The Issue:
The Legacy Ashley Project and Alliance Warpack alter the same pcc file(s). Alliance Warpack will take precedence (since it is a DLC mod) and will overwrite the changes The Legacy Ashley Project makes to the base game file(s). If both mods are installed properly, this will cause Ashley's vanilla meshes and textures to be present while wearing any of the armors added by Alliance Warpack.
The Fix:
This tutorial will walk you through editing six pcc files within the Alliance Warpack DLC folder so they use the proper meshes from
The Legacy Ashley Project. The pcc files we will be altering are as follows:
DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance
BioH_Ashley_07.pcc
BioH_Ashley_07_Explore.pcc
BioH_Ashley_08.pcc
BioH_Ashley_08_Explore.pcc
BioH_Ashley_09.pcc
BioH_Ashley_09_Explore.pcc
Important Notes:
This tutorial is a little more complex than some of my other ones. Please read fully to avoid mistakes or unintentional changes to pcc files.
Things you'll need:
The Ashley Legacy Project
Note: Version 3.0 was used for this tutorial.
Alliance Warpack
Note: Version 2.0 was used for this tutorial. It does not matter whether you use the regular version or the Combat Bun version.
ME3Explorer
Note: Version 3.0 was used for this tutorial.
UDK Developement Kit
or (if previous link does not work)
UDK Developement Kit
Note: After installing, you'll be using the "UDK Editor" executable, not the main UDK executable. If you can't locate it, try using your computer's search
function after installation and make a shortcut on your desktop (especially if you will be attempting multiple tutorials).
DirectX Software Development Kit (June 2010 Version) - Needed to generate mipmaps for normal maps after extraction
Note: After installing, you'll be using the "DXTex" executable. If you can't locate it, try using your computer's search function after installation and make
a shortcut on your desktop (especially if you will be attempting multiple tutorials).
GIMP (Version 2.8 required) - Needed to generate mipmaps for Diff textures and Spec maps after extraction
You can download version 2.8 from here
Note: In order to manipulate DDS format files you'll need a separate plugin for GIMP. At the time of writing this tutorial, only version 2.8 was
compatible with the required plugin. Dowload the DDS plugin here. Download either the 32 or 64 bit version (dependent on your system). Follow the
included readme file, included in the zip file, to properly install plugin.
*******CAUTION*********
In order to obtain The Legacy Ashley Project's Head and Hair meshes, you must apply the mod and extract the meshes from the modified pcc file(s) using Meshsplorer. Since this process will involve replacing DLC pcc file(s), you will no longer be able to use ALOT to add future textures or mods. Best practice is to vanilla your game after extracting The Legacy Ashley Project's meshes (HMF_HED_PROAshley_MDL<Head> and HMF_HIR_PROAshley_MDL <Hair>).
This process is easy to mess up and is time consuming to fix. I suggest reading this entire article (multiple times) before attempting.
You have been warned!
**************************
!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!
BACK UP ALL THE PCC FILES YOU WILL BE EDITING!
This allows you to easily revert if you screw something up...
...I type from experience...
You'll be editing with Meshplorer which will automatically save over the file that is open.
It will not give you an option to save under a different name or to a different location.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOD LUCK! I BELIEVE IN YOU!
Part 1
Extracting Meshes:
1. Install The Legacy Ashley Project per the mod author's instructions
2. Open ME3 Explorer's Meshplorer (NOT Meshplorer2)
3. Load one of The Legacy Ashley Project's pcc files (i.e. BioD_Cat003_780FinalConvos.pcc)
Note: Make sure to choose a pcc file within the base game's CookedPCConsole folder
4. Select HMF_HED_PROAshley_MDL<Head>
5. Open the "Transfer" tab and select "Export to PSK" (This puts it in a format UDK Editor can read)
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for and HMF_HIR_PROAshley_MDL <Hair>
7. Now open "UDK Editor" (NOT the main UDK.exe)
8. Select "Import" from the lower left corner of the window which begins on start-up
9. Import one of the psk files you created and name as you see fit
10. Save as a "upk" file to desired location
Note: If you have difficulty saving the file, it is likely due to the name you chose to save it under.
