I spent last few hours reading about BAIN, BAIN-ready archives, repacking and I wanted to make sure I got it right and to ask few questions related to it:
As I understand I should extract all my non-BAIN-ready mods, rearrange files to match simple or complex package layout depending on mod and package them back to zip with no compression. Is this correct or have I missed something? Also is it really necessary to put tesnexus ID on the end of filename, because I have no problem manually checking for updates and updating archives by myself?
2nd thing, the order in which packages are arranged in Wrye Bash Installers tab is the order in which packages are extracted/installed to Oblivion folder? And each time I change the order I should "anneal"?
Since OOO and Frans come as exes should I install them to desktop, rearrange them and zip them back or that's a no-no?
Thanks in advance,
Chewu

I prefer 7zip (using 7-Zip, the app). :shrug: Even Rar would be preferable to Zip, IMO. But no, you can compress them. I do, for instance.



Nope. I don't, and it's never bothered Wrye Bash, or me. I like neat filenames, and archives are no exception. In fact, I *hate* the way many mods are named (the actual files, that is). And "organised"... but anyway.



For these two, check Wrye Bash's Help File, and http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/?page=guides_mod_installation&subpage=fcom_installation_guide of Tomlong's site, respectively. For the latter, go to the next page, then the BAIN section (one of two options there). Should be enough to on with.

Thanks for the help, I used zip as a general term, I prefer packing to .rar but if BAIN works best with 7z, then 7z it is!
My idea for OOO and Frans was to install the exes with options I wanted, since I don't plan on changing them after the installation, and just package those options into a neat package. I have read the OOO BAIN conversion but I don't need to have all possible options in the package.

Don't use the OOO EXEs. I have BCF's on my site, one of which covers OOO. Just download OOO 1.33 Complete 7z and the BCF for it.


Happy gaming!
- Tomlong75210

Oh, it's not that any Oblivion app prefers 7zip (except maybe OBMM...?) - more, I just prefer it, and it tends to - nearly always - have the best compression ratio.

And 7-Zip, the app, is genuine freeware, and can read just about anything, including of course .rar files.

@Tomlong75210
Great, that solves OOO but would my idea work for Frans or there's another approach?
@Breton Paladin
Good to know, no worrying about that then.

Search TESNexus for "Fran" and sort by upload date descending. I think someone made an installer for that. My site goes through the Fran repackage. I didn't see any explanation of what your approach is, so I can't say.

I'll do that. My idea was to install executable to desktop with options I wanted then just package them and put in bain installations folder. I don't want package to have all available options, just the ones I need, so I figured this can work.

That's basically what my site suggests. Make your BAIN packages however you want. There is no right way as long as the package fits BAIN criteria for a valid package.

Awesome then. Thanks for the tips!