» Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:46 am Version 2 is now under development!*
I monitor and answer posts on SkyrimNexus, but this thread is the official site for all development notes, news, and comments. If anyone would like to beta test the application when it moves out of alpha, please reply here or send a PM.
(Is it just me, or does the red text appear somewhat behind the other text?)
Version 2 introduces a major feature: Portfolios. What this means is that all the player characters can be organized in a logical fashion. The portfolios can be named anything. Whatever organization works best for the individual will be realized in version 2.
For instance, an avid player (such as myself), who has a large number of PCs generated -- I have about 30 -- can group them by race, gender, character type, alphabetically, or by level. It just depends upon the player's needs.
Avatars (images) for the PCs will be available. The plans call for a small database of images that will suffice for some of us. I am not yet sure how to handle importing new images, because they must be small and those darn screenshots can be huge.
A more comprehensive list of features will appear here sometime in the near future. Rest assured that it will be able to launch *any* executable or batch file (with command line arguments) for Skyrim, the Creation Kit, and (planned) TESMM and Wrye Smash. The tentative plans also include multi-language support with separate resource files.
This means I will need testers who are willing to spend time with me refining the product until is is ready for general release. If you don't know what beta testing is all about, then you may want to just wait for the release. Testers, however, will be recognized here, on the SkyrimNexus distribution page, as well as in the About window.
* Can anyone tell me how to imbed images into these thread postings? I use dropbox, but the only thing that shows are links to the pics. I would rather have the pictures themselves appear. My kindest of thanks to those who have this knowledge.
I sincerely appreciate all constructive comments and criticisms of this product. There are other save game managers out there, but I believe I can make a better one.
Current Release Version: 1.0.4412
The app can be downloaded at http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6312.
Version 1 history:
====================================
Spoiler
1.0.4412:
1.0.4412:
- Update
- Fixed compatibility issue with Wrye Bash
- Update
- Fixed problem with screenshot aspect ratio causing failure.
- Improved error handling and reporting.
- General Release
- Added version information in Options window.
- Fixed Steam directory search to always pull from INI file first.
- General Release
- Fixed all options so they work.
- Archiving now shows progress.
- Archived files are placed under a single directory (profile name) in the ZIP file.
- Moved all text to the Resources file. Multi-language releases now possible.
- Added Force rename to have ESS extension option.
- Released Jan 19, 2012
- Changed the UI so it looks Skyrim-like (black backgrounds with white lettering)
- Enabled a button to run Skyrim or SKSE if you have that loaded.
- Replaced a menu option iwth an option window
- Options added but no effects coded.
- Directory choice now uses text boxes with auto-populating directory hints
- Many bugs squashed.
- Wondering just how I can post a picture (not a link) to this forum.
- Unreleased
- Fixed Skyrim.INI modifier task when selected profile is default
- Resolved bad reference issues for profile pathnames (double "\").
- Linked actions to all profile menu options (dropdown).
- Initial release.
Readme:
====================================
Spoiler
TESVSFU
The Elder Scrolls V Save File Utility
-------------------------------------------------------------
by astr0wiz
v1.0.4412
Thank you for downloading TESVSFU. This utility automates one of the most
important missing features from Skyrim: Profile management. This application
will create, rename, and delete PC profiles, as well as move or copy save game
files anywhere on the file system. It also makes profile selection very
easy, which means less time putzing around with Explorer and more time with
Skyrim.
One thing I like doing is creating one save game right before my character
is created, and then using it as the launching pad for all my other profiles.
For instance, in this app I can create a new profile called "Newguy", then
copy the "Prisoner" save file from the default profile into that one. After
that, I can click on Newguy in the list, set it as my current active profile,
and then when I next run Skyrim, I can just continue and I will be at the
point where I can start a new adventure without going through the boring cart
ride.
It also enables Skyrim to be launched from the application. It will run SKSE
if you have it loaded, or just the basic Skyrim executable if you do not.
