ASTFord

I'd be embarrassed to admit that I've even watched that...

I'd be embarrassed to admit that I've even watched that...

I don't know if it will help a lot of people, but as I saw some members asking "how do you..." or "what do you use for..." in topics, maybe this list will interest a few beginners.
If you have suggestions, feel free to tell me. I didn't put all the tools, because some of them are crap or because another tool does the same thing, better.
Finding alternatives easily : go to this website for generic tools or this one for GTA IV specific tools.
 
 
- Text
 
Notepad++ : forget the good old Windows Notepad, this one is powerful, adaptative, and full of options. Perfect for modifying data files or coding.
Download
 
 
- Image
 
Gimp2 : if you want to make textures or other graphic stuff, here is the champion.
Download - Plugins
 
Alternative : Paint.NET
 
 
- Sound
 
Audacity : cut, add effects, and fix your audio files. Useful if you are modding GTA IV audio.
Download
 
 
- Archive
 
7zip : please, get rid of this awful WinRAR, 7zip is 100% free and as effective. You'll need a tool like this to extract or compress files.
Download
 
Alternative : PeaZip
 
 
- Script
 
VisualStudio Express : if you want to create C# or Vb.NET scripts. Need a lot of learning !
Download 2010 - Download 2012 (I find 2010 way better)
 
ScriptHookDotNet Dev & Docs : necessary for GTA IV .NET scripting. Look at GTA forums in IV Coding section for tutorials, samples, and help. Need a lot of learning !
Download
 
 
- GTA IV Specific
 
OpenIV : import, export, edit files. Full of options. A must have for car or ped mods and other things like that. Plus, you can use OpenFormats.
Download
 
SparkIV : same as OpenIV without OpenFormats. Choose the one you want. I use both, following my needs.
Download
 
IVneedle : it can edit a lot of data files. I mean, a lot, really. Handling, Timecyc, Peds, etc...
Download
 
X GXT Editor : if you need to rename a car, a street, or whatever. Useful if you have replaced your police cars and want a coherent name for example.
Download
 
GTA-IVaud : open, extract, replace audio files. It's why Audacity was listed above ;) Be advised that some audio files like loading theme can't be edited for the moment.
Download
 
 
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About 3D modeling : I thought of Blender as a free alternative of Zmodeler. Yeah, it doesn't support GTA IV formats, but maybe you can export in an open format supported by OpenIV.
I didn't test it, so if someone knows or is gonna test, I would like to know if it's possible and I'll add it in this list of course.
 
 
- Resources
 
Abstract Fonts / Dafont / FontSquirrel : download free various fonts for your textures.
Go to AF - Go to DF - Go to FS
 
LCPDFR Development Resources / GPM Development Support : download 3D modeling objects, templates, and misc other things.
Go to LCPDFR-DR - Go to GPM-DS
 
DeviantArt Resources & Stock : download Photoshop/Gimp brushes, texture filters, logos, and other graphics stuff.
Go to DA-RS
 
FreeSound : the name says it all, here you'll find a lot of sound effects for your scripts/audio mods.
Go to Freesound
 
 
- Hosting Websites
if you need to host some testing files or other stuff that can't be uploaded to lcpdfr.com
 
Dropbox : free account : 2GB, can be extended a little for free. Size per file limit : web : 300MB / client : none.
Go !
 
Google Drive : free account : 5GB, if you have a gmail/google account, you have a GoogleDrive account. Size per file limit : 10GB.
Go !
 
Mega : free account : 50GB. Size per file limit : none.
Go !
 
Servimg : image hosting only, useful for screenshots or other illustrations.
Go !
 
Skydrive : 7GB, if you have an hotmail or live or outlook mail account, you have a Skydrive account. Size per file limit : web : 300MB / client : 2GB.
Go !
 
I don't include 4shared because downloaders need an account and MediaFire because it deletes files after a month without downloading.
About image hosting, I don't include Imageshack or Ompldr because sometimes images are deleted.
 
 
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Don't forget to read / watch the helpful tutorials of our beloved website too !