Difference between revisions of "Oblivion Mods FAQ"

This FAQ is intended to be a living document, so I frequently update parts of it and add new material. If you're trying to find information about Oblivion mods or mod-making, it's worth checking here to see if I've added something about it. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or corrections you'd like to contribute, you can edit the appropriate section yourself and I will review your suggested changes.

This FAQ is intended to be a living document, so I frequently update parts of it and add new material. If you're trying to find information about Oblivion mods or mod-making, it's worth checking here to see if I've added something about it. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or corrections you'd like to contribute, you can edit the appropriate section yourself and I will review your suggested changes.

==What are mods?==

==What are mods?==

Also, bridgepiece has written an excellent guide on how to avoid [http://canadianice.ufrealms.net/forum2/index.php?topic=4160 Fake/Malicious Mods].

Also, bridgepiece has written an excellent guide on how to avoid [http://canadianice.ufrealms.net/forum2/index.php?topic=4160 Fake/Malicious Mods].

== How do I avoid corrupt downloads? ==

== How do I avoid corrupt downloads? ==

* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/201/ DownloadThemAll!]

* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/201/ DownloadThemAll!]

* [http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/ Free Download Manager]

* [http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/ Free Download Manager]

==How do I install mods?==

==How do I install mods?==

Note that an important feature of both OBMM and Bain is their ability to ''uninstall'' mods. This is important since it reduces resource and directory clutter (too much clutter can affect Oblivion performance for a variety of reasons). Better mod file management can also remove some obscure sources of errors. (Note that manually removing mods can be difficult if the mod contains a lot of files, in which case it is usually a task best left to one of these two tools.)

Note that an important feature of both OBMM and Bain is their ability to ''uninstall'' mods. This is important since it reduces resource and directory clutter (too much clutter can affect Oblivion performance for a variety of reasons). Better mod file management can also remove some obscure sources of errors. (Note that manually removing mods can be difficult if the mod contains a lot of files, in which case it is usually a task best left to one of these two tools.)

===OBMM===

===OBMM===

To uninstall a mod in OBMM, just double-click it again (or select the OMOD again and click the ''Deactivate'' button). OBMM will disable and uninstall the mod (removes all the files it installed).

To uninstall a mod in OBMM, just double-click it again (or select the OMOD again and click the ''Deactivate'' button). OBMM will disable and uninstall the mod (removes all the files it installed).

====Creating OMODs====

====Creating OMODs====

Unfortunately, most of the early tutorials written about OMOD creation have expired from ESF, but LHammonds' web site devoted to OBMM has several excellent [http://HammondsLegacy.com/obmm/tutorials.asp OMOD tutorials]. If you want to do more advanced things with OMODs, LHammonds also offers a very good [http://HammondsLegacy.com/obmm/script_templates.asp introduction to OBMM scripting].

Unfortunately, most of the early tutorials written about OMOD creation have expired from ESF, but LHammonds' web site devoted to OBMM has several excellent [http://HammondsLegacy.com/obmm/tutorials.asp OMOD tutorials]. If you want to do more advanced things with OMODs, LHammonds also offers a very good [http://HammondsLegacy.com/obmm/script_templates.asp introduction to OBMM scripting].

===Bain===

===Bain===

* [[Bain|Bain Archive Structure and Projects]]

* [[Bain|Bain Archive Structure and Projects]]

* [http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Tes4Mod:Wrye_Bash/Bash_vs._OBMM Bain vs. OBMM]

* [http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Tes4Mod:Wrye_Bash/Bash_vs._OBMM Bain vs. OBMM]

===Manual Installation===

===Manual Installation===

Note however, that it's difficult to manually ''un''-install mods that have many resources. The difficulty lies not just in finding all of the resources to remove, but also in avoiding removal of resources that are in use by other mods. The ability to uninstall mods is one of the major reasons for using a mod ''in''staller.

Note however, that it's difficult to manually ''un''-install mods that have many resources. The difficulty lies not just in finding all of the resources to remove, but also in avoiding removal of resources that are in use by other mods. The ability to uninstall mods is one of the major reasons for using a mod ''in''staller.

===Mods on Windows Vista===

===Mods on Windows Vista===

When you're ready to install a mod, you will need to download the mod archive to a temporary folder and extract it, so let's talk about that next.

