How To Add Mods To Dragon Age Origins

Contents

• 1 Editorial
• two Updates
• 3 Four ways of content adding
• 4 Dazip-Files and the daupdater
  • 4.i Updating a mod with the daupdater
  • iv.2 Deactivation and Uninstallation of .dazip-files
    • four.two.1 The Uninstall with the Toolset(unconfirmed)
    • four.2.2 The transmission Uninstall
  • 4.3 Force Loading Savegames
• v Modfiles that use the Override Folder
  • 5.1 Uninstallation/Updates of files that use the Override Folder
• six Using DAModder to manage mods
  • 6.1 How to install a Modernistic with DAModder
  • half-dozen.ii How to uninstall a Modernistic with DAModder
  • 6.3 How to make a Mod compatible with DAModder
• 7 Epilogue

Editorial

This Guide should cover the basic questions of how to go a Modernistic to work with your Vanilla Dragon Historic period game, how to update information technology and how to uninstall it propper. Its quite bones information, just everyone has to showtime somewhere, thats what this Guide is for. Read it and maybe you learn something new even if you retrieve y'all know how to do that already =)

Normally every Mod should have a Readme or Data posted how to go far work with your Game, but some dont, and when you are new to this kind of thing then y'all might not know what to do with those files you can download here. I can only cover the things i know, and i am myself no modder (yet), but i hope the information i can give may exist enough to get yous going if you have no clue on where to kickoff =)

All the locations i give you are for a Windows XP Operating Organisation, becouse thats what i have. Just the paths should not differ very much if you are using Vista or Win7. All screenshots prove german language language couse thats what i take, but i hope that dosent matter.

Its skillful to piece of work with a User Account on your Windows Os that has Administrator rights and to set all files and folders to visible on your PC if yous are dealing with mods, and so you dont overlook whatsoever files or run into access bug. Use google or ask in the Forum if y'all really have trouble with this things.

And lastly some mods need further tweaking or are dependent on other mods to piece of work, thats nil that can exist covered in this full general FAQ sadly, then inquire then the Mod-Author via Individual Message or in the comments of the mod you have problem with. If null helps ask in the Forums here, well-nigh frequently some other Member will assist you.

At that place is also another wiki commodity that discusses Dragon Historic period mods more generally : Using Dragon Historic period Mods for Dummies .

Now that DAModder is available i would recommend anyone to utilize that bully tool to manage the Mods for Dragon Age, instead of installing them with daupdater or manually. Run into more Info to that in section 3 of the Guide.

All mod authors are welcome to link to this guide!

Updates

All data here is based on Dragon Age Version ane.02 every bit it is on the 10-12-2009.

V1.0 initial release

V1.ane Updated 24-11-09: spelling errors, .dazips section expanded

V1.2 Updated 24-11-09: incooperated feedback, edited links, thank you section added, meliorate formatting, added updating .dazip-files section, header picture show added

V1.3 Updated 25-11-09: included a description how to uninstall .dazip files with the Toolset

V1.4 Updated 26-eleven-09: pocket-size spelling fixes, links & text-colors finally work in the Commodity, Updating Mods Section expanded, Force Loading Section added

V1.5 Updated 28-eleven-09: spelling & formatting, content overview added, Uninstallation/Updates of files that utilise the Override Binder rewritten, link to German version added

V1.5.2 Updated 06-12-09: German linguistic communication Commodity translation finished.

V1.half-dozen Updated 10-12-09: included DAModder section, cleaned up rest of the Article, many small tweaks here and at that place

Status Baronial 2010: Because my Focus changed from Dragon Historic period to other things, this Guide wont be updated any more. I am not sure if all Information is still accurate afterward that much time. Please take it as it is, and excuse eventual inacuracies.

Four ways of content adding

Offset you accept to know that Dragon Age has multiple ways to add together content to the game.

- At that place are the official Addons/Downloads (like Wardens Keep, ect.). Those are not covered in this Guide, looking up information for them in the offical Forums should help you if yous accept trouble with them. Bioware Social Network

- Then in that location are .dazip files (see 4.)

