ArchiveInvalidation File Generator
- By Sir Garnon

Mentioned in Rock Paper Shotgun article:
Come Friendly Bombs: Modding Fallout: New Vegas To Look More Like Fallout 4

Description:
The ArchiveInvalidation.txt File Generator is a utility for manually generating the ArchiveInvalidation.txt file, primarily for use with hi-res texture mods. This version will work for Oblivion, Fallout 3, and Fallout New Vegas.

There's no doubt that many users have already found work arounds for getting custom textures to work correctly, however this is intended for those who wish to manually generate this file.

For myself, with Fallout New Vegas, I have not found a satisfactory alternative yet (Fallout New Vegas ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated hasn't been updated in years), and have been manually maintaining this file instead. So far, despite being a manual process, this approach has worked perfectly for me.

Example:




The tool scans for all dds files that are located under the games Data folder:

DataTextures*.dds

and then builds the list of files:

Textures/Weapons/1handgrenadethrow/grenade.dds
Textures/Weapons/1handgrenadethrow/grenade_n.dds
Textures/Weapons/1handgrenadethrow/incendiarygrenade.dds
...

My hope is that others may also find it useful as well.



Essential Hi-Res Mods:

• 4GB Fallout New Vegas (don't try modding without this one)
• NMCs_Texture_Pack_For_New_Vegas
• Weapon Retexture Project - WRP

My Favorite Hi-Res Mods:

• AG Ammo Can v1-2
• Better Clutter and Furniture Pack
• Dark Sentry Turret Retexture
• Hall Of Equipment
• Hall Of Face
• Hectrol FX DUSTSTORM Deluxe HighRes Retex
• HI-RES Chems and Health Re-Texture (specifically the hires med kit)
• Hi-Res Lunchbox Retexture
• High Res Turpentine
• Hi-Res World View Weapon Textures
• Improved LOD Noise Texture
• Minimod - High Resolution Newspapers
• Pre-War Money Retexture
• Tweaked - Coffee Maker Modders Resource
• Tweaked Cash Register

Requirements:

• Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8
• Microsoft .NET Framework v4.0 (Windows XP)
• Microsoft .NET Framework v4.5 (Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8)
• 4GB Fallout New Vegas (not really a requirement, but your game will be more stable overall)

Installation:
Just unzip the download file anywhere you like, then run the ArchiveInvalidation.exe file.

Uninstall:
None really. Simply delete the ArchiveInvalidation.exe file.

Directions:
1) Select which Game you wish to set the invalidation settings for.If the game is installed, the paths should now be automatically detected:

• Game Path[C]:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamappscommonfallout new vegasFalloutNV.exe
• Game INI Path[C]:Users[your profile]DocumentsMy GamesFalloutNVFallout.ini

2) Click the "Enable Invalidation" button to turn on invalidation. OR Click the "Disable Invalidation" button to turn off invalidation.

Advanced Section (Optional):

• Click the "Find Files" button to search for any custom/mod textures and meshes.
• Click the "Setup" button to display the Setup Window, which is used to manually configure the Game Name List.
• Click the "Debug Info" button to display the Debug Window (mainly for troubleshooting purposes).
• Click the "View In Notepad" button to show the entire list of files detected by using the Find Files button click.
• Click the "Compare" button to determine if there any recent file additions that need to be included in the archive file.

Example:


Important Notes:
Please keep in mind that as you change (add/remove) your texture mods, you must rerun the "Enable Invalidation" option again to refresh the ArchiveInvalidation.txt file. Doing this will ensure that the file is updated with the latest files you have.


If you encounter any problems though, please let me know by posting the issue on the Nexus Site, and I'll get it fixed asap.

If you find this utility useful, please feel free to Endorse it.

Other Mods by me:
Skyrim Performance Monitor
Skyrim Performance Monitor 64
Fallout Performance Monitor
Skyrim DDS Image Viewer
Fallout 4 DDS Image Viewer
Basic DDS Image Viewer
ArchiveInvalidation File Generator
Nexus Mod Monitor
Game Launcher
Game Save Monitor
Ini File Editor

Enjoy!