SSE Loose file version works but BSA version won't don't know why?

[JohnnyQuest101]

The loose version of my mod works which includes a zip file name inside that a Data Folder inside that mesh folder, script folder and esp.

I wanted to make a BSA version of this. Used the Archive Tool inside the skyrim special edition tools archive folder. Dropped and dragged Mesh folder and scripts folder. The size seemed alright but ingame the scripts were not working and the mesh was missing.

 

I'm puzzled and don't why what might have caused this?

[cdcooley]

Were you dragging folders from your game's data folder or a copy in some other folder? If you're having this problem I'm guessing you were dragging in files from some alternate folder. In that case you also have to set that alternate data folder as the "Root Dir" near the bottom of the screen (and should probably avoid the dragging part). If you do have a separate stand-alone data folder (or make one by extracting the zip file you uploaded) here's the easiest way I know to build the BSA.

 

First take the ESP and anything else that shouldn't be in the BSA out of your special Data folder and put it/them somewhere else. Then in the archive tool, first click the "..." button to the right of the "Root Dir:" field and select that Data folder. Second, use "Add Directory" on the Edit menu and choose that exact same folder to import everything inside of it. Finally check the appropriate type boxes on the top of the window (and compress if it doesn't include sound or voice files) and save.

 

After you have the BSA created put it with the ESP and any other files that you didn't add to the BSA then zip them. That archive should not have a Data sub-folder. The ESP, BSA, etc. should be at the top level. (Yes, mod managers can handle the extra Data folder, but that's only because the developers found it was easier to cope with people doing it wrong than teaching everyone to do it right.)

[JohnnyQuest101]

You are correct I did drag and drop. I did as you stated click meshes, misc, compress, retain filename, retain filename offset, retain directory name and it worked. I didn't know about the data folder and now I do thanks so much!