Contents:

=== A: Screenshot/Vanity Related ===
I. Creating the Perfect Character
~>Ingame Methods
~>Other Methods
~>Proportions
II. How to change character looks mid-game
III. Getting the Perfect Screenshot
IV. This shot could use more giant mudcrabs, methinks...

=== B: Marriage-Related ===
I. I can't marry X, help!
II. I can't divorce X, help!

=== C: Bat-Files and You, How-to & Tips! ===
I. What is a bat file? How will it help me?
II. How to use a bat file.
III. Bat file ideas & applications. (w/ Indepth Marriage Bat)

=== : Other Useful Info : ===
I. Where are my Savegames stored?
II. How do I fix invisible fog/fire/effects?
III. What are some useful .ini tweaks?


=== A: Screenshot/Vanity Related ===
I. Creating the Perfect Character
For some, the game is an entirely first-person experience, in which the character does not matter so much as far as looks go. For others, however, it is important from several perspectives, not the least being RP, that our character looks to fit the part they will play in the world. While the ingame character-creation does allow a lot of options, there are some ways to get yet an ounce more customization, which can be critical to getting that "perfect character."

~> Ingame Methods <~
First, enter the character creation screen. From here, two console commands will prove very useful. The first is:
fov
This is the field of view. The default is 70. While in character creation, a value of 30-40 will allow you to see your character's face *much* more closely, allowing you to see more facial detail, and therefore customize accurately. Note that when you're in the body section, this may be zoomed on the chest instead of the face; it should be zoomed on the face instead when you change to an appropriate customization section.

The second useful command is:
setrace
As seen http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1313103-show-off-your-mixed-race-characters/ this will allow you to mix the features of two races. Not lore-correct (race is automatically the mother's) but it is a way to get an extremely
unique, one-of-a-kind character without having to install a new race mod!

~> Other Methods (Mods & File Edits) <~
Firstly: textures. A simple tweak, such as http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=30, can have a tremendous impact on the aesthetic value of your character. I recommend either looking on the various mod sites (TESNexus, PlanetElderScrolls, and, when available, Steam Workshop) or making your own custom textures, so you can have the exact look you desire. For example, some textures are more "modern", shiny, and have hints of makeup (Bella's http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2812), while others are much more subtle, more for increasing detail (Xenius' http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=26).

If you'd like to make your own:
data/textures/actors/character/female
data/textures/actors/character/male

These are the base textures:
femalehead.dds
malehead.dds
This impacts the base detail of the face, including skin imperfections, but not including things such as scarring.

These are the specular maps:
femalehead_s.dds
malehead_s.dds
This impacts where the light reflects off the face. It's best to just use an array of small, white specks to simulate pores, and add a small shimmer to the lip area if you want to simulate makeup.

And, the most important section for those "extra details": Each race has their own _msn files (defines details such as brow ridges on the elves, and wrinkles); this is also what caused original "blocky faces", so make sure you don't compress the files too much if you decide to change them!:
femalehead_msn.dds
malehead_msn.dds

Secondly: meshes.You can make a khajiit have no tail, or make men nvde, with bits...needless to say, I'm not linking the latter I'm also not giving instructions, other than to search TESNexus and discover the file structures/methods for yourself (here is a http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3363); I fear that if I try to describe it here, people will end up with some...wonky results! But don't be discouraged; as I linked, it's rather easy to replace werewolf meshes, and it's also easy to replace armor/clothing with existing ingame meshes. So, if you really want, you can replace, say, miner's female outfit with Nocturnal's Robes...

~> Proportions! <~
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; I'll admit, I don't pay as much attention to proportions as I probably should when I'm designing my characters. That said, if you would like to stay true to proportions (scientifically accurate & artfully studied) here are some helpful images from TESNexus to get you started!
http://skyrimnexus.com/imageshare/image.php?id=12949
http://skyrimnexus.com/imageshare/image.php?id=12950

Also, there's a very in-depth guide with hints, tips, and mod recommendations, here:
http://j-u-i-c-e.hubpages.com/hub/better-looking-characters


II. How to change character looks mid-game
Complications can arise depending on the specifics:
-If you only want to change minor details, like face and hair, then you may use showracemenu.
-If you want to change race, preset, body type, or anything major, you'll need to pre-record your skills and attributes, and reset them back to the values they were at with a combination of setav and modav. So, to get your conjuration back to 39, for example, use setav conjuration 39. If numbers are in red or green, use positive or negative numbers with modav to add or subtract until the number is white.

