Wrye Bash Technical Readme

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. BAIN Wizards
    1. Overview
    2. Dialogues
    3. Language Structure
    4. Functions
    5. Keywords
    6. Operators
    7. Standard Constants
    8. Escape Sequences
    9. Examples
    10. Wizards vs. OBMM Scripts
  3. Mod Checker Rulesets
    1. Overview
    2. Syntax
    3. Example
  4. PM Archive Format
    1. Overview
    2. How To Convert Exported PMs

Introduction

Wrye Bash is a powerful mod management utility for TES IV: Oblivion and TES V: Skyrim. Its features include:

Wrye Bash can appear daunting at first. To help make it more manageable, the documentation has been split into a few readmes that are targeted towards different usage requirements.

This readme covers the most technical aspects of Wrye Bash, being the Wizard scripting language, the syntax used in Mod Checker rulesets and the formatting of PMs archives expected by the PM Archive tab. Information on the most commonly used aspects of Wrye Bash may be found in the General Readme, and the Advanced Readme holds information on more advanced and less commonly used features. Wrye Bash's version history is stored in the Version History document.

DarNified Books Wtxt Formatting

The DarNified Books setting in the Bashed Patch's tweaks allows the use of Wtxt formatting, which is applied if the first line of a book is == title ==

BAIN Wizards

Overview

Bain Wizards allow mod authors to include a simple configuration script with their packages. Wizards run on a simple scripting language similar to OBMM script, contained in a wizard.txt file in the package. When run, the wizard will run through a series of windows to allow you to select options, then show a summary page at the end telling you which sub-packages and esps/esms will be selected, and any INI tweaks that will be applied.

Those using Notepad++ to write their install scripts may want to use utumno's BAIN wizard Script Highlighter for Notepad plus plus as it features code folding and syntax highlighting to make spotting mistakes easier.

There is a similar BAIN Wizard Syntax for EmEditor syntax highlighter for EmEditor created by broken85.

Dialogues

You may use a number of different dialogues in a wizard. The available dialogs are described in this section.

SelectOne - This dialog gives you a list of options, with the option to select one of them. It will be shown when a SelectOne keyword is used. Each option can display an image associated with it, and a description as well. To see a larger version of the image displayed, either right click or middle click on the image. The wizard can specify a default answer, and if you are running it as an Auto-Wizard, then this page will be skipped, using the default option.

SelectMany - This dialog gives you a list of options, with the option to select one or more of them, or even none of them. It will be shown when a SelectMany keyword is used. Each option can display an image associated with it, and a description as well. To see a larger version of the image displayed, either right click or middle click on the image. The wizard can specify default options, and if you are running it as an Auto-Wizard, then this page will be skipped, using the default options.

Cancel - This dialog will be shown if the wizard cancels execution for some reason, activated by the Cancel keyword. If a reason is given, it will be displayed.

Error - This dialog will be shown if the wizard encounters an error in the wizard file. The wizard will then quit.

Finish - This dialog will be shown at the end of the wizard, to show you which sub-packages, esps, and esms will be selected. It will be shown either when the end of a wizard file is reached, or if the Return keyword is used. It also shows what INI Tweaks will be applied, and also serves as a place for any extra notes from the mod auther to be displayed.

Version Warning - This dialog is displayed if the user's system doesn't meet the package's game, script extender or graphics extender requirements.

Language Structure

Each line of a Wizard contains one statement. To carry a statement across multiple lines, end each line of the statement with a backslash \. This will cause BAIN to read the next line as if it were part of the first.

Wizard syntax is case-sensitive, apart from filenames. Make sure when writing Wizards that you use the correct case.

Variable names may contain any alphanumeric characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9) and underscores (_), but cannot start with a number. You cannot declare a variable with the same name as a keyword, function or constant. Variables can be assigned values using an assignment operator, and can hold the following data types:

Constants are variables that are pre-defined by BAIN and cannot have their values changed. You cannot create new constants.

Comments are extra text ignored by the Wizard engine, to explain what the Wizard code does to other readers. Comments begin with a semicolon ; and last until the end of the line.

Expressions are evaluated using the standard order of operations, eg. 3 + 6 * 2 will evaluate to 15.

Common Mistakes

Functions

CompareObVersion - Used to test the installed version of Oblivion against the one you specify. Deprecated. Use CompareGameVersion instead.

CompareGameVersion - Used to test the installed version of the game Wrye Bash is running for against the version you specify. CompareGameVersion(version_string)

Return values:

CompareOBSEVersion - Used to test the installed version of OBSE against the one you specify. Deprecated. Use CompareSEVersion instead.

