[LIST] Usefull Modding Tools

[InsanitySorrow]

Usefull Modding Tools

This thread contains links and small descriptions of a number of useful modding tools. The listed tools will cover most levels of modding, from basic to advanced, all are colour coded to show user level. The details the thread provides are:

Name - The Applications name

Description - A small summary of what the tool does

Link - Link to the homepage or Download page, homepage is the preferred link due to it being the authors website

Colour key:

Basic

Moderate

Advanced

Here is the modding list, all sections and tools within them are all ordered Alphabetically, this ensures an easier read.

Archive Tools:

Name: TES4: Archive

Description: BSA Archive Manager

Link: Ron's Workspace

Name: BSA Commander

Description: BSA Archive Manager

Link: TESNexus

Name: TBSAOpt

Description: BSA Archive Manager

Link: TESNexus

Audio Tools:

Name: Audacity

Description: Free utility for recording and editing sound files

Link: Homepage

Name: Switch

Description: Easy to use Wav to MP3 convertor

Link: Homepage

Additional: VAP Workshop

CS Tools Tools:

Name: Construction Set Extender (CSE)

Description: An OBSE plugin that extends and fixes the Construction Set

Link: Download, BGS Thread

DDS Tools:

Name: DDS Converter

Description: This tool allows you to convert .dds files to tga, bmp, jpg (J-peg), psd, and even more formats, and then back again.

Link: TESNexus

ESP/ESM Tools:

Name: TES4 Edit

Description:

Link: TESNexus

Name: TES4 Gecko

Description:

Link: TESNexus

Misc Tools:

Name: BOSS

Description: Load Ordering Tool

Link: TESNexus

Name: Insanity's ReadMe Generator

Description: An Off-Line readme generator tool

Link: TES Alliance

Name: Insanity's Easy Launcher

Description: A very easy too use and simple launching app for Oblivion and the Construction set

Link: TES Alliance

Name: Jumble - Random Name Generator

Description: An easy to use Java based random name generator

Link: TES Alliance

Name: LHammond's ReadMe Generator

Description: An Online readme generator tool

Link: LHammond's Website

Name: ObResSort

Description: Sorts non Vanilla content from Vanilla content, including DLCs

Link: Download Link

Name: TES4 Files

Description: Packages your mod based on the files used within the ESP

Link: Homepage

Name: TES4LODGen

Description:Simple one-click LOD generator

Link: TES Nexus

Modelling:

Name: Blender

Description: An Open Source 3D Modelling Program

Link: Blender Homepage

Plugins: NifScripts

Name: GMax

Description: A smaller and free 3DS Max style modelling program

Link: GMax

Plugins: NifScripts

Name: Tree[d]

Description: A small application that can generate 3D Trees, these trees can then be exported and imported into Blender where they can be prepped for in-game use.

Link: Link

Multifunction:

Name: Oblivion Mod Manager

Description: Multifunctional utility

Link: Timeslip's Website

Additional: How To: Make a Omod, or Omod-Ready Archive

Name: Wrye Bash

Description: Advanced Multifunction modding tool

Link: Wrye Bash

Additional: Wrye Bash Pictorial Guide for Newbies

Nif Tools:

Name: NifSkope

Description: A Tool for viewing and editing (NIF) Files

Link: NifSkope

Name: NifPreview

Description: A simple tool that allows you to create preview images for your NIFs.

Link: TES Nexus

NPC Tools:

Name: Random NPC

Description: Randomly generates NPC details to aid in NPC creation

Link: TES Alliance

Name: Random Name Generator

Description: Randomly generates names for your chosen race

Link: TES Alliance

Professional Tools:

Name: Photoshop DDS Plugin

Description: Allows Photoshop to edit and save DDS format files

Link: Nvidia Website

Setup:

Name: mTES4 Manager

Description: Allows you to setup multiple Oblivion installs, great for those of us that want multiple setups

Link: BGS Thread

Name: Multiple Oblivion Manager - MOM

Description: The Queen of Multiple Install Management

Link: Download

Scripting:

Name: Oblivion Script Extender

Description: Extends Oblivion scripting system giving a modder new functions etc to use

Link: OBSE Homepage

Texturing:

Name: ColorPic

Description: A small application that can pick info about any color under cursor - very usefull if you spot some colours you like and want to "save" them for later for your future drawing projects

Link: Homepage

Name: FotoSketcher

Description: A little program which can easily make painting-like pictures from vaious photos, can be useful for those who do not want to use any other more complex graphics editors like PS or GIMP.

