Difference between revisions of "Glossary"
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This is a glossary for terms and abbreviations that are frequently used in this Wiki and among modders -- but (mostly) are not described in their own pages. Before adding a term here, see [[Talk:Glossary#Content|Content]] under Discussion. | |||
{{CompactTOC4}} | {{CompactTOC4}} | ||
==A== | ==A== | ||
; | ;AI (Artificial Intelligence) | ||
:A term used to describe the computer-controlled [[#N|NPC's]] ability to "think", by evaluating its current situation and choosing an appropriate response. | :A term used to describe the computer-controlled [[#N|NPC's]] ability to "think", by evaluating its current situation and choosing an appropriate response. | ||
;[[AI Package]] | |||
: A single AI behavior, e.g. "sleep at home", "eat at the Feed Bag". A single AI package indicates the type of behavior to engage in, the place to engage exhibit it, how to react to the player if the player is nearby, etc. and conditions under which the package is to execute (time, day of week, quest conditions, etc.) An NPCs full AI behavior is largely characterized by the AI packages assigned to that NPC. | |||
:'''See [[AI Package]] | |||
;Active Effect | ;Active Effect | ||
| Line 18: | Line 23: | ||
: The common or shared definition for objects placed into the game world ([[#R|references]]). Changes to a base object will affect all instances of that object in the game world. | : The common or shared definition for objects placed into the game world ([[#R|references]]). Changes to a base object will affect all instances of that object in the game world. | ||
;BSA (Bethesda Softworks Archive) | ;[[BSA Files|BSA (Bethesda Softworks Archive)]] | ||
:BSA files are archives that contain resource files (meshes, textures, sounds, etc.). TESCS does not allow creation or editing of BSA files, but other tools do. | :BSA files are archives that contain resource files (meshes, textures, sounds, etc.). TESCS does not allow creation or editing of BSA files, but other tools do. | ||
: '''See | : '''See:''' [[BSA Files]], [[BSA Unpackers]]. | ||
==C== | ==C== | ||
;CTD (Crash To Desktop) | ;CTD (Crash To Desktop) | ||
: Game failure that results in game executable dying and dumping user back to desktop. In contrast to failures in which game is still running, but is frozen or otherwise unplayable. | : Game failure that results in game executable dying and dumping user back to desktop. In contrast to failures in which game is still running, but is frozen or otherwise unplayable. | ||
;Cobl (Common Oblivion) | |||
:A library mod for use by other mods. Cobl is particularly useful for sharing certain types of information (PC state signals, etc.), and for providing easy access to complex features (e.g. Alchemical Sorters, Death Handling, etc.) | |||
: '''See:''' [http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Tes4Mod:Cobl/Modding Cobl Modding Guide], {{PES|3508|Cobl at PES}}. | |||
;Console | ;Console | ||
: The programmers console that can accessed during gameplay by pressing the ~ button. | : The programmers console that can accessed during gameplay by pressing the ~ button. Console commands are available to view debugging information, toggle game engine features, manipulate game settings and objects, etc. | ||
:'''See:''' [[:Category:Console_Functions|Console commands]] | |||
==D== | ==D== | ||
;[[DDS Files|DDS Files (DirectDraw Surface)]] | ;[[DDS Files|DDS Files (DirectDraw Surface)]] | ||
:Image files used for textures, icons, maps,etc. | :Image files used for textures, icons, maps,etc. | ||
:'''See:''' [[DDS Files|DDS Files]] | |||
;DistantLOD | |||
:Low-poly versions of landscape, buildings and trees seen from a distance. Often used to refer only to {{Tooltip|VWD|Viewable When Distant}} buildings. | |||
:'''See:''' [[Landscape Generation]], [[Landscape LOD Tutorial]], [[:Category:Tools: LOD]]. | |||
==E== | ==E== | ||
;ESM and ESP files (Elder Scrolls Master/Plugin Files) | ;ESM and ESP files (Elder Scrolls Master/Plugin Files) | ||
