I like to keep my Data Files folder as tidy as possible, and for me that means renaming all my mods files, i.e. "UFR_v3dot2_noRobe.esp" -> "Unique Finery Replacer - No Robes.esp".
It just makes things a whole lot nicer to look at and a lot easier to find.
I also use Wrye Mash's "Installers" tab; this means that in order for Mash to recognise my renamed plugins, I have to fill in a CSV (comma separated values) file called "Official_Default.csv". For those who haven't used this file before, it's a simple file consisting of a list of renamed mods in the form: "Old Name.esp,New Name.esp".
I realised a little too late that mlox, another great utility, relies on the plugins having their original names. Well, I wasn't about to change all the names back!
Today I had an idea - to search for (or, if necessary, make) a program that can automagically switch between the old filenames and the new filenames, so I can still use mlox when I need to, while keeping my custom-named plugins.
I found http://www.rlvision.com/flashren/manual/func_csv.html which can do exactly what I was looking for. I thought I'd post this here in case anyone else has ever found themself in the same boat and would benefit from this.
Granted, the program is a little bloated, but it's not too hard to use once you've set it up the first time. Here are some simple instructions I wrote to get you started:
1. Open Flash Renamer
2. In the "Browser" tab, find your Data Files folder
3. Click on the "Advanced" button and select the "CSV List" tab
4. Open your "Official_Local.csv" (Data Files\Mash folder)
5a. Ensure the following settings are selected in the CSV List tab:
* Separator: Comma
* Case Sensitive
5b. Ensure the following settings are selected in the settings panel at the top:
* Include: Files
* Process Name
* Process Extension
6a. To change the file names from Official -> Local set the column numbers to 1 and 2
6b. To change the file names from Local -> Official set the column numbers to 2 and 1
7. Check the "Browser" tab; you should get a preview of the results
8. Click "Rename"
2. In the "Browser" tab, find your Data Files folder
3. Click on the "Advanced" button and select the "CSV List" tab
4. Open your "Official_Local.csv" (Data Files\Mash folder)
5a. Ensure the following settings are selected in the CSV List tab:
* Separator: Comma
* Case Sensitive
5b. Ensure the following settings are selected in the settings panel at the top:
* Include: Files
* Process Name
* Process Extension
6a. To change the file names from Official -> Local set the column numbers to 1 and 2
6b. To change the file names from Local -> Official set the column numbers to 2 and 1
7. Check the "Browser" tab; you should get a preview of the results
8. Click "Rename"
Anyway, I hope this helps someone. I also wondered if anyone knew of an ever simpler program to do this little job? Ideally what I'd like is a file I can just run that will automatically switch between the 2 different filename settings; no need for an interface or anything.
Thanks,
- Danjb