How to Alter a BSA Body File in Skyrim
Modding is a popular activity among Skyrim players, allowing them to customize their game experience in countless ways. One of the most common modifications involves altering BSA body files. BSA files are compressed archive files used by the game to store various assets, including character models. By editing these files, players can create new characters, change existing ones, or even add entirely new body types to the game. In this article, we will guide you through the process of altering a BSA body file in Skyrim.
Before you begin, ensure that you have the following prerequisites:
- BSA Editor: A tool like BSA Editor or NIFSkope is required to open and edit BSA files.
- BSA Extractor: A tool like BSA Extractor is needed to extract the body file from the BSA archive.
- BSA Replacer: A tool like BSA Replacer is required to replace the modified body file back into the BSA archive.
- BSA Extractor and BSA Replacer: These tools are used to extract and replace the body file in the BSA archive.
- Skype Body Files: You will need the original Skyrim body files to edit or create new ones.
Step 1: Extract the BSA Body File
1. Open BSA Extractor and select the Skyrim BSA file you want to modify. This file is usually located in the “Data” folder of your Skyrim installation directory.
2. Click on the “Extract” button to extract the body file from the BSA archive.
3. Navigate to the extracted body file and open it with your chosen BSA Editor.
Step 2: Edit the Body File
1. In your BSA Editor, you will see the various components of the body file, such as bones, textures, and animations.
2. Modify the body file as desired. You can change the bone structure, texture, or even create a completely new character.
3. Save your changes to the body file.
Step 3: Replace the Body File in the BSA Archive
1. Open BSA Replacer and select the Skyrim BSA file you want to modify.
2. Click on the “Replace” button and navigate to the modified body file you saved in the previous step.
3. Select the body file you want to replace and click “OK” to replace it in the BSA archive.
Step 4: Install the Modified BSA File
1. Copy the modified BSA file back to the “Data” folder of your Skyrim installation directory.
2. Restart the game to apply the changes.
By following these steps, you can successfully alter a BSA body file in Skyrim. Enjoy your customized game experience!
