Making simple mods

[AussiePatriot]

So, anyone who's had any modding experience, if I've just made a few simple edits to a couple files (.scr files) inside the main game's .pak files and want to make a mod from it - do I simply just inlcude the file with the edits I've made inside of the same file structure that's in the game install, then zip the file - then rename it to .pak?

[DeVeers]

make a data3.pak or data4.pak and offer it to others (this pak only needs to include the modified files, not all the files)

also, what mod did you make?

[AussiePatriot]

Originally posted by DeVeers:

make a data3.pak or data4.pak and offer it to others (this pak only needs to include the modified files, not all the files)

also, what mod did you make?

I guess the .scr file I've edited needs to keep the same file structure as where the original .scr file is located in the main game's .pak file?

[AussiePatriot]

Retrievable arrows

[XeRnUno]

1st rule when you start to mod: always make a backup of your save file before you test changes. Sometimes a single ";" is enough to wipe your complete inventory.

2nd part is: get the right tools. I would recommend 7-Zip (portable). Opens *.pak files and with F4 you can open and edit *.scr files on the fly with the Windows Text editor.
Plus a pro Texteditor with a compare option. NPP+ and a Compare Plugin is free to use.

then zip the file - then rename it to .pak?

Might work, but renaming a file won't change its header.
Take the original data0.pak file, make a copy, open it with 7-Zip, delete everything.
Rename it to data2.pak and you have your empty mod to start with.

if I've just made a few simple edits to a couple files (.scr files) inside the main game's .pak files

Negative, DO NOT make edits in the original files.

do I simply just inlcude the file with the edits I've made inside of the same file structure that's in the game install

That's the way.
Drag out the files you want to edit from the original data0.pak file.
Make your changes, and put them into your own created data2.pak with the same file structure (that's important!).

Well, then just load the game, and see if it works.
You'll get a warning message in the main menu, but nothing to worry about.

[XeRnUno]

Originally posted by AussiePatriot:

Retrievable arrows

Nice one to start with.
From data0.pak copy out the scripts\inventory\inventory.scr

Look for Item("Bullet_Arrow", CategoryType_Ammo).
Change this: ArrowAttachProbability(1.0);

Save the file, put it in the pak, take care of the file structure (scripts/inventory).
Done.

[AussiePatriot]

Originally posted by XeRnUno:

1st rule when you start to mod: always make a backup of your save file before you test changes. Sometimes a single ";" is enough to wipe your complete inventory.

2nd part is: get the right tools. I would recommend 7-Zip (portable). Opens *.pak files and with F4 you can open and edit *.scr files on the fly with the Windows Text editor.
Plus a pro Texteditor with a compare option. NPP+ and a Compare Plugin is free to use.

then zip the file - then rename it to .pak?

Might work, but renaming a file won't change its header.
Take the original data0.pak file, make a copy, open it with 7-Zip, delete everything.
Rename it to data2.pak and you have your empty mod to start with.

if I've just made a few simple edits to a couple files (.scr files) inside the main game's .pak files

Negative, DO NOT make edits in the original files.

do I simply just inlcude the file with the edits I've made inside of the same file structure that's in the game install

That's the way.
Drag out the files you want to edit from the original data0.pak file.
Make your changes, and put them into your own created data2.pak with the same file structure (that's important!).

Well, then just load the game, and see if it works.
You'll get a warning message in the main menu, but nothing to worry about.

Cheers, some very useful there!