Skyrim Version control (VC) [Tutorial]

[sandor]

Updated August 24th 2013
http://www.darkcreations.org/forums/topi...n-control/

For merging esp's into an esm please use version control.
Thanks to Maegfaer.

TESVGecko is WiP.


Related discussion.

Don't use TESVSnip see below.
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Additional info.

Make sure you start with a clean and empty master.

After you created the esm you can merge your work (esp) to the esm using the check out/check in procedure.

How to do this:

• Load the CK (Skyrim plus Update esm)
  
• Save (empty esp e.g. Test.esp)
  
• Exit the CK
  
• Change the extension of the Test.esp to Test.esm (e.g. explorer)
  
• Reload the Test.esm --> It will show up in the CK as an esp when selecting it --> Set active!
  
• After loading, save, reload and there's your esm!

Also explained here!!

Then copy it to the Skyrim>>merge>>data folder (network folder).

Load the Test.esm and open details window.
Make sure you point to the correct network folder (check the icon) as asked (first time you use VC) by the CK (Skyrim>>Merging>>Data>>Test.esm), use an empty list and press "CTRL+SHIFT+B", and close in order to update the bit arrays (fid and so on). Repeat for the Skyrim.esm and Update.esm if this is the first time.

After merging a X.esp (e.g. 1 Mb) into your new esm, copy the updated Test.esm to your Skyrim>>Data folder (normal folder for your files) and continue modding (start a new esp).

In the Skyrim>>Merge>>VersionBackup you'll find the merged X.esp file.
The merged X.espfile in the Skyrim>>Data folder will be around 1 Kb compared to the original 1Mb and can be deleted.

In the Skyrim>>Data>>CheckinBackup (also a network ) folder, you'll find the CheckIn backups.

FYI
The ConstructionSetNetwork.ini (Merging) is automatically generated when you delete the file.


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Remarks.

• It's also very easy to clean your files, don't select the contaminations when using the check out option, and repeat the same for the check in procedure. Obviously you need to know how the esm/esp system works (record system). Before you do so, check the detail window as described in this post. It gives you an better overview of the problems.
  
  
• After you enabled VC you get the following error when loading the CK: Unable to initialize PerForce, check your logs for more information. --> Normal it doesn't affect the CK or merging process.
  
  
• If you use VC the Skyrim.esm is locked, you can't move objects in e.g. an exterior cell. If you want to manipulate a vanilla cell you have to deactivate VC.
  
  
• Make sure the network folders (merging etc.) have the correct permission setting (read & write).
  
  
• Don't use TESVSnip for merging or altering files it's not reliable, stick to VC.
  
  
• You don't have an Empty list?
  
  Make sure you added to the SkyrimEditorPrefs:
  [WhoCanMerge]
  XXX=1
  
  XXX= your user account name
  
  Obviously the user account should exist, make sure the ConstructionSetNetwork.ini in your merging folder uses the same user account name.
  
  

If you have a question please post in this thread.

[sandor]

Updated the OP.

[sandor]

Updated the OP.