MOD IDEA: Debut Outfitter

[oldrayzor]

I’ve made a very simple mod in CK that loads custom outfits for various npcs. Using Tes5Edit, I set them as default outfits. This is a Debut Outfitter which means the npc wears it on first encounter. However, it’s a pain because I have a number of different npc-replacers which all must be included when saving the esp in Tes5Edit. Not a lot of flexibility. I have been surprised that there is not an outfitter mod, that i've been able to find, that targets specific npc categories (followers, marriage, quest givers, etc.) and replaces their default armor via script, thus non-dependent on whichever NPC-Replacers you have installed. So I thought I’d pursue it, but before investing all the time it will require (know next to nothing about papyrus scripting so far), thought it best to inquire if such a thing is even plausible or perhaps already in existence.

 

The idea is to provide loose mesh and texture files that can be overwritten and which are attributed to an existing Outfit asset (ie. AdelaisaDebutOutfit). The default meshes would correlate to the actor’s vanilla-outfit and reflect the vanilla-settings as such. Each character directory would contain the following nifs:

 

The default meshes would be invisible for armor pieces that are not part of the character’s initial vanilla-outfit. Helmets and shields would be placed in inventory and not equipped. This would make the mod pointless unless it is your intent to replace the outfits with your own custom mash-ups. I appreciate any thoughts/suggestions you might have. Thanks.

[y_sengaku]

I suppose some of your ideas are implemented in Simple NPC Outfit, but not all of them (only the very basic part).

 

As for the latter part (to overwrite default meshes/textures with custom ones), Armor Appearance may resemble a bit.

[darkconsole]

wrote one myself, as well as hacked at Dress Up Your Followers to increase the maximum followers from 8 to 128. the sad thing is these things really just don't work well for long. i would estimate they work like 80% of the time but sometimes somehow when we zone in lydia will be like "nah, i still wanna wear that steel chestpiece" even if its worse than the one she has.

 

they also conflict heavily with things like aft and eff, like eff for example every time you zone in all followers re-equip one piece at a time, its been a constant struggle for things like display model. the most consistent way i've found is unfortunately the hard way you've been doing it.

[oldrayzor]

2 hours ago, darkconsole said:

the most consistent way i've found is unfortunately the hard way you've been doing it.

Well I couldn't ask for more experienced advise. Thank you. Though I've left praise before on the thread (and at the cost of sounding sycophantic), Display Model is my favorite distraction. It is brilliant. As are you. If I could indulge just one question of you regarding this idea, if the purpose is simply for the character's debut and not maintenance for any length of time (assuming each armor item is also included in the actor's inventory), would that increase your performance estimate?