How do I make .BSA files?

[Fuguss]

I am attempting to convert the Project Clarity mod from loose files into actual BSAs that I can use a mod organizer to replace the retail BSA's without needing an ESP or anything. I am using the files from Cleaned Skyrim where Project Clarity got his files to fill in the textures he didn't do.

I have so far finished the "Skyrim - Textures0.bsa" and have it file per file accurate to the original. But if I try and compress it with the Archive2 program, it gives me a ba2 extension instead. If this works, I plan on trying to give it back to IconicDeath for his page. But need to figure out how to compress it to the proper file format.

Thank you in advance for any help on this, much appreciated.

[Fuguss]

Nevermind, I didn't realize that Archive2 was the FO4 version and the Skyrim SE version was just Archive.

Now just need to read up on the recommended settings while experimenting with the outputs.

Edit: Instead using an app named BSArch which seems to be doing I hope, the Archive one just didn't want to preserve the directory structure no matter what I did,

[Adventurer1111]

Here are the steps that I have :smile:

1. Create an Upload Folder for your mod

2. Inside the folder create the directories like you would see them in Skyrim to hold all of your mods files. You want to use the same file structure as your Skyrim Data directory:

a. Data Folder

b. Add Meshes if your Mod has custom meshes also for Face Gen

c. Add Texture if your Mod has custom textures

d. Add Scripts and Source if you Mod has scripts

e. Add and Voices Sounds file folders if your Mod has sounds/Voices

Copy over the mod NIF, textures, scripts, etc. over to your new upload directory.

The reason we did this is because we need to copy these files to create an archive

3 Look in the Skyrim an app executable called Archive.exe. Mine is located here:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Tools\Archive

4. Click the type of files you will be uploading for mine I clicked on [Checkmark] Meshes [Checkmark] Textures and everyting else you will be including.

5. [Checkmark] Compress Archive

6. [Checkmark] Retain Directory Names

7. [Checkmark] Retain File Names

8. [Checkmark] Retain File Name Offsets

9. Go to Edit at top of app and add directory and then locate the new mod upload folder you just created and inside of that select data > OK

10. File and save as > new mod upload folder you've created to find it right away.

11. Before closing the archived app check to make sure that the archive worked and the .BSA file exists in your folder.

12. Paste your new BSA files into your data directory and make sure it is named the same exact way as your ESP file.

13. To Test the Mod: Remove the mod files from your data folders from your main Skyrim directory. IMPORTANT: Be sure to remove only the ones that are included in your BSA and be sure to have a backup copy. Run the mod to test it using only the ESP/BSA

Edited February 25, 2021 by Adventurer1111

[Fuguss]

Is there a max file size to BSA files where Skyrim will mess up?

I am asking because I am trying to keep them under 2GB if I could but one of them looks like I will break 3GB if I stick with the retail file structure like I am trying to.

[zilav]

2GB for games prior to Fallout 4. Unlimited (technically) in Fallout 4.