Mass Effect 3

This tutorial is a 2 part article, due to it's extreme length, and covers how to properly install ME3 and desired mods and fixes. This also contains detailed information on my personal preferences for installing certain mods and aren't necessarily required. I strongly encourage the entirety of the tutorial and applicable external tutorial references before implementing. It'll ultimately save you time.

Part 1 is located here

Part 6
Manual Texture Replacement with ME3Explorer:

Note: This section is only necessary if you're using any of the below mods and/or mod combinations.

Spoiler:  
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The Legacy Ashley Project and Alliance Warpack Compatibility 
Spoiler:  
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Follow the instructions detailed in this article in order to extract the proper textures so they can be applied in the following steps.

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
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. 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

2. Click on the thumbnail image of each texture, one at a time, and check the appropriate pcc box(es) mentioned above
3. 6 tabs will appear at the bottom of the central window
4. Click on the "Change" tab and specify the appropriate file you extracted in Part 4 of this tutorial

5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each of the above specified textures

6. SAVE CHANGES



The Legacy Ashley Project and Project Variety Compatibility 
Spoiler:  
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Follow the instructions detailed in this article in order to extract the proper textures so they can be applied in the following steps.

This section will explain how to apply The Legacy Ashley Project textures to Project Variety.

Casino Infiltration Mission Fix

*******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 ONE PCC FILE ONLY 
Check only desired pcc file(s) before saving changes
You may have to vanilla your game if you screw this up
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Using ME3 Explorer's Texplorer tool, replace the following vanilla/ALOT textures with the corresponding Legacy Ashley Project textures

>>>>>>>>CHECK ONLY ONE PCC BOX (located in the "pcc" tab of the right panel in Texplorer)
 >>>>>> ...> DLC_MOD_ProjectVariety >...> BioH_Exp3_Ashley_1.pcc

Note: The above file path is 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

2. Click on the thumbnail image of each texture, one at a time, and check the appropriate pcc box(es) mentioned above
3. 6 tabs will appear at the bottom of the central window
4. Click on the "Change" tab and specify the appropriate file you edited in Part 5 of this tutorial

5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each of the above specified textures

6. SAVE CHANGES

Citadel Archives Mission Fix

*******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 ONE PCC FILE ONLY 
Check only desired pcc file(s) before saving changes
You may have to vanilla your game if you screw this up
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7. Using ME3 Explorer's Texplorer tool, replace the following vanilla/ALOT textures with the corresponding Legacy Ashley Project textures

>>>>>>>>CHECK ONLY ONE PCC BOX (located in the "pcc" tab of the right panel in Texplorer)
>>>>>> ...> DLC_MOD_ProjectVariety >...> BioH_Exp3_Ashley_2.pcc

Note: The above file path is truncated due to excessive length 

BIOG_LC_HMF_ASHLEY_R (NOT the Texture folder)
HMF_ARM_ASHa_Diff <DXT5>
HMF_ARM_ASHa_Spec
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

Note:
Do NOT replace "LC_HMF_HED_PROAshley_Face_Diff" as it is responsible for the eye texture of the Low Count Ashley. 
If you do change it, this may cause graphical eye issues as the The Legacy Ashley Project texture does not contain the actual eyes.

It should also be noted you may experience a graphical eye issue during the scene where all your squad mates land outside the Citadel Archives. 
Ashley's eyes will appear to widen excessively. This issue is intermittent for me and does not always occur. I have not discovered the cause of this issue yet.



BIOG_LC_HMF_ASHLEY_R > TEXTURES
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Face_Diff1
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Face_Norm1
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Face_Spec1
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Scalp_Diff1
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Scalp_Norm1
HMF_HED_PROAshley_Scalp_Spec1  


BIOG_HMF_ARM_ASH_R > ASHB > TEXTURES (top 3 files as of Project Variety 2.0)
HMF_ARM_ASHb_Diff <DXT1>
HMF_ARM_ASHb_Norm
HMF_ARM_ASHb_Spec

8.   Click on the thumbnail image of each texture, one at a time, and check the appropriate pcc box(es) mentioned above
9.   6 tabs will appear at the bottom of the central window
10. Click on the "Change" tab and specify the appropriate file you edited in Part 5 of this tutorial

11. Repeat steps 8-10 for each of the above specified textures

12. SAVE CHANGES



Buff Shepard Tank Top Normal Map Fix
Spoiler:  
Show
Follow the instructions detailed in this article in order to extract the proper textures so they can be applied in the following steps.

This section will finish installing the normal texture for the Buff Shepard Tank Top mod.

*******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 TWO PCC FILES ONLY 
Check only desired pcc file(s) before saving changes
You may have to vanilla your game if you screw this up
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Using ME3 Explorer's Texplorer tool, replace the following vanilla/ALOT Norm map with the Buff FemShep Tank Top version.