CompareSEVersion - Used to test the installed version of the Script Extender of the game that Wrye Bash is running for against the one you specify. CompareSEVersion(version_string)

Return values:

CompareOBGEVersion - Used to test the installed version of OBGE against the one you specify. Deprecated. Use CompareGEVersion instead.

CompareGEVersion - Used to test the installed version of the Graphics Extender of the game that Wrye Bash is running for against the one you specify. CompareGEVersion(version_string)

Return values:

CompareWBVersion - Used to test the installed version of Wrye Bash against the one you specify. CompareWBVersion(version_string)

Return values:

DataFileExists - Tests for the existance of a file in the Data directory. If the file you are testing for is an ESP or ESM, this will also detected ghosted versions of the file. DataFileExists(file_name [, ..., file_name_n])

Return values:

GetEspmStatus - Tests the current status of an ESP or ESM in the Data directory. This function takes esp/m ghosting into account when testing the status. GetEspmStatus(file_name)

Return values:

EditINI - Tells Wrye Bash to create an ini tweak file with some tweaks in it. If the file that you tell Wrye Bash to apply the tweak to is from the current installer or is the game's ini file, then Wrye Bash will also automatically apply the tweak, otherwise, it will just be generated for the user to apply manually. EditINI(file_name, section, setting, value [,comment])

Exec - This will cause the Wizard to execute lines that are passed to it. This is usefull for creating dynamically generated menus. Exec(lines)

str - Used to convert a value into a string, for example when trying to concantenate a integer or decimal to a string. str(value)

Returns:

int - Used to convert a value to an integer, for example converting a value held in a string to a integer value. int(value)

Returns:

float - Used to convert a value to decimal, for example converting a value held in a string to a decimal value. float(value)

Return values:

len - Used to find the length of a string. len(string)

Return values:

endswith - Test what a string ends with. endswith(string, ending_1 [, ..., ending_n])

Return values:

startswith - Test what a string starts with. startswith(string, prefix_1 [, ..., prefix_n])

Return values:

lower - Convert a string to lower case. lower(string)

Return values:

find - Return index of first occurrance of a substring. find(string, substring [, start, stop])

Return values:

rfind - Return index of last occurrance of a substring. rfind(string, substring [, start, stop])

Return values:

GetFilename - For a string that contains a path, returns the filename part of the string. GetFilename(path_string)

Return values:

GetFolder - For a string that contains a path, returns the folder part of the string. GetFolder(path_string)

Return values:

Keywords

Keywords are like functions, but don't require brackets around their arguments, and are used for controlling the flow of a wizard or performing special tasks.

SelectSubPackage - Cause the specified sub-package to be selected for installation. This is equivilant to checking the sub-package and all the esps or esms in that subpackage in the BAIN window. SelectSubPackage name

DeSelectSubPackage - Cause the specified sub-package to be de-selected from installation. This is equivilant to un-checking the sub-package in the BAIN window. DeSelectSubPackage name

SelectEspm - Cause the specified esp or esm to be selected for installation. This is equivilant to checking the esp or esm from the BAIN window. SelectEspm name

DeSelectEspm - Cause the specified esp or esm to be deselected from installation. This is equivilant to un-checking the esp or esm from the BAIN window. DeSelectEspm name

SelectAll - Cause all sub-packages, esps, and esms to be selected for installation. This is equivilant to first checking all sub-packages in the BAIN window, then checking all esps and esms in the BAIN window. SelectAll

DeSelectAll - Cause all sub-packages, esps, and esms to be de-selected from installation. This is equivilant to first un-checking all esps and esms in the BAIN window, then un-checking all sub-packages in the BAIN window. DeSelectAll

SelectAllEspms - Cause all esps and esms to be selected for installation. This is equivilant to checking all esps and esms in the BAIN window. SelectAllEspms

DeSelectAllEspms - Cause all esps and esms to be de-selected from installation. This is equivilant to un-checking all esps and esms in the BAIN window. DeSelectAllEspms

RenameEspm - Change the installed name of an esp or esm. RenameEspm original_name, new_name

ResetEspmName - Resets the name of an esp or esm back to its default name. ResetEspmName original_name

ResetAllEspmNames - Resets the names of all the esps and esms back to their default names. ResetAllEspmNames

Note - Add a note to the user to be displayed at the end of the wizard, on the finish page. The '- ' will be added automatically. Note text

