This is great! Just what I was looking for a few days back for Miranda... too bad I didn't find it back then, but I did find it now looking for a way to make Jack not quasi-naked. It's not easy to figure out how to install it for someone who has never installed mods on Mass Effect before, though... and "removing empty mips" is taking worryingly long.
(*EDIT: so far encountered the Ashley Restoration mod and the Samara Redone mod and the Casual Jack mod regarding ME3 and the Alliance WarPack mod is amazing) Really glad you did this!!! Tysm, if we wanted to use the files personally to be compatible for ME3, is there a way to do that or a mod that does/will do that?
You're welcome. I don't think there's any shortcut to get these files to work with ME3, though I believe many of them can be used directly there without needing further changes. If you can figure out how to use MEM to identify, extract and replace textures, you could give it a try.
I'd really like to an updated version of my old mod for ME3 too, but I have no idea when I'll actually get to work on it. It hasn't seen an update in 3 years now, but can still be a reference for the texture hashes, and should still work just fine with TexMod if you aren't running the ME3 A.L.O.T mod.
And yeah, there are many impressive mods for ME3 to choose from!
Well, thanks to your post, I realised I hadn't updated the changelog to reflect that v2.0 also features several improvements, some additions, and fixes the purple Jack bug.
It's fine if you prefer using v1, but if/when you might be able to perform an MEM scan, I'd definitely recommend giving v2.0 a try if you're interested in the replacements for Jack, Samara and Miranda in particular, and/or the new inclusions as well.
Cool awesome, I just didnt know how to install those anyway lol! I just did a fresh reinstall since I broke stuff but I may give em another try later, thanks! Love your username too!
The MEM user guide, currently accessible at this link makes it ez mode to assume direct control over everything. There'll be no going back once you've used it!
When I go to rebuild the database in ME2Explorer, it gives me an error saying "An error occurred while scanning your files: Unsupported texture storage type" I'm not sure why this would happen. I do have other mods installed (controller mod, A Lot Of Textures) so does that have anything to do with it? Or is there another problem/fix that you would know of?
Hi! I would guess that the current version of "ALOT" must be making certain changes that the old version of ME2Explorer linked to in this mod's instructions is not able to work with.
In any case, the textures in this mod are default resolution only, so they could not have been installed on top of the higher resolution textures of "ALOT" in their present state anyway.
As I am out of the loop on what's been happening with "ALOT", MEM etc., I'm afraid I don't have an easy solution for you right now to get everything to work together properly. Until I get around to overhauling this mod and figuring all of that out, I think it'll either have to be "ALOT" without this mod, or vanilla ME2 with this mod (I have used this mod with the controller mod earlier without any issues, so I would expect that that one should be fine).
Oh man, I was so excited, too. Do you think it's possible to be used by MEM at all? I'd like to fiddle around anyways, just in case. I really want to cover Samara's and Jack's unnecessary shows of skin at least. Do you know if I could backup the textures before trying and how? I'm not gonna try without a backup since I don't want to waste time reinstalling everything again.
As I said, I am out of the loop on MEM and all of that, so I will just refer you to Creeper's guides on his mod Desc page to get started on figuring out how to make MEM work for you. Backing up and replacing textures should definitely be possible, but the mismatch in resolutions between TRAM and "ALOT" will still be an issue, and there isn't a ready solution available for that (in the Texplorer methods, at least, texture downscaling was not possible, to my knowledge - I don't know if things are different in MEM).
As things stand, I don't really recommend trying to get "ALOT" and TRAM to work together, although it can be done if one is determined enough. For the average user, though, I would suggest choosing between "ALOT" and this mod, until I ever get around to finishing the overhaul that would make them compatible.
Seems to be working well, only thing I noticed is Jack's top is unusually purple. I noticed it looks slightly purple in the screenshot but its more pronounced when I am playing.
You're right Neiloch, Jokerine had actually pointed this out over a year ago, but as I hadn't been playing the game for a while, I never got around to verifying/fixing it.
It is actually fixed now (but not released yet), along with a bunch of improvements for the next version. Tragically, finalising for a release has been on the back burner again, as I just haven't been playing ME for ages. I do really want to bring this mod to 2.0 though, if only to close the book on it properly, and going forward, to make installation far simpler for users. Hopefully, time and inspiration will collude to nail the few bits that remain down in the shortest feasible term.
Glad to hear (from reading your replies to other people) that you're still working on a high-res version, and ME3 Explorer compatibility! If you have any idea when it will probably be done, I'd love to know. Although having made a couple of basic mods myself recently, I can certainly understand if you don't.
I do have a suggestion, though, if you'd like to hear it: Maybe you could make a proper pattern for Samara or Miranda's extra chest panels? I was thinking it would look cool if Miranda's upper chest section had the same gold/blue paneling as the material on her hips, and Samara had the same dark gray material as the fabric on her forearms. Just for the sake of making them not look quite so much like portals into the extra-dimensional void.
