So I tried installing the test mod .xml... without success

I know the framework is installed and the patcher worked since the version thing changed and mod options are visible. I placed the testmod.xml for the new building inside the xml mod directory as the instructions say. So far I've not seen the mod show up in the xml mod list in game nor have I seen the new building.

I've tested this with the Steam version (1.2.3) and the GoG versions (1.2.2, honestly I like as 1.2.2 has 1 less annoying message that 1.2.3 has about storage space being low).

But yeah... all patched up, framework installed, mod file placed in mods sub directory for xml stuff, no dice:(
I'd love to learn how to make the xml mods but I don't even have a frame of reference that is functional:\

[solidDoWant]

Can you please post a pastebin of the log in at Documents\Planetbase\log.txt ?

[solidDoWant]

Also, did you install the XML Modloader, and place the xml file inside of Mods\XML Modloader ?

I think part of this stems from me trying to use the earlier releases and getting other files (I intend to mod, hah) also around here. I also had to do a total reinstall at one point because something broke. Ignore the first 2 since I see from that I was missing something. However... 3rd.

I can post the relevant snippits at least. I made new games/maps each test. The .xml is in Planetbase\Mods\XML Modloader

This is the GoG version.
******* NEW RUN ********
[5:09:46 AM] Game Starting, version: 1.2.2
[5:09:46 AM] Time: 2/11/2018 5:09:46 AM, UnityDebug: False, Debug: False, Profiling: False
[5:09:49 AM] Achievement interface is: Planetbase.ServerInterfaceOffline
[5:09:49 AM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_main, totalling 796
[5:09:49 AM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_help, totalling 955
[5:09:49 AM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_tutorial, totalling 1048
[5:09:50 AM] Loading mod "Planetbase Framework"
[5:09:50 AM] Found 0 strings files
[5:09:50 AM] Found 0 PNG files
[5:09:50 AM] Found 0 OBJ files
[5:09:50 AM] Loaded mod "Planetbase Framework"
[5:09:50 AM] New game state: GameStateLogo
[5:09:50 AM] New game state: GameStateTitleReplacement
[5:09:52 AM] New game state: ModListGameState
[5:10:00 AM] New game state: GameStateTitleReplacement

This is the Steam version.
******* NEW RUN ********
[6:24:39 AM] Game Starting, version: 1.2.3
[6:24:39 AM] Time: 2/14/2018 6:24:39 AM, UnityDebug: False, Debug: False, Profiling: False
[6:24:40 AM] SteamWorks initialized, AppId: 403190
[6:24:40 AM] Achievement interface is: Planetbase.ServerInterfaceSteam
[6:24:40 AM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_main, totalling 802
[6:24:40 AM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_help, totalling 979
[6:24:40 AM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_tutorial, totalling 1072
[6:24:40 AM] Loading mod "Planetbase Framework"
[6:24:40 AM] Found 0 strings files
[6:24:40 AM] Found 0 PNG files
[6:24:40 AM] Found 0 OBJ files
[6:24:40 AM] Loaded mod "Planetbase Framework"
[6:24:40 AM] New game state: GameStateLogo
[6:24:40 AM] New game state: GameStateTitleReplacement
[6:24:43 AM] New game state: GameStateLoadGame
[6:24:47 AM] New game state: GameStateGame
[6:24:49 AM] Generated nav graph: 202x202 nodes: 114.59ms
[6:24:49 AM] Loaded 127 help items: 243.68ms

This is the Steam version
******* NEW RUN ********
[7:24:38 PM] Game Starting, version: 1.2.3
[7:24:38 PM] Time: 2/15/2018 7:24:38 PM, UnityDebug: False, Debug: False, Profiling: False
[7:24:39 PM] SteamWorks initialized, AppId: 403190
[7:24:39 PM] Achievement interface is: Planetbase.ServerInterfaceSteam
[7:24:39 PM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_main, totalling 802
[7:24:39 PM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_help, totalling 979
[7:24:39 PM] Loaded strings from Strings/en_tutorial, totalling 1072
[7:24:41 PM] Loading mod "Planetbase Framework"
[7:24:41 PM] Found 1 strings files
[7:24:41 PM] Successfully loaded 1 string(s) from C:\Users\B3-bomber\Documents/Planetbase\Mods\Planetbase Framework\assets\strings\framework_en.xml
[7:24:41 PM] Found 1 PNG files
[7:24:41 PM] Successfully loaded 1 texture(s)
[7:24:41 PM] Found 0 OBJ files
[7:24:41 PM] Loaded mod "Planetbase Framework"
[7:24:41 PM] New game state: GameStateLogo
[7:24:41 PM] New game state: GameStateTitleReplacement
[7:24:43 PM] New game state: ModListGameState
[7:24:45 PM] New game state: GameStateTitleReplacement
[7:24:51 PM] New game state: GameStateLocationSelection

