User:Soire/Test2

From Step Mods | Change The Game

Test Colors Variant 2[edit | edit source]

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FAQs, Yes you should take a peak a this first.[edit | edit source]


Temporary forum, Ignore the first couple posts they're old.
Suggestions that are welcomed:

  • If you think something is missing suggest it.
  • If you think that something is core and shouldn't be go ahead and suggest it.
  • If you feel that you have a better way to describe something.

Suggestions that are going to be ignored:

  • This guide sucks fix it
  • Other unnecessary garbage.


What does this guide entail?[edit | edit source]

This guide is here to be an up-to-date Oblivion modding guide that is exclusively on STEP, aiming to provide both basic and more sophisticated information for an enhanced Oblivion experience. As well this guide provides a Core setup that is compatible with modular packages and extended modifications suggested, but possibly if not always entirely with your own ideas, too. It does include some recommendations from other guides and credits will be given from where the original content was found.

This is supposed to be community driven - meaning, the community is going to take charge of how this guide is formatted, the content in the guide such as mod descriptions. If someone has a better way of doing things, then post in the provided topic above.


Mods that are not (yet) included for the time being
  • Better Cities: This is excluded because it will cause the frame rate of the game to drop to around 15fps while in just about any town.
  • Really AEVWD: We didn't find yet a solution that justifies the noticeable framerate drop vs enhanced distant view.
  • Open Cities and Open Cities Reborn: There are several mod-incompatibilities as well as massive frame drops when even close to cities.



How is this guide modular?[edit | edit source]

This guide is still complicated in parts but eventually, the rough points are going to be worked out. Currently, we offer a modular setup built around a Core/Extended.


      The Green Squares are Core/Skeleton
  • They mainly indicate a mod containing fixes, texture replacers, improvements of all sorts that are all about keeping that Oblivion feel, but updated (Lore-friendly).
  • They indicate a mod that is content of a basic setup that can be extended and build upon. Or shortly: Core installation is required for this guide to work properly.
  • Install these if you use your own mod list or plan to use moduls from this guide
  • Performance options are noted, where possible.


      The Yellow Squares are Extended
  • They indicate a mod enhancing the Oblivion feeling further but are your choice.
  • Most of them are not designed for low-end systems.
  • Some of them are heavy on your system or the game-engine.
  • Some of them are not necessarely Lore-friendly.
  • Some of them require configuration ability and a deeper understanding of modding.


      The Orange Squares
  • Entirely your choice.
  • The extra on top of Core/Extended improvements
  • Some of them are not necessarily Lore-friendly
  • Packages for all kind of complicated game-play enhancers
  • Packages for housing, followers, survival
  • Packages designed for diverse play-styles
  • Designed for most possible cross-compatibility allowing even more freedom of choice.
  • Some of them are heavy on your system and the game-engine.
  • Some of them require configuration ability and a deeper understanding of modding and patching.


      The Red Squares
  • Do not use this mod in current state of the guide, there is something not quite working yet...
  • May have drastic performance decrease
  • May have little to no support


What is Hishutup's Recommendation[edit | edit source]

  • This is going to be a setup that is mostly going to be fixed in the way of choices but will be fully loaded
  • If your game is going to be full of game-play enhancers
  • If you have a good amount of configuration ability and a deeper understanding of modding your game.
  • This will take time to get right.


What is Red's Recommendation[edit | edit source]

  • For the average User
  • Lore-friendly
  • In parts easier to install
  • Easier on hardware and the game engine.


Symbols, what do they mean?[edit | edit source]

Not all symbols are yet consistent through out the guide.

[Click this]
"Name this"
<Fill this>
Do this

Instructions

-Example of annotation-

Example
Of Notes.

No Space

Space
Double space
Triple Space


Section 1.X.X: The Tools and Setup[edit | edit source]

For the most part Wrye Bash is the main mod manager to use. However, a few mods will require TMM (TES Mod Manager) since installing them can be tricky or even impossible otherwise. Mod Organizer is not supported (yet) by this guide for the tool still needs too many workarounds if used with Oblivion, and some of the tasks necessary are simply not yet possible to perform in an efficient manner. Though, Mo is on the radar and constantly worked on and will be integrated eventually.


1.x System Requirements[edit | edit source]

System requirements for this guide do differ quite a bit from the Vanilla (not-modded) Oblivion ones you find on the store page of Steam. This is, because this guide will add diverse visual enhancements that require better hardware than Vanilla does.

Hardware Minimum Recommended
Windows OS Windows XP Windows 7/8
CPU Intel Core i3 (dual core) Intel Core i5/i7 (quadcore)
GPU 1GB VRAM >=1.5GB VRAM
System RAM 4GB >=8GB

On a side note: 64-bit OS is highly recommended when modding Oblivion. However, the executable of the game addresses <2gb of memory usage only (which is in reality something like 1.8gb) and was never updated from Bethesda to have the LAA (Large Address Aware) flag in the executable. If you are running a 32-bit OS the patch won't have any effect. In this case, you might consider to be selective on Extended options.


1.x Windows Folder Options[edit | edit source]

Windows Folder Options should be adjusted as follows:

Check 'Show hidden files, folders, or drives'
Uncheck 'Hide extensions for known file types'

Folder Options are typically found if you open Start → Computer → Organize (upper left corner) → Folder and Search Options → Tab 'View'

  • This will be reverted post-installation.

