UTILITIES, MODS, MODDING AND RESOURCES [WIP]

This guide provides an overview of various utilities, mods, modding and resources. Consider it an ongoing work in progress as new mods and apps will certainly be released in times to come.

INTRODUCTION

It can't be said enough:

• WHEN INSTALLING A NEW MOD OR A STANDALONE APPLICATION, BE SURE TO READ THE DESCRIPTION AND USER'S POSTS AND MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS BEFORE INSTALLING AND/OR USING THAT MOD OR APP.
  
• NEVER REMOVE MODS MID-PLAYTHROUGH
  
• BE SURE ABOUT MODS AND APPS YOU WANT TO INSTALL AND USE FOR THE GAME. NO DESCRIPTION, NO REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED, NO IMAGES, NEGATIVE RESPONSES, STAY ON THE SAFE SIDE: MAKE A HARD SAVE AND START A TEST-RUN!
  
• IN FACT: DO NOT RELY TOO MUCH ON QUICK- AND AUTOSAVES. INSTEAD MAKE HARD SAVES AND USE LOAD INSTEAD OF CONTINUE TO LOAD A SAVED GAME.

This guide provides an overview of modifications, bug fixes, resources and utilities to/for:

• manage mods and load order
  
• animations
  
• audio and graphics
  
• script extensions
  
• change the user interface
  
• bug fixes
  
• download mods and modding resources
  
• extract and manage BSA files
  
• access mod files
  
• script, compile and decompile

and also includes links to well recommended guides and pinned topics.

IF YOU WANT TO ADD MOD(IFICATION)S TO YOUR GAME, BE SURE TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION PROVIDED WITH THE MOD, INCLUDING POSTS OF USERS, AND THE MODDING GUIDES AND PINNED TOPICS. IT MAY PREVENT YOU FROM LOTS OF FRUSTRATION! 

CREATING MODS? CAN YOU PREVENT CONFLICTS WITH OTHER MODS? SIMPLY PUT: NO! WITH ALL THOSE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF MODS ON THE INTERNET, THAT WOULD BE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE, BUT AT LEAST YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO CREATE OR FIND PATCHES FOR THE MOST POPULAR MODS.

This guide is far from finished or complete. For now it's just a simple overview in need of more detailed descriptions and requirements, and links to well written guides, if any. So, there's more to come, but it will take time. Feel free to add additions and suggestions in a comment.

MANAGE MODS & LOAD ORDER

The following tools provide aid to set the right mod load order or manage mod collections:

Load Order Optimisation Tool (LOOT)

LOOT Main Page[loot.github.io]
Downloads[github.com]
Documentation[loot.github.io]
Latest documentation[loot.readthedocs.io]
Download Nexus[www.nexusmods.com]

Mod Organizer 2 (MO2)

Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]
Documentation[www.modorganizer.org]

Vortex

Vortex[www.nexusmods.com]

Wrye Bash

Wrye Bash Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]
Documentation is included in the download, but is also available online:
Wrye Bash Docs[wrye-bash.github.io]

xEdit

xEdit Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]
Documentation[github.com]
Scripts[github.com]

BUG FIXES

Unofficial Patches

The Unofficial Patches fix bugs in Skyrim’s ESM files.
Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP)[www.afkmods.com]

For other versions of The Elder Scrolls Chapter V: Skyrim
Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch (USLEEP)[www.afkmods.com]
Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch (USLEEP)[tesalliance.org]
Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch (USLEEP)[www.theassimilationlab.com]
Unofficial High Resolution Patch[www.theassimilationlab.com]
Unofficial High Resolution Patch[www.afkmods.com]
Recommanded bug fixes in addition to the unofficial patches[www.afkmods.com]

Skyrim Exterior Fixes

This fixes bugs in Skyrim’s exterior objects.
ELFX Exterior Fixes SE[www.nexusmods.com]

SSE Engine Fixes

SSE Engine Fixes[www.nexusmods.com]
Releases[github.com]
Source[github.com]

GRAPHICS

Blender

Website[www.blender.org]
Download[www.blender.org]
User Manual[docs.blender.org]
Python API[docs.blender.org]
Developer Wiki[wiki.blender.org]

