GUIDE General Feedback

[Kelmych]

Thanks. I have the file and will start testing it.

[justfun]

Playing with almost every mod in the guide, I had a recurrent freeze / CTD right after exiting from Arlington Library to the Wasteland and moving to the right. There already is a discussion at Nexus on this issue pointing to the automat01.nif file. The mod Tweaked Automat seems to be responsible for the crash. Everything worked fine after I disabled it.

[Kelmych]

Thanks for reporting this. I'll remove it in the guide until it gets fixed.

[thommaal]

It looks like your new entry "Collision Meshes FO3 Pack" shows mixed up hyperlinks:

 

The "FO3_pack25.08.15.7z"-package is linked through Collison Meshes FNV, and the link for the "Collision Meshes FO3 Pack" points to the package: "FNV_pack25.08.15.7z".

 

And a little layout glitch: The new headline is integrated into the layout of your installation information for the previous entry: "Precision Collision - Clutter".

Edited September 8, 2015 by thommaal

[13thGeneral]

It looks like your new entry "Collision Meshes FO3 Pack" shows mixed up hyperlinks:

 

The "FO3_pack25.08.15.7z"-package is linked through Collison Meshes FNV, and the link for the "Collision Meshes FO3 Pack" points to the package: "FNV_pack25.08.15.7z".

 

And a little layout glitch: The new headline is integrated into the layout of your installation information for the previous entry: "Precision Collision - Clutter".

When I click on the link for 'Collision Meshes FO3 Pack' I get a missing file message;

 

Invalid or Deleted File.

The key you provided for file access was invalid. This is usually caused because the file is no longer stored on MediaFire. This occurs when the file is removed by the originating user or MediaFire.

Edited September 13, 2015 by 13thGeneral

[Kelmych]

An updated version of the file was posted today, and as a result the file url changed. I edited the guide to reflect this. The details, and the current version of this file, are discussed in the posts for the FNV Collision Meshes Nexus page.

[Adonis_VII]

An updated version of the file was posted today, and as a result the file url changed. I edited the guide to reflect this. The details, and the current version of this file, are discussed in the posts for the FNV Collision Meshes Nexus page.

He did it again. I bumped it up to reflect next version.  While I love updates, hopefully it isn't quite as rapid.

[Kelmych]

Thanks for making the change so quickly.

[Adonis_VII]

Credit goes to ShadowWhisper for pointing it out to me earlier today in TTW chat.

[Gazda]

Hello everyone,
 
First things first, I want to say thanks to all of you how have contributed in this great work, especially to Kelmych for taking the time to put everything together and write this guide! Also it's great to see the guide being constantly updated with new mod recommendations and install procedures!
 
This is my first time playing Fallout 3 (TES fan here ) and I'm really looking forward to playing it! I know that most people will say...start with vanilla...BUT, knowing how bug free Beth's games are (LOL)....I want mods..plus I'm a mod junkie - can't resist them!
 
Now, while going through this guide, slowly preparing my mod setup, I've checked some of the mods it recommends - the way they are packed, the quality of the textures and models that come with them...their location paths...etc. Checking everything together with xEdit will come later.
 
So far I've found the following errors (I'll just list them in no particular order):
 
Retextured Clutter Collection / Nexus page - needs sorting

 

\Textures\clutter

cashregister.dds - preview
cashregister_n.dds
cashregister_bronze_aged.dds - alternative 1. Delete "_bronze_aged" in the file name if you choose this one.
cashregister_silver.dds - alternative 2. Delete "_silver" in the file name if you choose this one.
cashregister_silver_aged.dds - alternative 3. Delete "_silver_aged" in the file name if you choose this one.
Model associated with this texture is - cashregister01.nif (\meshes\clutter\grocery)

firstaidkit01.dds - preview
firstaidkit01_No_Blood.dds - alternative 1. Delete "_No_Blood" in the file name if you choose this one.
Model associated with this texture is - firstaidkit01.nif(\meshes\clutter\health)


\Textures\clutter\hamradio

hamradio.dds - preview
hamradio_n.dds
hamradio_g.dds
hamradio_anchoragecamo.dds - alternative 1. Delete "_anchoragecamo" in the file name if you choose this one.
hamradio_gunmetal.dds - alternative 2. Delete "_gunmetal" in the file name if you choose this one.
hamradio_nukared.dds - alternative 3. Delete "_nukared" in the file name if you choose this one.
hamradio_olivegreen.dds - alternative 4. Delete "_olivegreen" in the file name if you choose this one.
hamradio_rustbucket.dds - alternative 5. Delete "_rustbucket" in the file name if you choose this one.
Model associated with this texture is - hamradio.nif(\meshes\clutter\hamradio)


