How the heck do I set up a mod!?

[rvmeder]

I know this has probably been answered, but I can't seem to get the right combination of terms into a search.

I have KSP installed through Steam. The folder (or directory for us old guys) is:

c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Kerbal Space Program

Now here's the issue - the stock parts and so on live in a subdirectory

...\GameData\Squad

Where the Flags, Parts, Props, etc. subdirectories reside. When I put the PRILLA escape rocket mod in the ...\GameData\Squad\Part subdirectory, the game doesn't find it. Now, there is another branch to the tree that goes:

c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Kerbal Space Program\Parts

The Parts subdirectory here is empty. If I load the Prilla mod there, the game can't find any of the stock parts and I lose my saved game (not a big deal, as I'm new to the game). If I delete the mod from that directory, my save rockets come back to life, but the saved game gets reset - the file is still there, but it says no missions are currently being flown.

So, what am I doing wrong? It's probably something absurdly simple, which is all the more frustrating. I love the game, being a space fan from the 60's, so I really want to add mods. Besides, I am one of the more advanced geeks in a Fortune 50 company, so this is starting to get to my self image!

Please note, the directory structure is "out of the box" from Steam. I generally let game software have it's own way because I never know what the developer had in mind and I've had some bad experiences in the past.

Thanks in advance!

[I'm Ant]

Some folders like parts and so on are old folders not used anymore.

All mods go in here
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\GameData

Dont empty a mods folder out after you unzip it just put the whole mod folder will all files in it in there. So the mod B9 Aerospace should just be one folder called B9_Aerospace. Dont put anything in Squad folder and don't have any spaces in the mod folder name.

[Fel]

I think you slightly misunderstood the install instructions.
If you install PRILLA, it should have a folder called like that in the archive you downloaded (or maybe even a folder calle GameData).

Basically, what you want is to have each mod have their folder in GameData, and each of those will have the directories "Flags", "Parts" and other as needed.

basically, if you open your Gameata folder, you should see one folder per mod installed (sometimes more, when they ship with plugins from other mods), each with the name of the mod (again, with some exceptions, like HOME being BobCatind, the author's name).

I hope it clears the misunderstanding, because the SQUAD folder is only there for the default parts, basically.

[rvmeder]

Thank you both - now I get the file structure - mods live in a self-named subdirectory under GameData. Makes perfect sense this way.

Couldn't get the Prilla one to work yet, but was able to install another one I wanted to add.

[Fel]

Prilla seems to be using the old model, a few mods need to be extracted ddirectly into the main directory of KSP, not in GameData.

Well, actually, there are 3 kind of mods install:
1. Using the old system, extracting parts and the rest directly in the root folder of KSP (putting parts in the Parts folder that's there).
2. Using the GameData way, much clearer an easier to delete and update.
3. Using GameData, but having craft files for ships and planes, they basically have two folders, GameData, with all the mod relate things, and Ships, with the craft files. Just extract this into the root folder of KSP.

So far, I have only seen a few mod stick to the method 1, but Prilla seems to be one of them.
Technically, you coul install all mods via method 1 instead, but it is a pain when you need to delete files for an update and things like that.

[CreamyManDude]

i lost my parts like files so wut do i do

[Majere]

The easiest way to manage MODS is to go to space port, and download KSBMODADMIN.
save to your desktop or wherever, and double click KSBMODADMIN.EXE to launch it.
Now once you get the window open run the MODBROWSER window in the top, That will bring you to spaceport where you can download, install, remove any MOD you like anytime you want. very easy to manage all your add ons, as well as it puts everything into the right folders for you automatically.