BodySlide & Outfit Studio

Main Page[github.com]
BodySlide & Outfit Studio[github.com]
BodySlide & Outfit Studio Downloads[github.com]
BodySlide & Outfit Studio Wiki[github.com]
In-Game BodySlide Launcher[www.nexusmods.com]

GIMP - GNU Image Manipulation Program

Info, Documentation and Download[www.gimp.org]
DDS Plugin for Gimp[code.google.com]
DDS Plugin Downloads[code.google.com]
DDS Plugin Source[code.google.com]
DXT Compression Quality Wiki[code.google.com]

Misc. Graphics

Gif 2 Nif Converter[www.nexusmods.com]
Gif 2 Nif Converter Source[github.com]
NiTriShape Converter[www.nexusmods.com]
SSE LOD Generator[www.nexusmods.com]
SSE Nif Optimizer[www.nexusmods.com]

AUDIO

Audacity

Info and Download[www.audacityteam.org]
Documentation[www.audacityteam.org]

Silent Voice Generator

Info and Download[www.afkmods.com]

xVA Synth

Info and Downloads[www.nexusmods.com]
Community Guide[github.com]
Guide by Elscrux[docs.google.com]
CUDA Dependencies[developer.nvidia.com]
Plugin Development Documentation[github.com]

FaceFXWrapper

A tool to create LIP files for Skyrim SE 1.5.x and 1.6.x
Download[www.nexusmods.com]
With this tool you need FonixData.cdf (Easier .Lip files), which can be taken from Skyrim (LE) or earlier FallOut games, or use this download[www.nexusmods.com]

Unfuzer

A tool to combine WAV and LIP files into a FUZ file or to extract WAV and LIP files from a FUZ file
Download[www.nexusmods.com]

VGAudio

VGAudio is a library for encoding, decoding, and manipulating audio files and formats usually found in video games.
Info[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]

Misc. Audio

Yakitori Audio Converter[www.nexusmods.com]

ANIMATIONS

Animation Motion Revolution

Info and Download[www.nexusmods.com]

Dynamic Animation Replacer (DAR)

Info and Download[www.nexusmods.com]

Fore's New Idles in Skyrim (FNIS)

Downloads[www.nexusmods.com]

Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine

ShikyoKira's Main Page[github.com]
Nemesis Downloads[github.com]

XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended

Fixed Scripts[www.nexusmods.com]

USER INTERFACE

Mfg Fix

Mfg Fix[www.nexusmods.com]

SkyUI

Schlangster's Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]

Immersive HUD

Immersive HUD SE[www.nexusmods.com]

BSA MANAGERS & EXTRACTORS

BSA Browser

Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]

BSA Manager

Main Page[github.com]
BSA Manager[github.com]
BSA Manager Downloads[github.com]

Misc. BSA

BSA Auto Extract[www.nexusmods.com]
Bethesda Archive Extractor[www.nexusmods.com]
Quick BSA Extractor[www.nexusmods.com]

SCRIPTING, COMPILING & DECOMPILING

.NET Script Framework

Download[www.nexusmods.com]

Creation Kit

Creation Kit Wiki[www.creationkit.com]

JContainers

Downloads[github.com]

Compiling/Decompiling

Caprica Papyrus Compiler Downloads[github.com]
Champollion PEX Decompiler Download[github.com]
JSON Serialisation Download[github.com]
Skyrim Script Compiler Light[www.nexusmods.com]
Skyrim Script Compiler Pro[www.nexusmods.com]
SSEScript Download[www.nexusmods.com]

FileAccess Interface for Skyrim SE Scripts (FISSES)

Download[www.nexusmods.com]

Papyrus Scripting

Papyrus Scripting Offline Documentation Reference (CHM)[www.nexusmods.com]
Notepad++ Papyrus Script Highlighting[www.nexusmods.com]

PapyrusUtil

PapyrusUtilSE[www.nexusmods.com]
PapyrusUtil (LE)[www.nexusmods.com]

Plugin Loaders

DLL Plugin Loader[www.nexusmods.com]
DLL Plugin Loader[www.nexusmods.com]
SSE Plugin Loader[www.nexusmods.com]

Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)

SKSE Downloads[skse.silverlock.org]
Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE64)[www.nexusmods.com]
Skyrim Script Extender for VR (SKSEVR)[www.nexusmods.com]

