FAQ collection about LL modding

[Mister X]

Heyho,

when one reads through those calls for aid in this thread, it can't be unseen that there are a few topics that repeat over time.

So I want to address that and build up a blog that's some kind of "SexLab modding for Dummies". I want it to contain answers for most of the common problems that newbies on this site will come up with. I should be some kind of general documentation that takes those newbies by their hand and leads them towards a running bootstrap from where they can plug in their wanted mod addons.

 

Now what I want here? I want to collect answers to those questions.

The most important: Do you remember what problems you had when you first tried to install SexLab and maybe even how you solved them?

And then: What are the mods you always need and never remember? Do you have any tipps, tricks or tweaks that help you when building up a new sexualized playthrough? What are those little details you always have to check twice before your game runs well?

 

Basically: What do you consider when building up your LL mod framework? What mods are part of it?

And maybe some new member could speak up and ask their questions, so I might answer them within the tutorial.

 

One example could be: one always should install BodySlide. It's not important if you then use CBBE or UUNP but BodySlide is an essential part of it. Another mod could be RaceMenu. Not only you can create your avatar way more beautiful, it also contains NI Override which is more and more important.

 

Why do I want to do this? Well first, I have the time to do this and I'm able to build up a running mod setup with 250 esp files in one rush. Second, I that kind of person who doesn't like to see the same questions and answers every week again.

 

Oh, and one last thing: a native English speaker could be helpful for proofreading, too, as I definitely am going to (and probably aready did) create mistakes.

[Guest]

I am all pro for a guide to teach a Good Way to install mods and warns for the most common errors.

[Nazzzgul666]

The problem i see with this: the most often asked questions would have been solved if anybody would have bothered to read the other guides/mod descriptions etc. Like, not installing FNIS properly, not running FNIS, skeleton overwritten, stuff like that is asked once a day i think. But if those guys don't read all the other stuff, i doubt another guide would help much.

 

For "must have mods" i'd definitly mention AddItemMenu. That's one that even some users with experience are missing/not aware of and incredibly useful to test things or using item mods in general.

[Mister X]

Well, maybe they didn't read the other guides, but one then just links to that guide instead of explaining everything once again.

And maybe Ashal or somebody can confirm the guide as useful and then put a permanent link or something at a popular spot in the hope that it will be seen before a new thread is created.

 

Additionally, I won't address the baby steps of modding, there are dozens of well made guides around for that, I just will link to STEP, as it already explains the setup of MO, SKSE, ... and offers a nice bootstrap with most of the essential mods. My guide will expand upon that towards sexualization. I'll address things like BodySlide mesh creation, FNIS, SLAL, maybe HDT ...

 

Yeah AddItemMenu is a nice little tool, though I probably won't mention it as "must have", it's more like "useful addition". FNIS is a "must have", SLF and SL Aroused would be "must have".

[Nazzzgul666]

Well, maybe they didn't read the other guides, but one then just links to that guide instead of explaining everything once again.

And maybe Ashal or somebody can confirm the guide as useful and then put a permanent link or something at a popular spot in the hope that it will be seen before a new thread is created.

 

Additionally, I won't address the baby steps of modding, there are dozens of well made guides around for that, I just will link to STEP, as it already explains the setup of MO, SKSE, ... and offers a nice bootstrap with most of the essential mods. My guide will expand upon that towards sexualization. I'll address things like BodySlide mesh creation, FNIS, SLAL, maybe HDT ...

 

Yeah AddItemMenu is a nice little tool, though I probably won't mention it as "must have", it's more like "useful addition". FNIS is a "must have", SLF and SL Aroused would be "must have".

Like mentioned, those beginners questions are still asked most often. I check the help sections almost every day and there is quite little beyond that, or very specific questions which would go too far for any guide. But i won't oppose the idea in general. There was a pretty good post once for bodyslide/HDT i used to link to, but i accidently unfollowed it and can't find it anymore, that might be nice. If you add at least links to good guides (i admit that i considered STEP quite confusing when i started modding), i would just link to your guide or put it in my sig and point there for half of the usually asked questions.

 

With a good explanation about differences and how to install, gophers workshop for bodyslide in FO4 is awesome good explained and i've learned some stuff i didn't know, maybe you want to add it.

There is also an alternative for SLA® which simulates it, so it's compatible with mods that require SLAR but adds some nice features: vlk sexlife. I'm currently testing it and like it so far, can't say 100% sure about performance in/decrease compared to SLAR, though.

[Mister X]

Well yeah, I'll probably will link to other guides as well, honestly Gophers videos already are included. Still, STEP provides a good bootstrap where most essential mods already are included (like SkyUI, RaceMenu or USLEEP) so I will give that list as bootstrap and then build upon it, just so I can assume that the readers will have certain mods already included.
 
I don't want to repeat all of those baby steps again, I will help those people by leading them to the right places. When they come back, they should know enough so they can use my guide for the more complex task of sexualizing.
 

[...]If you add at least links to good guides[...]

So, besides Gophers and GamerPoets videos, do you know of other guides or did you use a good one?

[Nazzzgul666]

Well yeah, I'll probably will link to other guides as well, honestly Gophers videos already are included. Still, STEP provides a good bootstrap where most essential mods already are included (like SkyUI, RaceMenu or USLEEP) so I will give that list as bootstrap and then build upon it, just so I can assume that the readers will have certain mods already included.

 

I don't want to repeat all of those baby steps again, I will help those people by leading them to the right places. When they come back, they should know enough so they can use my guide for the more complex task of sexualizing.

 

[...]If you add at least links to good guides[...]

So, besides Gophers and GamerPoets videos, do you know of other guides or did you use a good one?

