Multiple Mods. Help.

[Moguai]

Hello All:

 

Although I've invested over 500 hours into Oblivion (and Knights of the Nine), I just started modding.

 

First I downloaded the Silver Dragon Armor mod (really cool looking with no magic properties so you can create your own effects - but you probably all know this already). Then I tried the Better Books mod but when I tried to copy files into the Oblivion Data Folder, windows tells me that the file named textures already exists and do I want to replace it? I looked and there was another file or maybe two with the same names as some in the data folder.

 

What do I do here? I am worried about replacing a file that's part of the original game or maybe even the previous mod. Thank you all in advance for your help.

 

JK

[Povuholo]

Just say 'yes'. It won't replace anything, unless you downloaded two texture replacers (Replacing textures on original object, so without creating a new one) that replace the same thing. The original oblivion textures aren't in the textures folder anyway, the game will just select those in the textures folder instead of from where the original textures are: In the Oblivion - Textures.BSA file.

[Moguai]

Thank you for responding so quickly and for the clarification on original textue doc location. Here's what I'm worried about. If I say yes, and the previous mod had a texture file associated with it for say the way one of its items apears, will the item from the previous mod be "messed up"?

 

Sorry so ignorant on this but again, I just started messing around with mods. Thanks.

[Moguai]

Ok, I did as you said and ignored. Now when I start the game it gives a messge which reads: "This save relies on content which is no longer available. Some items may be unavailable. Do you wish to continue?"

 

Umm, what now? Sorry but very new at this, thanks in advance.

 

JK

[Povuholo]

Ok, I did as you said and ignored. Now when I start the game it gives a messge which reads: "This save relies on content which is no longer available. Some items may be unavailable. Do you wish to continue?"

 

Umm, what now? Sorry but very new at this, thanks in advance.

 

JK

That message appears when you load a save game that used a mod (esp file) before, but without that mod active this time. This shouldn't be related to replacing textures.

[XeroNilson]

Ok, I'm no master when it comes to mods, but I believe I can answer this one :) .

 

All of the 'original' games files are contained within zip-like files that should never be touched, this applies to sounds/textures/meshes/etc. (Except for the patches and maybe a couple of specific mod packages this will never happen, so don't worry about it)

 

HOWEVER, you can 'replace' the original content by placing files withing the DATA folder. For example, if you wanted to change the look of an original item or create a new item, you would place the 3D mesh file within the MESHES subfolder of the DATA directory.

 

The game will (basically - there are conditions) check local folders before looking within its 'zip-like files'.

 

The sound/texture/mesh file is unique but may be referenced by multiple similar objects. For example, a magic mace that looks just like a normal mace references the same mesh/texture(?) as the normal mace, even though they are two completely seperate items. (Hey I like maces - sue me)

 

So if I were to install one mod that replaces the ebony mace mesh/texture(?) with say, a lightsaber look-alike, all the ebony mace items (normal, magical & custom) would appear like lightsabers.

 

If I were then to install another mod that overwrites THAT file with say, a phaser look-alike, then suddenly all those ebony mace weapons would look like phasers.

 

So don't worry too much about overwriting those types of files as it shouldn't affect mods in a negative way. (Loophole: There may be exceptions)

 

If you are worried, you can make a backup of the files that will be overwritten and then just pick the one you really want to use.

 

As to the second part of the issue, I have to say that the way the Bethesda has implemented the mod/savegame system is sheer genius.

 

As stated above, if you install a mod, save the game, and then un-install the mod you will be notified with the message and the mod content will not be available from then on. If you then install the mod again (after loading from a new save game) the mod content will be available again, however you will probably have to pick it up.

 

Sorry for the length of this post, but I do hope it clears things up :huh: