How do you guys typically go about making caverns and other underground related interiors?

I use my imagination.

That's what being creative is all about.


Get inspired, and get a plan.

I see something in real life, or another game, and I think, "How I can create that in Morrowind?" Or the inspiration can come from the characters and story of the mod. If you need a necromancer lair, for example, you use the resources you have to make one.

Also, much of the vanilla content (and other modders) is a great source of creativity. It also works as a platform to build your own ideas upon. But never copy/paste.


If you mean the actual work itself...

1. Place your NorthMarker (I hate when modders neglect a NorthMarker.)

2. Turn "Grid Snap" and "Angle Snap" on.

3. Using the NorthMarker as your starting point, build the outline of the entire layout. This can take a long time and will likely change as you progress, but it's helpful to have a plan already in mind.

4. Turn off the Snaps, and get creative with finer details. Add all the Statics to make the place unique. (rotate, re-size, flip upside down, etc.)

5. Add Lights, and never use the default Interior ambience colours. But copying similar Bethesda settings is a good place to start. (caves will look like caves, and taverns will look like taverns)

6. Add NPCs and other interactive elements.

7. Test everything in-game 50 times. When you think you're done testing, test some more.

8. Do more testing.


It's also very beneficial to go crazy and play around in the CS, just so you become aware of all that is possible and all of the options you have.