- And there are files that use the "override" Binder (see 5.)

- DAModder offers the easiest and all-time way to add together Mods to your Game. (come across 6.)

Dazip-Files and the daupdater

Some Mods you can download have the extension ".dazip", they are basically .zilch files that contain the files and settings for a mod that someone has created with the Dragon Age Toolset. Equally far every bit i know these Files are the preferended style from Biowares point of View of how to get a Mod installed into their Game.

Y'all could utilise the daupdater.exe to install these files. This updater is located where you installed the actual game in the bin_ship subfolder. The path is normally: "C:\Programs\Dragon Age\bin_ship\daupdater.exe" If you installed to some other drive or location you can find information technology there in the "\Dragon Historic period\bin_ship" folder.

Make sure your game is not running and go to that directory and run the daupdater.exe, y'all should get this Window on your Desktop.

Now you can just drag and drop the .dazip file into the window OR select it from your download location by pressing the "select DAZIP"-Button (or still its called in your language).

When you have done that you come across the .dazip file in the listing, (you lot could add together more 1 file and install them all ane after the other) now select it by clicking on it and press the "install selected" button.

Now the daupdater processes the file and after a short while y'all should run into something like in the next motion-picture show. Dont get irritated by the loading bar thats non fully filled, when it says installed and so its done.

You tin cheque the sucessfull installation when you click on the log tab as you see in the side by side picture, at the end of the log information technology says that it succeeded. (or that the Installation was chancelled because at that place was an Fault, ordinarily with a fault message/mention of the file that caused it) Basically the daupdater is similar a enchanced unzipper, information technology unpacks the contents of the .dazip-file into the correct location so information technology can be used past the game. Y'all could do it manually too if the daupdater.exe is non working for yous, but its alittle complicated. (normally the daupdater should only fail if your Game-Installation or your .dazip-File has a trouble)

This location (on winXP) is normally a new folder in the "C:\Documents and Settings\YOURNAME\My Documents\BioWare\Dragon Age\AddIns"-folder, the path differs alittle on win7 and vista simply its allways "...\BioWare\Dragon Age\AddIns", i am sure you will find it. Additionally most .dazip files besides put files into "...\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\core\data" and utilize the "Manifest.xml"-file to put information in the "AddIns.xml"-file both located in "...\BioWare\Dragon Age\Settings"

The reason i tell y'all this is, unless y'all use the DAModder, you cant uninstall this files automatically, and these are the places where you tin can detect what you installed, and so you can delete it later manually if you lot are not happy with what yous installed. More to that at the Uninstall Section.

But back to the installation, afterwards you installed the .dazip file y'all wanted to install you tin can shut the daupdater and start your Dragon Age game. Then click on "Download Content" (or any information technology is in your language)

In the window that popped up select the upper bar "installed content/mods", now you should have a new entry below all official content that is unremarkably green colored (not in the beneath pic) to testify yous that its new. When you select it it should give you boosted info to what it is in the correct info aerea. Make certain its enabled and activated by checking the box right side by side to the entry in the listing, it should say "Activated" below the modentry.

Basically your mod should at present be set up for play, its installed and activated now. Remember that some mods require additional steps or are dependent to other mods. Allways refer to the readme file or boosted information that should be aviable at the mod-site.

Updating a mod with the daupdater

Normally you but install the new version over the older 1 in the same manner you installed the mod the start time. Merely refer likewise to the mod readme, if aviable, sometimes additional steps have to be taken depending on the specific mod.

According to feedback the daupdater not allways succeds in updating a mod that was allready installed to the new version. You tin can of course install every dazip-modern twice to be sure all previous data is removed/overwritten. In well-nigh cases that should be plenty to become it updated.

At that place is another process to exist sure your Modernistic gets propper updated, but y'all should only apply information technology if the mod you want to update is non tied to any Quests or Single Thespian Scrips, like for case you should be able to use it for a texture or color change mod only not for a modernistic that adds a new quest line to the game, if you are not sure ask the mod writer or dont use this method. Use it at your own risk!

