How To Manually Generate The ArchiveInvalidation.Txt File

How To Manually Generate The ArchiveInvalidation.Txt File.
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WHAT THIS GUIDE PROVIDES:
	This is a step-by-step guild to manually generate a ArchiveInvalidation.txt file for Oblivion and the Fallout games.

BACKGROUND:
	The ArchiveInvalidation.txt is a Bethesda game file used to indicate to the game engine which default game textures to override with custom mod textures.  This process is the primary mechanism for using hi-res mods/textures.  There are some existing utilities that already provide this functionality such as Nexus Mod Manager, Fallout New Vegas ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated, ArchiveInvalidation.txt File Generator, etc.

WHY MANUALLY BUILD THE FILE?
	This is for advanced users who wish to manually create the ArchiveInvalidation.txt file.  Some utilities (like Fallout New Vegas ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated) have not been updated, and no longer work correctly.

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REQUIREMENTS:

1) The game is installed correctly.
2) You are not using any other mod or utility which performs invalidation.
3) You are comfortable using the DOS command prompt and manually editing text files.
4) You are running as Administrator.
5) You have an advanced text editor like Notepad++, TextPad, etc.

WARNING!!! If you do not meet the requirements listed above, STOP RIGHT HERE! DO NOT PROCEED!!!

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This is an example for Fallout New Vegas. Obviously other games will have different paths.

STEPS:

1) Open a command prompt, and change to the Textures directory.

	Example:

		cd /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\Textures

2) Run the following command:

	dir /s/b /a-d > "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\ArchiveInvalidation.txt"

3) Edit the new ArchiveInvalidation.txt file.  Remove the path value up to core directory name "Textures".

	Example:

		this:
			C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\Textures\architecture\barracks\barracks01.dds

		becomes:

			Textures\architecture\barracks\barracks01.dds

4) Replace all backslash characters "\" with forward slashes "/".

	Example:

		this:

			Textures\architecture\barracks\barracks01.dds

		becomes:

			Textures/architecture/barracks/barracks01.dds

5) If everything has been done correctly, the new ArchiveInvalidation.txt file contents should like something like this:

	Example:  (Of course, your list will vary depending on the mods you have installed)

		Textures/architecture/barracks/barracks01.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/pipboyarm01.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/pipboyarm01_n.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/pipboybtnglow01.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/pipboyglove01.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/pipboyglove01_n.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/screenglare.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/PC/pipboyarm01.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/PC/pipboyarm01_n.dds
		Textures/Pipboy3000/PC/english/pipboyarm01.dds

6) Apply these updates to your INI files if needed:

	C:\Users\[your profile]\Documents\My Games\FalloutNV\Fallout.ini

		[ARCHIVE]:
		SInvalidationFile=ArchiveInvalidation.txt
		bInvalidateOlderFiles=1


DONE!

If you have any questions or corrections, please let me know at:

	http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/52402


Thanks!
SirGarnon