:The core data files of the gameworld. These are the files created/edited by the the construction set. | :The core data files of the gameworld. These are the files created/edited by the the construction set. | ||
:'''See | :'''See:''' [[TES Files]], [[Esp vs. Esm]]. | ||
==F== | ==F== | ||
;Foot | |||
:British and American measure for length designating 30,48 cm (=12 inches). | |||
;[[FormID|Formid]] | ;[[FormID|Formid]] | ||
:The eight digit hexadecimal number that identifies each unique [[#R|record]] within a esm/esp file. (In lists of records (objects, cells, references, etc.), the formid is always shown in the second column -- widen the column to see the formid.) | :The eight digit hexadecimal number that identifies each unique [[#R|record]] within a esm/esp file. (In lists of records (objects, cells, references, etc.), the formid is always shown in the second column -- widen the column to see the formid.) | ||
:Formids have two parts: the first two digits are the modIndex and the next six digits are the objectIndex. While the last six digits are fixed, the first two digits depend on the context. E.g. a record defined in a mod may have a modindex of "02", but in a mod that same record may have a modindex of "A1". The conversion is simple though -- the modindex is simply the order of the source mod in the current context. E.g. Oblivion always loads first, and so has modindex of "00". A mod that is the tenth mod to load after Oblivion.esm is "0A" (A == 10 in hexadecimal). | :Formids have two parts: the first two digits are the modIndex and the next six digits are the objectIndex. While the last six digits are fixed, the first two digits depend on the context. E.g. a record defined in a mod may have a modindex of "02", but in a mod that same record may have a modindex of "A1". The conversion is simple though -- the modindex is simply the order of the source mod in the current context. E.g. Oblivion always loads first, and so has modindex of "00". A mod that is the tenth mod to load after Oblivion.esm is "0A" (A == 10 in hexadecimal). | ||
:'''See:''' [[FormID]] | |||
==G== | ==G== | ||
;[[Globals|Global]] | ;[[Globals|Global]] | ||
:Global variables are variables defined outside of scripts (through the Gameplay: Globals) menu. In earlier elder scrolls games, globals were the primary means of communication between different scripts/objects. In Oblivion, it's generally preferable to use object and quest variables rather than globals. | :Global variables are variables defined outside of scripts (through the Gameplay: Globals) menu. In earlier elder scrolls games, globals were the primary means of communication between different scripts/objects. In Oblivion, it's generally preferable to use object and quest variables rather than globals. | ||
: '''See:''' [[Globals]] | |||
==I== | ==I== | ||
;Inch | |||
:British and American measure for length designating 2,54 cm. | |||
;Item | ;Item | ||
:A carriable object, such as weapons, miscellaneous items, etc. | :A carriable object, such as weapons, miscellaneous items, etc. | ||
:'''See | :'''See:''' [[Modding Terminology]]. | ||
==K== | ==K== | ||
; | ;KF Files | ||
: KF files contain an animation that can be used to animate a [[# | : KF files contain an animation that can be used to animate a [[#|NIF file]]. In Oblivion all biped animations (characters and creatures) are stored in KF files in the same directory as the skeleton.nif file that describes the actor's skeleton. All object animation are stored in the NIF file together with the object itself. This can be done with [[NifSkope]] by using Attach .KF from the Spells menu. | ||
:KF files contain a NiControllerSequence block as root, a NiStringPalette, a NiTextKeyExtraData and an Interpolator of some kind for each bone. Each Interpolator block can contain a Data block with the actual animation data for that block. The NiTextKeyExtraData contains bits of text data at specific times that can be used by the engine to do perform actions associated with the animation. For example; playing a sound or starting a facial (morph) animation. | |||
==L== | |||
; LOD (Level of Detail) | ; LOD (Level of Detail) | ||
