Oblivion Mod:Cobl/Projects/Resources

Cobl: Old Project Page: This is an old and now inactive discussion article for a Cobl project. If you have questions about this or other Cobl projects, do not edit this page, but instead discuss it at the official forums on Relz topic.

Goals

Resources are records generally don't need to be held in common, but which are useful to do so nonetheless. Generally this means: statics, furniture, containers. The advantages of adding such items to Cobl is:

• Modders get a standard set of extended resources that can easily be used.
• Entries are not duplicated between mods (i.e., avoid having three different mods which include Xiamara's sofas).
• Modders don't need to include resources in their distributions. Since mesh and texture resources are one of the main space hogs in distributions, this can dramatically decrease download size.

A good first source for these sort of items is the Modders of ORE site started/run by Shezrie. Thanks to the work of Shezrie and the rest of the ORE team, these mods have already been filtered for quality and usability.

Process

In order to keep the size of the core Cobl package small, pure-resource components will be released in separate archive packages (e.g. "Cobl Res Pack 01.7z"). These packages will contain the meshes, textures, etc. Usually packages will contain several different sets of resources. The idea is to make the resource packs about 20 - 60 Mb in size. (Too small, and you end up with lots of resource packs. Too large and you increase the likelihood/cost of errors which later have to be patched.)

Resource Pack 1

The resources listed here are demoed in resource pack 1 (40 Mb 7z file). To playtest, load the esp, the coc to cobPillowXiaTest. This will take you to one of the test cells. Teleporters will take you to most other test cells. In the Haven test, you'll also find the cellar house, and the Barabus gravevard crypt set. Enter these to see the interior elements for those.

Note that the esp is for demo purposes only. If the pack is approved, then formids will change when they're merged into Cobl Main.esm.

Status: Rejected (Soft)

I put the demo version of this package together at the beginning of November 2007. Other than my own votes, there has been no other review of it (either pro or con). Hence this package is (soft) rejected until other parties provide sufficent review and corrections for deficiencies.

So, what qualifies as sufficient review?

• Knowledgeable modders need to download the package, review the resource sets and vote as I have done.
• Resource sets with problems should either be repaired or left out of the package.
  • Resource packs are intended to be release-once. I.e. each resource pack will be provided as a separate archive (7z) file for users; since these are large, the intention is that they should be correct in their first release, and not require later fixes.
  • If a resource set is left out of one package, it may be included in a later package.

--Wrye 18:54, 18 February 2008 (EST)

Barabus Crypt Set

• Link: MORE Architecture
• License: Open
• Votes:
  • Support (as proposer) The lower quality of the exterior meshes is a bit annoying, but that's relatively easy for to fix by replacing the textures. --Wrye 20:22, 9 November 2007 (EST)

• Test Notes:
  • In the test pack, coc to cobHavenTest. If you don't see them right away because of view fade, head to the stage -- they're nearby. The test shows about 3/4 of the pieces. You crypt yard is not lined up, but if you head into the crypt it's well arranged.
  • Flaw: The set was originally made for Morrowind and the lower graphics quality shows in places -- particularly the red brick in the crypt exterior.

Cleitanious: Haven Tileset

• Link: MORE Architecture
• License: Open
• Votes:
  • Neutral: The pointy spire thing on the top of the highest tower is missing its texture. That needs to be fixed before it can be included. Other than that, it looks good to me. --Wrye 14:57, 9 November 2007 (EST)

• Test Notes:
  • This is a retexture of the imperial castle style that has (relatively) white walls and red roofs.
  • In the test pack, coc to cobHavenTest.
  • Flaw: The lightining rod(?) spire of the tallest tower is missing its texture.

