All I want for Xmas is some friendly mod advice

[darksharke]

As my mod use experience and Skyrim playing consists of less than one week I have done quite well I think in learning this arena to enough extent to have 85% of the mods I have installed working perfectly BUT..... still have about 4 or 5 niggly issues which do not stop me playing but I am a perfectionist. I would REALLY like to connect with someone who knows a lot more than me preferably expert modder or user and who is prepared to offer suggestions or solutions to help. Not expecting it to be for free if it's a case of having to connect (eg skype) and then help me in practical ways, so then I would be prepared to agree some suitable financial compensation if wanted for time involved. Message me here initially, thanks

 

Alternatively if anyone has the time, goodwill and patience and (maybe after the seasonal break) could even comment here with anything helpful on the Issues I have placed below please do, all appreciated.

 

HERE in (perhaps too much detail) is my full game, mod and NMM history :

 

 

 

 

List of skyrim mods and install history (installed only)

 

Skyrim from box version

Patched to version 1.9.3.2.0.8

 

Running on ultra settings on brand new Overclockers UK custom gaming rig, 1920 x 1200 resolution on IntelCore 1-8700, 16GB RAM, MSI GTX 1070Ti Armor GFX, SSD drive, runs with no effort at all

 

First step Created vanilla avatar in game

 

Issue 0 – run in window mode – no apparent means to resize the small window that it runs in so using full screen but this means I cannot work on other monitors while game runs

 

Resources Mods:

 

Downloaded Nexus Mod Manager

Downloaded Bodyslide and Outfit Studio

Downloaded LOOT and Papyrus Util v 33

SKSE 1.7.3 (rel 48)

 

Reference skeleton in Bodylide settings res\skeleton_female_sk.nif

 

Game Mods:

 

Dinonized UNP Female Body (main and skinny) v1 dot2

Dimonized UNP clothing resources- DIM clothes _set 1 (doesn't work, no clothes in game)

XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended

ZAZ Animation Pack V7.0

 

HDT Breast and Butt Physics TBBP BPP -no collision

HDT Physics Extensions

FINS Sexy Move

Fores FINS Behaviour 7_4_5

 

 

Created body in BodySlide used ‘UNP’ Outfit/body with ‘Manga’ preset but did NOT create morphs and did NOT save this as a preset and rushed it a bit so it's a tad over the top so to speak and want to adapt it but see below for issues

 

RESULT = completely adapted Player Character with a bit overdone ‘mastasia’ Shape and BBB physics working all works fine. No issues. Breast physics also works on a female NPCs even when clothed.

 

UNP BB clothing Issues :

 

1. No clothes will fit my avatar, all vanilla items and armors change my av (temporarily) to initial vanilla shape while wearing items but NO mods marked as UNBB compatible will ever produce any clothes in game.. UNABLE to find any mods that will create clothes to fit UNPBB body with physics so far. Where can I find such clothes and armors?

 

 

Then further mods: all by NMM

 

SL Anim Loader 1.5

SexLab Framework v162 _full

SexLab Zzz _v103

SexLab Aroused_V28b

 

Sex Lab Issues :

 

2. Using SexLab anmations ALL females when nude for animations change shape to an exact replica of my Player Character (except their face) and NOT their standard nude body shape….I briefly fixed this later (not sure how but happened as more mods got loaded) but forgot to mark which local update backup was this resolved item save, and since more mods went in it has reverted to this issue. Example I used console to remove armor from Lydia and now she is a nude clone of my avatar with same body and BBT physics ? (face remains hers)

 

Then further mods: (ALL by NMM)

 

(I run FINIS and LOOT after each mod and log in to check game works)

 

Apropos _Classic 2017 _03_02_01 (100% working)

J Containers 3.2.6

J Containers_JContainers

SOS Schlongs of Skyrim (100% working)

SOS Grower -Extended _2.3 (100% working)

SOS B3lisario UNP addon (adds stockings to PC and NPC Lydia follower)

Sexist Guards v2.91b (installed but has no effect even though MCM has been set up)

 

Slave Tats 1.3.0-beta 2 (100% working) on PC and NPC

12 Slave Tats associated texture mods all working

NYEGY make up (withSlave Tats) working

UNP Minidresses Collection Conversion UNPB BBP HDT PE plus two extra packs (works 100% replacing all vanilla NPC female clothes (not armors) with very short outfits.