\Textures\clutter\Holodisk

holodisk.dds - preview
holodisk_m.dds
holodisk_n.dds
holodisk_TurquoiseRust.dds - alternative 1. Delete "_TurquoiseRust" in the file name if you choose this one.
holodisk_GunMetal.dds - alternative 2. Delete "_GunMetal" in the file name if you choose this one.
holodisk_NukaRed.dds - alternative 3. Delete "_NukaRed" in the file name if you choose this one.
holodisk_OliveGreen.dds - alternative 4. Delete "_OliveGreen" in the file name if you choose this one.
holodisk_rustbucket.dds - alternative 5. Delete "_rustbucket" in the file name if you choose this one.
Model associated with this texture is - holodisk01.nif(\meshes\clutter\holodisk)


\Textures\clutter\Junk

telephone01.dds
telephone01_No_Stickers.dds - alternative 1. Delete "_No_Stickers" in the file name if you choose this one.
Model associated with this texture is - telephone01.nif(\meshes\clutter\junk)


\Textures\clutter\Office

Folder does not contain retextured "coffeemaker01.dds" so one of the files with suffix has to be renamed to "coffeemaker01.dds"

coffeemaker01_n.dds - preview
coffeemaker01_ornate_n.dds - Identical to "coffeemaker01_n.dds". Delete one.
coffeemaker01_bunn.dds - alternative 1.  Delete "_bunn" in the file name if you choose this one.
coffeemaker01_bunn_rust.dds - alternative 2.  Delete "_bunn_rust" in the file name if you choose this one.
coffeemaker01_krups.dds - alternative 3.  Delete "_krups" in the file name if you choose this one.
coffeemaker01_krups_rust.dds - alternative 4.  Delete "_krups_rust" in the file name if you choose this one.
coffeemaker01_ornate.dds - alternative 5.  Delete "_ornate" in the file name if you choose this one.
coffeemaker01_ornate_rust.dds - alternative 6.  Delete "_ornate_rust" in the file name if you choose this one.
Model associated with this texture is - coffeemaker01.nif(\meshes\clutter\office)


globe01.dds - preview
globe01_n.dds
globe01_n_Alternate.dds - Identical to "globe01_n.dds". Delete one.
globe01_bad.dds - alternative 1.  Delete "_bad" in the file name if you choose this one.
globe01_ColoredContinents.dds - alternative 2.  Delete "_ColoredContinents" in the file name if you choose this one.
globe01_FlameLicked.dds - alternative 3.  Delete "_FlameLicked" in the file name if you choose this one.
globe01_RedMedicine.dds - alternative 4.  Delete "_RedMedicine" in the file name if you choose this one.
globe01_RedMedicine_Dirty.dds - alternative 5.  Delete "_RedMedicine_Dirty" in the file name if you choose this one.
globe01_TopographicLarge.dds - alternative 6.  Delete "_TopographicLarge" in the file name if you choose this one.
globe01_TopographicLarge_Dirty.dds - alternative 7.  Delete "_TopographicLarge_Dirty" in the file name if you choose this one.
Model associated with this texture is - globe01.nif(\meshes\clutter\office)

 

 

Robots HD Retexture - needs cleaning, texture optimizing

 

\textures\creatures\protectron

decals.dds - identical to the vanilla one, already exists in Fallout - Textures.bsa
decals_n.dds - same as above
protectron(army)_em.dds - same as above
protectron(bosoutcast)_em.dds - same as above

DC Interiors Patch

The below textures are not referenced in any of the DC Interiors patch nif files so you can safely delete them.
protectron(army).dds
protectron(army)_n.dds
protectron(bosoutcast).dds
protectron(bosoutcast)_n.dds
protectronglassbos.dds
 
Also, normal maps are 1K resolution...unnecessary IMO. After I DDSOpted textures according to this guide, I downsized them to x256.

 

 

DCInteriors Project / Nexus page - needs cleaning. It's a minor issue, plus your DATA folder will not be cluttered with useless junk since everything is packed into the BSA file...but, the Guide recommends that textures should be optimized so why not do some cleaning before... Unpack BSA to a temporary location and delete these files:

 

There are 7 nif files in meshes\creatures folder in the BSA and neither one of them is referenced in the ESM file. These are duplicates that can be found in meshes\creatures\ghoul folder also so they can be safely deleted. Also, in meshes\creatures\ghoul folder, I've noticed there's a model called "dcintswat-ghul.nif" which uses textures from "CRI Squad" mod made by Tumbajamba, but it's not referenced in the ESM file either. This one you can also delete OR you can use it to replace some other armoured ghoul model - dcintdcpd-ghul.nif for example or dcintghoularmy.nif.    

