User talk:Diana TES GotH/Morroblivion Overhaul/Prepare for Modding

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Morroblivion Overhaul: Prepare for Modding

Pre-Installation Setup

Related Video: Morrowind: Installation & Settings by GamerPoets
Related Video: Oblivion: Installation & Settings by GamerPoets

Clean Install of Morrowind & Oblivion

UNINSTALL Morrowind and Oblivion

1. Backup any data you may wish to save for reference or use later.
2. Deactivate all mods using your choice of mod manager.
3. Open Steam, right-click Oblivion in your Library → Delete Local Content → Delete. Wait until the game has been uninstalled.
4. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Oblivion and delete the Oblivion folder.
5. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\My Games and delete the Oblivion folder.
6. Uninstall your previous Mod Manager(s) and other installed game files from the Control Panel → Programs.
7. Browse to your Morrowind and Oblivion directories and delete all files and sub-directories that were not uninstalled by Steam or through the Control Panel Programs.
8. If you used any other mod manager, find and delete their mod directories also.
9. If you previously used Wrye Bash, navigate to the Oblivion Mods folder it created and delete it as well.
   Notice: If you do not wish to lose previously installed mods make certain to back them up.

It is recommended to install Morrowind and Oblivion to an SSD, if available, and preferably on a separate drive/partition than the Operating System (i.e. instead of installing to the C: drive, install it to D: or E: etc.). If a separate drive/partition is unavailable, avoid installing Steam and Oblivion in "C:\Program Files" or "C:\Program Files (x86)" folders since Windows User Account Control [UAC] will cause issues with a modded Morroblivion.

Morrowind and Oblivion can be installed one of three ways:
1. Purchase the physical DVD from a retailer. Insert the disk, select Run "Setup.exe," and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Install STEAM and purchase the digital media from the Steam Store.
   Navigate to the Steam website, download the installer, and launch "SteamSetup.exe". Once Steam is installed, use the Steam search bar to search for "Morrowind" and “Oblivion” to purchase and install the game.
   NOTICE: Make certain to disable Steam Overlay for all games. Steam Overlay is known to cause issues with modded setups.
3. Purchase the games from GOG.
   Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind GOTY Edition setup_tes_morrowind_goty_2.0.0.7.exe
   Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Game of the Year Edition Deluxe install setup_oblivion_1.2.0416_cs_(12732).exe

Security Settings Since User Account Control can prevent some tools from working correctly, it is recommended to edit the security settings of your game directories to give users full control. To do this:

• Locate your game directory.
• Right-click the folder and select Properties.
• Go to the Security tab and click Edit...
• Highlight Users (<username>\Users) in the top panel.
• In the bottom panel, under the Allow column for Full Control, check the check box and click Apply.
• Click OK and OK again.

Windows Folder Options Use the following settings for Windows "Folder and Search Options" while modding Morroblivion. These settings can be reverted at any time.

Windows Folder Options should be adjusted as follows:
• Check Show hidden files, folders, or drives.
• Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.

Downloads

Some Windows systems or antivirus programs will block unrecognized downloads. Simply right click on the file, select properties, select unblock, select Apply and exit.

Oblivion Launcher Options

It is recommended to launch Morrowind and choose the preferred launcher options and in-game options to initialize the auto-detection process. While the main game engine is that of Oblivion, and only Oblivion is launched for playing Morroblivion, Morrowind is still accessed during the installation of Morroblivion through the Morroblivion Installer executable file.

As a quick-start to installing utilities, simply launch Oblivion from the Oblivion.exe to initialize the auto-detection process, and adjust the settings according to your system setup and preference.

Launcher Options

• Adapter: Make certain to choose your video adapter.
• Screen Resolution: Select your screen resolution.
• Video Quality Presets: User’s Preference (Ultra is recommended).
• Mode: User Preference
• VSync: User Preference
• Screen Effects: Keep set to HDR - this is required for TES4LodGen used later in this guide. Note that anti-aliasing must remain at none for HDR to be enabled.
• Click [OK] when you are sure your settings match those above.

