Understanding FO4edit

[MarkusTay]

I have a random NPC added by a mod (that does a lot of other things), and I think its interfering with another mod working correctly, that alters the world-space that NPC was placed at.

 

Now, that NPC doesn't have anything to do with anything else - he's just there to recruit as a settler if you want, so it should be safe to delete him. When I bring up the data on him, and the location (Atom Cats Garage), I can delete those entries... but I also see the entries for the main game file - the FO4.esm. If I delete the data I want to - under the mod header only - will it effect the stuff in the first column; the stuff from the game itself? I have tried twice before 'modding' (using the CK), and borked my game once, and had to reinstall the mod the other time, so both BAD experiences.

 

I get that pop-up that says, "are you SURE you want to do this?", and every time, I back-out, because I really do not know what I am doing. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.

[G4M3W1NN3R]

as long as Fallout 4.ESM is not expanded (meaning the little plus sign is not clicked on), you will be alright. as that indicates you are not editing or looking at content in the the actual master file itself.

 

if the mod you wish to edit is the only thing that is expanded then you will fine. a mod cannot permanently affect the game itself (as simply removing a mod will Undo changes made to the game), the only thing that can affect the game itself permantly, will be the Main Fallout 4 Master files (Fallout4.ESM, and Its DLC Files).

 

however mods can affect each other. so say you was to delete atom cat garage, any other mod that makes edits to this location, will cause issues, and that would then translate to your game having problems.

 

that pop-up is to indicate that you know what you are doing, because F04Edit is a powerful tool, that gives you the ability to completely edit mods, not only that,

 

however it also gives you the ability to edit the game itself via editing the fallout 4 master files, something the creation kit will not let you do, and that is very risky, because if you mess up the game due to messing around with the Master Files, then the only solution is a re-install of the game.

 

also note: that every single mod, relies on the Fallout 4 Master files to be intact. so editing a fallout 4 master file, could effectively mess up every single mod (that contains an esp or esm file).

 

Note: You will Always get that Pop-Up every time you attempt to make an edit. its essentially a safety net. however also note: that F04Edit can also backup mods as well, which will be a check box in the same window that apply changes appear (basically the window that popups up after making changes to a mod and closing Fo4Edit.

 

Lastly the Mod Header: are All the Requirements for the mod (basically meaning any ESM or ESP file listed under this header, are all the master files and mods, the mod in question requires, since it will either include content from these mods/master files, or it makes changes to them),

 

if you was to remove Fallout4.ESM from that header, that means the mod will no longer require the base game. in this situation the mod will then be made redundant. (it will not edit or affect the game itself, only the mod)

 

Deleting something in a mod, will Not Delete it in the Master Files, all Esp and Esm files are Not Connected in that Regard.

[MarkusTay]

Okay, I think I understand all that, and TY for your quick response.

 

So just to be clear: Even though I see TWO columns of data - one for the main game (1st column) and one for the mod (2nd column) - when I hit 'delete' (both the locale and the NPC in the mod) I will ONLY be deleting the data from the mod, NOT the game itself (so long as I don't see the sub-menus under the .esm, or as you put it, have it 'expanded')?

 

And while I have your attention, what if I only delete the location data? I'm not even sure what it's doing, other than maybe placing that NPC. What would happen? Would the NPC simply not get placed?

 

EDIT: Oh, and how does that 'backing up' thing work, in case I royally screw this up? How would I restore the file afterward? (and yeah, I always anticipate the worse case scenario, because that is the one life tends to deal me LOL)

Edited September 18, 2019 by MarkusTay

[G4M3W1NN3R]

basically on the left pane window, where all the mods are as well as master files are, each ESP and ESM file has a Plus Sign next to them (clicking on that plus sign expands the section of the mod, thus revealing all content in that mod).

 

so if you was to click on the plus sign next to fallout4.esm, and you start modifying data in that section, then you would be making permanent changes to the game, and risk messing up every single mod you have, including the game itself (the only solution to resolve this issue is a game re-install, unless F04Edit backups the master file). basically Do Not touch this Section.

 

however clicking on the plus sign next to the mod in question allows you to edit, modify and delete content in said mod, this will only affect the mod in question (however this as mentioned can cause issues with other mods, if you have other mods that also rely on the same content this mod edits and you start deleting said content).

 

so yea deleting anything in the mod will not affect any other mod or master file with regards to permanent changes, it can however cause conflicts with other mods/master files, if they rely on content you just deleted, and only if the mod you deleted the content has higher priority then the mod that relies on the deleted content.

 

with that said, can you post a screenshot of what you are refeering to, so i can get a better understanding of the situation.

 

as for the backup feature, i would imagine it simply creates a copy of the mod before any changes you made to it (thus giving you a safety net), and most likely gives the mod a .bak extension, indicating it is a backup. i don't know too much about it, since i always manually create backups anyway. and i know exactly what i am doing when i use F04Edit, so the backup feature does not really apply to me. but i know it exists, and it is defintely a good feature to have nontheless, especially for less savvy folks, or those that do not create manual backups of everything.

 

Lastly: Yes Deleting content in a Mod only Deletes the content from the mod. and you know if you are doing this, because the mod in question will only be the section that is expanded. <-- be wary of deleting stuff though, especially locations, as you risk having mod conflicts, a Deleted Location Mod Conflict will be 100% Repeatable Proximity CTDs (when you delete a location, you also risk deleting NavMesh, which would result in said CTD)

[MarkusTay]

I appreciate your responses - sorry it took me a couple of days to respond back.

 

I don't feel comfortable doing this mid play-through (never a good idea to alter/delete a mod like that), so I am saving this info for my next play-through.

 

Thank You

[G4M3W1NN3R]

happy to help :)

 

and yea good call on deciding not to do this mid playthrough, many risks can come from doing that.