Introduction to RDR2 Modding

Howdy, partner! If you've ever dreamed of galloping through the Wild West on a horse that's truly one-of-a-kind, you've come to the right place. I've spent countless hours tinkering with Red Dead Redemption 2 mods, and today, I'm going to show you how to create a custom horse mod that'll make your posse green with envy. This ain't my first rodeo, so saddle up and let's dive into the nitty-gritty of RDR2 modding!

Before we hit the trail, let's talk about why you might want to create a custom horse mod. Maybe you're itching for a steed with a coat as black as midnight or as golden as the setting sun. Perhaps you want a horse with the stamina of a mustang and the speed of a thoroughbred. Whatever your vision, we're going to make it a reality, step by step.

Required Tools and Software

First things first, we need to gather our tools. Here's what you'll need in your saddlebag:

• OpenIV: This is our trusty steed for modding RDR2. It's like a Swiss Army knife for game files.
• 3D modeling software: I prefer Blender (it's free!), but 3ds Max or Maya will do the trick if you're feeling fancy.
• Image editing software: Photoshop is the thoroughbred here, but GIMP is a reliable mustang that won't cost you a penny.
• Notepad++: For when we need to wrangle some XML files.
• ScriptHook RDR2: This lasso will help us test our mod in-game.

Make sure you've got these installed and ready to go. It's like preparing for a long ride – you don't want to realize you forgot your canteen halfway through!

Setting Up Your Modding Environment

Now, let's set up our modding corral. First, create a new folder called "RDR2_Mods" on your desktop. This is where we'll keep all our project files corralled.

Next, fire up OpenIV and point it to your RDR2 installation directory. It's usually something like:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Red Dead Redemption 2

Once OpenIV is loaded up, it's time to rustle up the files we need. Navigate to:

x64\data\levels\rdr3\animals

Here, you'll find a file named "horse.ymt". This is our prized stallion – the file that contains all the horse data. Extract it to your "RDR2_Mods" folder.

Creating Your Custom Horse Model

Alright, partners, it's time to put on our artist's hat and create our dream horse. Fire up your 3D modeling software – I'll be using Blender for this tutorial.

First, we need a base to work from. In Blender, go to File > Import > FBX and navigate to your RDR2 installation folder. Look for:

x64\models\animals\horse\horse.fbx

This gives us the basic horse model to work with. Now, let your creativity run wild! Want a horse with a mohawk? Go for it! Fancy some extra muscle definition? Sculpt away! Just remember to keep the overall structure similar to the original, or Arthur might end up riding something that looks more like a mutant cactus than a horse.

Once you're happy with your model, it's time to export. Go to File > Export > FBX and save it as "custom_horse.fbx" in your "RDR2_Mods" folder.

Texturing Your Custom Horse

A horse ain't a horse without its coat, so let's give our steed some style. In your image editing software, open up the original horse textures. You can find these in:

x64\textures\animals\horse

Now, here's where you can really let your imagination run wild. Want a horse with leopard spots? Go ahead! Dreaming of a steed with a starry night sky on its flanks? Paint away! Just make sure to keep the same file names and dimensions as the original textures.

Once you're done, save your new textures in a folder called "custom_horse_textures" in your "RDR2_Mods" folder.

Modifying the Horse Data File

Time to wrangle some XML, cowpokes! Open up that "horse.ymt" file we extracted earlier with Notepad++. This file contains all the data for the horses in the game.

Look for a section that starts with something like:

<Item>
  <Name>A_C_Horse_AmericanPaint_Greyovero</Name>
  <PropsName>prop_horse_basic</PropsName>
  <ClipDictionaryName>Horse</ClipDictionaryName>
  ...

Copy this entire section and paste it at the end of the file, just before the closing </ItemSet> tag. Now, let's modify our new entry:

This tells the game about our new custom horse. Feel free to adjust values like <Breed> and <PersonalityName> to suit your vision.

Implementing the Mod in the Game

We're in the home stretch now, partners! It's time to get our custom horse into the game. First, we need to create a mod package. In OpenIV, go to Tools > Package Builder.

Add your modified "horse.ymt" file, your "custom_horse.fbx" model, and all your custom textures to the package. Name it something like "CustomHorseMod.oiv" and save it in your "RDR2_Mods" folder.

Now, close OpenIV and reopen it in Edit mode (there's a button for this when you start OpenIV). Navigate to the RDR2 directory and click "Install Package". Choose your "CustomHorseMod.oiv" file and let OpenIV work its magic.

Testing Your Custom Horse Mod

The moment of truth has arrived! It's time to take our custom steed for a spin. Launch Red Dead Redemption 2 and load up your save game. To spawn your custom horse, you'll need to use a mod menu or trainer that allows you to spawn vehicles.

If you're using a trainer, look for an option to spawn vehicles by model name. Enter "A_C_Horse_CustomMod" (the name we gave our horse in the XML file) and voila! Your custom horse should appear before your eyes, ready for adventure.

Take it for a gallop around the plains, ford some rivers, and bask in the glory of your very own custom RDR2 horse mod!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Hold your horses! If things aren't working quite right, don't worry. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

• Horse doesn't appear: Double-check your "horse.ymt" file to make sure the XML entry is correct.
• Textures look wrong: Ensure your texture files are named correctly and in the right format (usually .dds).
• Game crashes: Make sure you've installed ScriptHook RDR2 correctly and that your mod is compatible with your game version.

Remember, modding is often a process of trial and error. Don't be afraid to go back and tweak things if they're not quite right.

Conclusion

Well, folks, we've done it! We've successfully created a custom horse mod for Red Dead Redemption 2. From wrangling 3D models to corralling XML files, we've covered every step of the process. Now you're ready to populate the Wild West with horses straight from your imagination!

Remember, modding is as much an art as it is a science. Don't be discouraged if things don't work perfectly the first time. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and soon you'll be the talk of the modding saloon.

So saddle up, hit the dusty trail, and enjoy your custom steed! And who knows? Maybe your next mod will be a six-legged horse or a unicorn with rocket boosters. In the world of modding, the sky's the limit!

Happy trails, partners, and happy modding!