Starting time reload the mod yous want to update with the daupdater.exe, subsequently it has finished start your Game and UNCHECK it in Downloadable Content, and so Force Load a game without it (Force loading means to load a game when you uninstalled a Mod that was installed and is now not aviable any more). Subsequently forcefulness loading through the warnings brand a new savegame, then exit to the menue and recheck the updated mod in the Downloadable Content List. When you at present load the new save game you take created, the modern should be propper in event.

Again, practice this at your ain risk and ask the Mod Author how to update if you are unsure if the mod tin can be updated this way. Refer to the Force Loading Section farther down this Article for more than Information well-nigh it.

Deactivation and Uninstallation of .dazip-files

If you ever want to Uninstall a mod that you installed with a .dazip-file, kickoff make certain you accept a clean and propper savegame, and then go to the mod-list in the game and deactivate the modernistic yous want to get rid of past unchecking the box side by side to the proper noun of the mod, it should say deactivated nether it. Now its deactivated only not uninstalled. For about times this should be fine and all you need to do.

Many Mod-Authors tell in their readmes and instructions that deleting the mod from the Addins Folder is plenty to delete it. That is NOT True! Read below how to uninstall those Mods completly.

The easiest and safest way to uninstall a .dazip-Mod is to use DAModder for that. The data below is for if you want to do a manual uninstall.

For manually uninstalling a .dazip-file, in that location are two ways that this can exist accomplished with,

- for the start you demand to have the Toolset installed and need to be at least basically familiar with it (see A.), - the second way is a manual delete with the edit of important game files that can exist dangerous if you mess it upwardly (see B.).

Since there is now DAModder aviable, there is no need to manually uninstall modfiles any more than unless you choose to. I recommend using DAModder.

The Uninstall with the Toolset(unconfirmed)

The following information is from a comment to this Article by Gaias (i havent verified information technology myself because i dont take the Toolset installed)

For this first method yous need to take the Toolset installed and working ( y'all can become the Toolset here ), and demand basic understanding with information technology, dont try it if you lot dont know what youre doing, the Toolset is a mighty tool and yous tin cause all kinds of harm to your game if you mess things upward, exist warned!

- First start your Toolset and open the file 'Profile.dap' in the Settings folder.

- And then y'all navigate downward to the string entry 'SAVEPROFILE_ADDIN_LIST' stringlist and find the entry that corresponds with the name of mod file in your AddIns folder that you want to uninstall. It should be listed concluding in the stringlist once you lot have expanded it. Simply left click on the entry and hit the Del cardinal (or right click for the context card) and salvage the file via the menu. The toolset volition automatically create a fill-in file that will be located in the aforementioned binder every bit the saved one.

- Proceed to delete the files associated with the modern and kickoff upward DA:Origins. Go to the Dowloadable Content card and click on the Installed Content tab.

- And then proceed to enable or disable whatsoever of the content within and information technology should create two new "Manifest.xml" and "AddIns.xml" files, with the content every bit shown on the screen.

This should be a relative safety and working fashion to uninstall the mods that get installed via .dazip file, only be advised that i havent tested this way yet, if yous want to confirm this method is reliable and working, or if you want to add something then please post in the comments to this article and let me know!

If you are unsure most information technology simply disable information technology ingame and dont try a manual uninstall, or utilize DAModder. Apply these informations as they are at your own adventure.

The manual Uninstall

The following data is partly from a Tutorial from Rheinguard from damods.com

This 2nd method is alittle more than tricky and potentially dangerous to your game and DLC, be warned!

Really - Dont try that if you are not sure what you are doing.

- Disable the mod yous want to uninstall in your game and exit it.

- Starting time get to the "...\BioWare\Dragon Historic period\AddIns"-folder, and locate the mod-folder for the mod you desire to uninstall and delete it.