Return - Signals completion of the wizard. This will jump right to the finish page. Return

Cancel - Cancels the wizard, with an optional text to display in a dialog as to why the wizard was canceled. Cancel [text]

RequireVersions - Tests the users system agains version requirements you specify. If the requirements are not met, a warning dialog will be shown asking if you wish to continue anyway. RequireVersions game_version [, se_version, ge_version, wrye_bash_version]

If-Elif-Else-EndIf - A basic If control block. If statement lines Elif statement lines Elif statement lines Else lines EndIf

While-Continue-Break-EndWhile - A while loop. While statement lines Continue lines Break lines EndWhile

For-Continue-Break-EndFor - A For loop. For var to start_value to end_value [by increment_value] lines Continue lines Break lines EndFor For sub in SubPackages For file in sub lines EndFor EndFor

SelectOne - Shows a dialog where the user can select one option from a list of options. SelectOne 'description', \ 'option 1', 'description 1', 'image 1', \ 'option 2', 'description 2', 'image 2', \ ..., \ 'option n', 'description n', 'image n' Case 'option 1' lines Break Case 'option 2' lines Break Case 'option n' lines Break Default lines Break EndSelect

SelectMany - Shows a dialog where the user can select multiple options from a list. After the user presses the "Next" button, this begins a Select control block. See SelectOne for usage. SelectMany 'description', \ 'option 1', 'description 1', 'image 1', \ 'option 2', 'description 2', 'image 2', \ ..., \ 'option n', 'description n', 'image n' Case 'option 1' lines Break Case 'option 2' lines Break Case 'option n' lines Break EndSelect

Operators

Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. Compound assignment operators are a combination of assignment operator and mathematical operator, performing the operation and assigning it to a variable in one step.

Assignment: = variable = value

Compound Assignment: +=, -=, *=, /=, ^= variable += value variable -= value variable *= value variable /= value variable ^= value

Mathematical Operators

Mathematical operators allow you to add, subtract, multiply, divide and exponentiate integers and decimals. The addition and multiplication operators can also be used on strings.

Addition: + var1 + var2

Subtraction: - var1 - var2

Multiplication: * var1 * var2

Division: / var1 / var2

Exponentiation: ^. var1 ^ var2

Boolean Operators

Boolean operators can be used to test the logical truth of values.

And: &, and. Returns True if both sides of the expression are true and False otherwise. var1 & var2 var1 and var2

Or: |, or. Returns True if either side of the expression is true and False otherwise. var1 | var2 var1 or var2

Not: !, not. Returns True if the expression is False, and False if the expression is True. !value not value

In: in. Returns True if the left hand side of the expression is contained in the right hand side, and False otherwise. var1 in var2

Comparison Operators

Comparison operators are used to compare two values or variables with one another.

Equal: ==. Returns True if the left hand side of the expression is equal to the right hand side of the expression, and False otherwise. var1 == var2

Not Equal: !=. Returns True if the left hand side of the expression is not equal to the right hand side of the expression, and False otherwise. var1 != var2

Greater Than or Equal: >=. Returns True if the left hand side of the expression is greater than or equal to the right hand side of the expression, and False otherwise. var1 >= var2

Greater Than: >. Returns True if the left hand side of the expression is greater than the right hand side of the expression, and False otherwise. var1 > var2

Less Than or Equal: <=. Returns True if the left hand side of the expression is less than or equal to the right hand side of the expression, and False otherwise. var1 <= var2

Less Than: <. Returns True if the left hand side of the expression is less than the right hand side of the expression, and False otherwise. var1 < var2

Case Insensitive Operators

Some of the operators have case insensitive versions, which function in the same way as their normal versions, but when comparing strings they ignore case. Case insensitive versions of operators end with a colon :. The following case insensitive operators are available:

Dot Operator

The dot operator can be used to call a function on a variable without having to specify the variable in the function's arguments. This functionality will be familiar to anyone with experience in Object-Orientated programming. The syntax is: variable.function

The following functions can be used with the dot operator:

Indexing

Indexing is used to access a specific location in a sequence. Currently only strings and string variables can be indexed. The syntax used is similar to Python's indexing syntax. string[start:stop:step]

Arguments:

Negative valus for start and stop will be relative to the end of the sequence. For example, -1 would mean the first character from the end of the sequence.

Examples: "Hello"[0] ;returns "H" "Hello"[0:] ;returns "Hello" "Hello"[:] ;returns "Hello" "Hello"[0:2] ;returns "He" "Hello"[-1] ;returns "o" "Hello"[1:3] ;returns "el" "Hello"[-2:] ;returns "lo"

Standard Constants

Only two constants are defined in BAIN Wizards.