Daleth: UC Furniture Packs 1 & 2

• Link: MORE Furniture
• License: Open
• Votes:
  • Support: (as proposer) --Wrye 14:57, 9 November 2007 (EST)

• Test Notes:
  • This adds two texture color variations of all(?) the upper class furniture. One (cobPan) is a rich burl wood. The other (cobPad) is a darker burl.
  • In the test pack, coc to cobPaTest. There you'll find the original vanilla on the left, the cobPan version in the center and the cobPad on the right. Only samples have been included in the test cell -- the full set is quite large.

Dyr Kriger: Mounted Heads

• Link: PES
• License: Open
• Votes:
  • Support: (as proposer) --Wrye 14:57, 9 November 2007 (EST)

• Test Notes:
  • coc to cobPaTest. Trophys are floating in air.
  • Flaw: The spriggan head in the original was a little messed up, so I removed it.
  • Flaw: The wooden plaque for the lion's head trophy has gaps.

Loth: Better Equipment Racks

• Link: Bethsoft Forum Topic]
• License: Open and/or allowed for use by Loth.
• Votes:
  • Support: --Wrye 20:22, 9 November 2007 (EST)

• Test Notes:
  • coc to cobSofaXiaTest. the various weapon racks are near the portals.

Phantom Void: Curtains

• Link: Phantom Void Curtains
• License: Modder Resource.
• Votes:
  • Support: (as proposer) --Wrye 16:12, 9 November 2007 (EST)

• Test Notes:
  • coc to cobPillowXiaTest. Only four (out of 24) are shown in the cell. Note that these are collisionless.

Xiamara: Sofas

• Link: MORE Sofas
• License: Open
• Votes:
  • Support: (as proposer) --Wrye 18:48, 31 October 2007 (EDT)

• Test Notes:
  • coc to cobSofaXiaTest. Note that the front row of sofa's chairs is just a modders resource not meant to be used in game.

Xiamara: Pillows

• Link: MORE Misc.
• License: Open
• Votes:
  • Support: (as proposer) --Wrye 18:48, 31 October 2007 (EDT)

• Test Notes:
  • coc to cobPillowXiaTest. Note that the front row of sofa's chairs is just a modders resource not meant to be used in game.

Xiamara: Full Wine Racks

• Link: MORE Furniture
• License: Open
• Votes:
  • Support: (as proposer) --Wrye 16:12, 9 November 2007 (EST)

• Test Notes:
  • coc to cobPillowXiaTest. There's just two of them.

Wormheart: Lowerclass Cellar

• Link: MORE Architecture
• License: Open
• Votes:
  • Neutral: (as proposer) This is a small addition, but could be useful. I'd support if it weren't for the flaw with the cellar ceiling. --Wrye 14:57, 9 November 2007 (EST)

• Test Notes:
  • In the test pack, coc to cobHavenTest. A sample shack is there, to reach the cellar, you have to use the cellar doors at the back of the shack.
  • Flaw: The ceiling of the cellar should be wood, to match the (modified) shack interior, but instead is stone.

Suggested

Cinammon: God and Daedric Statuettes

• Link: PES
• License: Unknown. Contact mod authors.

Trollf: Canvas Galore

• Link: MORE Paintings
• License: Open

These look great, but the size of the download is almost 50 Mb. Probably best to wait until second resource batch release. --Wrye 18:48, 31 October 2007 (EDT)

Trollf: Paintings Galore

• Link: MORE Paintings
• License: Open

These look great, but the size of the download is almost 50 Mb. Probably best to wait until second resource batch release. --Wrye 18:48, 31 October 2007 (EDT)

General resource discusssion

I think the resource pack idea is great, but... I think these should be provided as external Cobl addon using "Cobl Resources.esm" (separate file of "Cobl Main.esm") and be provided in separate package. It could be updated separatellly (ie. adding new reources) and will be no mess with download (NEVER LINK WITH COBL MAIN!) However it's great :D Majaczek 04:35, 9 May 2008 (EDT)

• I support the idea of resource pack, however I'm not sure about painting and canvas galore as the size is quite large. What about the other resources there, are they taken into consideration? Pero.lo 10:00, 13 January 2009 (EST)