When you're ready to install a mod, you will need to download the mod archive to a temporary folder and extract it, so let's talk about that next.

===File Compression===

===File Compression===

7zip is favored by many mod makers because it can produce dramatically smaller files than the other formats. It's also free, open-source, and supports most of the other common formats, so if you want to cover all your bases with one download, get 7zip. This is a personal bias on my part. Many people will argue in favor of one of the other tools.

7zip is favored by many mod makers because it can produce dramatically smaller files than the other formats. It's also free, open-source, and supports most of the other common formats, so if you want to cover all your bases with one download, get 7zip. This is a personal bias on my part. Many people will argue in favor of one of the other tools.

===Unzipping to a Temporary Location===

===Unzipping to a Temporary Location===

That's it! The mod is installed. Just a few more details and you're ready to go.

That's it! The mod is installed. Just a few more details and you're ready to go.

===Archive Invalidation===

===Archive Invalidation===

Next we'll examine these methods in a bit more detail.

Next we'll examine these methods in a bit more detail.

====BSA-redirection====

====BSA-redirection====

This method works by tricking the Oblivion game engine into using its bugged ArchiveInvalidation method on the wrong BSA file. By doing this, it allows all files in the main Textures BSA to be reliably superseded by any more recent files found in your Textures folder.

This method works by tricking the Oblivion game engine into using its bugged ArchiveInvalidation method on the wrong BSA file. By doing this, it allows all files in the main Textures BSA to be reliably superseded by any more recent files found in your Textures folder.

=====OBMM=====

=====OBMM=====

# Close the ''Archive invalidation'' popup (click the red X in the upper-left corner).

# Close the ''Archive invalidation'' popup (click the red X in the upper-left corner).

# Quit OBMM or click ''Launch Oblivion''.

# Quit OBMM or click ''Launch Oblivion''.

=====Wrye Bash (Bain)=====

=====Wrye Bash (Bain)=====

# Right-click the column header.

# Right-click the column header.

# Select "BSA Redirection".

# Select "BSA Redirection".

=====Mod=====

=====Mod=====

Alternately, you can install a mod specifically designed to do BSA-redirection. It's called [http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10724 ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated!].

Alternately, you can install a mod specifically designed to do BSA-redirection. It's called [http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10724 ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated!].

=====Manual=====

=====Manual=====

'''Warning''': BSA-redirection relies on date precedence to override the textures BSA. This is generally not a problem, since most mod files are more recent than the standard Bethesda ones. Still, if you run into problems with some textures not loading, you may want to check the dates on the files. All replacement files must be dated more recently than the associated BSA file. If they're not, you can either give the BSA an older date or give the replacements a more recent date. Useful tools for doing this include [http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/filedatech.html FileDate Changer] (for changing specific dates on specific files) and [http://rtouch.sourceforge.net/ RTouch] (for recursively changing the dates on a lot of files).

'''Warning''': BSA-redirection relies on date precedence to override the textures BSA. This is generally not a problem, since most mod files are more recent than the standard Bethesda ones. Still, if you run into problems with some textures not loading, you may want to check the dates on the files. All replacement files must be dated more recently than the associated BSA file. If they're not, you can either give the BSA an older date or give the replacements a more recent date. Useful tools for doing this include [http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/filedatech.html FileDate Changer] (for changing specific dates on specific files) and [http://rtouch.sourceforge.net/ RTouch] (for recursively changing the dates on a lot of files).

====BSA-alteration====

====BSA-alteration====

In other words, these utilities edit your Textures BSA so that Oblivion cannot find the original version of texture files you have replaced, thus forcing the game to load the replacements instead of the originals.  

In other words, these utilities edit your Textures BSA so that Oblivion cannot find the original version of texture files you have replaced, thus forcing the game to load the replacements instead of the originals.  

=====Oblivion Mod Manager=====

=====Oblivion Mod Manager=====

For more detail on the BSA-alteration method of invalidation, please see [http://devakm.blogspot.com/2006/05/archiveinvalidation-explained.html ArchiveInvalidation Explained].

For more detail on the BSA-alteration method of invalidation, please see [http://devakm.blogspot.com/2006/05/archiveinvalidation-explained.html ArchiveInvalidation Explained].