In-game Options &Controls
Click [Play] in the Oblivion launcher and once the menu loads click [Options] to set [Gameplay] and [Video] preferences.

• Difficulty: User Preference
• General Subtitles: On
• Dialogue Subtitles: On
• Crosshair: User Preference
• Save on Rest/Wait/Travel: Set all to Off

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED IN GAME VIDEO OPTIONS for Oblivion Reloaded

Resolution = User Preference (Choose your Monitor Resolution)
Brightness = 50% (Choose your Desired Setting)
Texture Size = Large (Recommended for OR)
Tree Fade = 100% (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
Actor Fade = 76% (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
Item Fade = 60% (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
Object Fade = 60% (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
Grass Distance = 100% (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
View Distance = 100% (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
Distant Land = On (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
Distant Buildings = On (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
Distant Trees = On (managed by the OR's frame rate manager)
Int. Shadows = 5 (User's Preference) (Minimal Recommended)
Ext. Shadows = 5 (User's Preference) (Minimal Recommended)
Self Shadows = Off (Recommended for OR, also Self-Shadows draw a line between the head and body with Seamless - OCOv2 Edition.)
Shadows on Grass = Off (Recommended for OR)
Tree Canopy Shadows = On (Recommended for OR)
Shadow Filtering = High (Recommended for OR)
Specular Dist = %50 (MIN 10% REQUIRED FOR POM SHADERS)
HDR Lighting = On (REQUIRED FOR HDR SHADERS)
Bloom Lighting = Off (Recommended for OR)
Water Detail = High (REQUIRED FOR WATER SHADERS)
Water Reflections = On (REQUIRED FOR WATER SHADERS)
Water Ripples = Off (REQUIRED FOR WATER SHADERS)
Window Reflections = On (Recommended for OR)
Blood Decals = High (REQUIRED FOR BLOOD SHADERS)
Anti-aliasing= Off (Recommended for OR)

Working Folder

Suggested “Working Folder” structure for repackaging archives into “BAIN Simple Structure” for proper manual installation:

Create a new folder on your desktop naming it Working Folder. Move any downloaded archives that need to be repackaged into this "Working Folder". Read the developer’s informational documents. Make any necessary changes to the folder structure and files that are recommended. Any documentation that is not relevant to the installation simply create a new folder with the name of the mod it represents and move this folder into the Docs folder.

Notice: Saving a mod’s documents is mandatory for the hard core modder as the hard core modder will be tweaking things and will need the information contained in the documents. The more casual modder may have no intention of doing any tweaking except what is covered in this guide. Therefore, the casual modder will not need these documents and if they are needed the mod can usually be downloaded again. Therefore, the casual modder can, at their own risk, delete document folders, text files .txt, screenshots .jpg, .bsl files, and any other files that is not an active part of the mod. Do not delete files such as .esp, .esm, meshes, scripts, textures, etc. Deleting files can also be helpful if your SSD is running out of space.
When the files are structured properly, create a new folder and name it as the original file is named + add _BAIN at the end of the file name in order to distinguish that it has been repackaged properly. We will do this later in the guide.

Notice: This is a simple structure recommended for all mods. Wrye Bash and Mod Organizer have the ability to allow the user to structure the mod within the utility before performing the installation. It is therefore a personal preference to create a Working Folder to restructure and repackage mods. Take the time to learn the abilities of the mod manager chosen.
Inside your Working Folder create a Data subfolder, inside the Data subfolder create a Docs subfolder and an OBSE subfolder, and inside the OBSE subfolder, create a Plugins subfolder:
1. Create a Data folder.
2. Create a Docs folder and move it into the Data folder.
3. Create an OBSE folder.
4. Create a Plugins folder and move it into the OBSE folder.
5. Move the OBSE folder into the Data folder. See examples below:

This is the original folder structure of the vanilla Oblivion\Data folder with an explanation of the added folders.


This is the original folder structure of the vanilla Oblivion\Data folder with an explanation of the added folders.

