Mod tools....DO what ?

[kesa82]

Pack file manager - as the name says ( though its easy for the beginner, hit with a kaleidoscope of new information, to overlook the name of the tool ) this tool manages pack files. You don't actually do individual modifications, like changing a generals name, changing your factions grenadier morale number , etc, with this tool. ( ? )
The primary use of this tool is to create your own mod file , and extract the files that particularly concern the modifications you wish to make , into your own mod file. ( ? ) So that you don't have to actually change the original game files. And you don't want to change the original game files, because if you make one typing mistake, you are left with an unplayable game, or, at least, a game you then have to uninstall, reinstall, and go through the whole steam update nightmare all over again. ( ? )

DBEditor -- Once you have created your own mod file with the pack file manager, and extracted the files you need into that mod file, also with pack file manager, you use this tool to edit / modify the specific data you wish to edit / modify inside your mod file. ( ? )

ESF Editor -- Same thing as DBEditor ( ? ) only with this tool you are specifically concerned with editing / modifieing data that can only be edited at the games start position ( i.e. 1700, i.e. when/where the game starts after you click on campaign game, click the faction of your choice, and click again. ) or "startpos "

problems -- there is clearly some overlap in the uses of DBEditor and ESF Editor , that is, you could use either one to edit/ modify , or must use both to edit / modify. ( ? )
But this has not been clearly and precisely spelled out.

-- in discussions of Esf Editor there is quite frequent mention of saved games. If Esf Editor only does, only can, edit / modify Start position data, why would one be at all concerned about a saved game 1704, or a saved game in 1750 ?
Can you use Esf editor to progressively work backwards to start position 1700 ? That is, many / most factions, for example, start the game with most of your generals, ministers, etc, having few traits or ancillaries. So there is little or nothing that you can add to a character. In some cases you couldn't even borrow it from another faction. For example, recently I went looking for a Bishop ancillary in any faction leader in 1700. Not one faction leader had a Bishop.
I finally found a Bishop in a faction leader .....in a 1764 saved game.
So either you simply cannot give a faction leader a Bishop in 1700, or you can add a bishop to your faction leader in 1700 by "importing " it from a faction leader in a saved game 1764.
Ok, I'm sure this information IS found somewhere in a tutorial thread ---buried on page 16, with accompanieing screen shots that have since been removed from photobucket.
The point is that the answer to this question is not necessarily obvious or self-evident to the beginner !
It does not necessarily relate to an individual persons particular desires, goals, or perspective.
No doubt there are persons who wish to, or are satisfied with, modding the game from 1764 on.
But for me, personally, the only start date that interests me is 1700.
But never mind me. this question is basic, elementary, fundementally relevant, to startpos.
Yet in no tutorial I have seen is it addressed explicitly, with emphasis, seperately, as an issue of significance unto itself.

advice -- I am grateful for these tutorials. After all, I could not have written this much without having the benefit of these tutorials to study in order to inform me.
But, if you are going to write a tutorial, please strive to be meticulously precise. Assume as little as is practically possible in your reader.
For example, previously in this post I could have written , " Once you have created your own mod file, and extracted the files you need into that mod file ....."
Enstead I wrote , " once you have created your own mod file with the pack file manager, and extracted the files you need into that mod file, also with pack file manager ...."
I added the additional words because the reader is not necessarily already familiar with the process.
Hopefully the additional information more precisely describes the process.
It is tedious and boring to write this way, and no doubt it is tedious and boring to read it. But a person does not read an instruction manual for entertainment.
Though, granted, an abridged tutorial is better than no tutorial at all.

--- A tutorial that explains WHAT these Mod Tools DO should be written and stickied. Doubtless a person is going to be obliged to read a great many seperate tutorials and other miscellaneous threads in order to learn how to mod this game, or to learn how to mod any particular detail .
None-the-less, a single tutorial that answers this question ; "what is each mod tool used for ? " ( never mind the "how " ) would be beneficial at this point.

---What, are tutorials copyrighted ? When a tutorial is not being actively serviced another forum member who is willing to service it should be allowed to edit it and make additions to it ---if forum mechanics allow it ( ??? )
As things stand , tutorials commonly turn into 4 pages of what is really two guys socializing, and / or important questions are answered 16 pages into it, but never added to the OP because the original poster has been inactive 6 months. This is ridiculous.
Tutorials are really no place for personality or individual interests.
Do they quit updating a dictionary because one expert quits answering their mail ?

[Isabelxxx]

This post is too long for humans... XD you can post my PMs for making tutorials XD
I'm agree with you, there are too many things which are not necessary and necessary things which are not written.

[Grimstoned]

I wish for a "How to Mod Empire for Dummies" type of tutorial. Everything is such a hassle to figure out. Too bad noone cares enough to get it sorted out and translated for the casual gamer to understand and put into use.