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Utilities, Mods, Modding & Resources [WIP]
By Altbert
Many players can't have, don't have or don't want to have a Nexus account. Where do you get the programs and files you may need?
   
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Created by
Altbert
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Category: Gameplay Basics, Loot, Modding or Configuration
Languages: English
Posted
Updated
5 Jan, 2020 @ 12:10pm
23 Nov, 2020 @ 3:59pm
1,728 Unique Visitors
30 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
Intro 
Manage Mods and Load Order 
Register Animations 
User Interface 
Bug Fixes 
Mod Downloads 
BSA Managers 
File Access 
Graphics 
Audio 
Modding Resources 
Scripting, Compiling & Decompiling 
Other Utilities 
Wiki's 
Comments
Intro
Many players of Skyrim don't have a Nexus membership for whatever reason. Reading the various threads, the Nexus seems to be the only place where you would be able to find the best tools and mods. But, is it really the ONLY place? Definitely not! Sometimes, in my humble opinion, it’s even better to search for the places where these have originally been created or released.

DISCLAIMER Be careful when downloading and installing programs and files in this guide. Be sure to read full descriptions and to meet all requirements noted in those descriptions. I haven’t used and tested all programs and files listed in this guide, and therefore I can’t take any responsibility if something messed up your game! Programs and files, or their predecessors, that I have succesfully used since Skyrim’s release are marked with “@” in front of the name.

USING MODS? When you are not using mods, be sure to at least make use of the bug fixes. The Unofficial Patches fix an enormous amount of bugs present in Skyrim’s and its DLC’s ESM files. If you are using mods, be sure to install at least LOOT and a good mod manager, such as Wrye Bash or Mod Organizer 2. xEdit may be a useful tool also.

What to do if you can’t have, don't have or don't want a Nexus membership? Below is an overview of mods, bug fixes, resources and utilities to/for:
  • manage mods and load order
  • register animations
  • Papyrus script extensions
  • change the user interface
  • bug fixes
  • download mods and modding resources
  • extract and manage BSA files
  • access mod files
  • create and edit 2D and 3D graphics
  • script, compile and decompile

If you have any additions to this guide, feel free to add these in a comment.
Manage Mods and Load Order
@ Load Order Optimisation Tool (LOOT)
LOOT Main Page[loot.github.io]
Downloads[github.com]
Documentation[loot.github.io]

Mod Organizer 2
Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

@ Wrye Bash
Wrye Bash Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]
Documentation is included in the download.

@ xEdit
xEdit Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]
Documentation[github.com]
Scripts[github.com]
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]
Register Animations
@ Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine
NUBE is a replacement tool for Fore's New Idles in Skyrim (FNIS)
ShikyoKira's Main Page[github.com]
Nemesis Downloads[github.com]

@ Fore's New Idles in Skyrim (FNIS)
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]
User Interface
Mfg Console
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

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

Immersive HUD
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]
Bug Fixes
@ Unofficial Patches
The Unofficial Patches fix bugs in Skyrim’s ESM files.
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]
Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP)[www.afkmods.com]

Skyrim Exterior Fixes
This fixes bugs in Skyrim’s exterior objects.
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

Skyrim Bug Fixes
This fixes bugs in Skyrim’s EXE file.
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]
Mod Downloads
Skyrim Mod Downloads
AFK Mods[www.afkmods.com]
Curse Forge[www.curseforge.com]
Mod DB
Mods Reloaded[modsreloaded.com]
TES Alliance[tesalliance.org]
The Assimilation Lab[www.theassimilationlab.com]
Zetta MODs[www.zettamods.com]

Specials
Enderal (original)
Skyblivion[skyblivion.com] (Oblivion recreated in Skyrim's game engine)
Skywind[tesrskywind.com] (Morrowind recreated in Skyrim's game engine)
BSA Managers
@ BSA Browser
Main Page[github.com]
Downloads[github.com]

BSA Manager
Main Page[github.com]
BSA Manager[github.com]
BSA Manager Downloads[github.com]
File Access
@ FileAccess Interface for Skyrim Script (FISS)
Download[www.zettamods.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]