Installation:
-------------
Startup:
--------
When the application first starts, it will attempt to detect the location of
both your save files and the Steam runtime executable. If it succeeds, you
will see a list of profiles on the left, the save games list in the middle,
and some save game information on the right.
The default profile will be automatically chosen. It shows up as
"__default__", but really has no name on your system. The save game files
list in the middle will hold the files in your default profile, and the
information from the topmost save game will be shown on the right: the
player name (and level), the player location, the amount of time played in
the game, the screenshot of the save point, and a list of dependent mods
You will also see the button to launch Skyrim in the lower right-hand corner.
Profile Actions:
----------------
Clicking on the Profiles menu or right-clicking on the list brings up a
menu with the following choices:
New - Lets you create a new empty profile.
Delete - Lets you delete the profile and all its save files.
Rename - Renames the profile (but not the actual character)
Archive - Archives all the save files for the selected profile.
Set Current Profile Active - Sets the selected profile as the Skyrim PC.
The default profile cannot be deleted or renamed. The archives show up as
ZIP files in the parent directory of your save files location, usually
{username}\My Documents\My Games\Skyrim.
**IMPORTANT: Zipping up a large collection of large game files takes a
long time, so exercise caution when choosing to archive. In the case of
save game files, that could mean several minutes for only 30 files.
Save Files Actions:
-------------------
Clicking on the Save Files menu or right-clicking on the save files list
brings up a menu with the following choices:
Delete - Deletes the selected save files.
Rename - Opens a tool window to let you rename each selected file.
Move To - Lets you move the selected save files to a different directory.
Copy To - Lets you copy the selected save files to a different directory.
anolysis - In development. Intended to show many details of the save game files.
Options:
--------
There are two directory entry boxes here which are necessary for proper
operation:
Save Files Location
Steam Location
**IMPORTANT: The Save Files Location directory is the one that holds Skyrim's
user data. This is usually found at {username}\My Documents\My Games\Skyrim.
The Steam Location text box holds the directory to the Steam executable.
This is often in C:\Program Files\Steam, but can be anywhere. TESVSFU will
attempt to auto-detect the location of Steam, but it will only work if Steam
is already running in the background. This is normally not an issue, but
this will also accommodate test environments or multiple installations (if
such a thing can exist with Steam).
There are also several options which can be toggled on or off:
Setting 'Always archive prior to Profile Deletion' will cause the profile to
be archived after the delete selection has been verified. The 'Show Tool
Tips' option switches tool tips on and off. 'Enable Logging' will enable
the Logging Level indicator, letting you set the level of logging. 'Force
file rename to end with .ESS' makes sure that the game save files end with
".ESS". If this extension is left off the file, Skyrim cannot load it.
Features:
---------
--------------
The anolysis selection for the save files brings up a window that shows
only a few bits of information. This section will be embellished in
future releases.
Change Log:
-----------
1.0.4406:
TESVSFU
The Elder Scrolls V Save File Utility
-------------------------------------------------------------
by astr0wiz
v1.0.4412
Thank you for downloading TESVSFU. This utility automates one of the most
important missing features from Skyrim: Profile management. This application
will create, rename, and delete PC profiles, as well as move or copy save game
files anywhere on the file system. It also makes profile selection very
easy, which means less time putzing around with Explorer and more time with
Skyrim.
One thing I like doing is creating one save game right before my character
is created, and then using it as the launching pad for all my other profiles.
For instance, in this app I can create a new profile called "Newguy", then
copy the "Prisoner" save file from the default profile into that one. After
that, I can click on Newguy in the list, set it as my current active profile,
and then when I next run Skyrim, I can just continue and I will be at the
point where I can start a new adventure without going through the boring cart
ride.
It also enables Skyrim to be launched from the application. It will run SKSE
if you have it loaded, or just the basic Skyrim executable if you do not.
Installation:
-------------
- Extract the contents of the downloaded file into a temporary directory.
- Run TESVSFU.msi.
- Follow the installation instructions.
Startup:
--------
When the application first starts, it will attempt to detect the location of
both your save files and the Steam runtime executable. If it succeeds, you
will see a list of profiles on the left, the save games list in the middle,
and some save game information on the right.
