By replace I mean, can I click on an item in the render window, and replace it with something in the ID menu list thing. I want to make a custom version of the Arcaneum, but I don't want the half walls, I've been through the RoomKits and I know there are pieces that should let me have just an open room, but I don't know how I'm suppose to replace the ones I don't want, short of manually - which would be simple, but the snapping seems messed up - I think the axis/grid is off or something, and I'm not really confident that I should be messing with that.

Is there a key to replace items? For smaller scale, could I select an apple then replace with a cabbage in the render window or something? Is there a hotkey or something I can use? Thanks.

I'm not at the CK, so can't remember the exact thing...

If I remember rightly, it's under the same menu as the 'Find Text' option (in the top bar-- probably 'edit' or something similar)

There's a Find and Replace option, which lets you choose an item, and replace it with something else. It does Selection, Current Cell and Whole World.

Re: the snapping, depending how many pieces there are... I usually just double click all the pieces I want, to get their little Reference Window open, and then manually copy the position data across--it's a little slow, obviously, but that will line everything up properly, and then just drop those other ones down out of sight. You shouldn't really delete existing references, since that can cause issues, and I've no certainty where Replacing them in this way actually changes the ReferenceID of the item, or just swaps-it out but keeps that the same...

First are you trying to edit the Arcaneum to be used as a replacement for the one that exists in game, or are you trying to create a new cell to be used elsewhere? If it is the former, there are a few mods that use those vanilla half walls to hold a couple of books as part of the quests, I can't recall the name of the mod but I do remember playing through it. That could lead to potential problems to anyone trying to use both mods. Not that big of a deal but just a heads up. If it is the latter you can replace the pieces by clicking on them and then hit the Ctrl + F keys and the Search and Replace window will open with a list of items that are similar to the things you want to replace. You can do this with any item. But it may be easier to just delete them and replace them manually.

As far as the grid snap make sure snap to grid and snap to angle are turned on hit the "Q" key (selects the snap to reference) and your cursor will be replaced with a red crosshair. Then click on any piece in the cell like a wall or floor and any thing you place in the room will snap to that pieces coordinates on the grid. For example if you want to replace a floor piece that is askew on the grid set the snap to reference as the piece next to it so when you place your new piece it will snap in place.

CK shortcut keys http://www.creationkit.com/Creation_Kit_Keyboard_Mapping

Control+F opens the find/replace menu which has several options for swapping out forms.

ctrl-f

good luck (the college kit isn't exactly what i'd call flexible)

q: toggle grid snap (redish button in toolbar)

ctrl-q: toggle angle snap (redish button next to the redish snap button in toolbar)

uuuh alt-q or was that ctrl-shift-q to select a snap reference (redish button left of above redish buttons in toolbar)

open prefs -> movement to edit grid width (you'll usually be using potencies of 2) and snap angles (i mostly use 15 or 90), as well as snap reference.

without a snap reference selected, grid snap will start at x/y/z 0/0/0 and angle snap at 0/0/0°

with a snap reference selected, it will start at that ref's coordinates and angles.

so to move your college pieces in position, set like angle snap to 90, grid snap to 32 and select a neighbouring wall piece as snap ref, now you can comfortably and precisely move your stuff in place.

edit: ninja'd...