I'm pretty much ready to release an Alpha for my mod, but I haven't actually released a mod before. My mod in the CS isn't even a Windows file, so how can I, erm, 'extract' the contents of the mod and turn it into a file so I can release it? It shows up in my Data Files in the launcher, but not anywhere else. What do I have to do?

To make this easier, pretty much, how do I turn what I made in the CS into a mod?

When you create new content in the CS, the first time you save you'll be asked to name your mod (ie MyHouseMod). Then in your data folder you'll see your mod there (ieMyHouseMod.esp) this .esp file is an Elder Scrolls Plugin, or a mod. To release your mod, put a copy of it into a new folder and zip it as an archive (ie .7z, .zip, .rar) then upload it to your site of choice. If you only modded things using the assets provided by the game, then that file is all you need to redistribute.

If you are still confused, or if you used modders resources to make your mod, I recommend a program called http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8489. All you have to do is run TES4Files, show it where your data folder is, check your mod and then click Export, and TES4Files will pack your mod up for you.

Good Luck, and ask more questions if you're still confused. :foodndrink:

Well, if you haven't made new textures and/or meshes, nor have you made new sounds, etc. - worked solely on the Vanilla stuff - you can simply pack your .esp and possibly some instructions on what it contains and how to install and so on, and upload in on tesnexus, or any other site you see fit. If you have done new stuff to the game, I don't know any fast solution to tie it all together, so you'd have to just include the root folder and the subfolders containing the new things in the pack by selecting them manually.

I haven't released any mods yet, so I don't really know the tricks, but if someone corrects me on this, I am happy to know that everything doesn't have to be manually after all

EDIT: Well well, I am beaten once again! With a better solution Thanks, Darkrder.

That's the thing, it isn't showing anywhere, literally. I tried looking in the start menu in the search area but it doesnt show. But still, the mod is in the CS saved there and the name shows at the top. I don't know what to do.

What is your OS?(No, it's not off-topic. I'm serious)

OS? Sorry, not friendly with too many abbreviations.

If you are using Vista or Win7 check your data folder for a folder called Compatibility Files (usually at the top on the window toolbar thing); your mod should be there.

It happens when you install Oblivion to the Program Files default location on Vista or Win7 because those operating systems think mods are trojans and so it moves them somewhere isolated. If that's your trouble, it's best to reinstall to C:\BethesdaSoftworks instead of C:\ProgramFiles\BethesdaSoftworks (once you have your mod safely out of your data folder)

I didn't install it in program files, so does it still apply or what?

If that's the case, then no it shouldn't apply. I'm puzzled. Have you been able to play test your mod in game?

Yes, I have. It seems like the mod itself is invisible to everything but shows up in the game and CS.

I'd say go in your data folder and look for a compatibility files link, it shouldn't be invisible. :blink:

Hang on, I may just have something.
I went into the CS and only opened the Oblivion master and hit save, the mod shows up there but not in the actual file outside of the save. Is there anything I could do with what I have opened?

Yes, when you hit save, at the top of the window you can see the file path of that folder you see your mod in. Should look something like:

Computer > Local Disk (C:\) > BethesdaSoftworks > Oblivion > Data

Post back what your path shows as, when you can see your missing mod in the save window.

I just turned it into a 7z file. Is it all ready to go?
It looks like http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8357/17231069.png.

It looks like you archived a shortcut, I don't think it will function. You need to zip the actual .esp file

A mod would not appear in your MyDocuments > Games folder either

I know, I just moved it there. Let me look around to see if I can find it. But, in the CS the icon next to the mod had a little picture of a padlock on it, so is it like locked or something?

When you moved it it didn't move, only made a shortcut. Do you have the primary account access to your computer or are you a secondary user?

I'm a secondary user.

It sounds like you don't have the needed permissions to move files from your data folder, you may need to ask the primary user to do so for you. I can't say for certain.

That svcks. I'll give it a try.

Nope, nothing worked. Couldn't find it even on the primary account.

Can you take a picture of your data folder window?

Download and install http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8489 See if you can use it to find and export your mod.

That won't work for him, because he doesn't know what's in his data folder. If he can't find the esp he's unlikely to be able to find a sub directory in said folder.

So let's start at the beginning again.

1. Can you find where Oblivion installed?

2. Can you find the sub-directory "Data" in the install directory?

Upload that file to hotfile or something for us, cause it looks like you got the file if its correct, and you only have to copy that into Oblivion\Data folder, then use tes4files(link above from vyper) and point it to that file, and your done

That pic you got looks like you 7zipped the short cut, delete the 7zip first, now right click the other file and go to properties, click shortcut tab if its not already there, now you have the path where it is, and by the short cut you have the name of the file to find it. :celebration: or will it be :brokencomputer:

The file name starts with

dlcpluginMarkynCouncilmehrunesdagon

You got a couple questions up above there as well, especially if what i posted turns to be fruitless

One more question, is this pc a freinds or family, or work pc, or higher education pc? If its higher education, they tend to like to run deep freeze on them, and you may need to seek tech support

btw Darkrder i love your pic hehe