Link: Homepage

Name: GIMP

Description: An Open Source image manupulation program

Link: GIMP Homepage

Plugins: DDS Plugin, Normal Map Plugin

Name: Texture Replacer

Description: A tool to reskin the .NIF models used by Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3 and Fallout:New Vegas. Works well as a windows-program, but shows it's true power when used in the commandline, where it can replace several textures, in several files at once.

Link: TES Nexus

[grond]

Got one for you. Tes4Files by MentalElf - packages your mod's files for you.

Tes4Files Page

[InsanitySorrow]

Thanks Grond, will add it to the list

[Zaldir]

Nice list ;D

And by the way, Could you please make the colors of the text a little darker? Impossible to see in the Elder Scrolls theme.

[InsanitySorrow]

I will mess around with the colours and see what looks best. I am using the Basic theme you see

[Cliffworms]

Thanks for the list IS!

Much useful indeed.

I will add it to the database of the List of Lists.

[shadeMe]

Why don't I see ResSort anywhere in this page ?

[InsanitySorrow]

Thanks Cliff

Not got around to it yet Shade , Will add it ASAP for you

[PacificMorrowind]

gmax

free and wimpy version of 3dsmax, modeling program.

Pacific Morrowind

[InsanitySorrow]

Thank you Pacific, will add it to the list.

[PacificMorrowind]

also:

nifscripts for 3dsMax(and Gmax), Blender, and Maya

required tool for exporting/importing nifs with said modeling programs

also Maya and 3dsmax (unless this is a free tools only list?)

Pacific Morrowind

[InsanitySorrow]

Not got around to plugins etc yet, but thanks anyway

[InsanitySorrow]

Updated list, mostly with addition links for plugins etc

[grond]

Colors for Elder Scrolls theme Just a reminder that the pastel colors aren't visible in ES...

[InsanitySorrow]

Colors for Elder Scrolls theme Just a reminder that the pastel colors aren't visible in ES...

I know I know, gotta fix them

Edit: Colours should be ok now

[DarkRider]

IS< You might include Audacity for Dialogue Recording and Switch for Oblivion friendly WAV to MP3 conversions.

Both can be considered basic, but you might link to the VAP workshop tutorials

[InsanitySorrow]

Thanks DR, hmm I think linking to tutorials for those sounds good

[vometia]

Not sure if this is the place to ask, but does anyone know if there's an alternative to Construction Set out there, or if anyone's succeeded in replacing its somewhat cantankerous interface? I did hear a long while back that someone was attempting to write a replacement, though I wouldn't be surprised if nothing further has happened since (no disrespect to those involved) it's an extremely ambitious project. Tackling the interface might be a more realistic option (fully resizeable windows and being able to separate the NPC list and items lists, for example, would make life a lot easier) but I've never heard of such a thing. But that doesn't mean it hasn't happened - I may as well be optimistic.

As things are, I tend to mostly use TES4Edit for the fine-tuning side of things since it's quite a lot less painful than CS, though that's already listed in the OP.

[InsanitySorrow]

I don't think any plans for an app like that ever took off, it'd be extremely difficult and require a team of really skilled modders, we can wish though

[alt3rn1ty]

InsanitySorrow - Under Multifunction / Wrye Bash, could you please also give a link for .....

Guide: Wrye Bash Pictorial Guide for Newbies

Edited November 21, 2010 by alt3rn1ty

[InsanitySorrow]

Added to the list

[alt3rn1ty]

Added to the list

Thank you, I was going to suggest one for OBMM too, but I have lost where I found it, pretty sure it was by Khettienna somewhere on this site

Edit: Found it -

Edited November 21, 2010 by alt3rn1ty

[ibbeebee]

mTes4 should be on the list most usefull new tool on the block probably in there with Wrye & Obmm Beebee

Edited January 23, 2011 by ibbeebee

[Meo]

Texture Replacer, very useful for troublesome nifs that behave strangely after using nifskope to retexture, like havoked signs that falls apart or waving flags that dont wave anymore.

[InsanitySorrow]

Added