True - True. Equal to boolean true (text representation) or 1 (binary representation).

False - False. Equal to boolean false (text representation) or 0 (binary representation).

Escape Sequences

Escape sequences are special sequences of characters you can use to get a different character outputted. The escape sequences allowed are:

Examples

Wizards In The Wild

The following mods have Wizard scripts that may be useful references: Animated Window Lighting System and Chimneys - AWLS, Bain Conversion Files, Bananasplit Better Cities, Fast and Easy Frans WIZBAIN Archive Maker -ENGLISH ONLY-, Metallicow Cursor Mod, Unique Landscapes Compilation, Weather - All Natural.

Create A Package Overview

Every Wizard should have a short overview for the user to read before proceeding with the actual installation questions. Notice how in the example below there are no Case statements used and the default character | is before the Start Here_Readme. SelectOne "Welcome to the ExampleMod's mod Setup Wizard", \ "|Start Here_Readme", "If this is the first time you install this mod it's recommended that you carefully read the rest of the selections readme's to have an idea of what the optional parts of this mod do.", "", \ "ExampleMod Overview", "ExampleText bla bla bla \n\nBla Bla Bla \n\n Bla Bla\n Bla", "", \ "Changelog", "Example Fixes Release 1.01 \nExample Full Public 1.0 Release \nExample 2nd Beta Release 0.91 \n0.9 - Example Beta Release \n0.3 - Example Alpha Release \n0.01 - Example Initial Release", "", \ "Guidelines for a Example install", "", "", \ "ExampleMod Screenshots", "", "Screenshots\\ExampleScreenshot.jpg", \ "Credits\\Authors", "Wrye - For BAIN. Woooooooot! \nLojack - For the wonderful BAIN wizard installer feature. \nMetallicow - For chewing the cud.", "", \ "Language", "Language or Nationality this BAIN wizard was written in. \n\n English (USA)", "Wizard Images\\EnglishUSA.jpg" EndSelect

Yes/No Question

Useful for when you want to ask the user a yes/no question. SelectOne and SelectSubPackage in the example below could be replaced by another keyword. SelectOne "Example: Yes/No Question?", \ "Yes", "Description", "Wizard Images\\Yes.jpg", \ "No", "Description", "Wizard Images\\No.jpg" Case "Yes" SelectSubPackage "00 Example Subpackage" ;;;Action/No Action Break Case "No" ;No Plugin ;;Action/No Action Break EndSelect

Check For A Plugin

Lets say that you want to check the users data folder for a specific plugin, to check if a patch (you might have created) should apply. If DataFileExists("ExamplePlugin.esp") Note "ExamplePlugin Detected." ;;;Action/No Action SelectEspm "PatchPlugin.esp" ;;;Action/No Action Else ; ExamplePlugin.esp wasn't detected ;No Plugin ;;;Action/No Action EndIf

Use New BAIN Wizard Features Safely

Useful for when you use features available only in recent versions of Wrye Bash but want to retain support for users with older versions. If CompareWBVersion('292') >= 0 ; User is running 292+ ; Do some 292+ only stuff here, like... EditINI('Oblivion.ini', 'Display', 'bAllowScreenShot', 1) Else ; User is running < 292, so EditINI is unavailable. Note "Don't forget to enable screenshots in Oblivion.ini" EndIf

Misc. Function Examples

These: EditINI('TargetINI.ini', 'set', 'ANVars.UseEW', 1) EditINI('TargetINI.ini', 'setGS', 'fPCBaseMagickaMult', 1)

Would create Ini Tweaks: set ANVars.UseEW to 1 setGS fPCBaseMagickaMult 1

This: GetFilename("C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\Oblivion.exe")

Would return "Oblivion.exe". This: GetFilename("C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion")

Would return an empty string.

This: GetFolder("Data\mine.esp")

Would return "Data". This: GetFolder("mine.esp")

Would return an empty string.

Wizards vs. OBMM Scripts

This section compares the functions and keywords available in Wizards against those available in OBMM scripts.

