BODY MODS 101

[russader]

Well there have been a number of questions posed when it comes to body mods and compatibility. So lets start with the basics in a Q & A Format.

 

 

Q: What is a body mod?

 

A: A body mod is a replacement of the original body (created by Bethesda) for a unique unofficial one (Created by someone else).

 

Q: How do I install?

 

A: In the Oblivion\Data\Meshes\Charecters\_Male folder, you will place/replace the new body meshes.

 

Q: There is not a .esp file with the mod. Where can I get it?

 

A: Most body mods don't require a .esp to use it. In most situations the game automaticly selects the replacements on its own.

 

Q: Why is the body one single color?

 

A: While the mod can be classified as simply the meshes, that really is only the foundation. For the mod to look good you want to look for textures replacements that install similarly to that of the actual body mod. The textures cover over the meshes. If you do not use a replacement texture with your mod the game will attempt to use it's original ones which will look completely wrong. Your body will look completely one color at best.

 

Q: Can I use textures from one body mod for another?

 

A: In most situations NO. Textures are made specificly for one type of body.

 

Q: Why does one sex change but not the other?

 

A: Because body mods are sex specific. So if you want both sexes to be upgraded you need to download two different body mods, one for each sex.

 

Q: My body looks great nude but it looks the same dressed. What's up?

 

A: The game is designed to REPLACE the part of you body with the article of clothing associated with it. So to put on a pair of pants will replace the leg meshes with the pants meshes. Because of this body specific clothing mods are required to be used in order to make the body mod appear when dressed. These do require specific .esp files.

 

Q: Can I mix and match body mods? Like using babs top and Exnems bottom?

 

A: Yes you can but it will look like hell. Again body mods are very specific creatures. There is one exception though. Exnem and HGEC. Exnems Eyecandy was the first. It was crude but revolutionary which lead the way to the rest of the body mods. HGs Eyecandy is essentially a 2.0 version of the original Eye Candy. HGEC and Exnems tops and bottoms are inerchangable. Why anyone would want to use Exnem over HGEC I do not know but they can. And HGEC comes with a variety of different chest and bottom sizes to choose from, just like Roberts male bodies.

 

Q: Why doesn't the clothing on my charectore look right? Again, because you are using a clothing designed for a different body than you are using. This can lead to missing wrists to the top and bottom looking seperate.

 

 

Again look at all the bodies and choos the one that makes you happy, but remember you should stick to that body type when choosing clothing.

 

Only Exnem and HGEC clothing looks remotely decent inerchangably. The biggest noticable difference between these two when changing clothing is that the arms on Exnem clothing is chunky and blocky compaired to HGs smoother arm. Other than that those two work well together and not much else.

 

BAB Needs BAB cloths

 

GROWLFS Needs GROWLFS cloths to look perfect.

 

TFF Needs TFF clothing.

 

EXNEM and HGEC are okay but try to stick with one if possible.

 

Roberts is great on its own since it's more like trying to make the body match what it would look like to make the armor look like that. Though clothing and armor that show skin should be replaced where ever possible.

 

I hope this helps some noobs. It wopuld have helped me alot had I known this first. I used Bab first then switched to HGEC only to find Bab uses a special skeleton that stretches the arms and my wrists were blank and missing.

 

Again, hope this helps.