- Folder "TEST" located in \meshes\dcintmeshes can be safely deleted because it contains nif files which are not referenced in the ESM file.
- eulogyspillow01b.nif located in \clutter\pillow can be safely deleted because its not referenced in the ESM file   
- stpickuptruck02a.nif located in \meshes\dcintmeshes\dcintdlcmeshes\operationanchorage\clutter\junk can be safely deleted because its not referenced in the ESM file

 

 

Better Clutter and Furniture Pack / Nexus page - cleaning and sorting

 

\clutter\bong\bong01.dds - "bong" folder (along with bong01.dds ofc) seems to be junk folder because it doesn't exist in vanilla F3

\clutter\fireextinguisher\fireextinguisherwallmount.dds - alternative to fireextinguisher.dds - choose one

\clutter\food\drinkingglass01_n.dds - should be \textures\clutter\cafeteria\drinkingglass01_n.dds

\clutter\skeleton\skeletonmelt.dds and skeletonmelt_g.dds - green retexture of outfitmale.dds. Also these don't exist in vanilla F3.

\clutter\booksex.dds - doesn't exist in vanilla F3.

\clutter\humanskeletonmelt.dds  and humanskeletonmelt_g.dds - green skeleton retexture...they don't exist in vanilla F3

 

 

Wasteland clothing Hires retexture / Nexus - LOTS of useless textures...needs cleaning/sorting

 

 

\armor\1950stylesuit - the texture from this folder has no equivalent in F3 to replace so its useless. delete this folder

\armor\arcadesdoctor - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3 so textures from inside wont replace anything they'll only become orphans in your Data folder. delete this folder

\armor\boomers - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3 so textures from inside wont replace anything they'll only become orphans in your Data folder. delete this folder

\armor\bosscribe\outfitf02.dds and outfitf03.dds - there are no .dds files with these names in vanilla F3 so they wont replace anything, but they can be used as a replacer for outfitf.dds file as they are just different colour. If you choose one of these, delete the numbers in their name.

\armor\bosscribe\outfitm02.dds and outfitm03.dds - same as above. Choose between these and outfitm.dds

\armor\cass - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\greatkhans - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\headgear - many files from this folder don't have an equivalent one to replace in vanilla F3 so you can safely delete them. Delete the below ones:

boomers01.dds
boomers02.dds
boomers02_n.dds
f_metarmmiihelm.dds
f_metarmmiihelm_n.dds
fiendhelmet.dds
fiendhelmet_n.dds
fiendhelmet02.dds
fiendhelmet02_n.dds
fiendhelmet03.dds
fiendhelmet03_n.dds
mask.dds
mask_n.dds
metarmmiihelm.dds
metarmmiihelm_n.dds
rangerhat.dds
rangerhat_n.dds

\armor\hooverdamjumpsuit - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\leatherarmor\leathermark2.dds and leathermark2_n.dds - no vanilla equivalent...delete'em

\armor\lucassimms\outfitmNCR.dds - no vanilla equivalent with this name but can be used to as an alternative to outfitm.dds...its slightly darker version.

\armor\memphiskid - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\metalarmor - delete these: famor_em.dds and outfitm_em.dds

\armor\metalarmormkii - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\petrochicojumpsuit - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. You can delete it. Also, you can use the textures from it - petrochicojumpsuitfemale.dds and petrochicojumpsuitmale.dds as an alternative to the outfitf.dds and outfitm.dds found in \dlcanch\armor\armyjumpsuit folder. Just rename the files.

\armor\powdergang - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\preordvault - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\rangerarmor - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\repconjumpsuit - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. Delete it. You can also use these textures as an alternative to the ones found in \dlcanch\armor\armyjumpsuit folder. Just rename the files.

\armor\vaulthelmet - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\vivavegas - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\armor\wastelandclothing02\._outfitm.psd - junk file. Delete it.

\armor\wastelandclothing03\._outfitm.psd - junk file. Delete it.

\textures\effects - two textures. one doesn't have its vanilla equivalent and the other is 128x128 size....delete the whole folder

\meshes\armor\headgear\vaultsecurityhelmet\m\vaultsecurityhelmet_skinned.nif - duplicate of vaultsecurityhelmet.nif. delete it

\meshes\armor\headgear\boomerhat03.nif - doesn't exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\meshes\armor\metalarmor\m\oufitm - Copy.nif - junk file. Delete it.

\meshes\armor\metalarmormkii - no such folder in F3...delete it

\meshes\armor\vaultscientist\._f - junk file. Delete it.

