Edit an existing mod

[Cormwyr]

I can only find one reference to this through search, so apologies if this has been asked repeatedly. In that reference, the below is not possible.

I want to edit an existing mod for my own enjoyment. I'm not interested in publishing it. When I make a change, the original mod is re-downloaded, overwriting the changes I've made. For the mod in qustion, I've even tried unsubscribing from the original with no success.

Is it possible to edit a mod without uploading it to the workshop?

[Zunkey]

Go to C:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\Mods,
and copy the mod you wnat to edit. paste it on your desktop and turn it to a .zip instead of the file it is already.

The number/name of the mod file will be the same as its workshop id.
lets use Ectosage's mod for an example.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id= 709189094

is the link.
The end of it is: 709189094
So the mod in your files will be called 709189094.sbm

Copy it to desktop, and then edit the .sbm part of its name to .zip, extract and way you go.

Keep in mind, you can put the folder back into the appdata, where you got it; and keep it as a folder, not a .sbm/.zip; this is what modders do to update their mods, but its a local only mod and can only be used in offline modes.

[Cormwyr]

That worked perfectly, thanks!

[Dovahkiin]

I am interested in the same thing. But I am not following the instructions above. Can someone maybe re-explain it? Also can this be done for a game that's already in progress and using a mod? Basically I have a mod that limited amount of resources on asteroids in space and I want to adjust it because it's too restrictive for me personally to have fun. Thanks.

[Rox]

Originally posted by geneherr:

... I am not following the instructions above...

The instructions in the original answer are now partially incorrect as Steam has changed the way mods are processed.

It can be done for a game in progress.

Open an explorer window to:
<Steam installation path>\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\244850
and in there look for a directory name which is the workshop identity number of the mod:
eg for this mod:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2072578255

the directory you need which contains the mod files would be:
<path>\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\244850\2072578255

Copy the directory with its contents to:
C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\Mods

Then in the saved game load screen, go to the mods setting screen and change the mod from the workshop one to the local copy. Verify it loads ok and works, then you can edit the settings in the sbc file as desired.