starting off.

[Seroth]

Im pretty new to modding, but i really wanted to do a good new almost TC mod but I felt stupid because that would be hard for me to do since this is new for me. But I had an idea of doing a whole bunch of smaller mods that would eventually be part of the final almost-TC mod. Then I would test those smaller mods and eventually reach the BIG TC mod.

Is this a good idea or should I just do regular smaller mods

[U-238]

Well, considering that you've just started out modding I'd stick with smaller mods right now. What you want to do early on is experiment with what programs you know. Seeing how different things have effects. Eventually you'll want to move onto better programs like Ice and IceCC wich are almost reqiered to do any good TCs. Also Tblpad is another good program to learn that is easy as well as MemGraft (even though it is outdated) and Arsenal Zero. So right now try to learn as much as possible. Don't go trying to become a master modder overnight. It takes time. Even I and quite a few other modders here still don't know everything.

[Seroth]

ok, i'll try to, but its really hard to fight off this ambition/excitement to make what I'm making right now.

[mongoose41]

ok, i'll try to, but its really hard to fight off this ambition/excitement to make what I'm making right now.Well, once you see memgraft, that ambition wears off real fast.

[Seroth]

i think someone just told me that's outdated so I don't think I will be seing memgraft anyway.

[DemonicArchon]

Indeed.Memgraft's only file now is for 1.13e..It would be updated but no original source file can be found, thus it cannot be updated...Also...Firegraft is in production. Do not ask when it will be done, because no one knows, not even the creator..RetroGrp is quite simple and i think graphics bring a whole new meaning to a game..That is one factor i love in tcs.....Good luck with your modding..O and U-238..I went to Ice in a matter of i'm guessing two days :)..Not hard..Then Icecc...Didn't do much with that, since it got messed up...But stick with aresenal three for a while...

[U-238]

Indeed Ice isn't hard but being as I only ise it for finding headers I don't use it much.
And MemGraft is still a good thing to learn even if it IS outdated.

[DemonicArchon]

Ya..ment to add that..forgot tho....Got to into talking bout firegraft...but ya mem is very handy..makes a tc so much more powerful..if used correctly that is..if just making heros trainable..makes a tc horrible...cuz then u jus buy heros and own all..which is fun sometimes

[Zaeyel]

Oo some people make a buncha small mods and eventually just put it into one MPQ and call it a pack.

[BSTRhino]

Yes Seroth, I think you've got the right idea. It's true, modding is hard and a lot of new modders do come in with these big ideas not realising how difficult it is do those ideas, and that's the main reason why most new modders quit within a week. I'm really glad you're not rushing this and you've already worked out that big TC mods do take a lot of skill, but I think given your attitude, you could definitely reach that goal some day, and that day will probably come sooner than you think. But in the meantime, modding is fun, even smaller mods are big achievements, so enjoy the journey and keep your enthusiasm, it'll get you far.

What I usually recommend is that your first mod is done using only DatEdit. It doesn't have to be a big mod so don't expect too much, but there is a huge amount you can do with DatEdit if you know how. DatEdit will probably be used in every single mod you ever make, so it's good to know how to use it. GrimTerror's first mod (The Grim Mod on StarCraft.org) was done entirely with DatEdit's obsolete equivalent Arsenal III, and it's a really good mod, and I think it's a shining example of the amazing things that can be done with just this one program.

Usually the next step after that is IceCC, although in the past some people have chosen to go for MemGraft or RetroGRP next. You can start off with simple things in IceCC just to get to know how to use it, but once you know how to use it, then you can start doing things like making things jump, spin and leave acid trails.

Generally I divide DatEdit into two sides, there's the stat changing side (units.dat, weapons.dat, upgrades.dat, techdata.dat, flingy.dat) and there's the graphics side (flingy.dat, sprites.dat and images.dat). The flingy.dat file kind of fits on both sides. Usually when you first start learning DatEdit you'll learn the stat-changing part, but after you've learn IceCC, it's fun to learn the graphics part. When you combine IceCC with some of those graphics-editing features in DatEdit you can really do some pretty cool things like create interesting new weapons. There was this idea of using a unit launching nukes as a weapon like the Ghost does which AqoTrooper did, that could be done with a combination of IceCC and the graphics-editing side of DatEdit. Also a lot of the special weapons in my mods couldn't be done without combining the two programs.

There's also other programs like MemGraft, SCAIEdit and RetroGRP which you can learn about, and of course, you don't have to wait until you've mastered IceCC. MemGraft is quite an important program too, except you're right, it's not compatible with the current version of StarCraft, which is a little bit annoying, so you'd have to downgrade to use it.

But anyway, there's my guide to learning modding, I recommend learning in that order because it seems most logical to me, but I'd love to hear what other modders think.

[DemonicArchon]

...Again a long post..But this time it's quite useful :) lmfao jk Rhino, ANyways. Yes that is a great order, because without datediting..Then a mod is not fun because it's the same old starcraft..Just new effects/graphics..That can be fun but boring at the same time..(unless you take away the 'attack..' command and use the 'usewepon...' command :). Then I don't mind..Some people just aren't ment for modding. Otherwise they wouldn't quit and they would learn to use programs..I kinda of recommend A3 for the very first mod or so. Because if you aren't careful(which i've done a couple of times) then you could click ona tab, forget which tab you were at(trust me it's very possible), and then lose some time finding it..Unless you look at all the tabs first then start. Plus even though it crashes less, I believe it is better to learn the basis of the newer programs....That's why I learned ice a tiny bit(Some cool stuff that i will be expirimenting with later on for all you Ice users), Then went to Icecc...Think of what you did Rhino..Course you had to wait :)..But if you don't understand how to make a air attack in Ice, think how much harder makeing and air attack..Plus not only must you add another header..If you want it to be different graphics and such you must add another codeblock..Then on top of that, you must change how many headers the units have..Well that's what I did anyways...

[Confuzed_Person]

If u have n e problems jus take a look and post on WB. Might take a day to get a reply(which can b a killer if ur on a roll) , but most of the day there r 3-4 ppl on that can help u. Best way to find things out is by exploring it, jus dont get frusturated.:D

[Seroth]

Might take a day to get a reply(which can b a killer if ur on a roll) , but most of the day there r 3-4 ppl on that can help u.

actually, i usually get at least one response back a day so far.