Below is a list of frameworks commonly used by contentsmiths. If you have any questions about which one to use, feel free to come ask in #making-mods. The most common abbreviation for framework names have been added to ones that are commonly abbreviated. Original list compiled by Jonqora.
Content Patcher aka CP
- Edit or replace any game file in
Content
; - Add new files (useful for making a new NPC);
- Edit images, data, or maps;
Content Patcher Animations aka CPA
- Used to animate images both vanilla and custom (either added through CP or JA);
- Requires Content Patcher
Custom Furniture aka CF
- Currently broken in 1.5
- Adds new items that behave like vanilla furniture - rotation, placeable on walls;
- If you don't need items to rotate or be placed on walls it is recommended to use JA with Bigger Craftables;
- Requires PyTK
Custom Music aka CM
- Replace or add new music tracks and sound effects;
- Requires PyTK
- Makes new types of rocks you can break to get vanilla or custom items
- Add new types of boulder-sized resource clumps you can break to get items, either custom or from the base game.
- Adds new stations via Content Patcher
- Requires PlatoTK and Content Patcher
Custom Walls and Floors aka CWF
- Adds new wallpaper and floors without replacing any of the vanilla ones;
- Is known to have issues in MP;
- Adds custom storages (chests, cabinets, etc.) that support capacity at vanilla levels and beyond.
Farm Type Manager aka FTM
- Spawn stumps, debris, forage, ores, meteors, etc.;
- Spawn monsters and create new monster types based on existing ones
Json Assets aka JA
- Adds new items: Objects, BigCraftables, Hats, Shirts, Pants, Shoes/Boots, Fences, Weapons, Crops, Fruit Trees, and recipes at the forge;
- Specify crafting/cooking/tailoring recipes;
- Specify gift tastes;
- New item data/images can be targeted with Content Patcher;
- Can use Bigger Craftables to make craftables larger than 16x32;
- Requires SpaceCore and Expanded Preconditions Utility
Mail Framework Mod aka MFM
- Allows you to send a variety of objects to the player including recipes;
- More in depth conditions than vanilla;
- Custom letter backgrounds without having to edit via CP
Producer Framework Mod aka PFM
- Successor to Custom Farming Redux;
- Change the input, output, and behavior of vanilla machines;
- New machines can be added with BigCraftables via JA;
- Animation support
Quest Framework aka QF
- Create new custom quests of different types
Shop Tile Framework aka STF
- Add or change what's for sale in vanilla shops;
- Create a new shop location with detailed conditions;
- Requires Expanded Preconditions Utility
TMXL Map Toolkit aka TMXL
- Necessary to add new locations;
- Lots of map features such as crop layers and water color;
- Requires PyTK
- Make a new location accessible without patching vanilla maps