[TUTORIAL] Modding the PS3 Skyrim UPDATE.ESM

[DEREKTROTTER]

[TUTORIAL] Modding the Skyrim UPDATE.ESM

//Written by DEREKTROTTER
I wrote this tutorial mainly as i would like to see others bringing mods to the PS3. This should help you to easily add standalone ESP plugins to the PS3 UPDATE.ESM. Any mods which include a .BSA file will likely require you to edit the UPDATE.BSA also.
Skyrim PS3 Mods

This is mainly for users without a "True Blue" dongle
If you have a TrueBlue dongle see this thread written by seifer69er for an easier method (SKYRIM - PS3 to PC / PC to PS3 Conversion + Mods & Updates)

Requirements
PS3 on CFW 3.55
PS3 on 4.11 (to transfer the mods to) OR True Blue Dongle to run game on 3.55
Fallout Mod Manager (PC): FOMM (Download)
Skyrim PC Version (Optional)
Creation Kit (Optional)

PS3 Retail Patches
Here are some retail PKGs:
BLES01329
2.02
2.04 (latest)

BLUS30778
1.05 (latest)

1. Download + Install FOMM
Run setup and install FOMM, preferably to a directory outside of "Program Files" to avoid any errors. Example: "My Documents"




NOTE: If FOMM crashes on startup with a generic windows error then you likely have a problem with your .NET installation; FOMM requires .NET 2.0 to run.

Once Installed, run and select the following:


Now if you don't own either game (Fallout 3 or New Vegas) you will see this box:


Simply create a folder named "falloutnv" and create a file inside this with the filename "falloutnv.exe".


Now you can point this towards your created directory and it should load fine.


Click finish, YES, YES and you are all set up.




2. TESnip, loading + merging mods.
Click "Tools" and load TESsnip

File > Open > UPDATE.ESM
This shows all the records contained in the update, e.g (MGEF) = Magic Effect


Now you need to open up your mod (.ESP) or download a pre-made one from Skyrim Nexus or Steam Workshop if you own the game.

In this example i'm going to add Speed Rings to the UPDATE.ESM.

This mod adds three rings to Skyrim. Ring of minor speed gives the player an increase of 75%. Ring of major speed increases speed by 150% and ring of extreme speed gives a 225% increase.
Rings can now be made at any forge



Once downloaded, open up the .esp plugin in TESsnip


Now you have both the UPDATE.ESM and the mod open, its just a simple job of moving the records across into the UPDATE.
You can simply use CTRL-X and CTRL-V to cut/paste the records.


NOTE: with some mods you will end up with duplicate records, e.g 2 groups of (COBJ)
simply select "Spells" > "Sanitize" and it will merge the groups into one.

If you are merging multiple mods, make sure none are using the same CELL.
Another thing worth checking is "Duplicate Form IDs". If this occurs it can cause the mods to not load correctly or crash the game. You can check this under "Spells" > "Find Duplicate IDs".
If any are found, simply assign the record a new ID by double clicking the record and changing the formID number:


Now all you need to do is File > Save and save as .ESM


Here is the end result: UPDATE.ESM


3. Replacing the default UPDATE.ESM

On CFW 3.55, install the skyrim update PKG
Run Blackbox FTP and navigate to hdd0>game>BLES01329>USRDIR
Replace the existing UPDATE.ESM

Now you can simply load up the game with "True Blue" or data transfer to your OFW PS3.

Enjoy your speed rings

[barelynotlegal]

o boy cant wait to get home! lol
once again thanX for letting us in on this..

are there certain ones that will work, and not work? just a trial and error process until we find one that works?(like new vegas?)

[DEREKTROTTER]

o boy cant wait to get home! lol
once again thanX for letting us in on this..

are there certain ones that will work, and not work? just a trial and error process until we find one that works?(like new vegas?)

ALL mods that are standalone .ESP will work 100% with this method.
If any mods containing .BSA, scripts etc.... you will need to extract the UPDATE.BSA and recompile with the new files.

texture mods / sound mods etc... will only work on backup with true blue (which i dont have yet)

[Frakistan]

so this can be done on OFW 4.11?

and what does data transfer to OFW 4.11 mean?

I dont have two ps3s only one with OFW 4.11, what can i do?

[DEREKTROTTER]

so this can be done on OFW 4.11?

and what does data transfer to OFW 4.11 mean?

I dont have two ps3s only one with OFW 4.11, what can i do?

only 1 option, buy another ps3 on 3.55

data transfer means - transfer from CFW to OFW

[webbo]

i have 2 ps3's

one on CFW 3.55 and one on OFW 4.11

Im playing Skyrim on the OFW ps3.... now how can i data transfer this .esm file to my OFW ps3? i dont understand sorry

[DEREKTROTTER]

i have 2 ps3's

one on CFW 3.55 and one on OFW 4.11

Im playing Skyrim on the OFW ps3.... now how can i data transfer this .esm file to my OFW ps3? i dont understand sorry

install the latest skyrim PKG on CFW depending on your region
open FTP and navigate to hdd0>game>BLES01031>USRDIR
replace and overwrite the files
Data Transfer
Play

[kjellpl]

Hi.. Are there any other way to trick the fomm to start? -it wont start the way you shown here..

[DEREKTROTTER]

Hi.. Are there any other way to trick the fomm to start? -it wont start the way you shown here..

this is the only way without downloading the game

create folder "fallout" with a file "fallout.exe (for fallout 3)

create folder "falloutnv" with a file "falloutnv.exe" (for New vegas)

[HalfCrazePrince]

Is it possible to mod a savegame to enable console commands?