- Second yous take to check the "...\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\core\data"-folder, and delete all files that belong to the mod you want to uninstall there (normally one .erf-file).

- 3rd simply most complicated, find your "...\BioWare\Dragon Age\Settings"-folder and locate your "Manifest.xml" and "AddIns.xml" files. Relieve them to a secure location in example you mess something up!

- You tin can open up both of this files with a basic Editor similar Notepad, or ameliorate with an .xml Editor that should come with your Operating Sytem or IE Browser. There you take to delete whatever information that belongs to the modernistic y'all want to uninstall. Most times merely the Addins.xml contains Information for mods yous installed, the Manifest.xml contains data for official DLC. Close them afterward the edit and save them again.

- At present the .dazip-mod is actually uninstalled.

BE Actually CAREFULL WHEN EDITING "Manifest.xml" and "AddIns.xml", they contain besides information of your bought DLC, like Wardens Go on and all that, if you delete the wrong lines you can damage your DLC!

Once again If you are unsure near it just disable information technology ingame and dont endeavour a transmission uninstall, or use DAModder. Utilize these informations equally they are at your own chance.

Forcefulness Loading Savegames

If you load a savegame afterward you deactivated or uninstalled a mod that was installed when yous created the Savegame yous take to "Force Load" it. Force loading ways to load a game through the warnings that the game gives y'all, about the content that isnt aviable any more.

What effects this tin accept depends only on the mod/content that is at present unaviable to the game for loading. If you disabled a mod that alters the color of a item the color will be original again, if it was a modernistic that adds a new aerea to the game that location will be gone. Of class this tin can have consequences for your saved game and could brand information technology unplayable, the more complex the mod the more things could happen, allways depending on the circumstances and the modernistic.

If you are unsure about forcefulness loading a game after you disabled a modernistic, ask the mod author earlier you do it to be aware of what can happen with that specific modernistic.

Modfiles that utilise the Override Folder

This Override Folder is normally (under winXP) located here:

C:\Documents and Settings\YOURNAME\My Documents\BioWare\Dragon Historic period\packages\cadre\override

The path differs alittle on win7 and vista but its allways "...\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\cadre\override", i am sure you will find it. If you dont accept the "override" folder in the "\core" folder then you tin can create it.

Normally y'all NEVER have to overwrite any files in the location where y'all originaly installed your game, so y'all dont have to edit anything there. Specific mods may have special occasions where that is necessary, only i never saw i jet that required that. If you accept to overwrite game files for a mod you desire to try, ALLWAYS make backups of these files and so yous tin can disengage the overwrite if necessary.

Also, and i would recommend that to anyone, you tin make ONE SUBFOLDER for every modern you install, and then y'all can keep your Override Directory tidy, and know what files belongs to which mod. Yous dont have to of grade, but the override folder can get a mess the more mods yous install without subfolders, and and so y'all dont know what to delete if you want to uninstall a specific modern.

According to Feedback you can likewise make subfolders in these folders you create in the override directory, at that place just seems to be a full path length restriction of 255 characters, then be sure that y'all dont get over that length and cull shorter foldernames over longer ones.

"...\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\cadre\override\Somemod" <-- works "...\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\cadre\override\Somemod\Subfolder" <-- works also "...\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\core\override\Somemod\Subfolder\anotherSubfolder" <-- works not the total pathlentght cannot exceed 255 characters

Ok, now you lot know where this Override-folder is, and you have downloaded a modfile like...

"hf_genfl_morrigan.mor" for example. (just an instance, about mods comprise more than than i file) To make this file work create a folder in your Override directory like this:

"...\BioWare\Dragon Age\packages\core\override\Morrigan"

and in this "Morrigan"-folder you copy that file(s). Simple as that thats all you accept to practice.

If the mod you have downloaded allready comes with a preexisting binder structuere, like this: "\Morrigan" or "\Morrigan\subfolder" you tin can normally safely copy this into your override directory and information technology should work, only like if you created the binder yourself.