Uh, it's been a while. Atm i remember that i read a LOT and watched several videos, but all this stuff kind of merged in my memory... MadMansGuns tutorial for MNC, of course, i guess you already included that one as well. 

One thought: is that supposed to be a "get everything right the first time" or also "something is wrong, how do i fix it?" guide?

 

Things like 

- patience is important (after installing a bunch of mods/while waiting for sexlab getting ready)

- make sure the custom skeleton is last in your installorder

- possibly explain difference between install and load order

- that load order should not be changed during gameplay

- that clean saves are no replacement for a new game at least for testing (and only if it works there, one can try to get a clean save)

- mods that are possibly, but not necessarily conflicting and how the options should look like (like Defeat + submit/any other combat sex mod)

 

would be nice to have collected at one place for me as somebody who answers those questions quite often. Not as much as "Run FNIS", but i guess those are second. 

If you don't write it... i guess i will.

[Mister X]

Well, I suppose it's some kind of "get the basics right the first time and what to keep in mind when adding more stuff" guide.

 

The first section will link to resources that explain the basics of modding in general, STEP, Gophers videos and similar stuff.

After this I want to explain how to set up the bootstrap of SexLab mods, so body replacement, SL Framework with ZAP and SL Aroused, SLAL and other animation resources, in a way that it can be done right on the first time. 

Lastly I plan to add a "Common mistakes and how to avoid them" thingy, where those questions you've mentioned come up, so they know what to consider when adding their own spices.

 

In the end they could first read through basic guides, especially STEP, build it up so they already have essential mods and learn to mod along the way, add basic SexLab stuff with the new knowledge and lastly they should know enough to choose what SL Addons they want and be able to install them correctly.

 

Maybe I will add a "Special requests" sections later, where stuff like DD, HDT or BodyGen randomize are explained, basically nice stuff to have, that's not required to have sex in Skyrim.

[Nazzzgul666]

Here i gave a lengthy explanation about stable setups in Skyrim, i thought you might like to use some extracts. That i recommend MO strongly in this case is because this guy seems similar to me: he doesn't want to give a shit about install order when installing. I know that in general people more tidy than me can be fine with NMM.

[JobiWanUK]

Stuff that I had problems with and wish I'd know when I first started out modding.....

 

Don't just remove mods mid play-through. I was testing all sorts of stuff then just deleting it if I didn't like it or it didn't work.

 

Get the XPSME (or similar) skeleton and have it the end of the load order so nothing overwrites it.

 

Take the time to learn how to use MO, not NMM. I know this is open to debate but having used both MO is far superior IMO.

 

Don't install lots of mods at once. Do one at a time, make sure it works, then add the next.

 

If a mod doesn't work for you don't be quick to blame the mod or the author. It probably works perfectly for others and is most likely a conflict with your existing mods, or you've not read the instructions properly.

 

Always read the comments before you install a mod. If the same problem comes up repeatedly and it's not fixed, avoid the mod.

[Nazzzgul666]

 

Get the XPSME (or similar) skeleton and have it the end of the load order so nothing overwrites it.

 

Something you got wrong it seems: load order is the right side in MO, the left side is install order. In case of xpmse load order doesn't matter, the install order does. But there are mods where it's the other way around, for example Shout like a Virgin and sexlab stories. Both affect standing stones, but it'll only work properly if SLV comes after stories in the load order, the install order doesn't matter much although in general it's a good advice to keep them similar.

Afaik NMM users can change their load order via drag&drop just like in MO, but to change install oder they have to reinstall a mod, it might be confusing if you refer to "load order" instead of install order.

 

Like i said, people more tidy than me are fine with NMM, in general i think it depends on taste. I even know people who don't use mod managers at all and are fine with that, but that requires you do know exactly what you're doing before even starting to do it. MO has much less worse consequences for trial & error if errors are the result, but things in general are more complicated to setup properly. So, if you learn how to use MO or learn how to use mods (you know and like) in general is up to you. While i personally agree that i'd never use anything else.

[smokeybear187]

Dirtyweaselmedia on YouTube has very recent and in depth modding guides for fallout and skyrim. Also in regards to nmm vs mo, it's a bit funny. MO is more complicated to use for beginners but is infinitely more forgiving in the long term and thus becomes much simpler to use when you get the hang of it. Especially true when you have very large and complex load orders. On the other hand, NMM is very beginner friendly and easy to use. But in the long term, it gets increasingly more complicated to use and manage when you have a large and complex load order due to having to reinstall mods and maintaining a proper install order.

[JobiWanUK]

 

 

Get the XPSME (or similar) skeleton and have it the end of the load order so nothing overwrites it.

 

Something you got wrong it seems: load order is the right side in MO, the left side is install order. In case of xpmse load order doesn't matter, the install order does. But there are mods where it's the other way around, for example Shout like a Virgin and sexlab stories. Both affect standing stones, but it'll only work properly if SLV comes after stories in the load order, the install order doesn't matter much although in general it's a good advice to keep them similar.

Afaik NMM users can change their load order via drag&drop just like in MO, but to change install oder they have to reinstall a mod, it might be confusing if you refer to "load order" instead of install order.

 

Like i said, people more tidy than me are fine with NMM, in general i think it depends on taste. I even know people who don't use mod managers at all and are fine with that, but that requires you do know exactly what you're doing before even starting to do it. MO has much less worse consequences for trial & error if errors are the result, but things in general are more complicated to setup properly. So, if you learn how to use MO or learn how to use mods (you know and like) in general is up to you. While i personally agree that i'd never use anything else.

 

 

Install order then, it's just semantics if you want to be pedantic. One thing that MO has over NMM is profiles. Tried it on NMM, just crashes, MO works perfectly for that.