What programs would I need to Mod this game?

The programs you need depends on what you want to do.

If you want to create models for the game, you will need 3d modelling software, such as Blender, or Autodesk XSI

for textureing, all you need is GIMP (which is free) or you can go to other end, Photoshop

As for entity files, all you need is notepad, and the converter that comes with the game

I am mostly interested on making a new race and new types of planets

UZi already has lots of great planets so why not stack your new race mod onto uzis mod. You can play both mods at once untill you do the planets yourself.

First, you need to convert the bin files to text files. This can be done manually or with a bin to text converter like the text bin gui from harpo. Quote from harpo "here is my uploaded sins 1.19, entrenchment 1.05, and diplomacy 1.01 all txted by my text bin gui (all convertable files converted, but excluding movies,textures and sounds)."      harpo rocks! 

Get NotePad ++ (optional). NotePad ++ is notepad on steroids and great for coding. Free open source.

For texturing, photoshop is best ($999). There is also Gimp (free) (download) with the DDS plugin from http://nifelheim.dyndns.org/~cocidius/dds/#download

3d moddeling for new ships. Get XSI 3D Modeling

To edit the sounds and music use Audacity (free open source) and save as ogg. Note that the music can be saved in stereo but event sounds must be saved in mono or they will come over 1 channel only.

Happy Modding

Also you can use the program depeche view to search txt files in a folder. fx I have a folder with al the gameinfo files so that I can just copy a file from there if I need it as skabalon for something. I then also use it to search through to find things like filestructures or find a skabalon containing a specific action i want to use.

im new can anyone tell me where i go to get patch 1.19 so i can play sacrifice of angels mod for the original sins?

i guess patch 1.181 is the one i need anyone know where i can find it?

Did you register the game with Impulse? if you did, log on with your account here, and then download the patch updates

when i try to register the game it says PRODUCT REGISTRATION FAILED: the email address or serial number you entered is invalid.blah blah blah. Is it possible this is because i bought the game  used from amazon?

seerokool, yes that is the problem. the ONLY method for fixing this problem is to email support at stardock.com explain the whole situation and be prepared to PURCHASE a new registration number

harpo