 

 

MGs Neat Clutter / Nexus - also lots of useless files...to avoid cluttering your Data folder - NUKE'EM

 

\Textures\Architecture\paradisefalls - two .dds files inside that don't exist in vanilla F3. Delete the whole folder

\Textures\Clutter\Aircraftservice - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\Textures\Clutter\Casino - such folder does not exist in vanilla F3. delete it

\Textures\Clutter\Displaycase - has only two textures inside that don't exist in vanilla F3. Delete the whole folder

\Textures\Clutter\Fence - leave only tlborderfence01.dds and tlborderfence01_n.dds, delete other .dds files - they don't exist in vanilla F3

\Textures\Clutter\Junk - the textures below don't exist in vanilla F3. delete them
pillow01_d.dds
pillow01_n.dds
ssbottle_d.dds
ssbottle_n.dds
sscarton01.dds

\Textures\Clutter\Lights - no such folder in F3...delete it

\Textures\Clutter\Office - bulletinboard03_d.dds and bulletinboard03_n.dds - these don't exist in vanilla F3. delete them

\Textures\Clutter\Repairkit - no such folder in F3...delete it

\Textures\Clutter - the textures below don't exist in vanilla F3. delete them

acunit_d.dds
acunit_n.dds
hooverdammap.dds
hooverdammap_n.dds
meterbox_d.dds
meterbox_n.dds
umbrella.dds
ventbox_d.dds
ventbox_n.dds

\Textures\Dungeons\Industrial - contains 3 .dds files that don't exist in vanilla F3. Delete the whole folder

\Textures\Dungeons\Office - leave only offdoorsm02.dds and offdoorsm02_n.dds, delete other .dds files - they don't exist in vanilla F3

\Textures\Furniture - delete these, they don't exist in F3
bench01_d.dds
bench01_n.dds
gamorrahbed01_d.dds
gamorrahbed01_n.dds

\Textures\Furniture - dinertable01_nv.dds, dinertable01_nv_m.dds, dinertable01_nv_n.dds. These don't exist in vanilla F3. Either delete them OR use them as an alternative to these: dinertable01.dds, dinertable01_m.dds, dinertable01_n.dds. Just delete the _nv suffix.

\Textures\Landscape - just delete the whole folder. nothing inside is for F3

 

 

Okey doke...this is all for now if I find anything else I'll report back!

Edited September 23, 2015 by Gazda

[Kelmych]

I'll look at these and revise the guide. Thanks for the information. Some of the textures in the list aren't used since other FO3 mods are used to provide these.

 

Optimization can be useful, especially with textures from older mods but you won't typically notice major changes in quality or VRAM use if the optimization doesn't change the texture resolution.

 

I don't recommend using DDSopt to make the normal map resolution lower than half the resolution of the color map textures; the normal maps are an important contributor to graphic quality.

[Bazza0304]

Hi just a couple of quick thing Kelmych, I noticed you put in the guide not to merge green tint remover in dynamic weather and assume this is based on my suggestion but I edited my post to try and catch you but must have been too late - it doesn't need a no merge tag it just needs to be low down in your load order (much lower than loot will put it) I have mine at the bottom and it's fine that way - users can thus free up a plugin spot.

 

Also regarding the new Georgetown expansion mod don't you have to pick one or the other out of the esm and esp versions? It's seems like the guide is suggesting to install one then the other? I may be wrong about this so please correct me if I am.

 

Cheers.

[Gazda]

I'll look at these and revise the guide. Thanks for the information. Some of the textures in the list aren't used since other FO3 mods are used to provide these.

 

Optimization can be useful, especially with textures from older mods but you won't typically notice major changes in quality or VRAM use if the optimization doesn't change the texture resolution.

 

I don't recommend using DDSopt to make the normal map resolution lower than half the resolution of the color map textures; the normal maps are an important contributor to graphic quality.

Sure thing, two pairs of eyes are always better than one!! Thanks!

[Kelmych]

Hi just a couple of quick thing Kelmych, I noticed you put in the guide not to merge green tint remover in dynamic weather and assume this is based on my suggestion but I edited my post to try and catch you but must have been too late - it doesn't need a no merge tag it just needs to be low down in your load order (much lower than loot will put it) I have mine at the bottom and it's fine that way - users can thus free up a plugin spot.

I'll revise the guide

 

Also regarding the new Georgetown expansion mod don't you have to pick one or the other out of the esm and esp versions? It's seems like the guide is suggesting to install one then the other? I may be wrong about this so please correct me if I am.

You need to use the esm plugin to avoid problems; I'll revise the guide.

Cheers.

[Adonis_VII]

I've been talking to Gruftikus about expanding tes4ll to Fallout.  It's a Terrain LOD generator, similar to how xLODGen is an Object LOD generator.  It currently only fully supports Oblivion, but here is an initial test for FO3 reading: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/Images/43091/?. It works by reading your load order for any changes in the height maps, then takes the height data and maps its to an image, which can be processed to produce LOD at various quality.  Fallout 3/NV has multi level LOD which is different from Oblivion, but it seems promising once the IO changes are made to export to Fallout's version of .nif