=====Wrye Bash=====

=====Wrye Bash=====

Note that Wrye Bash checks to make sure you don't already have any active BSA alterations from OBMM or BSA Patcher before allowing you to use this feature.

Note that Wrye Bash checks to make sure you don't already have any active BSA alterations from OBMM or BSA Patcher before allowing you to use this feature.

=====BSA Patcher=====

=====BSA Patcher=====

You can find more information on BSAPatch usage in [http://devnull.devakm.googlepages.com/archiveinvalidation#AIDestroyed ArchiveInvalidation Destroyed].

You can find more information on BSAPatch usage in [http://devnull.devakm.googlepages.com/archiveinvalidation#AIDestroyed ArchiveInvalidation Destroyed].

====Other Solutions====

====Other Solutions====

Don't believe it. It's a great urban legend, but it doesn't work.

Don't believe it. It's a great urban legend, but it doesn't work.

===Playing the Mod===

===Playing the Mod===

Note that if you play with a very large number of mods (i.e., more than 100), it's a good idea to keep most of your inactive mods somewhere other than in the \Oblivion\Data\ folder. Having a very large number of inactive mods in the Data folder can cause system slowdowns and crashes. You can just move them into a separate subfolder (i.e., "InactiveMods" or something similar). Wrye Bash includes a feature to help you "hide" such inactive mods.

Note that if you play with a very large number of mods (i.e., more than 100), it's a good idea to keep most of your inactive mods somewhere other than in the \Oblivion\Data\ folder. Having a very large number of inactive mods in the Data folder can cause system slowdowns and crashes. You can just move them into a separate subfolder (i.e., "InactiveMods" or something similar). Wrye Bash includes a feature to help you "hide" such inactive mods.

==Can I get these mods on my Xbox-360?==

==Can I get these mods on my Xbox-360?==

# Performance tuning

# Performance tuning

# Tracking down problems with specific mods

# Tracking down problems with specific mods

===Known Bugs===

===Known Bugs===

There is a long list of known bugs in Oblivion that are often mistaken for problems introduced by mods. Before you assume that a bug is caused by a mod, it's a good idea to be sure the problem isn't a generic issue. Many of the fixable bugs are already corrected by the official patches (see below) and the [http://www.oblivionmodwiki.com/index.php?title=Unofficial_Oblivion_Patch Unofficial Oblivion Patch]. Many generic issues with Oblivion are listed [http://www.oblivionmodwiki.com/index.php?title=Unofficial_Oblivion_Patch#Known_Oblivion_Bugs here] (along with some workarounds). Another good list of known bugs with the game engine and TESCS can be found in the [[:Category:Troubleshooting| Troubleshooting]] category.

There is a long list of known bugs in Oblivion that are often mistaken for problems introduced by mods. Before you assume that a bug is caused by a mod, it's a good idea to be sure the problem isn't a generic issue. Many of the fixable bugs are already corrected by the official patches (see below) and the [http://www.oblivionmodwiki.com/index.php?title=Unofficial_Oblivion_Patch Unofficial Oblivion Patch]. Many generic issues with Oblivion are listed [http://www.oblivionmodwiki.com/index.php?title=Unofficial_Oblivion_Patch#Known_Oblivion_Bugs here] (along with some workarounds). Another good list of known bugs with the game engine and TESCS can be found in the [[:Category:Troubleshooting| Troubleshooting]] category.

===The Official Patches===

===The Official Patches===

This will force the BSA to load without having it registered in your Oblivion.ini file.

This will force the BSA to load without having it registered in your Oblivion.ini file.

===Mod Load Order and Conflicts/Overlaps===

===Mod Load Order and Conflicts/Overlaps===

Quite simply actually - the last mod loaded takes precedence. So if you did want to use the skill rates that "Level Rates Modified" provides, simply ensure it's loaded after Oscuro's. And how do you do this? Glad you asked.

Quite simply actually - the last mod loaded takes precedence. So if you did want to use the skill rates that "Level Rates Modified" provides, simply ensure it's loaded after Oscuro's. And how do you do this? Glad you asked.

====Setting the Load Order====

====Setting the Load Order====

See [http://devnull.devakm.googlepages.com/loadorder General Load-Order Guidelines] for more detail on which types of mods should go where in your load order.