11. Repeat steps 8-10 for the other psk file(s)
Part 2
Applying Meshes:
12. Open the DLC pcc file you want to edit second in Meshsplorer (i.e. Alliance Warpack's: BioH_Ashley_07.pcc)
Note: This is located in the DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance folder
13. Select HMF_HED_PROAshley_MDL<Head>
14. Make sure "LOD 0" is checked under the "LOD" tab.
15. Open the "Transfer" Tab and Select "Import from UDK" (It accepts upk files, don't worry)
16. In the new window, open the "file" tab and select "Open UDK Package"
17. load the upk you created
18. Click on the "0:HMF_HED_PROAsh..." in the left pane
Note: It'll be named whatever you saved the file as in UDK Editor
19. Click on the "LOD 0" in the right pane
20. Click on "Import LOD" and wait (It may look like it is not doing anything, but it is)
21. It'll either say "Done!" in another pop-up window or seemingly not respond
22. After a very brief time (seconds for me) it is safe to exit the window and, usually, the changes will apply
23. Double check to see if the mesh applied correctly (you may have to click another mesh and then the desired one
for it to load)
24. Repeat steps 28-38 for HMF_HIR_PROAshley_MDL <Hair>
25. Additionally, repeat steps 12- 24 for the other 5 pcc files:
BioH_Ashley_07_Explore.pcc
BioH_Ashley_08.pcc
BioH_Ashley_08_Explore.pcc
BioH_Ashley_09.pcc
BioH_Ashley_09_Explore.pcc
26. Open the "File" tab and click "Save PCC"
27. TADA! you're pcc mesh edits are done and ready to apply.
Part 3
Replacing Ashley Warpack pcc file(s) with your edited version(s):
28. Replace the following files within the DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance folder with the edited pcc files you modified
BioH_Ashley_07.pcc
BioH_Ashley_07_Explore.pcc
BioH_Ashley_08.pcc
BioH_Ashley_08_Explore.pcc
BioH_Ashley_09.pcc
BioH_Ashley_09_Explore.pcc
29. If you are using SP Controller, rebuild your GUI Patch!
30. Don't forget to apply the mod and tpf files from The Legacy Ashley Project
31. Run Auto Toc
Part 4
Extracting Textures:
This section will explain how to extract textures from The Legacy Ashley Project and how to prepare them for Part 6 of this tutorial.
32. Using ME3 Explorer's TPF tool, load The Legacy Ashley Project .tpf file
33. Check the box next to each of the following texture files:
ashleyface_s.dds
ashleyface_d.dds
ashleyscalp_s.dds
ashleyface_n.dds
ashleyscalp_n.dds
ashleyscalp_d.ddds
34. Click the word "Extract" in the lower left corner of TPF Tools window
35. Select a folder you want to export the files to and accept
Note: You should not have to generate mipmaps for any of these files as they should already have them. If you receive a mipmap error while attempting to apply them in Part 6 of this tutorial, refer back to Part 5. Otherwise, SKIP PART 5.
Part 5
Preparing Textures:
Note: You can skip Part 5 of this tutorial if you extracted the above textures from the tpf file using TPF Tools.
Any files extracted using Texplorer will need mipmaps generated.
This section will explain how prepare the textures you extracted so you can apply them for Part 6 of this tutorial if you received a mipmap error.
36. Using GIMP, open each of the following file(s) one at a time
Note: Do not use GIMP for any of the normal map textures. Even with a plugin, it can not open or save them properly for our purpose.
ashleyface_s.dds <DXT1>
ashleyface_d.dds <DXT1>
ashleyscalp_s.dds <DXT1>
ashleyscalp_d.ddds <DXT1>
37. A pop window will open with 3 boxes already checked. Uncheck the "load mipmaps" tic box and click "ok"
38. Open the "File" tab at the top left of the screen and select "Export as..." from the drop down menu
39. At the bottom of the "export image" window, click the "Select File Type (By extension)" to reveal another drop down menu
40. Select the "DDS image" option
41. Either overwrite the existing file or pick another location to save the new texture file to
42. Click the "Export" button in the lower right corner of the "export image" window
43. A "Save as DDS" window will pop up with a few options
44. Select the appropriate compression from the drop down as specified above in this color
45. Select "Generate mipmaps" in the "Mipmaps" drop down menu
46. Click "ok"
47. Repeat steps 36-46 for all of the above mentioned texture files in step 36
48. Using the DxTex.exe, open the following normal map texture file(s) one at a time
ashleyface_n.dds
ashleyscalp_n.ddsashleyface_n.dds
ashleyscalp_n.dds
49. Click on the "format" tab and select "generate mipmaps" from the drop down menu
50. Click on the "file" tab and select "save" or "save as..." from the drop down menu
Part 6
Applying Textures:
This section will explain how to apply The Legacy Ashley Project textures to Alliance Warpack.
