How to place red-outlined objects using the console

[koala166]

( I apologize if this was already posted, but I did a cursory search and did not find it mentioned elsewhere.)

 

I use the Settlement Supplies Expanded mod by TroyIrving and Ploppable Houses by Jyasu. However, I found it extremely difficult to place large objects like the BOS walls in my settlements. After a few very frustrating hours trying to get a BOS wall outline to turn green, I devised a method for placing any large object by using the console.

1. Enter the Workshop build mode and move the object you want to place. Do not worry about the red outline, just move the object where you want to place it.
2. Enter the console and click on the red-outlined object to get its reference ID. It should appear above the command line in the center of the screen.
3. With the ref ID selected, type the following commands to get the object’s position in the world: GetPos X, GetPos Y, GetPos Z, GetAngle Z.
4. Now type the command SpawnDupe. This will spawn a duplicate of the object you are trying to place. The position and angle of the spawned object are semi-random.
5. Exit the console to allow the new spawned object to be drawn, and exit the Workshop mode (or just cancel the object placement)
6. Enter the console again, and click on the newly spawned object to get its RefID.
7. Use the command SetAngle XYZ 0 to reset its orientation.
8. Use the commands SetPos X, SetPos Y, SetPos Z and SetAngle Z, with the values you’ve gotten from step 3. This will place the object to the location you wanted.

That’s it. Hopefully this will save you from some of the frustration I experienced. Maybe someone can turn this into a BAT script. Unfortunately I do not have the knowledge to do it myself.

 

Another tip I use a lot: to force-move an object, I use the ModPos and ModAngle commands in the console. When I want to move something by small increments, I type the command (e.g. ModPos X 10) and after I press Return then I press the up arrow which repeats the command (you have to press Return again). This way you can incrementally force-move objects without much typing.

[JJ2198]

I believe if you use the console command TCL you can place things anywhere.

[Ethreon]

no, tcl doesn't allow you that or anyone would use it.

Some of us been using the console ever since we noticed this dumb issues about item placement. Some took it further and devised mods to work easier http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/7625/? or http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/3615/? being prime examples.

 

When building, you can either adopt the local angle (target some random major object like a house and use getangle z), or just build using Z 0 (setangle z 0 for your newly placed object, then build from there on). Using rugs and tcl are just semi-fixes, and mostly won't work for those neatly aligned buildings and furniture.

 

Another very useful trick when placing multiple objects in red using console, no matter what Z angle you use - place two of each next to each other (walls, floors etc), determine the X/Y difference between them (including the two decimals), then apply that as a modpos X/Y for new elements you wanna add. The way I do it (mostly for walls, floors): place down an element in a given position, give it the right angle and height, find out it's pos X and Y. Next, I spawn as many elements as I need of the same kind, give them same X,Y and Z pos/angles as the initial one, then start moving the elements using modpos X/Y with the value I determined in the first place (the difference between two tiles). To stop the shimmering, just type in setangle x 0 (or whatever else you have already established for it).

Edited January 7, 2016 by Ethreon

[lolagotit]

Th

 

( I apologize if this was already posted, but I did a cursory search and did not find it mentioned elsewhere.)

 

I use the Settlement Supplies Expanded mod by TroyIrving and Ploppable Houses by Jyasu. However, I found it extremely difficult to place large objects like the BOS walls in my settlements. After a few very frustrating hours trying to get a BOS wall outline to turn green, I devised a method for placing any large object by using the console.

1. Enter the Workshop build mode and move the object you want to place. Do not worry about the red outline, just move the object where you want to place it.
2. Enter the console and click on the red-outlined object to get its reference ID. It should appear above the command line in the center of the screen.
3. With the ref ID selected, type the following commands to get the object’s position in the world: GetPos X, GetPos Y, GetPos Z, GetAngle Z.
4. Now type the command SpawnDupe. This will spawn a duplicate of the object you are trying to place. The position and angle of the spawned object are semi-random.
5. Exit the console to allow the new spawned object to be drawn, and exit the Workshop mode (or just cancel the object placement)
6. Enter the console again, and click on the newly spawned object to get its RefID.
7. Use the command SetAngle XYZ 0 to reset its orientation.
8. Use the commands SetPos X, SetPos Y, SetPos Z and SetAngle Z, with the values you’ve gotten from step 3. This will place the object to the location you wanted.

That’s it. Hopefully this will save you from some of the frustration I experienced. Maybe someone can turn this into a BAT script. Unfortunately I do not have the knowledge to do it myself.

 

Another tip I use a lot: to force-move an object, I use the ModPos and ModAngle commands in the console. When I want to move something by small increments, I type the command (e.g. ModPos X 10) and after I press Return then I press the up arrow which repeats the command (you have to press Return again). This way you can incrementally force-move objects without much typing.

Thanks for this tip, Koala166. I was stuck and this really worked. Note to self: Pay attention to the -negative positions or your object will disappear, lol. (I'm only using Homemaker - Expanded Settlements 1.73)

[HeyYou]

Place Everywhere makes building a breeze. You never see the red outline. Ever.