Hi guys it's me again, after a long break I have decided to come back to the world of Oblivion thinking I could just jump straight in...WOW how wrong I was.
So much has changed and frankly I have absolutely NO IDEA where to start, new releases of big mods such as DR6, last time I played IIRC OBSE version 0018 ras just released...I actually fine it quite intimidating lol :blush:

Basically this time I want a FULL FCOM setup I have the FCOM thread open and am reading through but still I'm a little lost, is the 50 step FCOM CTD free setup still valid or now outdated, again IIRC when installing FCOM something about changing the MMM bsa to a FCOM name does that still have to be done...I actually feel like I'm installing mods for the first time again its weird, I just need a bit of a dog walk to get myself back on track once I get to a certain point I should be good to go on my own again.

Thanks in advanced

I recommend you wait a couple weeks for the new FCOM release before you start

I suggest: http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/?page=guides_mod_installation&subpage=fcom_installation_guide&step=0 along with FCOM opening post for complete instructions.
Very detailed and up to date. I strongly recommend BAIN method(also explained on that website). I got back to Oblivion after half a year (or more?) break, and with few hours of reading I managed to setup a stable FCOM game.
Since you've been away for long time, you should also read about pyffi and about cleaning mods ( http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/TES4Edit_Cleaning_Guide )

New FCOM release lol that right there just proves I have no idea what's going on in the modding world As recommended as that might be I think if I do that I'm worried I might end up putting it off even more because I know the efforts that need to be put in to get a heavily modded game that's stable especially when it involves FCOM

@Chewu
Thanks for that link I never thought of that, that's Tomlong's handy works if I'm not mistaken, BAIN I'm still familiar with as I was using it with FO3 and FONV...pyffi and cleaning was something I was actually supposed to learn a while back...guess now would be a good time

Wrye Bash has developed quite a lot recently, 291 is getting close (will have an installer again too) - Check my sig if you want to brush up, Gaticus and Waruddar have given it a good looking at, the basics you probably wont need but check out some of the Installers advanced screens (in the images on nexus - no need to DL), folders and files recognised for installation is on one of the later ones which will have changed since you last looked

Just had a little look and your not wrong, last version of that for me was 286-287 I think, I noticed some on the new additions as well like the ''allways update BOSS masterlist prior to running BOSS'' nice touch no need to ever worry about your masterlist being out of date any more...I like

In regards to Python the version I have installed was 2.5 (I think) does that also need updating because I saw a 03a version on the Wrye page, is that the same thing or a newer version?

EDIT:

Just wondering also about what's hot at the moment, is QTP3 still the texture replacements to have at the moment and whats the situation of UV I cant find the thread for it?

No reason to wait for new releases IMO. There are no estimated release dates plus updating should be easy enough if you're using OBMM and/or BAIN for the installs.

Those new options for BOSS also need the new version of BOSS (also with an installer)(which has changed where it stores the masterlist too... it no longer resides in the data folder but in a BOSS folder in data), needs Wrye Bash v 290 (which also needs v287 - there are a few files in 287 which 290 does not have) - (and beware the pidfile.tmp problem with WB 290 - Not a bad problem, think it was 288 or 289 introduced this temporary file which is created when Wrye Bash launches, it should be deleted when WB closes - but other spawned processes while using WB 290 can make this file remain behind, and prevents Wrye bash loading next time - it thinks it is already running ... If Wrye Bash is closed, and wont launch, just delete the file pidfile.tmp in mopy)

Yep WryePython03a is updated to be compatible with all versions of Wrye Bash up at the moment (its okay for 291 too, I have been trying the svn revisions of Wrye Bash 291 and the new CBash mode recently), I have seen some people needing different versions of the various parts of Python for other programs (cant remember what) - But I do know that if upgrading to this Python installer, a good clean out of the previous python is needed (via control panel add remove programs), you want to be sure every part of this installer for Python is succesfull and does not refer to older parts still left behind ( I know a bit imprecise here but you get the idea ).

QTP3 might still be the most downloaded/used. I'm not sure. It's still the biggest archive, anyway. Some (e.g., Blade of Mercy) believe Vibrant Textures + Bomret's Detailed Normals for Vanilla to be superior - or at least, equal - to QTP. Then there are those who prefer vanilla textures, with or without Bomret's Normals. And there's Mtgr texture pack, which is like vanilla, but a bit darker and more... contrasty? Well, some like that one too. I, along with a few others out there, prefer to mix and match. For example, I like AmpolX's textures a lot, so everything else tends to go towards trying to match those as best can be. There are plenty of other partial texture packs out there, or simply retextures of one or two things at a time. Oh, and certainly, Mikal33's texture compilations are well worth considering, as always.

The new UV isn't out yet. Still a WiP, presumably.

Just finished the installation removing all older version of Python via add/remove programs and installed the new Python alone with the 275 self installer then 287 then 290 all went well, but the problem your talking about I checked the Mopy folder but saw no pidfile.tmp file, is it something that should be there right of the bat or something that will start coming later?



Hmm some of them textures I'm completely unaware of, I know of AmpolX but the rest I don't think I've seen so will have to take a look into them Thanks for the UV info as well.