: Describes technology that is used to save memory and processing power by using lower detail models or textures for objects in the distance. The Oblivion game engine makes extensive use of LOD, and the CS has some functions to create and manipulate LOD objects. | : Describes technology that is used to save memory and processing power by using lower detail models or textures for objects in the distance. The Oblivion game engine makes extensive use of LOD, and the CS has some functions to create and manipulate LOD objects. | ||
==M== | ==M== | ||
;Message Spam | |||
:Tes4 displays messages to the player whenever: 1) spells are added to, 2) items are added to or removed from the player. For some scripts such messages are very undesirable (e.g. for an alchemical sorters which adds/removes many items). Hence, message "spam". | |||
:'''See:''' [[Avoiding Message Spam]]. | |||
; Mod | ; Mod | ||
: Several definiitons: | : Several definiitons: | ||
| Line 69: | Line 98: | ||
; [[:Category:NPC|NPC (Non Player Character)]] | ; [[:Category:NPC|NPC (Non Player Character)]] | ||
: Describes in game characters that are not controlled by the player but can be interacted with. In Oblivion they are defined as a class of [[:Category:Actors|actor]] that can engage in [[:Category:Dialogue|dialogue]], commit [[Crime Overview|crimes]], wear armor or clothing, or be pickpocketed - in contrast to [[:Category:Creatures|creatures]]. | : Describes in game characters that are not controlled by the player but can be interacted with. In Oblivion they are defined as a class of [[:Category:Actors|actor]] that can engage in [[:Category:Dialogue|dialogue]], commit [[Crime Overview|crimes]], wear armor or clothing, or be pickpocketed - in contrast to [[:Category:Creatures|creatures]]. | ||
: '''See:''' [[:Category:NPC|NPC]] | |||
; | ;[[NIF Files]] (NetImmerse File Format) | ||
:File format for three dimensional objects. Also known as the "model" or "mesh". These are found in the Oblivion\Data\Mesh directory and/or in BSA archives. TESCS cannot create or edit these, but third party tools (e.g. Blender) can. | :File format for three dimensional objects. Also known as the "model" or "mesh". These are found in the Oblivion\Data\Mesh directory and/or in BSA archives. TESCS cannot create or edit these, but third party tools (e.g. [[Blender]]) can. | ||
:'''See | :'''See:''' [[NIF Files]], [http://niftools.sourceforge.net/wiki/NifTools NifTools Wiki]. | ||
;[[Normal Maps]] | ;[[Normal Maps]] | ||
: Normal maps are textures that are used by Oblivion's render engine to give a model surface an appearance of additional surface detail. In its effect it is very similar to bump-mapping. The normal map is used in shading the model and provides a convincing relief effect to surfaces, making the model look like it has a much higher polygon-count than it actually does. | : Normal maps are textures that are used by Oblivion's render engine to give a model surface an appearance of additional surface detail. In its effect it is very similar to bump-mapping. The normal map is used in shading the model and provides a convincing relief effect to surfaces, making the model look like it has a much higher polygon-count than it actually does. | ||
:'''See:''' [[Normal Maps]] | |||
==O== | ==O== | ||
;OBMM (Oblivion Mod Manager) | |||
:A utility for managing/installing/uninstalling mods; browsing/editing BSA archives, etc. Complex mod install/uninstall procedures can be controlled by scripts -- but only if the user has OBMM installed. | |||
:'''See:''' [http://timeslip.chorrol.com/obmm.html timeslip.chorrol.com] | |||
;Object | ;Object | ||
:A word with too many meanings. May mean (depending on context): | :A word with too many meanings. May mean (depending on context): | ||
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:Because of the multitude of conflicting meanings, you'll need to pay attention to the context to understand what is meant by "object". | :Because of the multitude of conflicting meanings, you'll need to pay attention to the context to understand what is meant by "object". | ||
:'''See | :'''See:''' [[Modding Terminology]] | ||
==P== | |||
; Package | |||
: '''See:''' [[#A|AI Package]] | |||
;[[Player]] | |||
