DAI Modding Info Post [Updated - June 5, 2020]
Jul 9, 2018 1:52:13 GMT
Sunegami, dmc1001, and 1 more like this
Post by Nightscrawl on Jul 9, 2018 1:52:13 GMT
This original thread was created July 2018. A such, there was outdated information. Some of the information in below replies is outdated as well. With the new release of DAI on Steam, I thought it would be helpful to update this thread.
This information has been updated as of June 5, 2020.
* * * * *
The two primary resources for DAI modding are the Discord servers for DAI Modding and the Frosty Toolsuite. These servers contain the most updated information as well as links to resources and real-time community discussion and help.
discord.gg/sB8ZUAT
discord.gg/wzJG7Mq
* * * * *
Introduction -----
You cannot use Nexus Mod Manager or Vortex to mod DAI. It's important to understand that, because DAI is built with the Frostbite engine, it is more difficult to mod than previous Dragon Age games, or indeed many other games that allow the player to drop files in an override folder; a specific modding utility is required.
There are two methods of modding Dragon Age: Inquisition. The first, older method is the DAI Mod Toolsuite, consisting of the Mod Manager and Mod Maker. The second, newer method is the Frosty Toolsuite, consisting of the Mod Manager and Mod Editor.
How They Work -----
DAIMM
The way DAIMM works is to trick the game into thinking that the applied mods are a new patch, on top of the last official patch. The patch # gets incremented by 1. So, the official patch version is 12. The Mod Manager makes it 13. That 13 is baked into the save. If you try to load that save without the DAIMM (even a "blank" merge with no mods applied), you will be unable to do so without a workaround since the game and save versions will not match. It's a brute force method to apply mods.
With DAIMM, you just merge your mods and go. There is no need to fuss with the utility again until you want to add or remove mods.
Because this utility is older, there are some issues with modding the DLC, especially Trespasser, but the base game works quite well.
FROSTY
Frosty is similar to DAIMM, but more elegant in its approach. It creates a new folder in the main game folder called ModData which contains the files for the mods as well as information that Frosty uses regarding which mod goes where. It essentially says to the game, "Instead of loading your normal PJ textures, load these ones instead."
Because the method is different, there is no change to the version number, so you can load the game in an unmodded state by launching through Origin or Steam and still play.
In addition, because Frosty itself is active in the application of the mods, you need to launch the game though Frosty.
As this utility is newer, there is more support for DLC.
Specifics -----
There are three types of files modded by both utilities: textures (images), meshes (3D models), and ebx (information). The first two are straightforward: you have a 3D model, like a weapon, and a texture that wraps around that model like skin to look like a real object. Ebx files contain information, some of which can be changed, such as skill damage, crafting material attributes, and many other things.
As of a couple of versions ago, you can use daimod format and plug them into Frosty! Now, there is a caveat... some texture mods do not play nice with Frosty. There are corruption issues with face textures for elves, as well as some other textures. In addition, there might be some issues with the daimod import -- it's not perfect and was added for the benefit of DAI players. It's important to keep in mind that DAI is the oldest game moddable by Frosty, which lends itself to some unique problems not had by other games, even MEA.
There are guides available for the simultaneous use of DAIMM and Frosty. However, this method is primarily for those people who absolutely cannot live without their certain skin textures and other daimods that are having issues in Frosty. I strongly recommend using DAIMM or Frosty to mod DAI, not both with the workaround. That method is not supported for Frosty and you can run into problems that you then have to troubleshoot. In addition, you have to do the process all over again if you want to add or remove mods. DAIMM is still perfectly serviceable, with the issue being that if you find a Frosty-only mod you'd like to use, you can't use it; more of those are being released these days.
Load Order -----
Load order is the same for all games, even DAI: from top to bottom, with the last in the list taking precedence. I would say that, with DAI, the place you might run into issues with load order most often is with hair and skin replacements, since there are certain common slots that are edited, but you may only want to use one in a given mod. For example:
- DAI hair mod A edits hairs 1, 2, 6
- DAI hair mod B edits hairs 2, 5
- Hair B2 will override A2.
- Your character John wants to use B5 -- no issues there.
- Your character Jane wants to use A2 -- oops! That is overriden by B2! In that case, you'd have to move mod B above mod A in order to use A2's hair for Jane, while John is still able to use B5.