*******CAUTION*********
Complete the following instructions AFTER appropriate pcc file(s), ALOT, and desired tpf file(s) are installed
This should be your last step after implementing any of my tutorials
If you need to use any more of my tutorials, do so now and complete this step afterwards
Always back up the texture files you plan to replace so you can revert easily should you make a mistake
You have been warned!
**************************
!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!
Apply these texture file(s) to SIX PCC FILES ONLY
Check only desired pcc file(s) before saving changes
You may have to vanilla your game if you screw this up
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
51. Using ME3 Explorer's Texplorer tool, replace the following vanilla/ALOT textures with the corresponding Legacy Ashley Project textures
>>>>>>>>CHECK ONLY SIX PCC BOXES (located in the "pcc" tab of the right panel in Texplorer)
>>>>>> ...> DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance >...> BioH_Ashley_07_Explore.pcc
>>>>>> ...> DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance >...> BioH_Ashley_08_Explore.pcc
>>>>>> ...> DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance >...> BioH_Ashley_09_Explore.pcc
>>>>>> ...> DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance >...> BioH_Ashley_07.pcc
>>>>>> ...> DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance >...> BioH_Ashley_08.pcc
>>>>>> ...> DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance >...> BioH_Ashley_09.pcc
Note: The above file paths are truncated due to excessive length
BIOG_HMF_HED_PROMORPH_R > PROASHLEY > TEXTURES
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Face_Diff
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Face_Norm
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Face_Spec
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Scalp_Diff
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Scalp_Norm
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Scalp_Spec
52. Click on the thumbnail image of each texture, one at a time, and check the appropriate pcc box(es) mentioned above
53. 6 tabs will appear at the bottom of the central window
54. Click on the "Change" tab and specify the appropriate file you extracted in Part 4 of this tutorial
55. Repeat steps 52-54 for each of the above specified textures
56. SAVE CHANGES
For Your Consideration:
You will need to complete this tutorial for each DLC pcc file you want to apply these meshes to. The process is the relatively the same.
For example, I had to edit the following:
DLC_MOD_ME3RE (ME3Recalibrated) - Refer to my The Legacy Ashley Project Compatibility for Me3Recalibrated article
BioD_Cat003_780FinalConvos.pcc
DLC_MOD_ProjectVariety and DLC_MOD_ProjectVarietyE (Project Variety) - Refer to my The Legacy Ashley Project Compatibility for Project Variety article
BioH_Exp3_Ashley_1.pcc
BioH_Exp3_Ashley_2.pcc
DLC_MOD_EGM_Alliance (Alliance Warpack) - Detailed in this tutorial
If this tutorial does not fix your problem, there may be another mod conflict.
To locate any other possible conflicts, search for the following pcc files in each mod you currently use.
BioD_CitHub_Hospital_Ash.pcc
BioD_CitHub_Hospital_AshT1.pcc
BioD_Nor_131RomAshley.pcc
BioD_Nor_131RomAshley2.pcc
BIOG_HMF_HED_PROMorph_R.pcc
BIOG_HMF_HIR_PRO.pcc
BioH_Ashley_00.pcc
BioH_Ashley_00_Explore.pcc
BioH_Ashley_00_NC.pcc
BioH_Ashley_01.pcc
BioH_Ashley_01_Explore.pcc
BioD_Cat003_780FinalConvos.pcc
BioD_CitHub_000ProCit.pcc
BioD_CitHub_002ProCit.pcc
BioD_CitHub_HospitalP1.pcc
BioH_Ashley_CitSim.pcc
BioH_Exp3_Ashley_1.pcc
BioH_Ashley_03.pcc
BioH_Ashley_03_Explore.pcc
BioH_Ashley_02.pcc
BioH_Ashley_02_Explore.pcc
The same method detailed above will need to be implemented for each duplicate pcc file you find. I strongly suggest you refrain from altering pcc files if you do not know what they are responsible for. In some cases, the pcc file names can help you figure it out or at least narrow down your search.
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