Installing a mod with DAModder is extremely simple. The exact installation steps will depend on the type of mod, and how it is packaged. *While I have made every attempt to make DAModder work with as many different ways of packaging a mods as I can, there will be some mod packages that will not work at this time. This should be the exception though, and not the norm**

Standard Methods of Installation

Installation of mods is performed on the first tab, the Install/Uninstall Tab.

In general, there are two ways to install mods in DAModder. You can either Drag & Drop the downloaded mod onto the DAModder window, or you can click the Install Mod button and then choose the file to be installed.

Installing a .DAZIP File

Simply Drag & Drop the .DAZIP file onto DAModder, or click Install Mod and select the .DAZIP file. DAModder will "stage" the file, which means it is extracting the contents to a temporary directory. It will then analyze it, and prompt you with a window indicating the Name, Version, and Author of the mod, and ask if you want to install it. Click on Yes and the mod will be installed.

Install a .ZIP File

When installing a .ZIP file, the exact path of installation will depend on the type of mod. To begin, simply Drag & Drop the .ZIP file onto DAModder, or click Install Mod and select the .ZIP file. DAModder will "stage" the file, which means it is extracting the contents to a temporary directory. It will then analyze the contents of the mod to determine what type of mod it is and how it needs to be installed. At this point one of two things should happen.

Standard Mod

A Standard mod is one that is packaged by the Dragon Age Toolset into a .DAZIP file. If this is the case, DAModder will present you with a window indicating the Name, Version, and Author of the mod, and ask if you want to install it. Click on Yes and the mod will be installed.

Core Override Mod

A Core Override Mod is technically not a "module" by the game's standards, but is instead a collection of files that "override" core game files to produce alternate behavior. Since these are not actual modules, there is no module information (like Name, Version, or Author) for DAModder to extract unless the mod author has made a DAModder Compatible Package. If it is a compatible package, then installation will proceed just like a Standard Mod. If it is not a compatible package, DAModder will attempt to analyze the package as best it can, and determine a course of action. If it finds enough information that it thinks it can install the mod, it will present you with a window indicating the mod information it was able to find, and asking you to confirm or edit the data. Generally only the mod's Unique Identifier and Name will be filled in. Once you accept the values, you will be asked if you want to install the mod. Simply click Yes and the mod will be installed.

The Benefits of Providing Information to DAModder

When installing a Core Override Mod, you will often be asked to confirm or edit some mod information. Unless the mod was distributed in a DAModder Compatible Package, DAModder doesn't know anything about the mod. You can just accept the default values, but you may want to take the time to enter the information in. Once the mod is installed, the information you entered will be used to display the mod details inside of DAModder.

Installing Other File Archives, such as .RAR or .7z

Currently, DAModder can only work with .ZIP files, and the Dragon Age .DAZIP file. If the mod is packaged in a .RAR or .7z file, DAModder will not be able to process it. In this case, extract the file manually to a temporary folder, and then drag the folder onto DAModder for installation. In this case, be sure you are dragging the folder that actually contains the mod files.

Encourage Mod Author Support of DAModder

DAModder is designed to be as flexible as possible, but the most benefits come from using DA Modder Compatible packages. This not only makes install easier, it allows you to take advantage of future 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, encourage the mod author to make one. DAModder Compatible packages still work fine outside of DAModder so its the best of both worlds for the author.