https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/369108
Questions are already answered here. 4 post below this one.
You cant open the sins mesh format with a standard modeling program. However there is an import script for 3dsmax that will open some of the ships meshes. I know the search function is non existant here, but check around some of the tutorial threads may link to it. Or someone else be kind and post the link.
You need XSI version 6.0 minimum. Mod Tool is free, and it works. It uses XSI 7.5 as its foundation i belive. It doesnt matter what modeling program you make your models with. I use 3dsmax. As long as the modeler can export to a format XSI can import. You will need XSI to finish your model, and get it ready for import to sins mesh format. The Forge tools doc's cover this.
Refer to the tutorials that are scattered all over the boards, or check the 7 deadly sins wiki. Also first, and foremost read up on the Forge Tools mod documentation. It doesnt cover everything but it does go over the important subjects. Regardless you should start with the forge tool doc's.
Photoshop should be the tool of choice to edit textures, but people looking for free stuff use Gimp. The saying goes you get what you pay for. I personally dont like the program, but if you cant afford photoshop i guess you gotta do what you gotta do.
You will need to convert the sins gamedata files from binary to text format. Then all you need to edit them is wordpad. Use ether harpos mod tools, or Dekhranics tool to convert. I prefer Harpos's tools, but chose the tool that works better for you. The devs no longer release reference files in text, because we have the tools to convert them ourselves.
I know its a pain, but look around the boards, and study up. Sins is not hard to mod at all, but the learning curve to get to where you can mod sins is challenging to newcomers.
