SSE Potentially serious esp mesh and script errors.

[cumbrianlad]

Hi.

 

I generated BSA files using CK's built-in software. The BSA files produced included 3 vanilla scripts and 17 vanilla meshes. I have never altered any of these. Nor does SSEedit have any records in my mod for any files that use the meshes.

 

For the scripts, the 3 default scripts (.pex) were indeed in the 'scripts' folder. The meshes were in folders added by SMIM (Static Mesh Improvement Mod), but not in any folders of my own making. I had SMIM enabled at times when I was working in CK. I wonder if this is why these suggested vanilla entries have been made?

 

I have since removed the .pex scripts from the 'Data\Scripts' folder, removed and backed up all my loose files from the data folder, verified my Skyrim game on steam and dowloaded files, re-cleaned the masters, made manual BSA files using only what I knew to be my own files. Testing the game using only the esp and my BSA files, it all ran smothly from start to finish. Every quest ran, as it should, the game didn't crash and all meshes using my textures rendered correctly.

 

I am still worrying that somewhere on my PC are versions of the 3 scripts and 17 meshes and that this is why the mod is working for me... it may fail for people downloading it if I don't get to the bottom of why these 20 items are being included in a BSA generated within CK. Missing meshes could cause CTD, I think, so this is really important.

 

The 3 scripts are default scripts used many times in the vanilla game. I'd hate to mess up vanilla items/quests etc. I need to know that I haven't altered them.

 

Before I release my mod, I naturally want to know that it won't cause any issues for players. Can anyone shed any light on what is going on here? After 3 days, I am none-the-wiser.

 

Soupdragon1234, you needn't feel obliged to reply, since you answered the first post... unless, of course, you have any ideas about these 2!

[IsharaMeradin]

The CK's built-in archive function is known to either forget stuff or to include stuff that it thinks you need even if you do not. Avoid it at all cost. Don't even think of running it.

 

You've already solved your concerns by clearing everything out, verifying it all and rebuilding your BSA manually. Those files, even if they were needed for your mod, are stock. They will be present in everyone's game so there is no reason to worry anyway.

 

If you really want to be sure, find someone who is willing to test your mod on a clean setup. Or if you have a second PC capable of running the game, install the game there and test your mod.

[maxarturo]

@ IsharaMeradin

I'm also interested in this since i'm a few days/weeks from finishing the mod, and having an issue like cumbrianlad would be a huge pain in the A** since the mod adds thousands of items and going through/checking the BSA afterwards is something i would really like to avoid.

I've been doing some research on those BSA compressor tools and they all have some sort of flaw / issue...

So, what would you suggest to be the best ?.

Thank you in advance.

Edited May 6, 2020 by maxarturo

[IsharaMeradin]

Use the Archive.exe tool that comes with the Creation Kit. It can be ran outside of the CK itself. More information: https://www.creationkit.com/index.php?title=Archive.exe These are the instructions that were provided with the 32 bit CK. You may need to do some research to determine if there should be any adjustments for SSE. Primarily whether textures should always be in a separate BSA and if compression is needed or not depending upon content.

[cumbrianlad]

IsharaMeradin, from what you say, I imagined problems that weren't there. Once I'd made the BSA files manually and deleted every 'loose' file from the data folder, the mod ran perfectly. I'm a worrier, so when I saw it including these files, I thought I'd done something wrong.

 

The mod runs fine using only the BSAs so I'm uploading.

 

Cheers!