Hishutup's Recommendation:

Info-Logo.png
NOTE:
STEP does not recommend turning UAC off, so do so at your own risk!
This is only for Windows 7. Do NOT use on windows 8 or 8.1 because it doesn't have the same effect.
Turn UAC (User Account Control) 'OFF' or 'Never'
  • My reasoning behind this decision is because it causes strange issues with programs not having the right permissions. Wyre Bash is one program that does have said issues. Every Windows 7 install I have done, I have followed up with immediately turning it off.
  • I have never had any issues with it off.
  • As for security I have always used Microsoft Security Essentials.
  • Overall, I hate that it freezes Windows and displays a box.
  • I am NOT responsible for your computer/hardware/install.
The easiest way to find the UAC is go the Windows Start Menu and in the search type "uac".
There should only be one suggestion "Change User Account Control settings".
Click it and drag the slider to the "Never notify me when:" setting.
The reason for this is because the applications in this guide may have permission issues with being installed in "Program Files (x86)".


1.x Install Oblivion[edit | edit source]

Oblivion should be installed outside of 'Program Files' or 'Program Files (x86)' folders. Installation in these folders can cause UAC (User Account Control) to unpleasantly interfere with Oblivion and some of the Utilities.

  • Examples for possible folder structures (X stands for your hard-drive letter):
X:\Steam\SteamApps\common\Oblivion
X:\Games\Steam\SteamApps\common\Oblivion
  • Right-click Oblivion in Steam and select install. Define the installation path.
  • Do following after installation is complete:
Steam/Library/Oblivion -> play

The Oblivion Launcher sets resolution and generates the INI file. If it does not recognize your GPU, set your 'Screen Resolution' and 'Video Quality' presets according to your hardware capability. Now hit play in the launcher and wait until you reach the game-menu. Exit the game.

Note
Change 'Screen Effects' to HDR – this is required for TES4LodGen used later in this guide. Exit the launcher after done so.
Recommended
It is a good practice to backup your pristine (Vanilla) Oblivion for future use. For size reduction use 7-zip – download latest stable version here (v9.20 August 2014): 7-zip Org
  • For this, navigate to:
<Steam>\Steamapps\common\Oblivion
<YourUserProfile>\(My)Documents\MyGames\Oblivion
<YourUserProfile>\AppData\Local\Oblivion

Copy-paste the files of each directory to your backup-drive and use 7-zip to reduce the files size. The non-solid option, normal option and the LZMA2 compression (allows the use of multiple core) is usually the preferred setting.

  • Open Steam, right-click Oblivion in your Library → Properties → General → enable 'Steam Overlay while ingame'. This is needed for OBSE.
Recommended
While still in Steam, right-click Oblivion in your Library → Properties → Updates → Uncheck "Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion"


1.x Reset Oblivion to a Pristine (Vanilla) Installation[edit | edit source]

To provide you with the best support that Red and I can please do a FULL re-installation of ONLY what Steam downloads. This gives us a starting point. Please note that the installation should be outside of your 'Program Files' or 'Program Files (x86)' since UAC (User Account Control) tends to unpleasantly interfere with Oblivion and some of the utilities. If you need to move your Steam installation or the game, refer to: Moving a Steam Installation


  • First, do a backup of following directories:
<Steam>\Steamapps\common\Oblivion
<YourUserProfile>\(My)Documents\MyGames\Oblivion
<YourUserProfile>\AppData\Local\Oblivion

Copy-paste the files of each directory to your backup-drive and use 7-zip to reduce the files size. The non-solid option, normal option and the LZMA2 compression (allows the use of multiple core) is usually the preferred setting.

  • Deactivate all mods using your choice of mod manager.
  • Browse to your Oblivion directory and delete all files and subdirectories.
  • Open Steam, right-click Oblivion in your Library → Delete Local Content → Delete. Wait until the game has been uninstalled.
  • Navigate to <YourUserName>\AppData\Local and delete the Oblivion folder.
  • Go to
<YourUserName>\(My)Documents\My Games\Oblivion
Delete the Oblivion folder. It will be regenerated later.
  • Deinstall your previous Mod Manager(s).
  • If you did use Wrye Bash, navigate to
<Steam>\SteamApps\Common
Find the folder Oblivion Mods. Backup first if you want to, then delete.
  • If you did use any other mod manager, find and delete (and backup) their mod directories.
  • In Steam, click Oblivion in your Library and select [Install].
  • Downloading might take a while and is dependent on the speed of your internet connection.
  • After Oblivion is done downloading, click [PLAY] in your Steam library. This will bring up the launcher for Oblivion.
  • If dialogue box pops up, select [OK].
  • Click [Options]. Set 'Video Quality Presets' according to your hardware. Ultra High is recommended because most modern hardware can run it just fine.
  • Select Windowed Mode.
  • Select your screen resolution.
For example: 1920x1080 (widescreen)
Note
'Screen Effects' needs to be set to HDR – this is required for TES4LodGen used later in this guide.
  • We highly suggest doing a backup of your pristine (Vanilla) Oblivion directory for future use.
  • Starting a new game is required in most circumstances.