Overview
Note: This guide is for people who know enough on prison architect’s modding to setup their mod folder and the folders within it.
Introduction
This guide is still incomplete but gives you enough information to make a 3D mode mod so long as you know how to create the mod folder and it’s contents.
Data Files
Go to your prison architects data files using 7zip in steamapps->prison architect and extract it.
Go into shapes folder
The shapes folder (located in prison architects data) contains the 3D models and textures for them.
Unless you are trying to save room you should copy the whole shapes folder into your mods data folder.
Editing 3D models and textures
The 3D models are .obj files. Not only can you edit them but you can even 3D print them if you had a video card that supported it (and a 3D printer). You can open them in whatever 3D modeling program you have, I use blender but it doesn’t matter so long as it can import .obj files. If it doesn’t you will have to convert it to a file it excepts with another 3D software then after editing vice versa. As for textures they can be tricky because asides walls all of the textures are crammed on one .png image. To make manners worse alot of 3D models share textures; so editing one object might result in several having the same colors as the one object spread allover. To texture the object in your software just place the .png file onto the 3D model in your editor.
Large 3D Models
If you have already opened one of the prison architect models; you’ll notice that it is absolutely massive. Sorry but you will have to edit it like this (if you change it, it will look like a toy).
Sketchfab
If you want to put your one of your 3D models on sketchfab so people can view the 3D model before subscribing you must fors have an account (If you don’t make one). Upload the 3D model to sketchfab, then texture it with the png containing the textures (It will automaticly find the correct textures to use. Last copy a link and paste it where steam says, then upload.
Custom Models
Making a model for a 2D object that doesn’t exist in 3D will require you to name it what it is reffered to as in the scripts. Don’t know? Just open one of the scripts that would have it (probably the graphics script) and name your model that. Textures won’t work though materials possibly will.
Making a model that doesn’t exist already in the game will require you to create the scripts in which case you should check out the other guides on modding to get an idea on making your own scripts.