Starfield CK static grouping bugs

[DayDreamer]

This is a series of bug reports and remediation.

Starfield (and Fallout 4) CK can combine related objects into a Reference Group (RFGP). This allows them to be selected and operated upon together (with left click and right click respectively). However, every object within that group remains its own independent REFR (Reference) record in the game data (selectable by Alt left click). It reportedly is solely for design convenience, unlike Static Collection (SCOL) used by the engine to improve graphics speed.

A common usage is a group of clutter, such as stacked shelves. However, Starfield also has a newer technique, PKIN.

Another apparent use is creating a group before moving or copying a room.

 

Edited September 24 by DayDreamer

[DayDreamer]

Unfortunately, the current public release of the CK (1.16.244.0 at this time) may delete a group as new objects are added.

To demonstrate, in detail:

1. Start the CK, and load Starfield.
2. Under Interiors, Cell Filter: lodge. Left click to select.
3. Filter Editor ID: toilet. Double click IH_BathIndToilet01.
4. Note the toilet is a MovableStatic, and not part of a static group.
5. Remove filter.
6. In the Render Cell window, left click PaperTowel_Holder02.
7. Control left click OPM_AddOn_VentCeilingB02.
8. Right click, Group references. This will create the new group.
9. Save as test regroup bath.
10. Minimize CK.
11. Duplicate file test regroup bath.esp (- Copy).
12. Resume CK.
13. Left click the sink. This will select a huge basement group.
14. Instead, Alt+left click the sink to select only one object.
15. Right click, Ungroup references. This will remove the sink from the old group.
16. Control+left click the paper towel holder. This will display the new group.
17. Right click, Add references to group. This will add the sink to the new group.
18. Save and exit.
19. Start SF1Edit, and load "test regroup bath".
20. Expand, and note that all the objects have a new XRFG subrecord.
21. Confirm BathIndSink01 "Sink" [STAT:0027D677] has changed from [RFGP:003A90DC].
22. The XRFG subrecord value says "Error: could not be resolved."

To remediate:

1. Right click on "test regroup bath", Compare to the "- Copy".
2. Copy as override the RFGP entry from the copy to the current save.

 

Edited September 24 by DayDreamer

[DayDreamer]

This problem is not merely for new groups. When any objects are added to a vanilla group, the CK marks that group as deleted.

To remediate:

1. Before adding any object to any group, duplicate the existing file (- Copy).
2. After editing with CK, start SF1Edit and load the modified file.
3. Compare to the "- Copy".
4. Verify that the RNAM has been retained from the copy, as the CK often removes this field.
5. Remove the deleted flag.
6. If this is now Identical to Master, right click on it in the left panel and remove the object entirely.

 

[DayDreamer]

The CK will pick a RNAM from one of the earliest objects selected, such as a plant or storage container, which is unlikely to be a good candidate. When the group is completed, or remediated, check the RNAM with SF1Edit and assign a better choice.

When moving or rotating the group, the RNAM is the default pivot. Ensure that this object is already very closely aligned with the grid, as snap to grid will adjust every other object in the group by the differences from the RNAM object. This may not matter in many cases, but small objects can disappear into the walls or other larger objects.

Best choices are usually a room exit, the bottom shelf, or otherwise any object that will need to align with external objects.

 

Edited September 24 by DayDreamer