Modders Resources

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Resources for Modders

The modders community is constantly adding new resources for NWN2. Almost all of these resources can be found in an online repository site known as the Neverwinter Vault. Among the list of resources, new 3D models (faces of NPC, hairstyle, clothings) probably made up the largest category. Many of these 3D models are ready to be used as Placeables in a game mod. Some of the 3D models may be piece-meal changes (like additional heads for swapping out), but others are Pre-Fab, or sets of pre-grouped models that may constitute furniture in a tavern, or Pre-Fabs for an entire Area (such as houses in a small town, or other locations).


Unzippers

In order to take advantage of these 3rd party resources, you may require to download and install additional tools along the process. Because 3D models can be quite large, many developers will compress them before distribution. One of the useful programs you should get is 7-zip (available at [[1]]) — an open source unzipper, available in 32- and 64-bit, and can take care of several file compression formats: including .7z, .rar, .zip, .gz, and .tar files. Best of all, it is free!

Other common unzippers include: WinRar (for *.rar, and *.zip files), and Winzip (for *.zip files). Both are commercial products that require purchase.


Text Editor

A text editor is also very useful. Although NotePad is include with Windows, it is not suitable for "programming" because it adds funny characters to the EOF (End of File) and may mess up you text file. Most programmers prefer TextPad, or Crimson Editor. The former is not free, but the later is.

[Note: Although NWN2 is also available for MAC (finally!), but the modding community is by and large a PC-based community. Hence, I will not be covering NWN2 modding in MAC. (Sorry!)]

Custom Contents

Many custom contents, such as the one below (Pocket Ship by RWS ) contains a number of HAK, 2DA, MOD, and ERF files, and each serves a purpose. The HAK files are meant for playing only, and the 2DAfor modding. The ERF contains important scripts used in the game, and MOD is an actual playable module (in this case, as a DEMO) to showcase the 3D models distributed in the custom contents.


HAK Files

HAK files contain the 3D model required for playing. If a developer created a 3D model called "Jack Sparrow", and then distribute the mod, a player must not only download the MOD file (which contains the game), but also the HAK (pack), which contains the model needed to "display" Jack Sparrow in the game.

So, if you only want to distribute a game you created for others to play (and not allow them to use the model you created in their own game mod development), distribute just the MOD, and HAK files.


ERF Files

2DA FIles

Useful Plug-ins

  • RePlug: Recompilation of older (abandoned?) plugins (salvaged and updated by tani)


Useful Tools


NWN2 Server


Tutorials Sites

  • NWN2 Scripting - A series of lessons in C using the NWN2 scripting environment. A great way to learn how to create your own NWN2 scripts, modify existing ones and learn a powerful programming language at the same time. These lessons start from the very beginning. If there could be a "NWN2 Scripting for Dummies" this would be it.


Modder Groups

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