How do you make a resource pack?
It is pretty simple to make a resource pack. Here's a scenario: I recently decided to make a new texture pack that replaces the emerald texture with a ruby. To make one, you follow these steps. First, let's get a resource pack.


Where do I get a resource pack?
My trusted template resource pack source is this one, contributed by Lmeagno. Download the resource pack by clicking the first option. Now, it should download and then you can open the downloaded folder.


I have the template now, how do I start editing?
Don't edit just now. Click on assets and then minecraft, and finally drag the folders that you want to edit (If you want to edit textures, then do the textures folder) onto the desktop. Delete the other folders that you don't want to use. Now you can drag in the needed ones again. After this, go into that folder, drag the needed ones onto the desktop, delete files/folders you don't want to use, and drag the needed ones back in. Go into the last folder if there is one, and do the same process.


How do I start editing now that I've removed most of the unneeded files?
I would recommend you to use Paintbrush if you are a Mac user, or Paint paint.NET if you are a Windows user. (If you have Lunix, please say what you use to edit textures in the comments!) Open it up with your drawing program and customize the texture the way you like! This is only for the textures folder however. Sound and other files are different like the lang (language, where you change names of blocks and other text in Minecraft)


Wait! How do you change the name of a block?
Go into the lang folder and open the en_US.lang file (or your language file) with a text editor. Only edit text after the equal signs or else that line will mess up.


I want to send someone else the resource pack, but my friend is from Mars! What do I do?
Upload your file to Mediafire or Dropbox, my recommended file sharing applications.


Okay, I'm done! What should I do?
Post it on Planet Minecraft and the Minecraft Forums! Both are very good places to jump-start your project.