See [http://devnull.devakm.googlepages.com/loadorder General Load-Order Guidelines] for more detail on which types of mods should go where in your load order.

====Checking Conflicts/Overlaps====

====Checking Conflicts/Overlaps====

Note: You can use [http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Wrye_Bash Wrye Bash] to rename the masters of your savegame, and thus move from an older to a newer version of a mod whose name has changed without losing any data.

Note: You can use [http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Wrye_Bash Wrye Bash] to rename the masters of your savegame, and thus move from an older to a newer version of a mod whose name has changed without losing any data.

===Missing Textures or Meshes===

===Missing Textures or Meshes===

If you're seeing large yellow exclamation marks, this is NOT an invalidation problem. It indicates missing meshes, which almost always means you either did not install all of the files needed for a mod or you installed them in the wrong place. It may also mean that one of your mods uses a BSA file that is not not registered in your Oblivion.ini (or forced to load some other way).

If you're seeing large yellow exclamation marks, this is NOT an invalidation problem. It indicates missing meshes, which almost always means you either did not install all of the files needed for a mod or you installed them in the wrong place. It may also mean that one of your mods uses a BSA file that is not not registered in your Oblivion.ini (or forced to load some other way).

===Performance Tuning===

===Performance Tuning===

Oblivion is a very resource-intensive game and many different factors can cause it to run slowly even on a very powerful computer. If you're having FPS (frames-per-second) or other performance problems, or just want to get the most you can out of the game, the best bet is to read Koroush Ghazi's [http://www.tweakguides.com/Oblivion_1.html Oblivion Tweak Guide]. It's by far the most comprehensive guide to Oblivion performance tuning I've found. You may also find some other good tips in [http://devnull.devakm.googlepages.com/obliviontextureoverhaul The Oblivion Texture Overhaul] site.

Oblivion is a very resource-intensive game and many different factors can cause it to run slowly even on a very powerful computer. If you're having FPS (frames-per-second) or other performance problems, or just want to get the most you can out of the game, the best bet is to read Koroush Ghazi's [http://www.tweakguides.com/Oblivion_1.html Oblivion Tweak Guide]. It's by far the most comprehensive guide to Oblivion performance tuning I've found. You may also find some other good tips in [http://devnull.devakm.googlepages.com/obliviontextureoverhaul The Oblivion Texture Overhaul] site.

===Tracking Down Problems with Specific Mods===

===Tracking Down Problems with Specific Mods===

You can find more tips in [[Helpful_Programs|Troubleshooting]].

You can find more tips in [[Helpful_Programs|Troubleshooting]].

====Console Commands and FormIDs====

====Console Commands and FormIDs====

This will display location info as you travel around the game world.

This will display location info as you travel around the game world.

====Asking for Help====

====Asking for Help====

You can find more tips in [[Helpful_Programs|Troubleshooting]].

You can find more tips in [[Helpful_Programs|Troubleshooting]].

==How do I make a mod?==

==How do I make a mod?==

Mods you create should be packaged in a common format (see the list of archive formats) along with a readme file describing what it does and how to install/uninstall it. The [[Modding Etiquette]] page provides some good tips on how to package and distribute your mod. If you want to make it really easy for users to install your mod, you should consider distributing it as an OMOD. Basic instructions for creating OMODs are included near the start of this FAQ. See [http://HammondsLegacy.com/obmm/tutorials.asp OMOD tutorials] and the [http://timeslip.chorrol.com/obmmm/index.html OBMM Manual] for more details. If you want to do more advanced things with OMODs, LHammonds also offers a very good [http://HammondsLegacy.com/obmm/script_templates.asp introduction to OBMM scripting].

Mods you create should be packaged in a common format (see the list of archive formats) along with a readme file describing what it does and how to install/uninstall it. The [[Modding Etiquette]] page provides some good tips on how to package and distribute your mod. If you want to make it really easy for users to install your mod, you should consider distributing it as an OMOD. Basic instructions for creating OMODs are included near the start of this FAQ. See [http://HammondsLegacy.com/obmm/tutorials.asp OMOD tutorials] and the [http://timeslip.chorrol.com/obmmm/index.html OBMM Manual] for more details. If you want to do more advanced things with OMODs, LHammonds also offers a very good [http://HammondsLegacy.com/obmm/script_templates.asp introduction to OBMM scripting].

