ok im trying to make a book that looks like the redoran ledger, and for the inventory image its using

m\tx_octavo_open_03.tga 

but when i try to find the file it says it doesnt exist when it obviously exists because the book is using it. so how do i find this file?

Are you looking for the file in your MW folder? If so, then you won't find it, as it is packed in the .bsa. There are three options:
1) make a copy of an existing book (open it's properties, change the ID and save)
2) find the files on the CS disc (not sure how does it look in the case of later releases like GotY)
3) unpack the .bsa and find the file.

All the Bethesda files are packed away in a BSA, and that's where the game reads them from.
You'll have to open & browse your BSA and pull the file from there.

I use BSA Browser, but there are others too. http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Utilities.Detail&id=32

i had a feeling that that was why i couldnt find them haha

thanks for clearing that up

EDIT: how do i use the bsa browser? i looked on the MW cd throught the browser and tried to open but wheni went to data files->icons->m there was nothing there?

You use the BSA browser on Morrowind.bsa in your Data Files folder

Though if you have the files on the CD, link to them in the CS - the game will load them from the .bsa normally.

how do i link them to the CS?

The files are on the Construction Set CD. Open it and look under Data Files.

i have the GOTY CD so there is no CS CD.

As I said - if you have all the files unpacked on the CD/DVD browse the disc from the CS and choose the files (basically go from X\Morrowind\Data files to disc\Data files). Otherwise you'll need to unpack the .bsa.

Oh, and take a look in the Show us what... thread

i tried unpacking the BSA, at the bottom it said BSA unpacked into C:\program files\bethesda softworks\morrowind\data files but when i look for it, its not there, none of the stuff from the BSA is there.

Hmm, what system do you use? I know theres a problem with files in C:Program Files in Vista... Also check the folder where you've put the BSA program - just in case the files went there...

im on vista, i guess that explains it.

EDIT: just found an easier way, i did what you said earlier and created a new book by editing the id of the old one, thanks!

If you're just creating a new Object, that is the way to do it.
The only time you need the file is if you are going to alter it in some way.