Safe Resource Packer

Intelligent mod packaging solution for Creation Engine games

📦 BSArch Installation Guide - Realistic & User-Friendly Approach

🎯 The Problem with Automatic Downloads

Original approach had issues:

🚀 Our Smart Solution: Guided Manual Setup

Instead of trying to automate what can’t be automated, we guide users through the process and automate everything we can.

🎮 User Experience

Step 1: User Downloads

💡 For optimal performance, install BSArch: https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/64745?tab=files
💡 Or use: safe-resource-packer --install-bsarch for guided setup

Step 2: We Handle Everything Else

safe-resource-packer --install-bsarch

What happens:

  1. 🔍 Auto-search Downloads folder - Finds BSArch files automatically
  2. 📦 Extract from archives - Handles .zip, .7z files intelligently
  3. 🔧 Install to proper location - Sets up in system directories
  4. 🛠️ Configure PATH - Makes BSArch globally available
  5. ✅ Verify installation - Confirms everything works

🔍 Smart Search Strategy

Search Locations (in order):

  1. Downloads folder - ~/Downloads, C:/Users/*/Downloads
  2. Desktop - Common alternative location
  3. System-wide search - If user agrees (can be slow)

Search Patterns (case-insensitive):

File Types Handled:

🛠️ Technical Implementation

Search Process:

def find_bsarch_in_downloads(self) -> Optional[str]:
    patterns = ['*bsarch*', '*BSArch*', '*BSARCH*']

    for download_dir in self.common_download_dirs:
        for pattern in patterns:
            # Look for archives first
            for ext in ['.zip', '.7z', '.rar']:
                for file_path in Path(download_dir).glob(pattern + ext):
                    return str(file_path)

            # Look for direct executables
            for file_path in Path(download_dir).glob(pattern + '.exe'):
                return str(file_path)

Archive Extraction:

def extract_bsarch_from_archive(self, archive_path: str) -> Optional[str]:
    # Support multiple formats
    if archive_path.lower().endswith('.zip'):
        success = self._extract_zip(archive_path, temp_dir)
    elif archive_path.lower().endswith('.7z'):
        success = self._extract_7z(archive_path, temp_dir)

    # Find BSArch.exe (case-insensitive)
    for root, dirs, files in os.walk(temp_dir):
        for file in files:
            if file.lower() in ['bsarch.exe', 'bsarch']:
                return os.path.join(root, file)

Installation Process:

def _install_bsarch_executable(self, source_path: str) -> Tuple[bool, str]:
    # Copy to proper location
    target_path = os.path.join(self.install_dir, target_name)
    shutil.copy2(source_path, target_path)

    # Make executable (Linux/macOS)
    if self.system != 'windows':
        os.chmod(target_path, 0o755)

    # Verify installation
    return self.is_bsarch_available()

🎯 User Journey Examples

Scenario 1: Perfect Case

1. User downloads BSArch from Nexus to Downloads folder
2. Runs: safe-resource-packer --install-bsarch
3. Tool finds BSArch.zip automatically
4. Extracts BSArch.exe
5. Installs and configures PATH
6. ✅ Ready to create optimal BSA/BA2 archives!

Scenario 2: Different Location

1. User downloaded BSArch to Desktop
2. Runs installer
3. Not found in Downloads → searches Desktop
4. Finds and installs successfully
5. ✅ Works perfectly!

1. User has BSArch somewhere on system
2. Runs installer
3. Not found in common locations
4. Tool asks: "Search entire system? (may be slow)"
5. User agrees → finds BSArch anywhere on system
6. ✅ Installation successful!

Scenario 4: Guidance Needed

1. User runs installer
2. BSArch not found anywhere
3. Tool provides clear instructions:
   - Exact Nexus URL
   - What file to download
   - Where to save it
   - How to run installer again
4. ✅ User knows exactly what to do!

💡 Benefits of This Approach

✅ For Users:

✅ For Developers:

✅ For Tool Ecosystem:

🔧 Installation Commands

Main Installation:

# Guided BSArch setup
safe-resource-packer --install-bsarch

Console UI Integration:

# Interactive interface includes BSArch installer
safe-resource-packer
# → Choose "Tools" → "Install BSArch"

Help and Guidance:

# Shows installation instructions
safe-resource-packer --help
# Look for "PACKAGING OPTIONS" section

📋 What Users See

Clear Messaging:

⚠️  WARNING: BSA/BA2 creation tools not found!
⚠️  Creating ZIP archive instead of BSA (not optimal for game performance)
💡 For optimal performance, download BSArch: https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/64745?tab=files
💡 Or use: safe-resource-packer --install-bsarch for guided setup

Installation Process:

🔧 Setting up BSArch for optimal BSA/BA2 creation...
🔍 Searching for BSArch in download directories...
✅ Found BSArch file: /home/user/Downloads/BSArch_v0.9.zip
📦 Extracting BSArch from: /home/user/Downloads/BSArch_v0.9.zip
✅ Found BSArch executable: /tmp/bsarch_extract_xyz/BSArch.exe
📋 Copied BSArch to: /home/user/.local/bin/BSArch.exe
🔧 Made BSArch executable
✅ BSArch installed and available!

🎊 Perfect Balance

This approach achieves the perfect balance between automation and user control:

Result: Users get optimal BSA/BA2 creation with minimal effort and maximum reliability! 🌟