When you get-go your game and load a relieve the mod should be in effect. (sometimes you need to enter another zone for some mods to take effect)

Basically the game checks everytime you showtime information technology if in that location are files in that folder that modify files from your original installation and uses then the modded files instead. (similar different textures ect.)

Uninstallation/Updates of files that use the Override Folder

If yous want to uninstall such a mod go to the Override folder and delete the binder (+ subfolder) of the specific mod, easy as that, and much easier than with the .dazip-files.

Updates are similary elementary with this method, normally you simply delete all of the files from the mod you want to update (just empty the subfolder if you created one) and copy the new files to the same location again. (in the subfolder if you have one). I wouldnt simply overwrite them becouse that could lead to problems if the Mod-Writer left out files with an update. Those would still be in your subfolder if you just overwrite files.

For Questions about Force loading Savegames refer to the section nearly it that is further up in this Guide.

Using DAModder to manage mods

The DAModder Website

The DAModder Nexus-Download-Page

The DAModder Support Site & FAQ

With DAModder you can hands install and uninstall mods of all types, even those that use the Override Folder. I recommend information technology to anyone. Information technology has a Fill-in System not just for mods and settings but also for save games, and it offers localization Info for mods where its aviable. Its easy to use and works with allmost whatsoever modernistic that is aviable. And it will get better and get more Options in the future. I was a Betatester from the start for DAModder and i am sure when you tried it you lot dont desire to use annihilation else to manage your mods again. Learn more about it and the Features on the in a higher place links.

First you lot need to download the Application, use the links above to get the latest public or beta Version.

The Installation is easy, at that place is none. Simply brand a Binder where you want to have it located (your Desktop for example) and name it DAModder (or whatever you cull). Then copy the contents of the downloaded File into that binder. The .exe-File in the Folder is the DAModder Awarding, with a doubleklick you can start it. If y'all choose another location than the Desktop, y'all tin can create a shortcut for the .exe and put that on the desktop if you want to, that ensures easy admission to it when you need information technology.

How to install a Mod with DAModder

On this FAQ Site you can find the latest information on how to install mods with DAModder.

In full general, there are two ways to install mods in DAModder. You can either Elevate & Drop the downloaded modernistic onto the DAModder window, or y'all tin click the Install Modern push button and then choose the file to be installed. This works with .dazip-Files and most .zip-Files.

If the modern is packaged in a .RAR or .7z file, DAModder will non be able to procedure it. In this example, excerpt the file manually to a temporary folder, and and then elevate the folder onto DAModder for installation. The same goes for .cypher-files that are packed in a not compatible format, like subfolders or dissimilar installation options/mod versions in the .goose egg-file. Just excerpt the content yous want to add to the game into a temporary folder and drag it then onto DAModder to install it. Refer to the FAQ Page for more information about installing.

How to uninstall a Modernistic with DAModder

On this FAQ Site you can notice the latest information on how to uninstall mods with DAModder.

Uninstalling a modern is extremly uncomplicated, just select the modernistic in the list of installed mods on the install/uninstall tab page, and click uninstall. Brand certain the Toolset is closed earlier uninstalling a Mod with DAModder.

How to brand a Mod uniform with DAModder

DAModder is designed to exist as flexible as possible, just the most benefits come from using DAModder Compatible packages. This non only makes the installation easier, it allows yous to take reward of futurity features planned for DAModder such as the ability to configure compatible mods inside of DAModder. If your mod is not currently in a DAModder Compatible Package, i encourage y'all to make one. DAModder Compatible packages still work fine outside of DAModder and then its the best of both worlds for the author and its much more than user friendly for the the Mod-User.

There are two types of mods in full general. Standard mods and Cadre Override mods: - Standard Mods are those that are released in a .DAZIP file and tin can exist installed with DAUpdater. - Cadre Override Mods are mods that aren't technically a "module" by the game's standard, simply instead just drop files into the players "Core Override" directory to change the behavior of the game.