>>>>>>>>CHECK ONLY TWO PCC BOXES (located in the "pcc" tab of the right panel in Texplorer)
  >>>>>>...BIOGame>CookedPCConsole >...> BIOG_HMF_ARM_CTH_R.pcc
          >>>>>>...BIOGame>CookedPCConsole >...> BioD_ProEar_140 Invasion.pcc

              Note: The above file path is truncated due to excessive length 

CTHi > CLEAN (Not to be confused with the BIOG_HMF_ARM_CTH_R subfolder DON'T ALTER THAT ONE!)

HMM_ARM_CTHi_Norm 

Note: You do NOT need to replace the Diff or Spec files as they installed correctly via tpf during the ALOT installation in Part 5.

2. Click on the thumbnail image of each texture, one at a time, and check the appropriate pcc box(es) mentioned above
3. 6 tabs will appear at the bottom of the central window
4. Click on the "Change" tab and specify the appropriate file you edited in Part 5 of this tutorial

5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each of the above specified textures

6. SAVE CHANGES
 Follow the instructions detailed in this article in order to extract the proper textures so they can be applied in the following steps.


Grunt Aralakh Armor for EGM and Project Variety Fix
Spoiler:  
Show
Follow the instructions detailed in this article in order to extract the proper textures so they can be applied in the following steps.

This section will explain on how to apply the Aralakh Commander textures to EGM and Project Variety.

*******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 the vanilla textures only 
Check only desired pcc file(s) before saving changes
You may have to vanilla your game if you screw this up
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Using ME3 Explorer's Texplorer tool, replace the following vanilla/ALOT Norm map with the Buff Shep Tank version.

 BIOG_KRO_ARM_GNT_R > GNTA > TEXTURES
KRO_ARM_GNTa_Diff
KRO_ARM_GNYa_Spec
 

Note: You do NOT need to replace the Norm file

2. Click on the thumbnail image of each texture, one at a time, and check the appropriate pcc box(es) mentioned above
3. 6 tabs will appear at the bottom of the central window
4. Click on the "Change" tab and specify the appropriate file you edited in Part 5 of this tutorial

5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each of the above specified textures

6. SAVE CHANGES



When finished, Run AutoToc via ME3 Mod Manager





REAPER KILLING TIME!


Disable any mods you do not want active for your current play through
Note: The following spoiler is a quick reference for those using SP Controller in conjunction with Same Gender, EGM Extras, and/or ME3Recalibrated.
Spoiler:  
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If you followed this entire tutorial, conflicting DLCs are installed and must be either enabled or disabled depending on your type of play through.
Use this section as a quick reference only.

DLC_MOD_SameGender (Disable if romancing vanilla characters)

DLC_EXP_ZAEED (Disable if Same Gender mod is enabled)

DLC_MOD_EGM_Extra (Disable if Same Sex mod is enabled)

GUI_Compat_SG (Disable if romancing vanilla characters)

GUI_Compat_EZ (Disable if Same Sex mod is enabled)

Disable mods by renaming DLC mod folder. 
Example: Change "DLC_MOD_SameGender"(Enabled)---> "X_DLC_MOD_SameGender (Disabled) 

Same Gender Romance Play Through                Vanilla Romance Play Through
DLC_MOD_SameGender                         X_DLC_MOD_SameGender
X_DLC_MOD_EGM_ExtraDLC_MOD_EGM_Extra
X_DLC_EXP_ZAEEDDLC_EXP_ZAEED
X_GUI_COMP_EZ    GUI_COMP_EZ
GUI_COMP_SG        X_GUI_COMP_SG

Reminder: All DLC must be enabled if making any edits with ALOT after initial install


Don't forget to run AutoToc via ME3 Mod Manager

:) KILL SOME REAPERS FOR ME!



Part 7 
Troubleshooting:

Spoiler:  
Show
Here's a few possible issues you may encounter and how to fix them:

Game won't launch > Double check the ASI (Binaries/Win32) folder for redundant files and delete any that exist

Infinite loading screens > Run Auto Toc via Mod Manager

CTD when starting Hub Mission Ontarom > temporarily disable Project Varity Patch DLC folder for the mission

CTD on ocean floor during LEviathan DLC > Remove BioD_Lev004_280Leviathan.pcc from Project Varity Main DLC folder
Note: Should be fixed in Project Variety version 2.1

Freeze on black screen after starting Citadel Archives mission- Temporarily disable DLC_MOD_EGM - Activate after Archive Mission is complete
Note: Fixed in EGM Version 1.15

On a very rare occasion, you may be unable to alter textures post ALOT install via ME3Explorer or MEM. If this happens, you will have to vanilla you're game.
Install all of you mods and follow my tutorials up until the ALOT installation part. Do NOT install ALOT the typical way. Instead, install the desired ALOT files manually using MEM. This involves extracting the zip files and converting .tpf and .mod files into .mem files using MEM. you can then apply the .mem files to the game using MEM. Make sure to install your preferred texture .mem files last to overwrite the ones applied by the ALOT files.
Note: This is a very rare occurrence. If you need a more detailed step by step tutorial, leave a comment or PM me and I'll write one up when I have the time.

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Console Commands helpful for troubleshooting:

slomo 4 - speeds up game
god - Makes player invincible
givesupergun - Makes equipped weapon super

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