Going from Manual Install to OBMM

[Dune04]

After downloading quite a few files, I decided that I may need to consider using OBMM. Any tips on going from manual install to OBMM or what to do with the already manually installed files when I get OBMM?

[nosisab]

After downloading quite a few files, I decided that I may need to consider using OBMM. Any tips on going from manual install to OBMM or what to do with the already manually installed files when I get OBMM?

Notice omod is exactly equal your common 7z mod plus a nice configuration folder that tells OBMM which files and where to install, so it can keep track of them and make eventual removing a breeze. It may have a script that turns things yet easier...

 

So you can't go wrong with OBMM. Former detractors pointed it would remove files the install overwrote, fact, but in that case those files should not be kept anyway and the previous affected mod should be reinstalled. Actually it's the same with manual install so the complaint does not applies at all.

 

Besides OBMM supply so many more nice features that you should not even think it as option, it's one those MUST have utilities.

 

As for hints, there is no secret at all. If a mod is already in omod format it's just "load" it and afterward "enable" it. Notice these two steps, the load actually does not install the mod, it just place it in the OBMM right windows and a colored marker appears. the colors states the possible conflicting issues and should be seen as a guide and help to decide about the actual install (normally the conflicts are expected and you can ignore the warnings).

 

The enabling is the actual install. In this step OBMM unpacks the OMOD (actually it is a 7z file as already said) and care to put all the files and folders in the correct place. Since it "knows" where and what it installed it can easily remove the files afterward, sparing the user the annoyance of going folders hunting. Disabling does exactly the inverse, it actually removes (physically) all the files previously installed. So there is no thing as "omod mod", there is only omod automated installation for the same files one would install manually.

 

Creating omod from "omod aware" files is easy enough, just accept the configuration file already there and follow the steps above.

creating omod from a common mod is easy too, it may be a useful step with those mods where you need to chose among optionals, just place you chosen options in a folder and "create" the omod, the configuration folder will be automatic created. If you are good at scripting you could make one that allows the optionals to be chosen and installed on fly.

 

PS: Every OMOD that appears under blue color in the right window is indeed "installed" mod, BTW, it have the ESP, textures, meshes and so on actually placed in the correct places.

Any other color there means the mod is not yet installed or was disabled, so "none" it's files is in the /data structure (although the omod itself exist and is ready to re/install)

[bben46]

There is no need to do anything with your existing installed files. OMODs will coexist with them just fine.

 

If you feel the need, you can convert your existing filed to OMOD, but it is not necessary.

 

What an OMOD is is just a different way of installing the files to get the same thing, a esp file, meshes and textures in the right places. The big difference is the OMOD remembers what was installed and where it was placed. So when it is deactivated, it can automatically and completely remove all files that it placed. And keep them ready to be reinstalled at any time.

[Dune04]

Also, what do I do about mods that will probably be patched or are released in chunks one at a time (i.e. Xenius Race Compilation)? Mainly, how would I deal with them in OBMM?

[bben46]

If you don't use the optional OMOD install, you can still manually install mods just like you have been. They will still show up in the mod list on OBMM. You can do everything with them in OBMM except use OMOD to uninstall them. If you update the file in the data folder, it will work - and not change the load order. You should not manually update a mod that been installed as an OMOD as that will confuse the OMOD - and possibly cause problems with your game (such as CTD or missing meshes) when you try to uninstall it.

 

If you do use the OMOD feature, when a mod changes, First, check the mod position in the load order. Then you will need to deactivate the original OMOD, then remove it from the folder. Then make the new OMOD from the file with the changes, put it in the OMOD folder and activate it, then move it in the load order to where the original was.

 

If a mod changes a lot, I Install it manually and update it manually. Otherwise I use OMODs.