Trying to get a handle on the whole esp to esl ins and outs.

[proletarianson]

This subforum seemed like the best probable place to ask. Is regarding .esl files. I am working with a fresh install of FO4, have not worked with creation kit, geck in this case, mod utilities and the like since the dim and distant Morrowind Days.

I have so far found a couple genralish explanations, tutorials on converting esp to esl, just a little unclear just how much one can get away with.

For instance I happen to like okie1682's Clean and Smooth Settlement Mods, not vailable on the Nexus , but are over on Beth, such as :
https://bethesda.net/en/mods/fallout4/mod-detail/3070503
https://bethesda.net/en/mods/fallout4/mod-detail/4029919
https://bethesda.net/en/mods/fallout4/mod-detail/2938541

I have downloaded the entire series, every one too many records to convert without compacting, all were convertable after compacting.

I think I may encounter issues, in general to the extent I could experiment, with a clean save off nexus, seemed ok, encountered CTDs fast travelling to (forget which now).....but landed near as I could tell before CTD in the same spot as a named settler.

Might attempting to convert to esl format, esps such as these a fools errand?

And just generally what exactly are viable candidates.........if can point me to something oh comprehensive, have questions on mods that add to workshop/crafting options....beyond oem what about ones that work with AkWCR, Armorsmith, Valdacil's Item Sorting and the like. And beyond that, for example ones that flag named settlers/vendors essential, protected, scrapping mods, or isnginificant object remover, improved Settler AI, Sandbox, or make water clear, tone down companion idle chit chat, and so on and so on.

Hoping there may be something I have not found on the esl topic, I have not found yet, someone may be able to point me to........that is idk, more comprensive, exspansive that a non-mod creator sort might grasp?
Thanks so much for any assistance offered, In advance :smile:

 

 

[zilav]

Get the latest FO4Edit build from github https://github.com/TES5Edit/TES5Edit/releases

 

Run with -pseudoESL command line parameter. All mods which get loaded at FE index can be turned into esl by adding ESL flag in the flags of TES4 plugin header. Don't change file extension to .esl though as it will force to load them before ordinary esp plugins and screw load order (CC mods do have .esl extension though just to be loaded early before other mods and don't overwrite them).

 

All such ESL toggled mods will not require a separare load order slot anymore and you can have up to 4096 such plugins at the same time allowing for unlimited modding.

 

And don't do that in ongoing game, start a new one.

[proletarianson]

Sorry for taking a bit to get back to you ZIlav, and say thanks for the information. I have chronic pain issues, that muddle my head, and the meds even further lol.

Was playing FO4 on the xbox (can't sit at a desk for extended periods, comfortable position to actually play, not ideal for KB and Mouse) till Beth capped the mod max at 150? and wonked my saves lol.

Getting everything set up, with brain muddle, pain distaction is a challenge, haha. Foggily launched incorrectly, and got my FO4 exe bumped up to the recent 10/18 update. Though did get the console option added to the steam exe, and successfully obtained the correct exe. And installed the F4SE Auto Backup plugin installed. :smile:

With the help of my sons, have a decent computer rig now, so once get the F04 mod loadout sorted/done, will have as an option for diversion from the annoying ailemnts woot, woot. Maybe Skrim SE down the road even :smile:

"Get the latest FO4Edit build from github https://github.com/TES5Edit/TES5Edit/releases (https://github.com/TES5Edit/TES5Edit/releases)
Run with -pseudo ESL command line parameter. All mods which get loaded at FE index can be turned into esl by adding ESL flag in the flags of TES4 plugin header. Don't change file extension to .esl though as it will force to load them before ordinary esp plugins and screw load order"

 

Very interesting, have not actually messed with it yet, as in attempting to create one. I have a fresh install of FO4, am in process of determining what mods to use......now with the pseudo esl option, really opens up the options (curse you heh).

I have only messed with the okie's clean and smooth mods a wee bit.

Found this regadring pseudo esls : https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/17398

"Q: Wait - I checked out that Fallout 4 mod and in his sticky post where he talks about this, he says "The downside is just keeping track of them, because mod managers aren't updated to detect this workaround yet." Is that still a problem?

A: Not with Mod Organizer 2. That post is from Dec 2017, and things have changed. I chatted with Silarn on the MO2 Discord channel and he confirms that all versions of MO2 since v2.1.2 should handle ESP's flagged as ESL's properly. And they work great - if you use these patches with MO2, you even get a little helpful yellow dot next to the patch in your plugin order that, when hovered over, says: "This ESP is flagged as an ESL. It will adhere to the ESP load order but it will be loaded in ESL space." Which is awesome."

Forgot to bookmark some other infoon pseudo-esls while I was roaming da google in a fog.

If I recall correctly wrye bash does not handle them (bash patch) LOOT? issue with ordering lists exceeding 255....have not messed with such things since the dim and distant Morrowind days, so wondering about merged leveled lists, FO4EDIT I think for that......

Have not looked into Vortex yet, regarding pseudo esls. Looks like merging plugins has become easier since the Ancient Morrowind Modding Days :smile: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/69905

Hopefully despite the focus, retention issues, will get back up to speed on all this in relatively short order :smile:

 

"And don't do that in ongoing game, start a new one."

 

By this I am thinking you are saying to not alter a esp that is already part of an ongoing game?

No worries there, as is currently a fresh unmodded install, other than the clean smooth settlement ones been messing with. if the psedo esl flag work for those, I do not intend to enable them until get "ownership" of the respective settlements in game. Then fast travel to another location, save, exit game. enable. Load then probably approach settlement in question on foot, just to be safe.

Still have to find a suitable save on nexus, only oem content, all settlements owned to troubleshoot with :wink:

And am also thinking that any new mod/esp I may wish to flag as a pseudo_esl, added to an ongoing game down the will be fine, just like adding vanilla esp. Providing is done prior to enabling and loading in an ongoing game.

Again thank man. Very Much Appreciated!!!!!

 

if have any suggested readings, tutorial, further info, also would be very much appreciated....that way I hopefully can avoid asking pesky questions on the forum(s).......will probably have to ask elsewhere down the line if Draco's Leveled Enemies and Deadly Commonwealth compliment each other......lol.

[zilav]

You don't need to merge plugins anymore as it is unlikely you'll ever hit the limit of 4096 ESLized esp plugins, and like 90% of mods can be turned into ESL because they comply with ESL requirements.