Unpacking Bsa and using loose files in MOD

[Arcturus7777]

I have a MOD installed.  becoming jarl of ivarstead.  unzipped it has three files 

 

\Data\

 

jarl.bsa

Jarl.bsl

Jarl.esp

 

These are the only files in the mod.  I want to Unpack the BSA and use the loose files so I can change the amors of the guards and other npcs to armors from other mods I have installed.

 

the Files in the BSA are \Data\

 

\meshes

\scripts

\texures

\sounds

\music

 

So I want the unpack the bsa, copy the unpacked BSA files into the unpacked mod in the proper file order.  rezip the mod and install it.

 

Should I delete the BSA before repacking the mod?

 

Will this WORK?

 

[gvman3670]

It would work. But you could also just make up a proper folder structure that mimics the BSA's folder structure with the new meshes and textures, zip the thing up and load it after the Jarl mod. Loose files overwrite BSA files.

 

Since I also play Oblivion I have OBMM and that allows BSA unpacking so I can see the proper folder structure for just this sort of thing.

[Arhon]

If you using Mod Organizer you can hide the .bsa file.

[Arcturus7777]

It would work. But you could also just make up a proper folder structure that mimics the BSA's folder structure with the new meshes and textures, zip the thing up and load it after the Jarl mod. Loose files overwrite BSA files.

 

Since I also play Oblivion I have OBMM and that allows BSA unpacking so I can see the proper folder structure for just this sort of thing.

 

I have FOMM, and already unpacked the BSA to see what was in it.

 

SO, you do not need to delete the BSA?

 

And if I just add my files in the proper structure they will be used instead of the files in the BSA, if the BSA is still there?  

 

If the BSA is not unpacked, my updates will not overwrite anything, but they will still be used?

[gvman3670]

Yes, loose files loaded after the BSA will overwrite the BSA. If you're using Mod Organizer it makes it super easy to install your overwrites then, in the left pane, simply place the folder below the mod with the BSA.

[myuhinny]

BSA files load first loose files will trump the files inside the BSA. I extract lots of files from BSA's mainly the files I want to convert to a different body size then just add them to the correct folder path since FOMM does that already if you extract more then 1 file from the BSA all you have to do is follow that folder path and drop them where they need to go then drop it into the game folder. I only extract the files that I need anything else is just pointless and many BSA's are huge in size when extracted out of the BSA. 

[Arcturus7777]

Thank you all so much for the help. The ugly armor is gone!