Functionality with direct correlation between OBMM scripts and Wizards

OBMM ScriptWizards
If <function> [...] IfNot <function> [...] If statement If not statement
Else EndIf Elif Else EndIf
If DialogYesNo <Message> [Title] SelectOne message, "Yes", yes_description, yes_image, "No", no_description, no_image Case "Yes" statements Break Case "NO" statements Break EndSelect
If DataFileExists <FileName> If DataFileExists(filename)
If ScriptExtenderPresent If CompareSEVersion("0.0.0.0") == 1
If ScriptExtenderNewerThan <version> If CompareSEVersion(version) == 1
If GraphicsExtenderPresent If CompareGEVersion("0.0.0.0") == 1
If GraphicsExtenderNewerThan <version> If CompareGEVersion(version) == 1
If OblivionNewerThan <version> If CompareGameVersion(version) == 1
If Equal <arg1> <arg2> If GreaterThan <arg1> <arg2> If GreaterEqual <arg1> <arg2> If fGreaterThan <arg1> <arg2> If fGreaterEqual <arg1> <arg2> If statement == statement If statement > statement If statement >= statement If statement > statement If statement >= statement
Select <Title> <Option1> [Option2] [...] SelectWithPreview <Title> <Option1> <ImagePath1> [Option2] [ImagePath2] [...] SelectWithDescriptions <Title> <Option1> <Description1> [Option2] [Description2] [...] SelectWithDescriptionsAndPreviews <Title> <Option1> <ImagePath1> <Description1> [Option2] [ImagePath2] [Description2] [...] SelectOne title, option1, description1, image1, option2, description2, image2 [...]
SelectMany <Title> <Option1> [Option2] [...] SelectManyWithPreview <Title> <Option1> <ImagePath1> [Option2] [ImagePath2] [...] SelectManyWithDescriptions <Title> <Option1> <Description1> [Option2] [Description2] [...] SelectManyWithDescriptionsAndPreviews <Title> <Option1> <ImagePath1> <Description1> [Option2] [ImagePath2] [Description2] [...] SelectMany title, option1, description1, image1 [...]
Case <option> Default Break EndSelect Case option Default Break EndSelect
For Count <Variable> <Start> <End> [Step] Continue Exit EndFor For variable from start to end by step Continue Break EndFor
Return Return
DontInstallPlugin <Plugin> InstallPlugin <Plugin> DeSelectEspm plugin SelectEspm plugin
CopyPlugin <CopyFrom> <CopyTo> RenameEspm original_name new_name
EditINI <section> <key> <value> EditINI("Oblivion.ini", section, setting, value)
FatalError Cancel [message]
SetVar <Variable> <Value> variable = value
StringLength <Variable> <String> variable = len(string) variable = string.len()
iSet <Variable> <expression> fSet <Variable> <expression> variable = expression
ExecLines <lines> Exec(lines)
SubString <Variable> <String> <startfrom> [length] find(variable, string, start, stop) variable.find(string, start, stop)

Functions in OBMM with equivalent methods in Wizards

OBMM ScriptWizards
If VersionGreaterThan <version> If VersionLessThan <version> Use CompareWBVersion to check the Wrye Bash version.
Message <Message> [Title] DisplayImage <Image File Path> [Title] DisplayText <Text File Path> [Title] Similar functionality can be reproduced using Note and SelectOne or SelectMany keywords.
ConflictWith <ModName> [Comment] [Level] DependsOn <ModName> [Comment] [Level] Similar functionality can be reproduced using If DataFileExists(modname).
DontInstallDataFile <FileName> InstallDataFile <FileName> DontInstallDataFolder <FolderName> [RecurseSubfolders] InstallDataFolder <FolderName> [RecurseSubfolders] CopyDataFile <CopyFrom> <CopyTo> CopyDataFolder <CopyFrom> <CopyTo> [RecurseSubfolders] Similar functionality can be obtained by packaging the mod differently, and then using SelectSubPackage and DeSelectSubPackage.
For Each DataFolder <Variable> <FolderPath> [RecurseSubFolders] [SearchString] For Each DataFile <Variable> <FolderPath> [RecurseSubFolders] [SearchString] For Each PluginFolder <Variable> <FolderPath> [RecurseSubFolders] [SearchString] For Each Plugin <Variable> <FolderPath> [RecurseSubFolders] [SearchString] Use: For subpackage in SubPackages

and/or: For file in subpackage

to iterate over files and folders in an installer. Then use: file.lower().endswith(".esp") GetFilename(file) GetFolder(file)

and other string manipulation functions to test file names and folders.

