Joining a modding group

Dragonfolk2000

I would like to learn how to do modding and since this it one of my favorite game series I figured I would start with the BG trilogy. Is there anyone who can help me get started or have a group that can help me get started with them?

Ward

Hey @Dragonfolk2000!

Please read this http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/2573/help#latest

My posts there should help. If you need step by step help, PM me.

Dragonfolk2000

While I appreciate the link I was meaning that I wanted to make my own mods and share them with others. I've got a billion and one ideas and I want to get them out.

DougPiranha

Spellhold Studios allows you to upload your mods freely, they end up here:
http://www.shsforums.net/forum/234-miscellaneous-released-mods/

zarffyn

This is pretty comprehensive:
http://www.shsforums.net/topic/29919-the-modder-resource-centre-updated/

There are roughly 3 main modding communities:
http://www.spellholdstudios.net/
http://www.gibberlings3.net/
http://pocketplane.net

They cross paths a lot.

I shelved learning to mod until after BGEE releases, but I've done a lot of research and digging up to this point.

Hope this helps!

Dragonfolk2000

I think this is what I was looking for.

It would make more sense to start when BGEE enhanced edition comes out but I think I need to get a head start since I have virtually no experience with doing this. I have done some editing for NWN2 before... and screwed up my installation but hey, at least I had some laughs... and some crying when I realized that I really couldn't make the mystic theurge or my very own spellcasting class.

zarffyn

@Dragonfolk2000 My thought process is currently to wait until some of the more experienced modders release or re-release mods for BG:EE, and then take it apart to examine it. Personally, I'm most interested in writing joinable NPCs (hopefully with their own quests). And I learn best by just doing it, see what works, and what breaks.

Dragonfolk2000

Based on what I've read so far the best way for me to learn is to take apart other people's stuff to see how it works?

CoM_Solaufein

Learn from other peoples work, learn how the game works. Learn from tutorials on the modding sites.

The best mod to make for a beginner is a store. What you do is make your own store (.sto file), make your own custom items (.itm files), make your own store clerk (.cre files), make your dialog for the clerk (.dlg files) and then package it. Now you just learned to create four different things for a simple mod. They are the basis of your typical mod that you find out there.

zarffyn

@CoM_Solaufein

That's an incredibly helpful idea, thank you. I'll explore that.

CoM_Solaufein

Back in the days of old I learned by making custom items. Back in the old days there wasn't any mods, just custom items, custom spells until Dark Side of the Sword Coast came out. We didn't even have a good dialog tool until Weidu came out. So modding has come a long way.

Dragonfolk2000

CoM_Solaufein said:

Learn from other peoples work, learn how the game works. Learn from tutorials on the modding sites.

The best mod to make for a beginner is a store. What you do is make your own store (.sto file), make your own custom items (.itm files), make your own store clerk (.cre files), make your dialog for the clerk (.dlg files) and then package it. Now you just learned to create four different things for a simple mod. They are the basis of your typical mod that you find out there.

This sounds exciting. I have tomorrow off from work so I know what I'm doing then.