Guide for creating a base-model child save for mod testing.

[LuDux]

Alright, there's been some confusion about this, and for the sake of promoting mod work here, I've decided to make a guide. It's really pretty easy.

 

The saved game you'll get at the end of this isn't for playing the game, but rather is intended to make it easier to test your child mods on in-game models, by helping you create a saved-game that will allow you to observe how your mods affect the base in-game child NPC and player models.

 

You'll need to install some mods. If you're only going to be modding for a single gender, you'll only need the following mod to set up your player-character as the base itemless and clothesless model.

 

If you just want to use the player-character as a model, you'll only need this mod: “Killable Children”: http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=774&navtag=file/images.php?id=774&tab=3 This mod will allow you to choose a child race from the character creation screen, which will start without any clothes or items.

 

However, it won't allow you to strip the clothes an items from child NPC's, which is useful if you want to use both genders as an in-game model. For that, you'll need the second mod.

 

Now, using the Killable Children mod, there are two ways you can set up the player character to be a useful clotheless and itemless in-game model for your mods.

 

A) Start a new game, go through the carriage ride, get tot he character creation menu, select your child race, etc. Time consuming, unless this is your first time playing Skyrim and you don't have any previous saves.

 

B) If you /do/ already have a saved game in Skyrim, things are much easier. You can skip the intro, and if you've been to a few places, you can fast-travel to a useful location.

 

 

1. 
    
   
2. First, load the saved game you want to convert to a child save for modding purposes. I suggest one that's already near a child or children of the gender you want to modify. The two kids in Riverwood are convenient.
   
3. Open the console by pressing the tilde key ~ t at the upper left of your keyboard.
   
4. Type in: showracemenu
   
5. Press enter to activate that, then press the tidle key ~ to return to your game. This should bring up the character creation menu from the beginning of the game. If you correctly installed the Killable Children mod, you should now have the option to select a child character. Notice that the only thing you can change is gender, this is your chance to do so. Finish up, and name your character – I suggest something generic like 'ChildModTesting', so you don't confuse it with a save file you'd use for actually playing the game.
   
6. That done, you should have the child character and gender of your choice. If your arms are crossed (the 'tied' pose from the intro), simply use a weapon or spell to undo that.
   
7. If you only plan on working on mods for a single gender, this might be all you need, as you'll be able to zoom and pan around the base Skyrim child model that you chose.
   

 

However, if you want to make edits for both genders, and be able to observe the base-model for both genders in-game at the same time, you'll need a second mod that allows you to remove their clothes and items, "Playable child clothes for child characters": http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4148

 

With this mod, you'll be able to actually remove the clothes from the in-game child models, without the game engine automatically replacing them.

 

To have access to itemless and clotheless in-game base child models of both genders, you'll want to move to a location where you have NPC's of both genders. Riverwood is convenient.

 

1. 
    
   
2. First, move your player-character to a location where the child NPC's you want to use as your in-game models can kept in a convenient place. Child NPC's who run around are less useful as models, for example, than NPC's who stay in one small area, or who you can keep herded together.
   
3. Facing them, press the tidle key ~ to bring up the console.
   
4. Clicking the child NPC should cause a string of numbers (and sometimes also letters) to appear in the console. For example, clicking on Dorthe in Riverwood will give you 00013484. Clicking on her friend Frodnar will give you 0001348b.
   
5. The command you'll use to strip their items and clothes is: removeallitems
   
6. To use this command, type 'removeallitems' in the console, followed by the string of digits you got from clicking on the child while the console is active. For example, to strip Dorthe, I would type into the console: removeallitems 00013484
   
7. Press enter to activate the command, and press ~ again to lower the console. You're done! If you installed the second mod, the child NPC whose number you entered after 'removeallitems' should now be stripped of all their possessions, including clothes.
   
8. Repeat this as many times as you like – the command works for adults too.
    
   

 

Save your game, remembering that this saved game file isn't intended to be used to play the game, but rather to test out your child mods.

 

Now, if you followed all the steps, both your player-character and the NPC's of your choice should be down to the basic child model. It's a convenient in-game reference to track how your mod changes the child character from their base-model, be it changes to the base texture, mesh, or even trying out different child-sized armors, weapons, or animations.

 

I'll be changing this post as I get questions, so feel free to ask me for clarification on any point, or give any advice you think would serve to make this guide clearer or more useful.

 

Happy modding!