It seems something is still missing because I started a new planet and the building icon is not present. I checked exterior and interior lists.

[solidDoWant]

If you want to run XML mods, you need to install the XML Modloader mod. https://github.com/solidDoWant/Planetbase-XMLModloaderMod/releases

That looks like something new to me:)
https://github.com/solidDoWant/Planetbase-Framework/wiki has this link:
https://github.com/solidDoWant/Planetbase-XMLModloaderMod

Seems a bit of link cleaning is in order:P

[6:49:09 PM] Error initializing mod "XML Modloader" from file: C:\Users*\Documents/Planetbase\Mods\XMLModloaderModV2.dll of type: XmlModloaderMod
[6:49:09 PM] Exception thrown:
[6:49:09 PM] System.Xml.XmlException: a name did not start with a legal character 32 ( ) file:///C:/Users/*/Documents/Planetbase/Mods/XML Modloader/TestMod.xml Line 44, position 62.
at Mono.Xml2.XmlTextReader.ReadName (System.String& prefix, System.String& localName) [0x00000] in :0
at Mono.Xml2.XmlTextReader.ReadName () [0x00000] in :0
at Mono.Xml2.XmlTextReader.ReadEntityReference (Boolean ignoreEntityReferences) [0x00000] in :0
at Mono.Xml2.XmlTextReader.ReadReference (Boolean ignoreEntityReferences) [0x00000] in :0
at Mono.Xml2.XmlTextReader.ReadText (Boolean notWhitespace) [0x00000] in :0
at Mono.Xml2.XmlTextReader.ReadContent () [0x00000] in :0
at Mono.Xml2.XmlTextReader.Read () [0x00000] in :0
at System.Xml.XmlTextReader.Read () [0x00000] in :0
at System.Xml.XmlReader.ReadToFollowing (System.String name) [0x00000] in :0
at XMLModloaderModV2.XmlModloaderMod.Init () [0x00000] in :0
at PlanetbaseFramework.Modloader.LoadMods () [0x00000] in :0

If I'm the only one running into these problems from following the directions, I have to say no one else tried:(

[NeoRider7]

Now there are 2 different engines on which it is possible to create and work with mods in the Planetbase game.

To work with mods in the Planetbase game, you need to choose one of the two currently existing engines for working with mods.
Mods created on one engine do not work on another. And vice versa.
Many mods created on one engine have their own copy of the mod to work in another engine.

If you're having trouble with mods in one mod engine, then try working with mods in another mod engine. ;-)
Perhaps in another new engine for mods you will be more comfortable!

---

First, in 2016, JPFarias created the first modding engine.
This method of installing mods requires the initial installation of the Patcher and Redirector.

Then, in 2020, Tahvohck created his own engine for creating mods for the Planetbase game.

1. Mods created on the Tahvohck engine do not require Patcher and Redirector. However, it requires the installation of other software: "Unity Mod Manager Configuration" + "Planetbase Utilities".
2. Description from Tahvohck of the features of his platform and why he created it https://github.com/Tahvohck/Planetbase-Mods
3. Unity Mod Manager Configuration https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/43
4. Planetbase Utilities https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/45
5. Examples of mods working on the Tahvohck engine:
   5.1) Mod 2.1: AutoConnections ReManaged https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/46
   5.2) Mod 2.2: Building Aligner ReManaged https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/47
   5.3) Mod 2.3: ComponentManager https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/52
   5.4) Mod 2.4: AlmostNoSpares Remake https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/53

A more complete list of mods for both mod engines can be found in this guide: Guide "List of Mods (and mod engines) for Planetbase": https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1981754832
And the most up-to-date list of mods and engines can be found on NexusMods: https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/