Also, I really appreciate the fact that you listened to people's suggestions and ran with them to make a good mod even better. That says a lot about you.
My latest ME1-import character eagerly awaits an update.
Thank you for the very welcome suggestion! The portals into the extra-dimensional void could do with not coming across as such. I'll test out reappropriating those other bits if it's possible. If it works, or works with some adjustments, I think it would make for a very worthy improvement.
Admittedly, 2.0 has been dragging its feet for too darn long. Unfortunately, after an initial surge of progress, I've only been able to work on it in quite small, periodic bursts, just enough to continue to bugfix and make improvements, but not to lock it down. I think Jack's replacements have seen the biggest benefits overall, with her results being a lot more than a 1:1 hi-res upgrade.
Time wise, if you're in the swing of things, I'd suggest just getting on with the series for now, as while things are taking good shape here, they aren't quite at the point of imminent release. If you have the patience, then you can try waiting it out for a bit (caveat emptor).
Hi, i really enjoyed this mod and i love the customization options! However, i'm yet a noob at ME Modding and it seems like TRAM is installed differently from other textures (f.e. can't be installed with Me Explorer or Texmod bc the dds files aren't packed into tpfs (or so i think? haha)). And if i also use textures installed by Explorer or Texmod are they automatically overwritten by the dss files installed the way you describe in the installation process?
Also, if i wanted your texture for Miranda's alternate outfit to not replace her alternate outfit's texture but main one's, is it enough to just change the names of altoutfit textures to the ones shown for the main outfit and then search for them and replace them? thanks!
I read that you're working on an updated version of the mod in the comments which i'm really looking forward too!
Hey Ip, yes, v1.0 can only be installed manually, one by one, as the file names aren't in a format that is compatible with other methods. v2.0 should correct this problem.
Regarding what is overwritten, if you install any new textures, or use them with TexMod AFTER installing the TRAM textures, then the TRAM textures will be overwritten/overridden. If you install the other textures BEFORE installing the TRAM textures, then it is the TRAM textures that will overwrite the others. But keep in mind that if you have installed higher resolution textures before using TRAM, it may not be possible to then use the TRAM textures to replace those, because as of v1.0, TRAM's textures are all default resolution only. Again, v2.0 should avoid this problem.
Regarding Miranda, technically the answer should be no, but in v1.0 there might be a way to achieve what you want. If you're willing to experiment, just install all of Miranda's primary files from TRAM, EXCEPT for the 'diff' file - which you should instead use the 'diff' from the secondary to replace, and see what happens - I think it should work. If it turns out buggy, then using the primary 'diff' instead, should at least fix the problem.
EDIT: I am referring only to Miranda's actual chartacter textures here, not her party selection menu textures. For those, just interchanging the file names between the primary and secondary should allow you to search for, and replace them.
Regarding v2.0, I will try and release it as soon as possible, but it will honestly be a few more days before I have clarity on a release timeframe.
Hi eezonaut ! Can we install your mod with ME3 Explorer Tool instead of older M2 Explorer ? Maybe we could use the same install process as ALOT use for your mod? (building game files tree & use TPF/DDS Tools to add your textures, more easier) Thanks !
Hi lexo, I think the TPF/DDS tools process requires the file names to have the hash of the texture in them in order to validate them, so I think that method won't work for now.
But, if you have your ME2 tree ready in ME3 Explorer, then you can definitely use 'Texplorer' in ME3 Explorer to do the replacement (you do not have to use the older ME2 Explorer).
Keep in mind that the textures in TRAM (ME2) are currently default/low resolution only, so I'm not sure if you can replace high-res textures from "A LOT" with those from this pack. So, in case that is an issue, you should be careful not to install the "A LOT" textures that overlap with those you would want to use from TRAM (ME2).
I am currently working on v2.0 of TRAM (ME2), which will add support for the hi-res "A LOT" textures, as well as for the TPF/DDS tools process, but it will still be a while before I have everything ready and tested before release.
36 comments
I'd really like to an updated version of my old mod for ME3 too, but I have no idea when I'll actually get to work on it. It hasn't seen an update in 3 years now, but can still be a reference for the texture hashes, and should still work just fine with TexMod if you aren't running the ME3 A.L.O.T mod.
And yeah, there are many impressive mods for ME3 to choose from!
It's fine if you prefer using v1, but if/when you might be able to perform an MEM scan, I'd definitely recommend giving v2.0 a try if you're interested in the replacements for Jack, Samara and Miranda in particular, and/or the new inclusions as well.
The MEM user guide, currently accessible at this link makes it ez mode to assume direct control over everything. There'll be no going back once you've used it!