It is recommended that you create a new folder for downloads and repackaged files:
1. Navigate to the directory the games are stored in (for most users this will be \Steam\steamapps\common).
2. Create a New Folder naming it Oblivion Mods. This will be where you will store your downloads and repackaged mods for future retrieval, if needed, saving time and effort later. This will also be where Wrye Bash will retain mod files. Wrye Bash mod files will be located in the \Oblivion Mods\Bash Installers.

Backing Up Morrowind and Oblivion

Archiving the Data Folder and installing it as the first mod in Mod Organizer will be beneficial to correct any issues that may arise from certain utilities not recognizing the Unmanaged Oblivion.esm and other vanilla data files.

To archive your Data folder with Windows:
1. Navigate to your Oblivion\Data directory.
2. Select all folders and files.
3. De-select all files with a .bsa extension.
4. Right-Click and select "Add to archive…" naming it Oblivion Vanilla Assets.
5. Wait for the file to finish compressing, which may take a few minutes as it is a large file.

The Oblivion Vanilla Assets folder should look like the example below.

Install Utilities

Applications and utilities that aid in Morrowind and Oblivion mod management.

A mod-management utility is REQUIRED in order to easily keep track of a complex mod setup like Morroblivion Overhaul. These utilities also make it far simpler to deconstruct a complex install in order to update to a new version and to update to newer versions of the mods. This is impossible to do simply or efficiently without a mod manager.

There are two mod managers that can be used to manage this setup; however, to simplify Morroblivion Overhaul maintenance/support for me and mod management for users, Morroblivion Overhaul only officially supports Mod Organizer. Although Wrye Bash is also a mod manager, Morroblivion Overhaul will only be using it for the functionality of creating the Bashed Patch. The reason for the limited support of Wrye Bash is, again, due to simplifying this Guide. Users who wish to use Wrye Bash may do so to install and maintain Morroblivion Overhual, however, unless these users are experienced in modding, these users may find it difficult to install this Guide. Wrye Bash users can use the Wrye Bash Guide for detailed instructions on setting it up as a modding utility package. Wrye Bash users should also be aware that support may be limited when seeking help on the forums due to Wrye Bash not being the officially supported mod manager.

Tag	Name and Description	Download Filename	Additional Notes
CORE	Nexusmods Nexus sites are community driven websites that provide a platform for mod creators from specific off-the-shelf video games to upload their work for other users to download and use within their respective games.	NA	Registration with the site is free and required. There is no need to download NMM.
CORE	TESA TES Alliance is a non-profit website for the use and enjoyment of Bethesda Softworks fans, modders, and players.	NA	Registration with the site is free and required.
CORE	TESALL This is a Russian community driven website that also provides a platform for mod creators from specific off-the-shelf video games to upload their work for other users to download and use within their respective games.	NA	Registration with the site is free and required. Watch Bevilex Modlist Full Video Guide - part 4 PREQUISITE - Register to the Russian mod site TES4ALL by outdated TV for detailed instructions.
CORE	DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) This download provides the DirectX end-user redistributable that developers can include with their product.	DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010)	Required for Oblivion Reloaded. Create a new folder named DirectX and extract the files to the new folder.
CORE	Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio The Visual C++ Redistributable Packages install run-time components that are required to run C++ applications built using Visual Studio.	Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012 Update 4 Visual C++ 2013 Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 x86 Visual C++ 2017	Required for DDSOpt Required for Mod Organizer Required for Oblivion Reloaded Required for MO2

Mod Organizer

TOOL

CORE

Mod Organizer by Tannin

Description: Mod Organizer (MO) is a tool for managing mod collections of arbitrary size. It is specifically designed for people who like to experiment with mods and thus need an easy and reliable way to install and uninstall them.

Mod Organizer version 1.3.11 is the most stable and time tested build. Mod Organizer 2 is still in development and does not currently have support for hooking Steam versions of Oblivion with OBSE. 

Notice: Since some "less-clever" Anti-virus software can mistake MO as malicious, it is important to ensure your AV packages are correctly set up to exclude MO, and it's components, from being quarantined.