Wrap Up -----
I'm happy to answer any questions. Also, please do join the Discord servers. I am active on both, as are many other modders with different experiences and skill sets who may be able to help. Plus, the DAI modding community is swell, so come on by!
This information has been updated as of June 5, 2020.
* * * * *
The two primary resources for DAI modding are the Discord servers for DAI Modding and the Frosty Toolsuite. These servers contain the most updated information as well as links to resources and real-time community discussion and help.
discord.gg/sB8ZUAT
discord.gg/wzJG7Mq
* * * * *
Introduction -----
You cannot use Nexus Mod Manager or Vortex to mod DAI. It's important to understand that, because DAI is built with the Frostbite engine, it is more difficult to mod than previous Dragon Age games, or indeed many other games that allow the player to drop files in an override folder; a specific modding utility is required.
There are two methods of modding Dragon Age: Inquisition. The first, older method is the DAI Mod Toolsuite, consisting of the Mod Manager and Mod Maker. The second, newer method is the Frosty Toolsuite, consisting of the Mod Manager and Mod Editor.
How They Work -----
DAIMM
The way DAIMM works is to trick the game into thinking that the applied mods are a new patch, on top of the last official patch. The patch # gets incremented by 1. So, the official patch version is 12. The Mod Manager makes it 13. That 13 is baked into the save. If you try to load that save without the DAIMM (even a "blank" merge with no mods applied), you will be unable to do so without a workaround since the game and save versions will not match. It's a brute force method to apply mods.
With DAIMM, you just merge your mods and go. There is no need to fuss with the utility again until you want to add or remove mods.
Because this utility is older, there are some issues with modding the DLC, especially Trespasser, but the base game works quite well.
FROSTY
Frosty is similar to DAIMM, but more elegant in its approach. It creates a new folder in the main game folder called ModData which contains the files for the mods as well as information that Frosty uses regarding which mod goes where. It essentially says to the game, "Instead of loading your normal PJ textures, load these ones instead."
Because the method is different, there is no change to the version number, so you can load the game in an unmodded state by launching through Origin or Steam and still play.
In addition, because Frosty itself is active in the application of the mods, you need to launch the game though Frosty.
As this utility is newer, there is more support for DLC.
Specifics -----
There are three types of files modded by both utilities: textures (images), meshes (3D models), and ebx (information). The first two are straightforward: you have a 3D model, like a weapon, and a texture that wraps around that model like skin to look like a real object. Ebx files contain information, some of which can be changed, such as skill damage, crafting material attributes, and many other things.
As of a couple of versions ago, you can use daimod format and plug them into Frosty! Now, there is a caveat... some texture mods do not play nice with Frosty. There are corruption issues with face textures for elves, as well as some other textures. In addition, there might be some issues with the daimod import -- it's not perfect and was added for the benefit of DAI players. It's important to keep in mind that DAI is the oldest game moddable by Frosty, which lends itself to some unique problems not had by other games, even MEA.
There are guides available for the simultaneous use of DAIMM and Frosty. However, this method is primarily for those people who absolutely cannot live without their certain skin textures and other daimods that are having issues in Frosty. I strongly recommend using DAIMM or Frosty to mod DAI, not both with the workaround. That method is not supported for Frosty and you can run into problems that you then have to troubleshoot. In addition, you have to do the process all over again if you want to add or remove mods. DAIMM is still perfectly serviceable, with the issue being that if you find a Frosty-only mod you'd like to use, you can't use it; more of those are being released these days.
Load Order -----
Load order is the same for all games, even DAI: from top to bottom, with the last in the list taking precedence. I would say that, with DAI, the place you might run into issues with load order most often is with hair and skin replacements, since there are certain common slots that are edited, but you may only want to use one in a given mod. For example:
- DAI hair mod A edits hairs 1, 2, 6
- DAI hair mod B edits hairs 2, 5
- Hair B2 will override A2.
- Your character John wants to use B5 -- no issues there.
- Your character Jane wants to use A2 -- oops! That is overriden by B2! In that case, you'd have to move mod B above mod A in order to use A2's hair for Jane, while John is still able to use B5.
Wrap Up -----
I'm happy to answer any questions. Also, please do join the Discord servers. I am active on both, as are many other modders with different experiences and skill sets who may be able to help. Plus, the DAI modding community is swell, so come on by!