is there a way to preview custom effectshaders, particle effects and visual effects without the tedious and time consuming start-view-quit cycle?

I found the console commands PlayShaderParticleGeometry (pspg) and StopShaderParticleGeometry (sspg). I assume these commands start stop/start particle animation but i've yet to get it to work. is it supposed to reload the effect from disk, or will it just start/stop the already loaded anim?

The latter.

Not sure if it is helpful, but I found a really useful mod for testing out the Shaders, Imods, etc, in game (well at least the vanilla ones) which is really useful if you are 'duplicating' and then tweaking them ;o)

It is called the Directors Tools and posted on Nexus http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10431 , I fully recommend it if not for creating that 'perfect screen shot', as a Utility to try out combinations of effects on yourself, the environment, etc. before making your own.

I love the way he has used the menu system, rather than awkward message boxes, which I have used...

Yeah i saw that and installed it, and it's helpful for browsing etc.




Great. Do you know: Is there some way to see what you're doing without the tedium?

To my knowledge, nope. You could try mucking about with the preview window though.