Modifying an existing mod

[tls2death2]

Let me start with my intentions. I love the mod ArmoryLab and the subsequent mod Better ArmoryLab Enhanced, but they still have some quirks that bother me. I dislike the way in which the mannequins are arranged, I dislike how there is an ambient red light in the left corner of the main mannequin room that seems to cause me some framerate trouble, and in the weapons display room there is a high-poly VR world map in the corner that 75% of the time causes my framerate to drop from >20 to <10 which is unbearable. So these are all things I intend to address, however, this is not for public release simply my own personal preference that they be slightly different.

 

I have downloaded, installed, and read a few documents for/about/relating to the TESCS; the TESCS wiki site, the Oblivion mod maker's manual and a couple of other tutorials scattered around. I have not yet found anything addressing the problem that I am encountering having made the aforementioned modifications to the BetterArmory Lab Enhanced.esp file. Having fixed all of the issues that I pointed out (as well as removing the bedroll from the main mannequin room) when I saved, loaded my save game, went to the ArmoryLab, my changes had been merged with the original ArmoryLab.esp's appearance mannequin room. Meaning, the arrangement of mannequins that I had made were now visible, in addition, with the raised "coffin" type pedestals, the original marble/wood textured mannequins on top of those pedestals, but my human textured mannequins were on the floor as I had arranged them, the "forge" that was in the original mod was now visible again with a couple of my mannequins now inside of it (much like a very hot tub).

 

These two screenshots were taken after making only two changes to the Better ArmoryLab Enhanced.esp: I deleted the ambient red light in the corner, and I deleted the bedroll from beside the door.

http://tls.netpimpz.com/gallery/Oblivion/ScreenShot0.jpg

http://tls.netpimpz.com/gallery/Oblivion/ScreenShot1.jpg

[tls2death2]

Second SS, can't seem to get the IMG tags to work so I just attached the ss's

[tls2death2]

If anyone can help me understand why the first-loading ArmoryLab.esp is overwriting the changes in the cell made by the secondary-loading Armory Lab BetterArmory.esp I would be very appreciative. I don't think I'm willing to finish playing the game until I've fixed these minor annoyances.

 

Upon loading the .ESP files again (Loading Oblivion.esm, ArmoryLab.esp, and ArmoryLab BetterArmory.esp) there is a duplicate cell (of the main room where the two changes I made were) called ArmoryLab DUPLICATE but it's missing huge chunks of the cell texturing (ie, there's a whole corner gone, central floor textures are gone, the door/entrance to the alchemical room is completely gone).

[myrmaad]

If anyone can help me understand why the first-loading ArmoryLab.esp is overwriting the changes in the cell made by the secondary-loading Armory Lab BetterArmory.esp I would be very appreciative. I don't think I'm willing to finish playing the game until I've fixed these minor annoyances.

 

Upon loading the .ESP files again (Loading Oblivion.esm, ArmoryLab.esp, and ArmoryLab BetterArmory.esp) there is a duplicate cell (of the main room where the two changes I made were) called ArmoryLab DUPLICATE but it's missing huge chunks of the cell texturing (ie, there's a whole corner gone, central floor textures are gone, the door/entrance to the alchemical room is completely gone).

 

 

Ok I'm still pretty noob, myself but I've been changing and fiddling around with maybe most of my downloaded mods:

 

First of all don't load both ESPs ! They are both referencing stuff and so you're making duplicate entries all over the place.

 

 

What I've been doing, and I'm open to helpful corrections too from the experts:

 

download the latest version of your favorite mod,

save it into a keepsake folder just for safekeeping. Mine is called "Bliv Mods" and is housed in a completely different directory far away from the Oblivion program, data, and game folders.

 

 

install said mod into your oblivion data folder, leaving the safekeeping version safe and pristine.

 

Rename its .esp file (maybe add a 1: My favorite Mod.esp -> My favorite Mod1.esp

Open the CS and put a X in the Oblivion esm box,

 

also load any other mods if you want to raid them for items to add to your own modified mod.

 

Find My favorite Mod1.esp and set it as the Active mod.

 

 

Make your changes, Save, *make sure the CS saves it into the Oblivion/Data folder (I was saving mine on my desktop at first and then didn't understand why they weren't changing).

 

 

Your trouble is that you're loading two different .esps I think.

 

 

IF you mess up and want to start over you have your safekeeping version ready to reinstall or try again.