SkyUI

Schlangster's Main Page[github.com]
SkyUI Downloads[github.com]
SkyUI Library[github.com]
SkyUI Plugins[github.com]

Other Script Extenders

LibFire[www.nexusmods.com]
LibMathf[www.nexusmods.com]

OTHER UTILITIES

Fallrim Tools & ReSaver

Fallrim Tools & ReSaver[www.nexusmods.com]

xTranslator

SSETranslator[www.nexusmods.com]
TESVTranslator[www.nexusmods.com]

Misc. Tools

Bethesda Toolkit[www.nexusmods.com]
Save and Execute Console Commands[www.nexusmods.com]

MODDER'S RESOURCES

AFK Mods[www.afkmods.com]
Nexus Mods SE[www.nexusmods.com]
TES Alliance[tesalliance.org]

MODDING GUIDES & PINNED TOPICS

Modding Guides

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=789781658
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798271427
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=818230170
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=929828423
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1197413219
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1977191236
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1986067552
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2225149260
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2264913895
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2266129651
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2456651059

Pinned Topics

https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/312265473877856791/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/340412122413706606/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1741090847739345133/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/2828702372997628701/

WIKI'S

FANDOM - The Elder Scrolls Wiki[elderscrolls.fandom.com]
Fextralife Skyrim Wiki[skyrim.wiki.fextralife.com]
Gamepedia - Skyrim Wiki[skyrim.gamepedia.com]
Neoseeker - Skyrim Elder Scrolls V Wiki[skyrim.neoseeker.com]
STEP Wiki[wiki.step-project.com]
Sure AI - Enderal Wiki[en.wiki.sureai.net]
The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages[en.uesp.net]

HOW TO GUIDES

Many guides in this section were originally written for Skyrim (LE), but can also be used for Skyrim SE with the 64-bit Creation Kit. although conversion may be required.

How to create standalone followers[docs.google.com]
How to create conflict resolution patches with SSEEdit[www.nexusmods.com]
NTN Basic Tutorials and Tools[www.nexusmods.com]
How to put Racemenu created faces on NPCs[www.nexusmods.com]
Creating open and close animations for static objects[www.nexusmods.com]
Fixing deleted navmeshes[www.nexusmods.com]
How to create a Normal Map for Skyrim and SE[www.nexusmods.com]
Editing your models with Blender[www.nexusmods.com]

Hoddminir's Tutorials

From heightmap to worldmap[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Making a 16-bit height map without Photoshop[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Generating LODs in the Creation Kit[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Retexturing plants - Part I[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Retexturing plants - Part II[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Custom landscap textures[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Region generation - Part I: Landscape[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Region generation - Part II: Objects[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Adding new creatures to Skyrim[hoddminir.blogspot.com]
Making a region[hoddminir.blogspot.com]

My personal How To Guides

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=862012877
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798570279
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=796670737

[Altbert]

This is about utilities and mods for Skyrim LE and SE, nothing for the Creation Club!

[Skaven Gaming]

is this about the creation club mods or ones you can find in other places?

[Avrie]

Great start, I agree with Speed. I'd love to see you flesh out and expand the intro and maybe add a separate "Common Mistakes" (new modders make) section... You're going to force me to get off my arse and update my old guides aren't you. That timestamp guide is ancient and only relevant for LE, and even I haven't bothered with WB as a manager since MO2 was fleshed out. I liked that cleaning guide, but since Elminster screwed the pooch automating it poorly I haven't figured out what to do with it. I sort of like it just as it is with a recomendation to use xEdit 3.2 LOL. Great start though.

[Altbert]

Thx Vlad, SpeedFreak and BA.
@ BA: This is supposed to be for SE specifically. So, I will change that entry!
@ SpeedFreak: I will add your suggestion. It can't be said too much!

[Vlad 254]

Nice guide Altbert. Favorited & Rated.

[SpeedFreak1972]

Maybe a strong warning not to remove mods or disable them and keep playing on the same save ... yes it's said many times, but people just won't listen.

[Black Album]

Hi Altbert,
My only thought would be to put the USSEP patch at the top of the bug fix list ... before USLEEP patch