilities” – at that point I hit a wall. I am supposed to “Add Spell” and “Add Ability” but when I punch either I open a screen and have to go looking for them…and they are not to be found. I even looked in my GG files and not much luck, what few spells I found …I had no idea of what they were or do. As for abilities I am completely lost. Can someone explain this or give me some hints?

Along the same lines… Using the IEEP I am looking in to making new items (swords and such for a start.) and I have figured out (I think) that I need to open an exhisting file and then start to play with it to get it where I want it, then save the new one. Okay. Problem, what is what? I mean, I can (kinda guess that a file with the letters SWO in it PROBABLY mean sword. As to WHAT it is to start, what the playing piece looks like and what kind of sword it is remains a mystery. Does one have to memorize Every BG item along with their code designation in order to make items? Seems like a lot to remember, even if one writes Everything down. Looked at the “CHLOE” MOD and it looked as though HER weapons were designed originally from weapons in the game. So, with that in mind…

Ditto for the “MAKE STORE” and “CREATE NPC” via the IEEP … Open exsiting files and do what needs to be done, then save. But FINDING the files and then figuring out just what they are to start is making me bang my head against my desk until my forehead has a nice glossy shine to it. I think I am going to concentrate on Kits and Items for now, one must crawl before walking, but I would be interesting in how it is done.

Last character creation. I am muddling through, Visual Basic dropout that I am. Doing okay I guess, learning anyway and understand the “IF~” “THEN~” thing as a sort of cause and effect programming that allows my character to move and interact. Two questions on that though. To move/interact and have dialog in this form (character reacting and/or talking to PC/NPC) doesn’t that mean that the “IF~” “THEN~” business would have to include options for EVERY LINE used by EVERY (Possible) CHARACTER (Combination) In EVERY AREA in the ENTIRE GAME? The “IF~” “THEN~” possibilities being… oh, a few million I am guessing. Uhm, I am a reasonably intellegent type but my mind boggles at trying to remember every bit of code/dialog possible for every character in a game this size.

On the Other end of character creation, how does one come up with the LOOK of the character in the game? Again going back to look over the “CHLOE” MOD I find she looks a bit like NALIA. Does one just take a template and play with the look? If so, where does one FIND the template?????

A little advice please if ya can?

I could begin asking about the BG creature maker but again I want to concentrate (mostly) on kits and items right now. Besides, my forehead is shiny enough as it is.

One step at a time.

Minotaur