===3D Mesh Exporter===

===3D Mesh Exporter===

Custom animations and completely original creatures are now possible in Oblivion thanks to the hard work of Tazpn and the NifTools team. XMarksTheSpot has written a great [http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Basic_Animation_Tutorial Basic Animation Tutorial] and Breeze582000 has written a tutorial on [http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Importing_Animations_from_Blender Importing Animations from Blender]. In an effort to make all this a bit easier, SnowFoxZA has created a command-line utility called [http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11262 NifBlend] to help with exporting Blender animations to Oblivion .kf files.

Custom animations and completely original creatures are now possible in Oblivion thanks to the hard work of Tazpn and the NifTools team. XMarksTheSpot has written a great [http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Basic_Animation_Tutorial Basic Animation Tutorial] and Breeze582000 has written a tutorial on [http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Importing_Animations_from_Blender Importing Animations from Blender]. In an effort to make all this a bit easier, SnowFoxZA has created a command-line utility called [http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11262 NifBlend] to help with exporting Blender animations to Oblivion .kf files.

===Essential Mod Tools===

===Essential Mod Tools===

* '''EGM Files'''

* '''EGM Files'''

:[http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9360 The Conformulator]. This tool will let you generate EGM files for custom meshes (EGM files are needed to resize hair and helmet meshes to fit various races).

:[http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9360 The Conformulator]. This tool will let you generate EGM files for custom meshes (EGM files are needed to resize hair and helmet meshes to fit various races).

===Mod Resources===

===Mod Resources===

* [http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=638308 Modders Resources]. An excellent list of modders resources, including free-source meshes/textures, tutorials, and FAQs.

* [http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=638308 Modders Resources]. An excellent list of modders resources, including free-source meshes/textures, tutorials, and FAQs.

* [http://z4.invisionfree.com/wayhouse/index.php?act=idx The Voice] (The Voice Over International Cadre). If you're creating a mod that includes new dialog, you can get voice acting help from this wonderful group, which replaced the now-defunct [http://ovag.bravehost.com/ Oblivion Voice Actors Guild] (OVAG).

* [http://z4.invisionfree.com/wayhouse/index.php?act=idx The Voice] (The Voice Over International Cadre). If you're creating a mod that includes new dialog, you can get voice acting help from this wonderful group, which replaced the now-defunct [http://ovag.bravehost.com/ Oblivion Voice Actors Guild] (OVAG).

===Advanced Mod Creation===

===Advanced Mod Creation===

* [[Choose_the_right_DXTC_compression_algorithm|Choose the Right DXTC Compression Algorithm]]. Trying to create some new textures, but confused about all the different DDS compression options? The answers are here.

* [[Choose_the_right_DXTC_compression_algorithm|Choose the Right DXTC Compression Algorithm]]. Trying to create some new textures, but confused about all the different DDS compression options? The answers are here.

* [http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=579010 List O' Tutorial Links]. As the name suggests, this is an extensive list of modding tutorials, focusing almost exclusively on 3D modeling and texture editing tools. An updated version of the list is also available on TESNexus [http://thenexusforums.com/index.php?showtopic=28076 here].

* [http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=579010 List O' Tutorial Links]. As the name suggests, this is an extensive list of modding tutorials, focusing almost exclusively on 3D modeling and texture editing tools. An updated version of the list is also available on TESNexus [http://thenexusforums.com/index.php?showtopic=28076 here].

==Where can I find more information? (Further Reading)==

==Where can I find more information? (Further Reading)==

However, if you're looking to create your own mod, you're already at [[Main_Page|the right place]].

However, if you're looking to create your own mod, you're already at [[Main_Page|the right place]].

==Who contributed to this FAQ? (FAQ Credits)==

==Who contributed to this FAQ? (FAQ Credits)==

I did manage to get permission from all the folks whose work I have mangled here, so a very special thank-you is in order for all of them. This FAQ wouldn't exist without all that great source material to draw from!

I did manage to get permission from all the folks whose work I have mangled here, so a very special thank-you is in order for all of them. This FAQ wouldn't exist without all that great source material to draw from!

[[Category:Getting Started]]

[[Category:Getting Started]]