Find out all about GTA V vehicle modding tutorials here!
Contents:
Modding in general on GTA V.
Which files to modify for a vehicle.
Which software to use.
Other tips.
Modding in general on GTA V:
I'm only going to talk here about modding the game's vehicles, which will of course include ALL vehicles, whether land, air or sea.
Simply put, vehicle modding means replacing one or more vehicles in the game with one or more vehicles of your choice. The main aim is to be able to play with real vehicle makes and models. Of course, you can also create and import vehicles that don't exist in real life.
Modding is totally legal in single-player mode, but don't go online and play with mods, as you could be banned.
For vehicles, there are two ways of importing them into the game files.
-Replacementwhich, as the name suggests, consists of replacing a vehicle that already exists in the game. The original vehicle can then be recovered, but it will be impossible to keep the original. AND the modde during the game.
-The Add-onwhich consists in adding a new vehicle as DLC to the game. This method won't replace any vehicle, and you'll be able to use both the game vehicle you wanted to replace and your modded vehicle at the same time. The slight drawback is that you'll need to create a complete DLC package for your vehicle, including handling, vehicle.meta file and a host of other parameters, in order to have a fully functional vehicle.
Which files to modify for a vehicle:
To modify a vehicle, you'll need to replace a number of files - and there aren't many of them, of course!
There are between 3 and 4 that you'll need to replace if you want to see and use your vehicle in-game: these are the files:
-VehicleName.yft which represents the 3D model of your vehicle in normal quality - far distance.
-VehicleName_hi.yft which represents a high-quality 3D model of your vehicle - at very close range.
-VehicleName.ytd which represents the texture file of all the textures used on your vehicle.
-VehicleName+hi.ytd (optional) which represents your vehicle's HD texture file. If there is none, replace only the single texture file.
If you have a vehicle with 2 texture files, I suggest that if you only have the simple textures folder, you make a copy and name it VehicleName+hi.ytd. You can then replace the vehicle of your choice.
As an option (I'll go into more detail elsewhere), you can edit the handling.meta and the vehicles.metato modify some of your vehicle's parameters.
Which software to use:
Some software INDISPENSABLE for modding, others optional but highly recommended.
-OpenIV: Software you absolutely must have, you can download it here ICI if you don't have it. It is used to open game files that are not normally accessible, such as the .rpf, .awc, .ytd, .yft, .ydr .... It's also used to extract files from the game or replace them, useful in the case of a vehicle replacement, isn't it?
-Zmodeler 3: This software is also indispensable if you want to edit, convert or even create your own 3D vehicle models. The software not only lets you import and export in-game and modded vehicles, but also offers a host of additional options. Take a look at my modding tutorials to find out more. The software is available on a pay-as-you-go basis, with a subscription fee depending on the duration of the subscription.
-Adobe Photoshop: Also very useful, but not essential. I highly recommend it for editing custom textures, creating or modifying skins... A key function you must use is the Normal Mapfrom Nvidia, it lets you create your own bumpmaps (textures giving relief to your original textures). However, if you don't have it, you can create your own bumpmaps online via this link SITE.
-The notepad: That's right! What's that? You don't have it? gosh!
More seriously, the notepad will be used to edit the game's handling and vehicles.meta, which will be the subject of a future tutorial.
Other tips:
If you're just starting out in modding, or if you're still hesitating, you should know that modding isn't as complicated as it seems! It's hardest at the beginning, but after that, you learn the basics very quickly, and by dabbling in everything you come up with things you'd never even imagined!
To tell you the truth, I started modding on Zmodeler 3 one evening simply because I wanted to make a police skin for a vehicle that was used on a trailer for my secondary channel, then little by little I wanted to go further, but I told myself I'd never be able to fully convert a vehicle for GTA V. I thought it was very complicated, but in the end it's child's play, I thought it would be very complicated, but in the end it turned out to be child's play, and with practice I've mastered Zmodeler more and more, and by spending more time on my vehicles I've managed to be in the Top File on quite a few GTA V modding sites!
At first, you'll find it difficult, but that's totally understandable! Your first vehicle won't be perfect, so don't pay any attention to people's opinions on mod sites if you post your creation, just let it pee, you'll be glad you converted YOUR vehicle yourself! If you need to improve it afterwards, don't hesitate! You can make up for any mistakes! My first vehicles before being updated were ugly, buggy, the bare minimum. Now I'm gradually updating them with the knowledge I've acquired!
If you need help converting a vehicle, I've put together a 5-part tutorial, so don't hesitate to take a look, then follow on to my other modding tutorials to improve your vehicle to the max!