Just something I was curious about. If I have an Elixer of Smithing that last for 30 seconds, does that 30 seconds include the time I'm doing things in the smithing menu, or only when I'm out of menus and in "the real world"?

Pretty sure the time runs when you are actually smithing as well. Not sure what the deal is with timed potions. If I drink a 40 second potion of invisibility, it lasts about 5 to 6 seconds. Havnt quite figured those out yet.

Ive timed it so that I can enchant two items, including names, within 30 seconds. I cant figure out if the time to name the item is included or not. but I get it done quick. For smithing, I can easily sharpen/improve 3-4 items during the time.
It seems menus are included in timer when using the crafting station, but not when using in game menu.

The buff/benefit from potions (enchanting/smithing/alchemy) CAN run out while you are in the crafting UI.

Just save your game, chug a crafting potion, open the relevant UI and select an item to make (but don't make it). Take note of the items stats. Now wait 30 seconds or 60 seconds (or however long the duration of the potion is). You will see the stats of the item you are in the middle of crafting drop to what they would be without the craft potion.

psstttt....timescale....

Yeah, it depends on the activity. Smithing is done real time, that is, the clock is ticking while you're navigating the smithing menu. Same with enchanting, although if you're on a console the clock isn't ticking while you pick an item's name. You can also wait to hit the craft button after the time expires and whatever it displays is what's crafted. However, if you change an option after the potion finishes, the values update to the lower level based on your non-buffed skill.

Basically, the rule when it comes to potion buffs and crafting is NO LOLLIGAGGIN'!

What does this even mean?

Are you suggesting that the time listed on the potion is running in the context of the in-game timescale rather than the real-world timescale? If so, that's a bug. Potions are supposed to run in the player's time context, based on the way potions have behaved so far.

incidentally, I've not run into problems with invis potions, but then, I make my own.

That seems to be what he's suggesting, but that can't possibly be true. By default those 30 real-time seconds would be over in the blink of an eye.

Maybe your character didn't want to drink all of it because it tasted nasty? Or you activated something? I think they go away if you do anything besides just walking around.

Thanks everyone!

Well from a lot of trial and error I found the time potions do pause when your naming your items, at least on the 360 it does cause the xbl keyboard has to pop up to type in a name and the game is paused during that.

Thats the only time I've found when the timer pauses, other then that it seems to keep going through anything, even when your adding effect and choosing a value, even during the parts when the candles in the background pause indicting the game looks like its paused but its not.