[tls2death2]

Thanks for the tips, I've made backups of the .ESP's before I edit anything (copy +paste + rename .BAK) so that isn't anything to worry about. =P I tried (if I recall correctly) loading just the Armory Lab BetterArmory.esp and it loaded the ArmoryLab.esp anyway (I think BetterArmory is dependent upon the armorylab). I will give your suggestions a go and see if I can make any headway, thanks!

[tls2death2]

I loaded only Oblvion.esm and ArmoryLab Better armory.esp, made two changes (red light + bedroll) and again the same situation occurred.

[myrmaad]

I loaded only Oblvion.esm and ArmoryLab Better armory.esp, made two changes (red light + bedroll) and again the same situation occurred.

 

 

I mean in your oblivion Data folder, there should only be one .esm loading, but how on, I'm going to download that mod and look at it.

 

Are you using the Merged version?

 

ArmoryLab better Armory - enhanced

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18167

 

 

ArmoryLab esp Merged V41 RECOMMENDED

[myrmaad]

Ok, I've just looked at these.

 

 

The modular version requires an .esm or Master File plugin.

 

The merged version is a single simple .esp (it does have an extra esp included if you want to role play gardening but it's optional and doesn't directly affect the armory lab.)

 

From what you're saying you must be using the modular version. I have not looked at the modular version so I'm not sure if the master file is sending the duplicates but I'm going to guess that's it. Sorry I couldn't be more help, but unless I download the version you're using and poked around in it I couldn't tell.

 

Do you find the referenced cells in both the .esm and the .esp when you're inside the Construction Set?

[tls2death2]

I am using

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3791 (ArmoryLab esp Merged V41 RECOMMENDED )

and

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18167 (ArmoryLab better Armory Enhanced 1a -- Human Mannequins+Low Pedestals)

 

Find the referenced cells in both the .esm and .esp.... um, I'll have to do some more tinkering before I know what that means (and how to discover the answer via TESCS) =]

 

And um, there's only 1 .ESM loading (Oblivion.esm) the other files are both .ESP's

[myrmaad]

I am using

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3791 (ArmoryLab esp Merged V41 RECOMMENDED )

and

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18167 (ArmoryLab better Armory Enhanced 1a -- Human Mannequins+Low Pedestals)

 

Find the referenced cells in both the .esm and .esp.... um, I'll have to do some more tinkering before I know what that means (and how to discover the answer via TESCS) =]

 

And um, there's only 1 .ESM loading (Oblivion.esm) the other files are both .ESP's

 

 

OK, well I have had a little bit of time to play with this, now, and I really like it so Kudos to you for bringing it to my attention because I really had no interest in the mannequin mods, before I started playing with this. It's just that the rest of the mod is so well done, I couldn't resist trying out the mannequins too, and they are really neat. I've already figured out I need to use the expanded mannequins because I have more armors to display than I originally thought I'd care about.

 

This is what jumped out at me from the readme when I thought I'd try adding the expansion:

 

FROM THE README ArmoryLab better Armory Enhanced.txt~

Installation/Conflicts/Etc.

===========================

 

Requirements - This mod requires Armory Lab V4.1+

 

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3791

 

If you haven't used this mod (ArmoryLab better Armory) before, make sure all armor is taken off the mannequins and take all the displayed weapons etc. out of the two showcases if you used the ArmoryLab mod before.

 

If you have used the other "non enhanced" version of this mod, refer to the jpg to identify the removed mannequin (it's impossible to move it, they just stay put where they are in an existing game, so just remove the things on this one mannequin, load the mod as usual and redecorate.)

 

You can store the armor in the two chests in the room before activating this mod and take it out to redecorate, the chest is NOT changed by this mod.

 

This mod will not invalidate your savegames! I tried loading old savegames with it. The ONLY thing affected (for new saves) are the mannequins. If you deactivate this mod and reload any old savegame the mannequins' armor will be as it was before.

 

This mod also does NOT touch any other rooms than the main room with the mannequins and it's duplicate.

 

Use only one version at the time.

In the description is the type of plugin (with or without Mannequins, raised pedestals etc)

 

Please let me know if you find any incompatibility.

 

The quick and dirty fix I would try is to use the console "disable" command on the mannequins/pedestals that you don't want. Not the cleanest approach but possibly a very adequate quick fix. I'm still playing around with it when I have time to.