:The representation of the player in the game. Also known as the "Player Character" or PC (in contrast to [[#N|Non-Player Characters (NPCs)]]). There is both a player baseObject (formid 0x00000007) and a player reference (0x00000014). | |||
:Two oddities to be aware of: | |||
:# The player base object is present in Oblivion.esm, but the player reference is not. | |||
:#Uses of "player" in a script compile to the player ''reference'' instead of to the player base object. | |||
:'''See:''' [[Player]]. | |||
==R== | ==R== | ||
;[[Reference]] | ;[[Reference]] | ||
: | :An instance of a base object that has been placed in the render window. Each base object can have multiple references (the count of references is displayed in the object window). If any of the properties of a base object are changed in the object window, all its references are also changed in-game. However, references also hold some data that is unique to them. The simplest example is the position data. It's unique for each reference, and is not stored with the base object information in the object window. | ||
:'''See | :'''See:''' [[Reference]], [[Modding Terminology]] | ||
; [[Retexturing]] | ; [[Retexturing]] | ||
: Objects as seen in the game are essentially combinations of shape (the mesh file) and textures (dds files). Retexturing an object involves changing the textures of an object but not the shape. | : Objects as seen in the game are essentially combinations of shape (the mesh file) and textures (dds files). Retexturing an object involves changing the textures of an object but not the shape. | ||
: '''See:''' [[Retexturing]] | |||
==S== | ==S== | ||
| Line 103: | Line 150: | ||
; [[SubSpace]] | ; [[SubSpace]] | ||
: Subspaces are used to create pathing-separated areas in a cell. Normally, if an actor is trying to move from one part of a cell to another part, they will try to find an in-cell path. Subspaces are used to indicate to the actor that no direct path is possible (e.g. from a balcony to the street below), and hence the actor must instead find a path through load doors to reach the destination. | : Subspaces are used to create pathing-separated areas in a cell. Normally, if an actor is trying to move from one part of a cell to another part, they will try to find an in-cell path. Subspaces are used to indicate to the actor that no direct path is possible (e.g. from a balcony to the street below), and hence the actor must instead find a path through load doors to reach the destination. | ||
:'''See:''' [[SubSpace]]. | |||
==T== | |||
;Tes4Gecko | |||
:Tool with commands to: | |||
:*Merge Plugins, Merge to Master - Plugin merging. | |||
:*Split Plugins - Split esp into an esm/esp pair. | |||
:* Display/edit/copy records in and between plugins | |||
:* Convert between esm and esp. | |||
:* Generate empty voice files | |||
:* Move worldspace from esp to Oblivion esm (to avoid land display problems). | |||
:'''See:''' {{Tesnexus|8665|TesNexus}} | |||
;Tes4View/Tes4Edit/Tes4Trans | |||
:Tool designed to fully view all records from selected mods and compare changes and coinflicts between them. In addition, Tes4View has a number of specialized ways to search for and modify records (batch edits can be made using a scripting language). There is also a specialized function for generating merged LOD files depending on the users current setup. | |||
:'''See:''' {{Tesnexus|11536|TesNexus}}, [http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Tes4Mod:Tes4View UESP:Tes4View] | |||
;Token | |||
:[[Unplayable Items]], usually designed to effectively add scripts to NPCs. | |||
==V== | ==V== | ||
| Line 112: | Line 178: | ||
:The "nodes" in the landscape mesh (heightfield). Can be manipulated with the [[:Category:Landscape|Landscape editing tool]]. | :The "nodes" in the landscape mesh (heightfield). Can be manipulated with the [[:Category:Landscape|Landscape editing tool]]. | ||
==W== | |||
;Walking (through a list) | |||
:Walking refers to looping through any list - i.e., [[Walking_Through_Inventory_Items|a list of inventory items]], [[GetFirstRef|a list of nearby references]], [[Introduction_to_Pluggy_Arrays|an array]], etc. | |||