Difference between revisions of "Data File"

From the Fallout4 CreationKit Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Qazaaq
imported>Qazaaq
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Category:Editor Reference]]
[[Category:Editor Reference]]
[[Category:Game Files]]
[[Category:Game Files]]
'''File Extension:''' .esm .esp
'''File Extension:''' <code>.esm</code>, <code>.esp</code>


Master Files(.esm) and Plugin Files(.esp) are the core data files of Fallout.
A '''Data File''' acts as a database of all of the data for the world, including object data, dialogue, gameplay settings, object placements, AI settings, landscape, cells, etc.  
By tradition, the file extensions stand for '''E'''lder '''S'''crolls '''M'''aster and '''E'''lder '''S'''crolls '''P'''lugin.
There are two types of data file
A master file acts as a database of all of the data for the world, including object data, dialogue, gameplay settings, object placements, AI settings, landscape, cells, etc.  
Master Files <code>.esm</code> and Plugin Files <code>.esp</code> which are the core data files of Fallout.
The Creation Kit is the tool we use to view and edit master files and plugins.


==Details==
Master files and plugins are largely identical in format, but have some important distinctions in practice.
Master files and plugins are largely identical in format, but have some important distinctions in practice.
A master file is autonomous; it relies on no information other than itself. The Creation Kit will not create master files.
 
A plug-in (ESP) file relies on information from a Master ESM file. Plug-ins can only refer to information in another plug-in indirectly by using scripts. They can only refer directly to data from a master file (though they can refer to multiple master files).
'''Master'''
*A master file is autonomous; it relies on no information other than itself.  
**The Creation Kit will not create master files.
 
'''Plugin'''
*A plugin ESP file relies on information from a master ESM file.
**Plugins can only refer directly to data from a master file (though they can refer to multiple master files).
**Plugins can only refer to information in another plug-in indirectly by using scripts.
**Plugins can be masterless if they only add new content.


==Tooling==
==Tooling==
*The Creation Kit is the primary tooling for working with data files.
*The Creation Kit is the primary tooling for working with data files.
*There are community software projects that provided tooling for working with data files.
*There are community software projects that provided tooling for working with data files.
==Notes==
*By tradition, the file extensions stand for '''E'''lder '''S'''crolls '''M'''aster and '''E'''lder '''S'''crolls '''P'''lugin.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
*[[:Category:Game_Files|Game Files Category]]
*[[:Category:Game_Files|Game Files Category]]
*[[Distribution]]
*[[Distribution]]

Revision as of 22:54, 17 July 2016

File Extension: .esm, .esp

A Data File acts as a database of all of the data for the world, including object data, dialogue, gameplay settings, object placements, AI settings, landscape, cells, etc. There are two types of data file Master Files .esm and Plugin Files .esp which are the core data files of Fallout.

Details

Master files and plugins are largely identical in format, but have some important distinctions in practice.

Master

  • A master file is autonomous; it relies on no information other than itself.
    • The Creation Kit will not create master files.

Plugin

  • A plugin ESP file relies on information from a master ESM file.
    • Plugins can only refer directly to data from a master file (though they can refer to multiple master files).
    • Plugins can only refer to information in another plug-in indirectly by using scripts.
    • Plugins can be masterless if they only add new content.

Tooling

  • The Creation Kit is the primary tooling for working with data files.
  • There are community software projects that provided tooling for working with data files.

Notes

  • By tradition, the file extensions stand for Elder Scrolls Master and Elder Scrolls Plugin.

See Also