Let's begin with the basics. This is the layout of the StepMania program directory. The directories we'll be focusing on are Announcers, Characters, NoteSkins, and Themes. With the exception of NoteSkins, everything else is placed in a directory like this: Themes\Theme Name\*files*. NoteSkins must go one directory deeper based on whether they are "dance" or "pump" noteskins (usually dance) so they will look like this: NoteSkins\dance\noteskin name\*files*. Pretty simple right? Let's move onto the different types of files we might come across.

Every StepMania download offered on this site is either a "zip" or "smzip" file. SMZip files have a set of instructions for installation built into them so they are extremely easy to install. Zip files on the other hand require a little more work, but are still relatively easy to install. Please note that the icon for zip type files may vary from computer to computer based on software you may have installed. Now that you know the basics, let's move on to the actual installation process.

Let's say we've just double-clicked an smzip file. If all goes well we should be presented with a window that looks like the one just above this text. At the top you'll see the directory that your smzip file is currently located in. Below that is a scroll box listing all of the files that this SMZip file is preparing to put into your StepMania directory. If you don't trust the person who gave you an SMZip file, it may be a good idea to review this list as the SMZip file could overwrite some settings. Also below this is a dropdown list which should contain all of the installed copies of StepMania on your computer. Most of the time you will not need to change this value. To install the add-on, we're going to click the button labeled "Finish".

This doesn't apply to a lot of add-ons, but it's worth mentioning anyway. Some SMZip files contain comments that the author decided to add to his or her file. Comments may include valuable information such as compatibility or notes about usage. You may select not to view comments on any add-ons in the future if you wish, merely check the box and click OK. Otherwise just click OK and let's get to the installation.

While the package is installing, you will hopefully see a screen like the one above. The blue progress bar will show you how much of the file has been extracted. Don't click finish during this time or it will abort the installation. Once it's finished we can move on to the next step.

If all goes well you will see a message telling you that the "Package installed successfully!". Congratulations, once you've finished patting yourself on the back click "OK" to move on.

Now that the add-on is installed, we are returned to the default page for the Stepmania Package Manager. The only thing left to do now is to "Play Stepmania".

We're going to start off by opening up the StepMania program folder. The program was nice enough to place a handy little link to do this right in your start menu. Follow the picture above if you can't find it on your own.

Once it's open you will hopefully see something like the picture above. All of the highlighted directories are where your add-ons should go, based on what exactly they are. Remember that NoteSkins must be placed in either "dance" or "pump" instead of the root of the NoteSkins directory. For the purposes of this guide, we will install a theme (A.O.I. Projekt Blue) but the process for installing other add-ons is basically the same.

Since this is a theme we're installing I've opened up the "Themes" directory. We're going to need to create a new directory for our theme, so right click on the background of the folder and make a new folder using the context menu. Take note of the "KatzeExtreme" directory that we created earlier in this guide. If you are really confused, taking a look at an add-on that was installed using an SMZip file could help.

For the purposes of this guide I've named the directory "My Theme", but you should name it something significant so you'll know which theme it is later. Now that we have a directory for our theme, lets go ahead and open up the zip file for the add-on we want to install.

Here is where things get very different depending on several factors. Sometimes you will see a window just like the one above, but it is possible you will find just one folder in your zip file instead of the several that are pictured above. Regardless of how it is organized, open folders until you find the directory with metrics.ini inside of it. That is the directory we want to use. Note that for characters you will want the directory with character.ini, and for announcers you'll want to look for a directory with folders like "evaluation a" and "game over". Also please note that if you have zip software installed your window make look very different from the one above. Usually you will still be able to follow the instructions below, but it may not work exactly right.

By far the easiest step in the whole process, just highlight all of the files and folders in the directory with metrics.ini.

After we have them highlighted, right click them and select "Copy".

Now we're going to need to go back to the directory we've created for our new add-on. Once there, right click on the background of the folder and select "Paste"

Hopefully you should end up with a directory looking something like this after you've finished. If everything looks right, you can go ahead and move on to the next set of steps: Setting up our addons in the game.

Simple stuff here... We're going to need to go to the Operator menu by selecting "Options" and hitting the start button.

Appearance options is the first on the list, and that happens to be where we need to go.

Here you'll find several different options, among them are the currently selected Theme, NoteSkin, and Announcer. Select the ones you want and scroll to the bottom to exit the menu. It's just as simple as that.