Functions in OBMM without equivalent methods in Wizards

SelectVar <Variable> SelectString <Variable> Goto <label> Label <label> LoadBefore <Plugin1> <Plugin2> LoadAfter <Plugin1> <Plugin2> UncheckESP <plugin> SetDeactivationWarning <plugin> <warning> ConflictsWith <ModName> <MinMajorVersion> <MinMinorVersion><MaxMajorVersion> <MaxMinorVersion> [Comment] [Level] ConflictsWithRegex <ModName> [Comment] [Level] ConflictsWithRegex <ModName> <MinMajorVersion> <MinMinorVersion><MaxMajorVersion> <MaxMinorVersion> [Comment] [Level] DependsOn <ModName> <MinMajorVersion> <MinMinorVersion><MaxMajorVersion> <MaxMinorVersion> [Comment] [Level] DependsOnRegex <ModName> [Comment] [Level] DependsOnRegex <ModName> <MinMajorVersion> <MinMinorVersion><MaxMajorVersion> <MaxMinorVersion> [Comment] [Level] RegisterBSA <FileName> UnregisterBSA <FileName> EditShader <ShaderPackage> <ShaderName> <BinaryObjectPath> SetGMST <file> <Editor ID> <new value> SetGlobal <file> <Editor ID> <new value> SetPluginByte <file> <offset> <new value> SetPluginByte <file> <offset> <new value> SetPluginShort <file> <offset> <new value> SetPluginLong <file> <offset> <new value> SetPluginFloat <file> <offset> <new value> GetFolderName <Variable> <path> GetFileName <Variable> <path> GetFileNameWithoutExtension <Variable> <path> CombinePaths <Variable> <path1> <path2> RemoveString <Variable> <String> <startfrom> [length] InputString <Variable> [Title] [Initial] ReadINI <Variable> <section> <value> ReadRenderInfo <Variable> <value> EditXMLLine <file> <line number> <new line> EditXMLReplace <file> <text to find> <text to replace>

Functions in Wizards without equivalent methods in OBMM

CompareWBVersion(version) GetEspmStatus(plugin) str(value) int(value) float(value) SelectAll DeSelectAll SelectAllEspms DeSelectAllEspms While expression Continue Break EndWhile RequireVersions oblivion, obse, obge, wrye_bash

Functions in OBMM that are meaningless in Wrye Bash

OBMM ScriptWizards
PatchDataFile <NewFile> <FileToPatch> [Create] PatchPlugin <NewFile> <FileToPatch> [Create] Unnecessary due to BAIN's conflict resolution abilities.
AllowRunOnLinesWizards support run-on lines as standard.

Mod Checker Rulesets

Overview

Rulesets allow the expansion of Wrye Bash's Mod Checker to analyse active load orders based on additional rules. There can be any number of ruleset files, which must be plain text files located in [Game]\Data\Bash Patches, with filenames ending in Rules.txt, for Wrye Bash to recognise them.

Rulesets are processed in alphabetical order of their filenames. A ruleset's output is given in the following order:

  1. A header containing the ruleset name, and any supplied header text.
  2. Warnings for any rules violated.
  3. ModSet reports, in the order that they are defined in the ruleset. These consist of:
    1. A configuration recap.
    2. Any suggestions made.
    3. Any include, exclude or merge only warnings generated.

Syntax

Comments

Any text beginning with ## will be ignored when the ruleset is processed, so can be used for making silent comments. xxx ## [comment]

Header

The header command can be used to define what text is displayed in the header of the ruleset's output. >> HEADER [text] ## A bulleted list: * [text] * [text] * [text]

NOTES

The NOTES command lets you output notes to the Mod Checker report. The possible formatting options are given in the formatting sub-section below. Notes can be multiline.

ONLYONE

The ONLYONE command is a simple rule that states that only one of the rules following it may be active at any one time. >> ONLYONE Cobl Races.esp Cobl Races - Balanced.esp

IF

The IF command is used to specify that the NOTES, CONFIG, SUGGEST and WARN commands following it are conditional on the existence of the plugin(s) specified as part of the IF command. The effect of an IF command lasts until the next IF command or the end of the file, whichever comes first.

If the IF command lists more than one plugin, then the condition statement is a logical AND combination of all listed plugins. You can also specify logical OR and NOT combinations.

To specify that none of a set of plugins may exist, use a NOT for the first plugin of the set, then OR combine the it with the rest. >> IF Alpha.esp Beta.esp | Gamma.esp | Delta.esp - Epsilon.esp - Zeta.esp | Eta.esp Theta.esp

The above equates to Alpha AND (Beta or Gamma or Delta) AND NOT(Epsilon) AND NOT(Zeta or Eta) AND Theta.