EDIT:

Just about to install OBSE is version 0020 stable enough to install or should I just stick to the 0019 as it recommends on the site?

Right I think I'm done with all the required utilities and crash prevention plugins and ready to start with the mods, before I get into that though again I think I remember somewhere (possibly on a FCOM guide) about starting a new game (fort the first time after a clean install) and saving to the ini can do whatever it needs to do...is that correct and required or can I just start with the mod installs?

Its nothing to bother about just worth keeping in mind, one is created every time Wrye Bash loads, and auto deleted when Wrye Bash closes.

If for example you launch another exe via Wrye Bash this process ID file is then associated with both processes, close Wrye bash while the new process is still running and the pidfile does not get auto deleted.

So the next time Wrye bash is launched a check for the pidfile is positive and Wrye bash thinks a copy of Wrye Bash is already running ... and doesnt launch.


Edit: The above problem is solved in WB 291, if you are all about on using the svn (cant link IAW dev wishes) the latest revision 839 is superb, especially in CBash mode which Waruddar has been developing, build time 1 min 16 on my last run on the laptop, on the desktop it does a rebuild bashed patch in 44 seconds for my setup .

@alt3rn1ty
Ahhh I got you now ok that's simple to handle so won't be a problem

I thought I was ready to start installing mods but I have decided to Optimize some of the meshes, can anyone tell me how long it actually takes when PyFFI so I have an idea on what kind of time frame I'm looking at as this process is maxing all 4cores and my system is rather unusable so it might be time for some FIFA lol, I'm doing the recommended folders by Blade of Mercy, Architecture, clutter, dungeons, furniture, landscape, plants, rocks and sky??

Took me over 3 hours, can't remember really.

:o oh lordy lord, guess I'm gonna need more then FIFA in that case lol

Right I just cancelled it because I was only doing one folder so I'm gona do all at the same time...but something that's confusing me, on the tes positives page it says

but when I right click and select optimize with pyffi it then brings me up a command box and asks me Y or N and after selecting Y it then goes through the process...there no ''in'' or ''out'' folder for me to drop things in so just a touch baffed on that one, just letting it do it how its coming up would that still be ok?

There are two ways to pyffi meshes as it says on website. Faster way is to just right click->pyffi but it doesn't save originals.
Other way is to copy folders to C:\Program Files (x86)\PyFFI\utilities\toaster\in then right click C:\Program Files (x86)\PyFFI\utilities\toaster\oblivion_optimize.ini, and after it's done optimized meshes will appear in out folder.

Ah yes I see now, I didn't go though the site only what was on tes positives my mistake...however another thing which I'm misunderstanding, on Blade of Mercy's steps he mentioned other people using Optimized Pyffyied Vanilla Meshes Patch instead...why would anyone want to geo through the process of optimizing the files themselves when they could just download that, is there an extra benefit in doing it yourself or something or is it just a ''I like to be in control'' kinda thing?

When I had FCOM it crashed every so often and there were some creatures that I personally didn't like the look or idea of, for example: beholders. Now I simply use OOO 1.33 and I'm happy with it.

Just want to say that FCOM is very stable if correctly installed and that you can easily remove Beholders and other non-lore creatures with optional plugins.

I've not looked at those Nexus PyFFi mesh alternatives in some time. But they tend to have been made with older versions of PyFFi. I believe the general concensus is that it's best to use meshes doctored with versions 2.1.7 and maybe 2.1.6, both fairly recent.

Most of Arthmoor's current releases utilize the newer builds. I'm sure other new releases do too, but be leery of anything more than half a year old. Not that there's anything wrong with those older PyFFi meshes. They just don't contain the latest improvements.

Just to let you know you should use QTP3 Redimized instead of regular QTP3 because it is more resource friendly without noticeable reduction in quality. (if you already did this then nevermind)

I did actually did have problem the first few times and ended up sticking to OOO+MMM but this time that's not acceptable, so many go on about how great FCOM is, end endless amount of ''what mods can you recommend'' threads FCOM is in 9/10 of them so I must experience it...don't get me wrong OOO+MMM alone is great as you know but FCOM is what I came back for



Ah okay, well I did download them and followed the readme on how to patch them but for that ever reason when it finished the folders ended up being empty lol so I just done it myself and left it over night so there all ready and good to go now :clap:Mind you it sis put my CPU to the test though, might recommend it as a good tester for a stable overclock lol



Some one said that exact same thing to me when I asked some thing about it some time ago, just to make sure I'm thing about it correctly when people create textures mods and they say there Hi Res or whatever by that they do mean their a resolution of say 2560 x 1600 and will actually change the shape of the landscapes correct?? and if so if that what the regular QTP3 is, maybe not necessarily a res that high but is that what it is?

EDIT:

Just need to be sure on this so I don't mess it up

then omoded them and activated.
Does he mean JUST them 8 folders and the originals still being in the bsa or omod ALL of the unpacked folders REPLACING those original 8 with the new ones?

*bump*

I would just repack them in the BSA after PyFFI'ng them, uncompressed. With the latest version of PyFFI (2.1.7) it should be safe to PyFFI the entire Oblivion - Meshes.bsa. Always keep a backup of the untouched Vanilla BSA until you are sure everything is A-OK with no visual anomalies.