I have no idea where to start. I've done some modding, but never created my own mod.

I'd like to make a mod where there is a large tent with a vendor or vendors who sells special equipment for different factions, mostly having to do with frostfall and other mods surrounding that. So Like I am envisioning different factions having different cloaks and tents and things like that that these vendors will sell you. I was thinking it would be placed near Whiterun city. Cloaks are fine, but I would like something more specialized for each different faction. So say the dark brotherhood would have a jet black bear coat and the college of winterhold would have think robes that were closer to a dark purple tint or something like that. Also, I'd like to be able to buy the recipe for or by different factions tents. This would signify that you are of that faction. This would mean that you might get visitors from that faction to join you at your temporary home. Would be cool to implement as similar thing that Fallout 4 has where your tent could get attacked when sleeping or something. You would get interrupted by your faction buddies waking you up and telling you that we are being attacked.

That is my pipe dream at least.. So if anyone knows how to get started on making my own mods, I would really appreciate it.

That's not a bad idea in fact I like, but I would like to give you a word of advice.

Start small like my http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1605758-relz-skyrim-map-markers/ mod and all I needed to learn was how to place a static map marker into the game in the CK.

Also, check the http://www.creationkit.com/index.php?title=Category:Tutorials at the Creation Kit wiki and try to do this or that in the CK.

There is also another source of tutorials and that's http://tesalliance.org/forums/index.php?/forum/119-tutorial-library/ and they even have a http://tesalliance.org/forums/index.php?/topic/7378-ck-basics-general-questions/ like you and me. I once tried that, but RL interfer so I never finish it.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for!

And ofc I wasn't thinking of starting with the presumed mod in question. I imagine my mod would be quite the undertaking, especially just starting out.

You're welcome.

In addition to Leonardo's excellent advice, I'd recommend learning how to use xEdit. Here is a link to a good tutorial video. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CQi7vnqXySc


Examining the structure of records in xEdit can give you greater insight into how mods work. It can also help you clean up any dirty edits you happen to make in the CK and let you identify conflicts with other mods and make it easier to make patches, etc. it's an excellent tool for modding.

Careful. Mod making can be more addictive than the game. My advice is to start small perhaps with a small cave or house or other mod that just uses the creation kit itself. Later you can try using Nifskope to make changes to nifs, Gimp or Photoshop for making or modifying textures, and if ambitious Blender for making entirely new models. But start with what can be done with just the Creation Kit itself, it's a lot.

The tutorials, especially the Visual/You Tube tutorials at creationkit.com are an excellent place to start. You tube also has many non-Bethesda tutorials that are useful.

And if you hit a snag the people here are very kind and helpful to beginners.

Thanks, took a look at the video, it will be very useful.

Thanks for the warning. You are right, I don't want to jump right into the deep end without knowing how to swim. To show my ignorance, I have never even heard of Nifskope, nifs, Gimp or Blender. IDK how much that stuff costs, but if its anything like photoshop, this could be a very expensive hobby. I was debating whether I would just do the mod with existing things already in the game since I knew that could be a real issue. I would like to know, however, if I can piece together different things within the game to make something entirely new. I am picturing this working like a frankenstein type thing where I just piece things together like legos. Also, I have already found out how helpful people can be here through these very comments in this thread. IDK what is ahead of me learning something like this completely from scratch, but I'm sure I will enjoy the process.

I am deciding now that I want to learn how to mod games because we have a brand new shiny release that is ripe for the pickings, only limited by our imagination. I am not thinking I am going to get rich or anything like that. I just want to know how to do this stuff because it really is interesting to me.

Nifskope, Gimp and Blender are all free. Photoshop is expensive but I believe there is a discount for students. I use Gimp instead as it is sufficient for my purposes.

You can do a lot with just the creation kit. R click an item like a table and chose duplicate and rename the duplicate. Rclick your renamed table and choose edit, to the right of the model box click edit again, another box opens that lists the textures that model (nif) uses, rclick to the right of one of those texures and chose new and you will get a list of alternative textures you can use for your table. Pick one and then save and you have a new retextured table only using the creation kit. Pretty simple. Just remember to Duplicate items, don't change or delete the original.

Much thanks, I will revisit this.