Ultimate Lighting Overhaul working

Ultimate HD Fire Effects ultra version working

 

RaceMenu v3.4.5 NOT working

 

Racemenu - no visible sliders Issue:

 

3. (Racemenu does not appear to work ‘ showracemenu’ in console does nothing and I have no in-game sliders to change avatar.

4. (To counter the above tried to upload a new improved 2^nd attempt body via Bodyslide creating it from preset and saving as custom preset. Then build . On relog this appears in game BUT LOSES ALL BBT BOUNCE PHYSICS)

 

Hydra_slavegirls _827 main and 827 textures both working 100% produces random slave npcs all nude BUT they all have the exact nude clone of my Player Character but this is not such a problem as they look more exotic all have different face, races and skin colours but bodies are all same clone of my Bodyslide upload as they are all nude somehow nudity makes every female NPC a clone of my player character's body which is NOT what I want to see.

 

Convenient Horse v5_0 working 100% for PC and follower

Noble Skyrim mod HD-2k plus fix appears to be working but not sure but no issues caused

Immersive Amazing Follower Tweaks – seems to be working 100% not really tested

 

 

MODS which caused immediate CTD on loading game (uninstalled)

 

** The Ordinary Women v1.9 UNP

** Interesting NPCs 3.42

** Bjin NPCc v 1,2 and Bjin Warmaidens v3.1.2

 

Clothing Mods which didn’t produce any in-game result Tera Armors, Lingerie set for UNPB Body

1.51bodytextures -6709-1-51

 

I have every version saved locally on a hard drive.

 

[gromulos]

you're off to a VERY good start but the problem is you only have part of the equation, i will explain

 

This is perfect:

 

Downloaded LOOT and Papyrus Util v 33

SKSE 1.7.3 (rel 48)

 

BUT you also NEED SKYui and should also use Wrye Bash and FO4Edit

 

Wrye bash will make a bashed patch for you that will make sure all your mods play nice together and there are no conflicts

 

FO4Edit will verify for you that you are missing no master files or slave files

 

Try my guide, do all of Steps 2 & 3 ( and Appendix 1 if needed ) let me know how it turns out :smile:

 

https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/2235394-beginners-guide-to-modding/

 

As for this:

 

Dimonized UNP clothing resources- DIM clothes _set 1 (doesn't work, no clothes in game)

 

try installing that mod manually by opening the archive and dragging the files to the Data folder, then over writing when needed

Edited December 23, 2018 by gromulos

[WakahisaSensei]

you're off to a VERY good start but the problem is you only have part of the equation, i will explain

 

 

BUT you also NEED SKYui and should also use Wrye Bash and FO4Edit

 

FO4Edit? Shouldn't he be using Tes5edit since this is Skyrim? Or are they functionally interchangeable?

[dubiousintent]

The various game specific versions of xEdit (which is the generic term for the TES5Edit tool) are just renamed copies of the executable. This renaming enables xEdit to use the correct file format and record information for that game, so that part is required but otherwise the program is the same. Sharlikan has been nice enough to post renamed versions of the current release of xEdit to the various specific game forums, but you can also fetch it (or the development, beta version) directly from the GitHub site and rename it yourself. You should also use the online version of the docs known as the "Tome of xEdit" to get the latest version of that, which applies to all games.

 

Back to the OP's questions: I don't play Skyrim, so I am not up on the mods. But most problems people have getting any game to start (especially with Bethesda games) seem to be pretty universal, and I've been dealing with them on a daily basis for the last four years in the Nexus "Fallout New Vegas" (FNV) forum. These aren't MY solutions; they are what I have researched from various sources across the internet. I've simply been systematically pulling them together in Nexus wiki articles. Here are some solutions:

 

Issue 0 – run in window mode – no apparent means to resize the small window that it runs in so using full screen but this means I cannot work on other monitors while game runs.

