Static Switching SystemDocs
guide

Installation and VFS Discovery

Install SSS and put YAML modules in the directory the global script scans.

Install the Static Switching System release in an OpenMW data directory and enable Static Switching System.esp. The plugin registers the menu and global SSS scripts. SSS uses H3lp Yours3lf's shared scripts.s3.* helpers, so install and enable H3lp Yours3lf first as a dependency.

Optional integrations have their own dependency: has_tag, cell_tag, add_tag, and remove_tag use the FlexTag interface when FlexTag is installed. Without FlexTag, those conditions do not match and those actions do not apply.

Module directory

The global script scans the VFS prefix:

scripts/staticSwitcher/data/

Every .yaml and .yml file under that prefix is a module candidate. Put your files in a mod data directory that OpenMW exposes at that VFS path. The scan is VFS-based, not relative to this documentation repository.

The shipped examples are not discovered modules. Copy one to your own VFS data directory and give it a stable filename. A useful installed layout is:

MyMod/
├── scripts/
│   └── staticSwitcher/
│       └── data/
│           └── my_static_module.yaml
└── meshes/
    └── my_mod/
        └── replacement.nif

SSS normalizes path separators and mesh paths while loading. Use the exact VFS paths and casing shipped by the asset provider, and verify that every replacement mesh is actually available. A missing replacement mesh is reported and that replacement is skipped.

First-load checklist

  • Static Switching System.esp is enabled.
  • H3lp Yours3lf.esp is enabled before SSS's shared helpers are needed.
  • The YAML file is below scripts/staticSwitcher/data/ and ends in .yaml or .yml.
  • The module contains exactly one of replace_meshes or instances.
  • Every referenced record, script path, sound path, and mesh is installed by the relevant mod.
  • The file validates against the module schema.

SSS discovers modules when its global script initializes. Changes to the module set should be tested from a fresh load or a deliberately selected save; see Loading, Processing, and Persistence.