Before You Create Your Mod File for Sharing

Charlie Hough · 04-15-2014, 05:01 PM

I hope that a moderator will be able to sticky this thread because it's very important for anyone who would like to make mods available through Add-Ons Central in OOTP. In fact, we almost need this same thread in every mods sub-forum.

Per Andreas of OOTP Developments, we really need mod creators to heed this request and help everyone get easier access to your mod files from within OOTP.

To allow users to easily install your mods without the need to know which directory to use or how to extract the files, you need to create a .tar.gz file and not a .zip, .rar, or other file type.

There are free programs available to help you create these files. Andreas recommends Tugzip, but there are others.

Also, there is a section of the OOTP 14 manual that covers what you need to do with your .tar.gz file to ensure that the extraction paths are correctly configured for your mod.

Please review the section of the manual here, starting with the heading "More About the Target Attribute".

OOTP 14 Manual - Add-Ons for Modders

I will add more to this thread once there is an OOTP 15 manual available and if there is additional information that I can share. I personally don't produce mod files, so I'm not that familiar with the .tar.gz setup process. But I can't emphasize enough that we need modders to get on board with this file format so your files can be enjoyed and easily distributed from within OOTP.

Of course, you can always submit Zip or RAR files to OOTPMods.com for separate download, but the best way to get files to users is through Add-Ons Central. OOTPMods.com will host all of these files for you, so please send your .tar.gz files to the site for review, uploading, and an addition to the file list in OOTP's Add-Ons Central.

Also, please keep in mind the following before you submit your files to OOTPMods.com:

1. Make sure to include a description of your mod. I will add this to the XML file that drives the file list in Add-Ons Central, and this helps users understand the mod's purpose.
2. If one exists, please include the URL for the forum thread where your mod has been discussed.
3. Also, please list any forum members or individuals who should be credited with the work. Please share their forum IDs or whatever naming convention you prefer.
4. Don't forget to abide by the request above and submit a properly configured .tar.gz file!

jazzrack · 04-15-2014, 05:15 PM

made a wiki page

OOTP Community Wiki | Before You Create Your Mod File for Sharing

Charlie Hough · 04-24-2014, 02:32 PM

We really need this posted and stickied in every mod forum. OOTP Developments requires that mod files be set up this way so they can be shared via Add-Ons Central. But there are mods still being distributed in other formats, which can't be used from within the game. I don't think many mod makers are aware of the requirement, so we need to create more exposure for this information.

cephasjames · 04-24-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Hough

We really need this posted and stickied in every mod forum. OOTP Developments requires that mod files be set up this way so they can be shared via Add-Ons Central. But there are mods still being distributed in other formats, which can't be used from within the game. I don't think many mod makers are aware of the requirement, so we need to create more exposure for this information.

I agree 100%. I had no clue we needed to do it this way to get it in AOC. Thanks, Charlie.

04-15-2014, 05:01 PM	#1
Charlie Hough Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,625	Before You Create Your Mod File for Sharing I hope that a moderator will be able to sticky this thread because it's very important for anyone who would like to make mods available through Add-Ons Central in OOTP. In fact, we almost need this same thread in every mods sub-forum. Per Andreas of OOTP Developments, we really need mod creators to heed this request and help everyone get easier access to your mod files from within OOTP. To allow users to easily install your mods without the need to know which directory to use or how to extract the files, you need to create a .tar.gz file and not a .zip, .rar, or other file type. There are free programs available to help you create these files. Andreas recommends Tugzip, but there are others. Also, there is a section of the OOTP 14 manual that covers what you need to do with your .tar.gz file to ensure that the extraction paths are correctly configured for your mod. Please review the section of the manual here, starting with the heading "More About the Target Attribute". OOTP 14 Manual - Add-Ons for Modders I will add more to this thread once there is an OOTP 15 manual available and if there is additional information that I can share. I personally don't produce mod files, so I'm not that familiar with the .tar.gz setup process. But I can't emphasize enough that we need modders to get on board with this file format so your files can be enjoyed and easily distributed from within OOTP. Of course, you can always submit Zip or RAR files to OOTPMods.com for separate download, but the best way to get files to users is through Add-Ons Central. OOTPMods.com will host all of these files for you, so please send your .tar.gz files to the site for review, uploading, and an addition to the file list in OOTP's Add-Ons Central. Also, please keep in mind the following before you submit your files to OOTPMods.com: 1. Make sure to include a description of your mod. I will add this to the XML file that drives the file list in Add-Ons Central, and this helps users understand the mod's purpose. 2. If one exists, please include the URL for the forum thread where your mod has been discussed. 3. Also, please list any forum members or individuals who should be credited with the work. Please share their forum IDs or whatever naming convention you prefer. 4. Don't forget to abide by the request above and submit a properly configured .tar.gz file! Last edited by Charlie Hough; 04-15-2014 at 06:23 PM.

04-15-2014, 05:15 PM	#2
jazzrack Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: still kicking Posts: 3,229 Blog Entries: 25	made a wiki page OOTP Community Wiki \| Before You Create Your Mod File for Sharing __________________ . "Never confuse composure for ease" Was once Head Cheese of Corporate League Baseball Last edited by jazzrack; 04-15-2014 at 05:20 PM.

04-24-2014, 02:32 PM	#3
Charlie Hough Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,625	We really need this posted and stickied in every mod forum. OOTP Developments requires that mod files be set up this way so they can be shared via Add-Ons Central. But there are mods still being distributed in other formats, which can't be used from within the game. I don't think many mod makers are aware of the requirement, so we need to create more exposure for this information.