Where to begin?

[Doodlecute]

Hello,

 

I'm new to the modding scene and was wondering if anyone could help me get started. I feel very overwhelmed by everything and my attempts at installing have been completely unsuccessful so far. Can anyone tell me how to install these mods and maybe suggest some good mods to start with?

[Colovari]

Hmm, mind telling what mods you've attempted to install and what you're looking for?

[Doodlecute]

The first mod I was going to install was the Demon race I found on Spellhold Studios http://www.shsforums.net/files/file/541-chingari-and-ismeldas-demon-race/ but it required a few body replacement mods found here (Exnem female eyecandy body replacer either version or TeamFF Fantasy Figures & Roberts male body replacer.). That’s how I came across this site in the first place. Anyway I tried all the body replacers and nothing changed. The instructions say to just copy the mod to Oblivion’s Data folder but that doesn’t seem to be enough. I’m sure I’m missing something obvious since I’ve never done this before, but I haven’t a clue as to what.

[Colovari]

Which folders did you copy? And did you replace everything?

 

http://wiki.tesnexus.com/index.php/How_to_install_Oblivion_mods

 

There could also be an archive invalidation issue. You'll have to use a program like OBMM or BAIN (part of Wrye Bash) to fix it.

[LFact]

Start with something simpler, like a simple house mod or something. And, Unofficial Oblivion Patch(plus Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch and Unofficial DLC Patches if you have them) may be the only 'must have', the rest are all optional.

 

- Some mods, or many goodies require Oblivion Script Extender. This is NOT a mod, but adds new script commands and functions to do something cool and useful.

- You can use only one replacer per one mesh/texture, of course. If you're going to use two or more texture replacers, you will see the latter will overwrite the former. Unless texture replacer #1 covers something that texture replacer #2 doesn't. (You can use Qarl's Texture Pack with any texture replacer for Oblivion plane, but not with other texture replacers for Cyrodiil, unless you are gonna make a mix'n'match)

- The same goes to body replacers. You can use only one body replacer per gender. Besides, all known body replacers use different UV mapping, so you can't apply a texture for one replacer to another replacer, If you do so, you will see 'tits and bits on your leg/any wrong body parts'.

- A family of body replacer can have many body shapes(like HGEC Normal, Fighter, EBE, GUTS, and many more body types sharing same UV), but you can use only one normally.

- In this game, when you wear something, it will replace your body parts unless it is an accessary. So if you're using any body replacer, matching clothing/equipment replacer is a must.

[Doodlecute]

Still no luck, but I did manage to get one mod to work. I've posted this same question in several places and someone suggested the HGEC Body with BBB v1dot12. I got it to work but I still can’t get anything else to function. I have the Tes Mod Manager and have followed all the instructions, as best I could, for both the “How to install oblivion mods” and the individual mods themselves (currently trying to get RobertMaleBodyReplacerV52 to work). I’ve clicked the appropriate check boxes in the mod manager but it doesn’t seem to do anything. The only reason the HGEC one worked was because it installed differently, using the activate button on the bottom of the mod manger instead of the check boxes on the left. Any idea what I’m still missing?

[LFact]

Body replaces DON'T need plugins, for they are replacing body meshes and textures. The only reason the maker includes plugins for body replacer is, to assign unique body texture to each race. (And there's female Khajiit texture issue, for vanilla body, male and female Khajiit share male feet texture)

[Doodlecute]

Okay I think I got this figured out. I got a lot of advice from various sources & I think I'm good. I've got the body replacers installed and I guess time will tell from there but I'm at least starting to figure out what I'm doing. Thanks everyone.