III. Getting the Perfect Screenshot
So, you have the perfect setting, the perfect character, and an epic battle that you'd like to commemorate?
Firstly, get into the pose/action phase you need. Then go into 3rd person, and use:
tfc 1
Next, the field of view. Need to see less, or zoom in to get crisp, excellent detail on a model? Raise or lower your field of view:
fov # Where # = 20-130. Lower number can show much more detail, higher can show more distance and action!
Weather can have a major impact on the mood of the shot:
fw 10fef8 (More weather codes can be found http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Weather_IDs_%28Skyrim%29 There's over 70 of them!
Finally, we'll need to get rid of that compass and crosshair. For this, type:
tm
To get the menus back, re-enter the command.
Want some built-in blur? Get the object of your screenshot towards the center of your view, then open the inventory while the menus are toggled off with tm.


III. This shot could use more giant mudcrabs, methinks...(Footnotes)
For a truly unique shot (or just the fun of seeing a giant, rampaging mudcrab), copious amounts of the setscale command may be applied. Setscale also increases or decreases damage, speed, and other factors depending on what number you set it to.
In Oblivion, using TCL would allow corpses to stay in a standing position, as well as some other...interesting effects. This may also be worth investigation for creative/inventive Skyrim photography.


=== B: Marriage-Related ===
I. I can't marry X, help!
For many NPCs, this string of commands usually works:
addtofaction 00071860 1
addtofaction 00019809 1
setrelationshiprank player 3
*If this doesn't force them to have marriage dialogue, check the Bat section below!*

II. I can't divorce X, help!
Scroll down to the Divorce section on this page for the commands:
http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Marriage#Divorce

=== C: Bat-Files and You, How-to & Tips! ===
I. What is a bat file? How will it help me?
A bat file is simply a text file you can make in Notepad or similar. It will allow you to run many console commands all at the same time, or make console commands easier to use/remember by assigning a new name. It's a very convenient feature, and useful to learn how to use if you find yourself using a lot of commands!

II. How to use a bat file.
Create a .txt file with all the console commands you need to run at once in it. Save it with FILENAME.txt. Remember this name.
When ingame, target an NPC, yourself, or whatever the console commands require, then type:
bat FILENAME (without .txt at the end - filename can be anything).

III. Bat file ideas & applications. (w/ Indepth Marriage Bat)
To use these, simply copy-paste the codes into your desired .txt file, and follow the instructions in step II.
These are only examples to show how extensively you can use a bat file.

1. The 'extreme' force-marriage bat:

Notes:
Doesn't work on Khajiit or Altmer men.
Works on Bosmeri & Redguard men.
Doesn't work on some unique-voice NPCs: Elisif the Fair, for example.


2. Makes Follower NPC less chatty (I'm looking at you, Mjoll/Cicero :wacko: ).

Note: This resets on load game, you'll have to type the bat every time.


3. Adds 100 Lockpicks. This is just a quick design to show how to add items; full item list is http://www.gamefront.com/skyrim-pc-item-codes/; you can add many different items at once.


4. All Perks:


5. Absorb 1 dragon soul:



=== : Other Useful Info : ===
I. Where are my Savegames stored?
C:\Documents and Settings\<>\My Documents\My Games\Skyrim\Saves

II. How do I fix invisible fog/fire/effects?
There's an unofficial fix for those errors over

http://enbdev.com/download_en.htm

III. What are some good/useful .ini tweaks?
Please check the PC section on this forum, as well as:
http://www.gamefront.com/how-to-improve-skyrim-with-ini-file-tweaks/

Hmmm. This forum moves fast! :user:

Yeah, saw that thread. This is probably the only console command I'll ever use.


Thanks for this! I've been thinking of modding ... this makes some of it clearer.


I'd never use this. If you make a character, stick with it! Once you start with console commands, you don't stop!

Oh, I added that one more for RP-usage. Sometimes people want to add a scar, or change hair, or even make their face look sunburnt. Someone asked about removing dirt, too, in another thread.

Anyways, I'm glad you found something of use in my wall-of-text. It seems to scare many away! :laugh:

Very cool, thanks for posting! I didn't know about the fov # command.

Marriage is one thing, but have you come across any commands that give them follower status?

Wow, that's a lot of info.

Cheers

AddFac 5c84d for PotentialFollowerFaction. They also need to like you enough, so setrelationshiprank player 3 to set them to Ally.

Alright excellent, I can Console the rest of the fine tuning. stupid question but I have to be sure the Followers DO recieve the commands like trade items, and "move here/Do this" commands yeah?


also if you guys haven't picked it up by now, the 000 for the Commands are not neccesary ;D

Huh?

They should act like a normal follower, if the first command goes through and you ask them to follow you. I hope that's what you meant

Thank you so much, OP! I certainly hope you've added this very valuable info to a wiki somewhere! Seriously, this is some really good stuff!