I'm thinking of creating a part pack...

[Bearsh]

I'd like some hints and help on how i would create a part pack... Nothing big since it's my first.

I don't have any 3D Modeling program, i do have paint.net for textures and stuff.

So what can i do? Mostly rocket parts.

Thanks for replying !

[NathanKell]

blender's free. Some use Sketchup instead.

There should be lots of tutorials in the main Dev forum (where perhaps this ought be moved?) and the Modeling subforum. If you're making parts, no need for plugins.

[CaptainKipard]

Keep an eye on the requests subforum, and pick something easy to start off with. Don't do rocket engines unless there's something unique about it. For example BosYerUncle recently started work on a set of radial engines, and that's fine because the game lacks radial engines. Try to think about what is missing in the game. If there's some part of a spaceship that you always do with multiple parts, maybe you could try and model something that combines a few very common uses for the purpose of decreasing part counts. You could also instead of modelling try your hand at welding stock parts for the same reason.

[Bearsh]

Keep an eye on the requests subforum, and pick something easy to start off with. Don't do rocket engines unless there's something unique about it. For example BosYerUncle recently started work on a set of radial engines, and that's fine because the game lacks radial engines. Try to think about what is missing in the game. If there's some part of a spaceship that you always do with multiple parts, maybe you could try and model something that combines a few very common uses for the purpose of decreasing part counts. You could also instead of modelling try your hand at welding stock parts for the same reason.

Alright how would I weld them?

[Talisar]

As mentioned above, there are a couple of free options on modelling programs you can try out. Cpt. Kipard gives good advice on picking a project as well. Your best bet is to find something that isn't well represented yet (which can be difficult sometimes, but possible).

I take it from your initial post that you are literally just beginning the process of modding, so my first suggestion would be to do a couple of relatively easy projects just to get a handle on the basics. Make a couple of fuel tanks (just cylinders with textures) and get them in-game. Post your work in a WIP thread and ask for feedback and advice on specific things that you are working on. There are a LOT of great modders that will be willing to help you like this if approached in the right way.

Once you are comfortable with your chosen modeling program, then start coming up with ideas for a pack that you actually want to release. Keep a sharp focus on what you want it to be. It's very easy to just keep adding "one more piece" and having the whole thing get unwieldy (one of my biggest problems, personally)

Above all, make parts that you want to play with. If you want to make the most spectacular looking fuel tanks in the game, do it, even if you are told that there are plenty of other mods that have them. If they truly are the best looking ones, you will get downloads.

And lastly, have fun and good luck!

[Dispatcher]

All good advice above. I made parts that I wanted to use, but which were not in the stock game. I checked to see if there were mod parts which did what I wanted. I found none. So I made them, and I use them a lot. Check out the links for my parts in my sig line. Most of them are not too fancy, but they do the job.

If you use that kind of approach, you'll find that you are not making parts which are "a dime a dozen" out there; you'll also have fun using your mod parts.

Edit: its easy to make them to be compatible for Career mode too. That's all done in the config. file.

[CaptainKipard]

Have a look here, and here.

Also there's a whole thread full of useful links here.

[Bearsh]

Have a look here, and here.

Also there's a whole thread full of useful links here.

Thanks guys for all the replies, Radial fuel tanks aren't such a bad idea after all I'd like to see that made by someone else/

But what I plan on making is just like you guys said is a fuel tank and maybe a rocket propulsion pack, But mostly fuel tanks... But I'll try to make them look better than any!! But B9's gonna be a bit of a competition... So hey... Maybe, A pack with STAR TREK TEXTURES??????????? Lol thanks all!