Question to all modders..

**Tony Jaa** · July 30, 2009, 10:51 PM

I just wanted to ask, what is the first things you all modders would focus on when starting a mod? Like I was thinking of starting a mod but i dont know where to start. I am completely new and have been inspired after finally winning a campaign with the julii in vanilla and also being inspred by all the new mods comming out and i want to try it out for myself.

**Augustus Lucifer** · July 30, 2009, 10:59 PM

The best advice I can give you is not to start a mod. If you really want to become a modder and learn how to mod, I'd recommend joining up with an established team that is doing some of the things you are interested in. You should read this thread immediately before getting your feet wet, I recommend Professor420's and Dol Guldur's articles first, and if you read through those and still decide that starting a mod is for you, then read the rest of them which provide some helpful tips in that respect.

**C.M.** · July 31, 2009, 09:23 AM

The first thing i recommend is to learn how to set up a mod folder. Once that's done, you can use it to make modifications to the vanilla game and figure out which aspects of modding appeal to you the most.

**B. Ward** · July 31, 2009, 12:19 PM

Plan out the general concept and outline my work flow and goals. Have to have a gameplan before just diving in.

**DisgruntledGoat** · July 31, 2009, 12:23 PM

Never done anything before at all? Start small with set goals. Such as, adding a new unit to a faction. Adding a new region to the map. Then move onto adding a new faction entirely with new regions. If you are artistically inclined then move onto making your own units for the faction instead of reusing vanilla art assets. Once you can do all that you should be able to start your own mod. Then it just comes down to developing the right scope for your abilities, laying out a game plan and not letting anything divert you from that game plan.

**MasterOfNone** · July 31, 2009, 04:07 PM

Follow the advice of those who have seen at least 2-3 mods through from start to finish

**alpaca** · August 02, 2009, 10:02 AM

Meh, I usually just start typing and figure out things as I go along

Of course, I don't usually finish projects I start with so I'm not really the person to ask

**Comrade the Colonel** · August 04, 2009, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by Tony Jaa

I just wanted to ask, what is the first things you all modders would focus on when starting a mod? Like I was thinking of starting a mod but i dont know where to start. I am completely new and have been inspired after finally winning a campaign with the julii in vanilla and also being inspred by all the new mods comming out and i want to try it out for myself.

what skills do you have? What would you like to do? For example, would you like to model? Code? Script? 2D Art? etc. Once you decide on that, you need to build up your experience.

If you would like to model, i would recommend getting Ms3d and play around with some vanilla models. Then you should get a trial for another program, 3DS max, Maya, etc and see which one fits your bill. You should practice modeling everyday. At first they may not look like you want them to, but read on some tutorials, google is your friend.

If you would like to do 2D art, i suggest getting Photoshop or Gimp. Read tutorials for them on the web. Try modifying vanilla textures

If you would like to code/script, i suggest you play around with the games text files. Make sure you back them up though. TWC has loads of tutorials for this section.

Once you have a good base in 1 or more of these areas, you should be ready to begin your own mod. I recommend that you take a few days to plan out your mod. Set goals for yourself. Have a well thought out, detailed plan. Once you are done with that, post a thread in the proposals forum. You may also want to have some work done, if you can.

I hope this helps

**Killerbee** · August 05, 2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by P.A.

what skills do you have? What would you like to do? For example, would you like to model? Code? Script? 2D Art? etc. Once you decide on that, you need to build up your experience.

If you would like to model, i would recommend getting Ms3d and play around with some vanilla models. Then you should get a trial for another program, 3DS max, Maya, etc and see which one fits your bill. You should practice modeling everyday. At first they may not look like you want them to, but read on some tutorials, google is your friend.

If you would like to do 2D art, i suggest getting Photoshop or Gimp. Read tutorials for them on the web. Try modifying vanilla textures

If you would like to code/script, i suggest you play around with the games text files. Make sure you back them up though. TWC has loads of tutorials for this section.

Once you have a good base in 1 or more of these areas, you should be ready to begin your own mod. I recommend that you take a few days to plan out your mod. Set goals for yourself. Have a well thought out, detailed plan. Once you are done with that, post a thread in the proposals forum. You may also want to have some work done, if you can.

I hope this helps

Good tips , but i'd still suggest the most basic coding first : EDU , DMB , ... Just get used to the most basic text files , also like descr_strat and stuff .. And 2d art can also be used for Symbols and stuff

Oh , and don't forget mapping . Adding regions is pretty easy , and making maps based on real-world maps (like Asia or stuff) is also easy , with the right tools (3Dem , ...)