Special Installation Instructions:
Download manually:

• Mod Organizer

1. Install into any folder outside User Account Control (read the provided documentation for recommendations).
2. Create a shortcut on your desktop, right-click the ModOrganizer executable, hover over the Send To menu, and select Desktop (create shortcut).
3. Right click on the shortcut and set the properties to Run as Administrator. 
   Notice: This is necessary because obse_loader.exe and TESConstructionSet.exe are required to be set with elevated privilege in order to use the Construction Set Extender which will be installed in this section. 

GamerPoets Useful Tips for Mod Organizer Users

Related Video: Mod Organizer : Installation & Setup by GamperPoets
Related Video: Mod Organizer 2 | Official Series by GamerPoets

Downloading Mods

MOD MANAGER DOWNLOAD

Each mod on Nexus has a Files section, which is where mods are downloaded from. The MOD MANAGER DOWNLOAD option, if setup properly in the previous guide, will download the mod to M.O.’s Downloads directory. The archive will then be displayed in the Downloads Tab, which can be double-clicked to install the mod. Once installed the mod will appear at the bottom of the left pane where you can activate it by ticking the checkbox and then drag its position up and down to alter it’s priority. Load Order is covered a bit later.

MANUAL DOWNLOAD

This option is not only helpful for some but necessary if Mod Organizer and Nexus are having issues linking to each other. Selecting MANUAL DOWNLOAD downloads the mods archive to your systems default location. From here there are two options:
1. Leave the archive where it is. From M.O.’s Toolbar select the Install from Archive icon. From the explorer navigate to the mod. Double-click it. One of M.O.’s various install options windows will open. Install the mod accordingly. I prefer to not use this method as it’s easy to lose track of the archive and or accidentally delete it.
2. The preferred manual method is to navigate to where the archive was downloaded to. Drag and drop the archive into MO2’s Downloads tab. Not only will the archive appear here but a copy will be added to your Downloads directory just as if you used MOD MANAGER DOWNLOAD. This option can be applied to any mod archive on your system regardless where you downloaded it from.

Downloads Tab Note

If you delete a mod from the Downloads tab it will also be deleted from the Downloads directory. Deleting mod archives is not advised because many mods, at some point, may no longer exist due to their authors removing them. Delete mods with caution. If you can help it don’t delete them at all unless you are sure that you will never want to use them again.

Installing Mods

Quick Install

This window opens when installing a mod for the first time that appears to be properly packaged for installation.
- Cancel cancels the installation
- OK is generally what you want to choose as it allows MO to seamlessly install the mod.
- Manual opens additional installation options. Generally used if you are aware that a mod is packaged improperly; a folder is missing or the mod structure is incorrect. The window that you are presented with represents the archives contents exactly how the author packaged them. From here you can:
• Organize files and folders the same way that you would in windows explorer, by expanding the arrows then dragging and dropping items.
• Deactivate a checkbox so that none of the files or folders within it will be installed. Useful is a mod is packaged with multiple options.
• If you receive the error message No game data on top level, right click the Data folder with the checkbox next to it and select Set data directory. The error message should change to a Looks good message.
• The other right-click options allow you to undo the Set directory and to create a new one, or rather a new folder, to organize things into by dragging and dropping items.
• At any point, select OK to install the mod or Cancel to cancel the process.

Improperly Packaged Mods

If installing a mod that M.O. detects as being packaged improperly the Install Mods window will open. This is the same window that opens when selecting the Manual option from the Quick Install window.
-With these mods you will notice the No game data on top level message. As previously mentioned right click the Data folder, the one with the checkbox, and select Set data directory. The error message should change to a Looks good message.
-If it doesn't change expand all of the arrows and search for the proper top level folder to Set data directory for. Select OK to install.

Mod Pages w/Multiple Archives & Updates

Some mod pages have multiple archives that can be installed. These could be full updates, hotfixes, optional resolutions, so on. The situation that I present here is if you have already installed your first mod from a particular page and now you plan to download and install another from same one. This scenario presents a few options.
• At the Quick Install window select OK. The Mod Exists window will open. From here you can:
1. Merge: which is used the majority of the time. This option adds all of the contents from the additional archive to the existing mod from the same page merging the two together. If any files are duplicates, generally updates, the files being installed will overwrite the old ones. This also leaves personal changes that you have made to the mod intact. Think of this as an addition to a mod that is already installed.
2. Replace: generally not recommended unless you have a sound reason to do so. This option completely replaces the original mod with the new archives contents. Think of this as a clean wipe and reinstall.
3. Rename: allows you to rename the archive that you are currently installing, which allows archives from the same page to act as two separate mods.
4. Cancel cancels installation.

