Screenshots: A basic guideline

Overview

This tutorial/guideline will attempt to aid you in selecting images to include as part of the mod that you upload.

If you want good detail (resolution) in your screenshots, you need to bump up the resolution inside Oblivion to at least 1024x768 and set the graphic textures to Large. This may make your PC chug and run sluggish but it's OK if you're not trying to capture a movie. After the screenshot is done, you can turn down the graphics to a comfy level.

Screenshots of characters

Take at least these 4 pictures:

1. Race screenshot - Press TAB to view the inventory screen and go to the Healthbar tab to show Name, Race, Birthsign, Class and Level. Also position your character close to the screen to get a close frontal headshot.
2. Strength screenshot - Picture from the side - Press TAB to view the inventory screen and go to the Strength/Willpower/Intelligence screen to show different data. Also position your character close to the screen to get a close side/profile headshot.
3. External front screenshot - click-and-hold the middle-mouse button which will put you into external view and move the mouse around to the front of your character. Make sure you're in a well-lit area. You can use the mouse button (while depressed) to zoom in and out.
4. External rear screenshot - Scroll the mouse wheel back until you get to the external view and zoom until you can see the character from head to toe in a well-lit area.

Screenshots of weapons, armor, clothes and all other inventory items

Take at least these 3 pictures:

1. Inventory screenshot - Press TAB to view the inventory screen and go to the appropriate section (weapons, armor, potions, misc) that displays the names of your items. If Weapons and Armor, make sure your character has them equipped and visible. This shows how you named each item, the menu icon you used, general worth, weight, armor value and how they look equipped on your character.
2. Ground screenshot - Arrange your items on the ground. This shows the ground mesh and how they look in the world.
3. Map location screenshot - If applicable, show where to find these items by a picture of the map. Another bonus would be from the viewpoint of somebody taking a picture with a camera such as looking at the storefront while walking up to it. This picture would not be recommended if the location is a secret and revealed only by completing a quest although a picture of where the quest starts on the map may be OK.

Screenshots of buildings

(Not finished, could use some suggestions)

Take at least these ?? pictures:

1. Overview image - Enter 3rd-person view, Open the console, Type TAI, Type TFC. This will disable the AI, so nobody comes and kills you while you're finding the right angle, and allows the camera to fly around without the player moving. Get a screenshot that includes the entire area. If easily recognizable landmarks are nearby, try to include them in the screenshot to help reference the location. Open the console and type TFC and then type TAI to get everything back the way it was. Close the console.
2.  ?? Each room ??
3.  ?? Map location ??

Screenshots of new lands/landmasses

(Not finished, could use some suggestions)

Take at least these ?? pictures:

1. Overview image - Enter 3rd-person view, Open the console, Type TAI, Type TFC, close the console. This will disable the AI, so nobody comes and kills you while you're finding the right angle, and allows the camera to fly around without the player moving. Get a screenshot that includes the entire area. If easily recognizable landmarks are nearby, try to include them in the screenshot to help reference the location. Open the console and type TFC and then type TAI to get everything back the way it was. Close the console.
2.  ?? Each room ??
3.  ?? Map location ??

Related pages

• How to create screenshots using Oblivion
• How to create screenshots using Fraps
• How to crop images with MS Paint
• How to convert images with MS Paint

References

LHammonds Oblivion Mod Site