Enhanced Character Edit
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

@ GIMP - GNU Image Manipulation Program
Website[www.gimp.org]
Downloads[www.gimp.org]
Documentation[www.gimp.org]
Tutorials[www.gimp.org]
DDS Plugin Main Page[code.google.com]
DDS Plugin Downloads[code.google.com]

HDT Physics Extensions
Download[www.zettamods.com]

@ L3DT - Landscape Editor
Main Page[www.bundysoft.com]
Downloads[www.bundysoft.com]
Documentation[www.bundysoft.com]
Tutorial[tambomedia.com]

@ NConvert
Main Page[www.xnview.com]
Downloads[www.xnview.com]
User Guide[www.xnview.com]

NetImmerse Override
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

@ NifTools
NifTools Website[www.niftools.org]
Documentation & Tutorials[www.niftools.org]
NifSkope Downloads[github.com]
PyFFI Downloads[github.com]
NIF XML Downloads[github.com]
Blender NIF Plugin Downloads[github.com]
3DMax NIF Plugin Downloads[github.com]
NifTools C++ Library Downloads[github.com]

@ nVidia DDS Utilities
Downloads[developer.nvidia.com]

Optimizer Textures (Ordenador)
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

RaceMenu
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

@ Skyrim NPC Editor
Download[www.zettamods.com]

@ TESAnnwyn
Main Page[www.oceanlightwave.com]
Download[www.oceanlightwave.com]
Documentation is included in the distribution.

Vanilla Reduced Textures
Download[www.theassimilationlab.com]
Audio
Silent Voice Generator
Info and Download[www.afkmods.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]
Modding Resources
AFK Mods
Info and Downloads[www.afkmods.com]

Mods Reloaded
Info and Downloads[modsreloaded.com]

The Assimilation Lab
Info and Downloads[www.theassimilationlab.com]
Scripting, Compiling & Decompiling
Creation Kit
Creation Kit Wiki[www.creationkit.com]

JContainers
Download[www.zettamods.com]
Downloads[github.com]

@ Compiling/Decompiling
Caprica Papyrus Compiler Downloads[github.com]
Champollion PEX Decompiler Download[github.com]
JSON Serialisation Download[github.com]

@ PapyrusUtil
Download[www.zettamods.com]

SKSE Plugin Preloader
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

Skyrim Script Dragon
Info and Download[www.dev-c.com]

@ Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)
SKSE Downloads[skse.silverlock.org]

@ SkyUI
Schlangster's Main Page[github.com]
SkyUI Downloads[github.com]
SkyUI Library[github.com]
SkyUI Plugins[github.com]
Other Utilities
FPS Limiter
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

Memory Blocks Log
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

Skyrim Profile Manager
Info and Download[www.curseforge.com]

Skyrim Strings Localizer
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

TES5LODGen
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]

tes5Translator
Info and Download[www.zettamods.com]
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]
6 Comments
< >
Altbert  [author] 18 Jun, 2022 @ 4:27pm 
@Oswald the Rabbit

This "stuff" will do anything listed in the guide index, too much for a short description here. If you are downloading mods from external sites (Nexus, AFK Mods or others) or reading guides about modding (adding new mods to your playthrough) you may be pointed to one or more of those apps, such as LOOT, the Load Order Optimization Tool. If you're installing mods that provide new animations (or even remove them) you will need an app like Nemesis or FNIS to (un)register those animations.

If you're planning on installing mods, read the mod's description to see if you need any additional external apps, which you can find here. Also, when creating your own mods, tools and resources are presented here.
Buddy 18 Jun, 2022 @ 11:36am 
What does any of this stuff do?
Altbert  [author] 3 Mar, 2021 @ 3:02pm 
I could have mentioned it, but links will be removed. No use without a proper link.
namormrn 3 Mar, 2021 @ 1:16pm 
No mention of Lover's Lab? Shame...lol
Altbert  [author] 19 Jan, 2020 @ 2:38am 
Thanx! But you should consider using the github for tools like LOOT, MO2, Wrye Bash and xEdit. Example: MO2 is v1.3.11 on Nexus, v2.2.2.1 on github.
Test 18 Jan, 2020 @ 8:51pm 
I personally use Nexus but really appreciate all of the hard work you've clearly put into this. Thank you!