Oblivion Vanilla Assets

CORE

Oblivion Vanilla Assets by Bethesda

Special Installation Instructions:
1. Click on MO's Installer button and select the Oblivion Vanilla Assets archive file that was created while Backing Up Morrowind and Oblivion.
2. Double click to install the mod and select Manual. Uncheck all plugins except for Oblivion.esm.
   Note: The vanilla plugins will be cleaned and replaced later in the guide.
3. Move Oblivion Vanilla Data_BAIN to the top of the mods list in the left pane and activate the mod.

Tag	Name and Description	Download Filename	Additional Notes
TOOL	4gb Ram Patcher This very little tool patches x86 executables in order to let them have 4GB (instead of only 2) of virtual memory on x64 platforms. This tool comes very handy for applications which need a great amount of virtual memory like games, 3D renderization, multimedia etc. To gain these 2GB, you just have to use this tool to patch the executable (*.exe file) of the software you want to have these additional GBs of virtual memory. It can be used by clicking on it and choosing the file or through command line (e.g.: "4gb_patch file.exe"). It automatically creates a backup copy of the original executable. NOTICE GOG Users: 4gb Patch has already been applied to the executables. GOG Users can skip this setup.	4GB Patch	1. Create a new folder in \Oblivion Mods\Utilities and name it 4gb Patch. 2. Download the 4gb Patch and extract the file. 3. Open the archive: 4. Run: 4gb_patcher.exe • If you get a security warning, click [Run] • Navigate to <Morrowind> • Select "Morrowind.exe": • Select "Morrowind Launcher.exe" • Navigate to <Oblivion> • Select "Oblivion.exe": • Select "OblivionLauncher.exe": • [Open]: • [OK]

Final Pre-Installation Notes

Suggestions for In-Game Testing

SPOILER! Console Commands for Testing:

Use the following Console Command to Enter Testing Cells:

For Morrowind: type coc mwToddTest; to leave type coc SeydaSNeen00
For Oblivion: type coc testinghall; to leave simply exit through the door labeled “to Hawkhaven”

Testing Morroblivion: Performance and Stability

Wait for all mods to load.
From the main menu open the console with ~ key and type in the commands.

First Test - Explore Interior and Exterior Cells.

1. tgm; player.setav speed 255; player.setav athletics 255; tcl (turns collision on or off); tdt (toggle the debugging text and show FPS)
2. Testing Cells:
   • coc mwToddTest (Morrowind)
   • coc TestingHall (Oblivion)
   Also try:
   • coc CharacterSStuffSWonderland (Morrowind)
   • coc MarkAsSVampireSTestSCell (Morrowind)
   • coc ClutterSWarehouseSTSEverythingSMustSGoX (Morrowind)
3. "tmm 1" will toggle the map markers on and can be used to fast travel if it is enabled. Explore Open World Spaces, as well as Interior and Exterior Cells.
   Morrowind Places:
   • Ald'ruhn (Test Fast Travel)
   • Balmora (Test Fast Travel)
   • Sadrith Mora (Test Fast Travel)
   • Vivec (Test Fast Travel)
   Mournhold Places:
   • coc MournholdSTemple
   Bloodmoon Places:
   • coc FortSFrostmoth00
   • Test fast travel to other Settlements.
4. Oblivion Places:
   • Test Portal Spell to Cyrodil
   • Test Fast travel to Cities, Towns, and Villages.
   Sheograth:
   • coc SEHighcrossExterior01
   • Test Fast Travel to other Settlements.
5. Tamriel Rebuilt
   Test Fast Travel to locations South East and South West of Vvardenfell.
   • coc FireWatch00
   • coc BaanSmalur00

Next Section: Extenders and DLL Enhancements

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