 

What you want is called "borderless windowed mode". There are several ways to accomplish this, such as a game specific mod like "OneTweak" by virusek; or a more generic tool that works with a broad range of games such as "Borderless Gaming"; both of which I have used successfully. This is practically an essential for Windows 10 systems with or without multiple monitors.

 

Re: Various body replacement mods and clothing for them. I'm going to direct your attention to the "Body Replacement Basics" entry of the wiki "FNV General Mod Use Advice" article. While written for FNV, the general principles apply to Skyrim as well (based upon numerous references while researching the issues). With the understanding of what is going on, you should be able to more accurately determine the exact nature of your problems with specific mods. One thing is that multiple different body replacers do not mix well with each other. They were never designed to. Some are only intended to apply to the Player, and others only apply to NPCs. Pick one for each and make your remaining choices based around that decision. People spend more time chasing after body replacement issues than almost any other. Remember: not all mods are created equal. Sometimes you have to reluctantly move on to a different choice.

 

The number one cause of most problems with textures in the game is that people don't understand the role of "ArchiveInvalidation" (AI). That is briefly but sufficiently covered in that same article. When in doubt: toggle AI. The second most common cause is a poorly packaged mod (bad folder structure) that the manager of your choice can't properly deal with. Such have to be either repackaged (proper folder structure) or manually installed.

 

Re: B-n-B. This is always dependent upon the "skeleton/armature" used with the mesh. When it suddenly stops working correctly, look to a recent mod addition replacing the skeleton. Check the descriptions of both body replacement and clothing/armor mods about their skeleton requirements.

 

Re: Issues with Menus (i.e. RaceMenu) and MCM. Please see the wiki "HUD-UI-Menu issues" article. While the specific mods discussed are for FNV, the basic principles remain. I'm guessing that the issues covered regarding MCM in particular likely apply to Skyrim as well. At least it will give you a starting point.

 

Re: CTDs. Anytime the game "Crashes to the Desktop" (CTD) it's typically going to generate an error message in the Windows Eventlog. Please see the "Windows Error Messages" section of the wiki "How to read most Bethesda game error logs" article. The most common fix for players is to adjust the default "heap size" used by the game in the INI files or SKSE. This should be covered by most guides to preventing performance problems, such as the "Skyrim performance and crash prevention Tutorial Information and SKSE ini" or the "S.T.E.P. Guide"

 

-Dubious-

[gromulos]

 

you're off to a VERY good start but the problem is you only have part of the equation, i will explain

 

 

BUT you also NEED SKYui and should also use Wrye Bash and FO4Edit

 

FO4Edit? Shouldn't he be using Tes5edit since this is Skyrim? Or are they functionally interchangeable?

 

 

you're right, i'm sick, my bad

 

use Tes5edit like he said lol

 

anyway, i think between Dubious and I, he got his Christmas wish :P

Edited December 24, 2018 by gromulos

[darksharke]

Thanks to you and good wishes, it's most encouraging to see reasoned response and so I am grateful for the time and care you all invested in response.

 

Great stuff, will read it all. Since posting and before your advices I have solved the issue with bodyslide (by simply slowing down, using analytical mind and reading more.. ha) so now I know a little more about how I should have done it the first time. I've now already re-created my av and re-installed the BB physics so now I have a much revised avatar in game and with full physics again. I also now get Racemenu thanks to installing the precache killer mod and understanding the role of bodyslide morphs. I now see the sliders which work ok but they show no effect in-game on the av.. but ho hum I am now happy with the avatar anyway.

 

I already did have SkUI but omitted it on my list, thanks. I don't have Wyre Bash and I see TessEdit reports mentioned in LOOT but not sure I ever have the resource directly so will again look at that, thank you. yes, the issue with clothing and body replacement still persists but you are right it needs a lot more research which I will do in due course

 

Good responses which are much appreciated.

[darksharke]

Again, thanks, all for this advice and help was invaluable...and have since immersed myself in other advice including the excellent videos by Gopher. I am now fully migrated to Mod Organiser 2, with 127 mods and with only one or two of them presenting any issues at all... but still a noob, ha... enjoying the journey

 

I am especially grateful that you all took the time and care to respond to me helpfully...happy new year!

 

My Load Order MO (pastebin)

https://pastebin.com/pqf049NE