Merge, overwrite, or rename?

[Tarvok]

... or something like that.I'm starting over, because I've figured some stuff out while trying to follow the STEP instructions. But one thing I encountered repeatedly is that some mods with separately downloaded components ask me if I want to merge, replace, or rename the new component (if I'm describing that correctly). Which should I choose?

[EssArrBee]

So lets use SMIM as an example. I download the main SMIM file which is 1.68 and I get the 1.70 update file. The update files requires that I have the main file installed first. I install the main file with MO, then install the update file and I select Merge which will keep the main file, but install the update on top of the main file.

 

Now lets say that I have SMIM 1.67 installed and want to update to 1.68. Because 1.68 is the entire main file I will select Replace because it will remove the old 1.67 and install the 1.68 main file since it is the entire mod.

 

Rename is if you want to install the same mod under a different name. This is useful if a mod has ENB and non-ENB version and you want the ability to switch between the two.

[Tarvok]

Thanks.

[DoubleYou]

Rename is good also if you want to separate optional files.

[TechAngel85]

I never seen the point in separating most optional files. The vast majority those mods with additional resources are merged in my setup. Think of it like this:

 

Merge = Keep assets but overwrite duplicates

Replace = Delete all assets and replace with new ones

Rename = Exactly what it says...rename the mod

 

If you have optional assets that you place directly below the main mod (left pane), then this is doing the exact same thing that Merge would have done. The only advantage to not merging is you could add/delete or activate/deactivate the optional at any time without having to reinstall the main mod.

[DoubleYou]

Besides knowing which optionals you installed...

[EssArrBee]

Besides knowing which optionals you installed...

A true ninja always knows... 

[DocClox]

I have two profiles: one of them uses Cloaks of Skyrim, the other (for reasons I don't want to get into) does not.

 

The trouble is that I have a common mod in both profiles with an NMM installer that allows you specify to Cloaks support. If I install it with cloaks support it breaks one profile. If I install without it breaks the other.

 

So I ended up installing the mod in question twice, renaming one to add " - cloaks" to the name.

 

It's a reasonable use case for the "rename" option.

[d3v]

Regarding the skyrim realistic overhaul torrent (SRO) comes in 3 folders, one folder is the main mod, another is 1.6 update and the third is dawnguard addon. When I install the first folder, I then install the 1.6 update which installs itself in to another mod in MO despite me naming it the same as the main folder expecting a "merge" prompt to appear, instead the 1.6 update installs itself as a separate mod to the main SRO folder. Is this normal or what?