Thanks, you're welcome, and have a good time!
In any case, the textures in this mod are default resolution only, so they could not have been installed on top of the higher resolution textures of "ALOT" in their present state anyway.
As I am out of the loop on what's been happening with "ALOT", MEM etc., I'm afraid I don't have an easy solution for you right now to get everything to work together properly. Until I get around to overhauling this mod and figuring all of that out, I think it'll either have to be "ALOT" without this mod, or vanilla ME2 with this mod (I have used this mod with the controller mod earlier without any issues, so I would expect that that one should be fine).
Enjoy your game!
As things stand, I don't really recommend trying to get "ALOT" and TRAM to work together, although it can be done if one is determined enough. For the average user, though, I would suggest choosing between "ALOT" and this mod, until I ever get around to finishing the overhaul that would make them compatible.
It is actually fixed now (but not released yet), along with a bunch of improvements for the next version. Tragically, finalising for a release has been on the back burner again, as I just haven't been playing ME for ages. I do really want to bring this mod to 2.0 though, if only to close the book on it properly, and going forward, to make installation far simpler for users. Hopefully, time and inspiration will collude to nail the few bits that remain down in the shortest feasible term.
I do have a suggestion, though, if you'd like to hear it: Maybe you could make a proper pattern for Samara or Miranda's extra chest panels? I was thinking it would look cool if Miranda's upper chest section had the same gold/blue paneling as the material on her hips, and Samara had the same dark gray material as the fabric on her forearms. Just for the sake of making them not look quite so much like portals into the extra-dimensional void.
Also, I really appreciate the fact that you listened to people's suggestions and ran with them to make a good mod even better. That says a lot about you.
My latest ME1-import character eagerly awaits an update.
I'll test out reappropriating those other bits if it's possible. If it works, or works with some adjustments, I think it would make for a very worthy improvement.
Admittedly, 2.0 has been dragging its feet for too darn long. Unfortunately, after an initial surge of progress, I've only been able to work on it in quite small, periodic bursts, just enough to continue to bugfix and make improvements, but not to lock it down. I think Jack's replacements have seen the biggest benefits overall, with her results being a lot more than a 1:1 hi-res upgrade.
Time wise, if you're in the swing of things, I'd suggest just getting on with the series for now, as while things are taking good shape here, they aren't quite at the point of imminent release. If you have the patience, then you can try waiting it out for a bit (caveat emptor).
Also, if i wanted your texture for Miranda's alternate outfit to not replace her alternate outfit's texture but main one's, is it enough to just change the names of altoutfit textures to the ones shown for the main outfit and then search for them and replace them? thanks!
I read that you're working on an updated version of the mod in the comments which i'm really looking forward too!
Regarding what is overwritten, if you install any new textures, or use them with TexMod AFTER installing the TRAM textures, then the TRAM textures will be overwritten/overridden. If you install the other textures BEFORE installing the TRAM textures, then it is the TRAM textures that will overwrite the others. But keep in mind that if you have installed higher resolution textures before using TRAM, it may not be possible to then use the TRAM textures to replace those, because as of v1.0, TRAM's textures are all default resolution only. Again, v2.0 should avoid this problem.
Regarding Miranda, technically the answer should be no, but in v1.0 there might be a way to achieve what you want. If you're willing to experiment, just install all of Miranda's primary files from TRAM, EXCEPT for the 'diff' file - which you should instead use the 'diff' from the secondary to replace, and see what happens - I think it should work. If it turns out buggy, then using the primary 'diff' instead, should at least fix the problem.
EDIT: I am referring only to Miranda's actual chartacter textures here, not her party selection menu textures. For those, just interchanging the file names between the primary and secondary should allow you to search for, and replace them.
Regarding v2.0, I will try and release it as soon as possible, but it will honestly be a few more days before I have clarity on a release timeframe.
Can we install your mod with ME3 Explorer Tool instead of older M2 Explorer ?
Maybe we could use the same install process as ALOT use for your mod? (building game files tree & use TPF/DDS Tools to add your textures, more easier)
Thanks !
But, if you have your ME2 tree ready in ME3 Explorer, then you can definitely use 'Texplorer' in ME3 Explorer to do the replacement (you do not have to use the older ME2 Explorer).
Keep in mind that the textures in TRAM (ME2) are currently default/low resolution only, so I'm not sure if you can replace high-res textures from "A LOT" with those from this pack. So, in case that is an issue, you should be careful not to install the "A LOT" textures that overlap with those you would want to use from TRAM (ME2).
I am currently working on v2.0 of TRAM (ME2), which will add support for the hi-res "A LOT" textures, as well as for the TPF/DDS tools process, but it will still be a while before I have everything ready and tested before release.
And, you're welcome. :))