CONFIG

The CONFIG command lets you specify check the status of a plugin or plugins and output its/their status (active/inactive/merged) and a comment. It is intended as a way of reminding the user what plugins they have active. >> CONFIG o Plugin1.esp //[comment] o Plugin2.esp //[comment]

The o symbol denotes an Option rule type.

SUGGEST

The SUGGEST command is intended as a way of providing non-critical suggestions. Its syntax is similar to that of the CONFIG command, but it has different rule types available for usage. The rule types are:

>> SUGGEST x Plugin1.esp //[comment] - Plugin2.esp //[comment] + Plugin3.esp //[comment] e Plugin4.esp //[comment]

WARN

The WARN command is intended as a way of providing critical suggestions. It shares the same rule types as the SUGGEST command. >> WARN x Plugin1.esp //[comment] - Plugin2.esp //[comment] + Plugin3.esp //[comment] e Plugin4.esp //[comment]

ASSUME

The ASSUME command inserts the assumption that the given plugin exists into any IF statements following the command.

>> ASSUME Master.esm Plugin1.esp Plugin2.esp

Formatting

Non-silent comment lines have a few formatting options:

Example

The example ruleset below is a simple ruleset for Cobl. >> HEADER This ruleset covers Cobl (Common Oblivion) and related mods. >> ONLYONE Cobl Races - Balanced.esp bgBalancingEVCore.esp >> IF Cobl Main.esm >> CONFIG o Cobl Glue.esp // Glues Cobl items into vanilla lists, cells o Cobl Si.esp // Glues Cobl items into Shivering Isles cells. o Cobl Tweaks.esp // Adds Cobl items to creatures and NPCs. o Cobl Races.esp // Additional races, hairs, eyes. o Cobl Races - Balanced.esp // Races and birthsigns given better balanced pros and cons. o Salmo the Baker, Cobl.esp // Enhances Salmo the Baker in Skingrad. o Cobl Filter Late.esp // Adds foods from various mods to the Dinner Plate. (Requires OBSE.) >> SUGGEST - Denock Arrows.esp // **Deactivate** and use Cobl Denock instead. (See Options menu.) ## HOMES - AlchemistsCave.esp // Use [[http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3996|Coblized version]] instead. - Jagnot-SI-Bliss Aquaduct House.esp // Use [[http://ljosa.proboards57.com/index.cgi?board=releases&action=display&thread=548|Coblized version]] instead. - PrincessImperialCityApartment.esp // Use [[http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3997|Coblized version]] instead. - PrisonersCampsite.esp // Use [[http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=4106|Coblized version]] instead. - SkyShip.esp // Use [[http://ljosa.proboards57.com/index.cgi?board=releases&action=display&thread=548|Coblized version]] instead. >> WARN ## Required e meshes\Cobl\StaticApp\apparatusalembics.nif // __Missing meshes [StaticApp].__ Try reinstalling full Cobl package (including all textures/meshes). ## Obsolete components - Cobl Glue MW Ingred.esp // **Deactivate.** Obsolete. (Merged into Cobl Glue.esp.) ## Superceded mods. - Beer! for Oblivion.esp [1.2.3:]-- **Deactivate.** Included in Cobl Main.esm. - DaggerfallBooks.esp // **Deactivate.** Included in Cobl Main.esm. - FirstEditionGuidetotheEmpire.esp // **Deactivate.** Included in Cobl Main.esm. - Ingredient Storage Shelves.esp // **Deactivate.** Included in Cobl Glue.esp - MorrowindBooks.esp // **Deactivate.** Included in Cobl Main.esm. - Salmo the Baker v2.0.esp // **Deactivate** Use Salmo the Baker, Cobl instead. - Tamrielic_Ingredients.esm // **Deactivate.** Included in Cobl Main.esm. - Tamrielic_Ingredients.esp // **Deactivate.** Included in Cobl Main.esm. >> ASSUME Cobl Main.esm >> IF Cobl Races.esp >> WARN e meshes\characters\saram\femalehair\type0\01.nif // __Missing meshes [Saram].__ Be sure that you have installed [[http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/21104|Cobl Cosmetics Res 01]]. e meshes\clothes\asxivilai\xivilaicollar.nif // __Missing meshes [xivilai].__ Be sure that you have installed [[http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/21104|Cobl Cosmetics Res 01]]. x DLCShiveringIsles.esp // **Activate** Required (meshes and textures). >> IF Cobl Races - Balanced.esp >> WARN x Cobl Races.esp // **Activate.** Required. >> IF Cobl Si.esp >> WARN x DLCShiveringIsles.esp // **Activate.** Required. ## Patch Mods ---------------------------------------------------------------- >> IF FF_REAL_Thirst.esp >> SUGGEST x FF_REAL_Thirst, Cob.esp // Patch FF Real Thirst to work with Cobl water wells.