If your mod is a standard mod, that is currently installed by DAUpdater, and then chances are pretty expert its already compatible with DAModder. If you are just distributing the .DAZIP file, or you lot are ziping information technology up along with a Readme file, information technology will piece of work fine with DAModder. The user can simply drag and drop the .DAZIP file or the .Nothing file into the awarding, and hit install. No problem. About the only way a standard mod would exist incompatible right at present is if you're doing something like zipping it upwards, simply hiding the DAZIP in a subfolder.

Core Override mods are alittle more comlicated. By definition these are not "modules" by the game'due south standards, and as such there is no module data for DAModder to parse. In other words, DAModder has Nil data on the mod. The instructions in the sample bundle beneath show some small changes you tin can make to how its packaged so DAModder tin essentially be "told" the mod's details. This will make the end user feel for your mods much better, every bit users will be able to see details like Mod Proper name, author, version, URL, description, etc.

• You can get the sample packages here: Sample mod packages for DAModder compatibility download

• On this FAQ Site you can find the latest information on how to Create a DAModder Package for a Core Override mod].

• On this FAQ Site y'all can discover information on how to use DAMarkdown to brand your Descriptions and Readmes ameliorate readable in DAModder.

If yous have questions virtually how to brand your Mod DAModder compatible, refer to THIS THREAD in the Nexus Forums or enquire at the Support Page .

Epilogue

I approximate thats all i can assistance y'all with, you lot should now be able to install and to uninstall mods you download here. I recommend you to use the DAModder to manage your Mods.

Remember that every mod is dissimilar, and then at that place could allways be some alterations to the "standard"-installation-process. Read the Readme or the information on the mod specific page, and read the comments, they often requite solutions if you are stuck.

If you lot have questions most a specific modern enquire the Author of that mod in the annotate-department for his modernistic or via individual message. Or you tin can allways visit the forum here and ask your questions in that location =)

My native linguistic communication is german language then please excuse small-scale spelling errors if you find some.

Thanks for your time and reading, if you lot find an fault or desire to add together anything, please leave a comment.

A give-and-take to the Mod-Authors:

All modern authors are welcome to link to this guide if someone has bug using the mod yous have made, unless of course your modern needs more advanced installation/updating/uninstallation procedures that are not covered in this guide.

Please make your Mod DAModder compatible, refer to the department higher up on how to do that.

Please consider packing your mods in .naught files (or whatever packer you prefer, link to it in the description if its something uncommon) with a propper readme (there is even a readme generator here ), and maybe include a small .jpg where it applies.

That helps anybody, and if yous always reinstall something you have all informations at manus =)

Some helpful Links:

- The Nexus Forums

- The DAModder Website

Official:

-The Official Game Forums

-The Official Game Site

Mod Info:

- DA Architect Wiki

- Beyond Ferelden Weblog

- damods.com

Game Info:

-The unofficial Dragon Age Wikia

-The official Dragon Age Wiki

Thanks to:

Bioware for making Dragon Age The Staff and owners at dragonagenexus for providing this bully site

John Vanderbeck, for writing his Beyond Ferelden Blog and helping and then many pepole with modding Rheinguard, for the information on how to propper uninstall .dazip files Pheelon, for the helpfull feedback provided Gaias, for the second mode to uninstall .dazip files

---

Legal: This Article (including pictures) tin not be replicated anywhere else than on the site dragonagenexus.com without my understanding, especially not for profit. If you want to publish it elswhere contact me via private message hither or via mail at: alexspeed75 AT yahoo.de This article is linked at my Bioware Project Site , the german and english official Forums, at the Tutorials Folio of the DA Architect Wiki, damods.com and dao-diewacht.co.de has permission to link to it and publish it partly or fully. I cannot be held responsible for any damage to your game or your pc. Use these informations every bit they are at your ain take a chance.

How To Add Mods To Dragon Age Origins,

Source: http://wiki.tesnexus.com/index.php/Installing_Dragon_Age_mods

Posted by: yatesevold1984.blogspot.com

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