The default profile will be automatically chosen. It shows up as
"__default__", but really has no name on your system. The save game files
list in the middle will hold the files in your default profile, and the
information from the topmost save game will be shown on the right: the
player name (and level), the player location, the amount of time played in
the game, the screenshot of the save point, and a list of dependent mods
You will also see the button to launch Skyrim in the lower right-hand corner.
Profile Actions:
----------------
Clicking on the Profiles menu or right-clicking on the list brings up a
menu with the following choices:
New - Lets you create a new empty profile.
Delete - Lets you delete the profile and all its save files.
Rename - Renames the profile (but not the actual character)
Archive - Archives all the save files for the selected profile.
Set Current Profile Active - Sets the selected profile as the Skyrim PC.
The default profile cannot be deleted or renamed. The archives show up as
ZIP files in the parent directory of your save files location, usually
{username}\My Documents\My Games\Skyrim.
**IMPORTANT: Zipping up a large collection of large game files takes a
long time, so exercise caution when choosing to archive. In the case of
save game files, that could mean several minutes for only 30 files.
Save Files Actions:
-------------------
Clicking on the Save Files menu or right-clicking on the save files list
brings up a menu with the following choices:
Delete - Deletes the selected save files.
Rename - Opens a tool window to let you rename each selected file.
Move To - Lets you move the selected save files to a different directory.
Copy To - Lets you copy the selected save files to a different directory.
anolysis - In development. Intended to show many details of the save game files.
Options:
--------
There are two directory entry boxes here which are necessary for proper
operation:
Save Files Location
Steam Location
**IMPORTANT: The Save Files Location directory is the one that holds Skyrim's
user data. This is usually found at {username}\My Documents\My Games\Skyrim.
The Steam Location text box holds the directory to the Steam executable.
This is often in C:\Program Files\Steam, but can be anywhere. TESVSFU will
attempt to auto-detect the location of Steam, but it will only work if Steam
is already running in the background. This is normally not an issue, but
this will also accommodate test environments or multiple installations (if
such a thing can exist with Steam).
There are also several options which can be toggled on or off:
- Always archive prior to Profile Deletion
- Show Tool Tips
- Enable Logging
- Force file rename to end with .ESS
Setting 'Always archive prior to Profile Deletion' will cause the profile to
be archived after the delete selection has been verified. The 'Show Tool
Tips' option switches tool tips on and off. 'Enable Logging' will enable
the Logging Level indicator, letting you set the level of logging. 'Force
file rename to end with .ESS' makes sure that the game save files end with
".ESS". If this extension is left off the file, Skyrim cannot load it.
Features:
---------
- The application remembers the previous size and location of the screen.
- You cannot delete the default profile, as that would delete the Saves directory.
- It will launch SKSE if you have it installed, instead of just TESV.
- Archives are saved in standard ZIP format for easy management.
--------------
The anolysis selection for the save files brings up a window that shows
only a few bits of information. This section will be embellished in
future releases.
Change Log:
-----------
1.0.4406:
- General Release
- Added version information in Options window.
- Fixed Steam directory search to always pull from INI file first.
- General Release
- Fixed all options so they work.
- Archiving now shows progress.
- Archived files are placed under a single directory (profile name) in the ZIP file.
- Moved all text to the Resources file. Multi-language releases now possible.
- Added Force rename to have ESS extension option.
- Unreleased
- Changed the UI so it looks Skyrim-like (black backgrounds with white lettering)
- Enabled a button to run Skyrim or SKSE if you have that loaded.
- Replaced a menu option iwth an option window
- Options added but no effects coded.
- Directory choice now uses text boxes with auto-populating directory hints
- Many bugs squashed.
- Unreleased
- Fixed Skyrim.INI modifier task when selected profile is default
- Resolved bad reference issues for profile pathnames (double "\").
- Linked actions to all profile menu options (dropdown).
- Initial release.
I think that the mods have nothing to do with this (fingers crossed!).