PM Archive Format

Overview

Wrye Bash's PM Archive tab expects the PM archives it reads to be in a specific format. This section details the format and how to most easily convert PM archives to it.

Wrye Bash PM Archive Format

Wrye Bash's PM archive format uses HTML formatting. The formatting can be broken down into a header, a set of PMs in a specific HTML formatting and a footer.

As well as the formatting of the file itself being important, so too is the filename, which must begin with the date that the archive was created, in the format YY.MM.DD, eg. 07.11.06 archive.html. PM archive files must be saved as .html files, but can be created in any text editor.

The header: <html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> <title>Private Message Archive</title> <style type="text/css"> html{ overflow-x: auto; } body{ background-color: #fff; color: #000; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin:0px; padding:0px; text-align:center; } a:link, a:visited, a:active{ color: #000; text-decoration: underline; } a:hover{ color: #465584; text-decoration:underline; } img{ border: 0; vertical-align: middle; } #ipbwrapper{ margin: 0 auto 0 auto; text-align: left; width: 95%; } .post1{ background-color: #F5F9FD; } .post2{ background-color: #EEF2F7; } /* Common elements */ .row1{ background-color: #F5F9FD; } .row1{ background-color: #DFE6EF; } .row3{ background-color: #EEF2F7; } .row2{ background-color: #E4EAF2; } /* tableborders gives the white column / row lines effect */ .plainborder{ background-color: #F5F9FD border: 1px solid #345487; } .tableborder{ background-color: #FFF; border: 1px solid #345487; margin: 0; padding: 0; } .tablefill{ background-color: #F5F9FD; border: 1px solid #345487; padding: 6px; } .tablepad{ background-color: #F5F9FD; padding:6px; } .tablebasic{ border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; width:100%; } .pformstrip{ background-color: #D1DCEB; color: #3A4F6C; font-weight: bold; margin-top:1px padding:7px; } #QUOTE{ background-color: #FAFCFE; border: 1px solid #000; color: #465584; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px; } #CODE{ background-color: #FAFCFE; border: 1px solid #000; color: #465584; font-family: Courier, Courier New, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px; } /* Main table top (dark blue gradient by default) */ .maintitle{ background-color: #D1DCEB; background-image: url(http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/style_images/bgsdark/tile_back.gif); color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; padding:8px 0px 8px 5px; vertical-align:middle; } .maintitle a:link, .maintitle a:visited, .maintitle a:active{ color: #fff; text-decoration: none; } .maintitle a:hover{ text-decoration: underline; } /* Topic View elements */ .signature{ color: #339; font-size: 10px; line-height:150%; } .postdetails{ font-size: 10px; } .postcolor{ font-size: 12px; line-height: 160%; } </style> </head> <body> <div id="ipbwrapper">

The footer: </div> </body> </html>

The PM formatting: <div class="borderwrapm"> <div class="maintitle">PM: Re:Next Cobl Update</div> <div class="tablefill"><div class="postcolor"><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Haama,<br /><br />I'd like to include OBSE sorter in next Cobl release...Wrye</div></div> <div class="formsubtitle">Sent by <b>Wrye</b> on Jan 10 2008, 05:34 PM</div> </div> <br />

How To Convert Exported PMs

The easiest way to convert PMs is to create a new file for the converted PMs, open up the existing PM file in a text editor with regular expression search/replace functionality (eg. Notepad++) and follow these instructions:

  1. Copy/paste the header above into the top of your new file.
  2. In the existing PM archive file, create a blank new line at the end of the file.
  3. Open the search/replace menu in your existing PM archive file and set it to use regular expressions.
  4. In the Find or Search box, use "([^"]*)","([^"]*)","([^"]*)","([\s\S]*?)"\n (copy/paste it in to be sure).
  5. In the Replace box, use <div class="borderwrapm">\n\t<div class="maintitle">PM: $1</div>\n\t<div class="tablefill"><div class="postcolor"><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->$4</div></div>\n\t<div class="formsubtitle">Sent by <b>$3</b> on $2</div>\n</div>\n<br /> (copy/paste it in to be sure).
  6. Copy/paste each of the PMs in the existing file into the new file.