The last chapter.
Interaction - UI MODS
This section will work a bit differently than the rest.
Whereas you can easily pick-and-choose from the rest of the guides, UI gets trickier due to the complexity of functionality and overwrites.
This is mostly an all-or-nothing section. I recommend following it start to finish if you’re a novice. Experts may find this section useful for ideas.
I recommend putting these all in order, in their own separator. The exception is the loading screen mods - you’ll likely want to put these after any other texture mods.
If you are happy with the UI from VNV/TBOT/WSG/MEG, feel free to skip this section.
I recommend using the UI section from only ONE guide - you may run into unforseen issues if you mix and match.
Baseline UI Improvement
Please note - this guide does not include MCM (Mod Configuration Menu) as nothing in this guide requires it. HOWEVER - if you followed the other guides, you likely will have MCM already for several mods - just make sure it loads before any of the following mods, and everything will function.
Vanilla UI Plus
The critical cornerstone, and arguably the definitive UI upgrade.
Vanilla UI Extension (VUIE)
WARNING - VUIE is not completed, and many mods haven’t implemented any kind of compatibility with it yet - and many may never get updated.
An optional extension to VUI+. In this case, optional means read carefully before installing - I will not provide support for people who ignore this. This information is subject to change, as VUIE is under active development.
VUIE offers a range of visual improvements on top of VUI+, including (but not limited to) increased screen real estate due to more efficient text placement. It also changes some aspects of message boxes.
It will also have some compatibility concerns with MAPMO and yUI. A yUI patching method is detailed on the mod page.
As of 12/11/2023, MUX (below) requires VUIE version 1.07 or higher.
Cursor Unilaterally Matched (NVSE)
Matches the cursor color to the UI.
Clean Vanilla Hud
Cleans up HUD elements.
yUI - User Ynterface
Great core functionality.
ySI - Sorting Ycons
Add-on for above. Again, useful and functional.
Colorful Inventory Ycons
Add-on for an add-on. This is the one true pick-and-choose. Works best with the PipBoy color set to white (use MAPMO below to customize coloration separately).
Clean Companion Wheel
Clean Vault Boy Paper Doll
Consistent Pip-Boy Icons v5 - Framework Plugin
Consistent Pip-Boy Icons v4
Parts 1, 2, and 3.
Pop-Up Message Icons
Consistent Pip-Boy Icons v5 - Items
Consistent Pip-Boy Icons v5 - Weapons
Consistent Pip-Boy Icons v5 - Apparel
Weapon Hotkey Icons
Map Marker Icons
TTW Goodies (TTW)
Simple Maps
Very simple, elegant retex of all world maps, including all DLCs and even FO3+DLCs for TTW users.
Anro’s Mods
While not everyone is a fan, I find MUX to be the most overall functional and visually appealing capstone for UI mods.
It’s automatically compatible with a huge range of mods including RAD, Quickthrow, most of the other B42 mods, and many others. And since it absorbs the functionality of those mods automatically, it retains very high compatibility.
With RAD installed, health and AP bars will function like newer Fallout titles without the slightly scuffed ticks and fading of other UIs. It also integrates the iHUD-like ability to hide HUD elements when not in use, but with the added visual flare of proper fade-in and fade-out. No more HUD popping in and out of existence.
M.U.X. Integration/compatibility List:
RAD - Radiation (is) Actually Dangerous (and rework)
JIP Selective Fire
B42 Selective Fire
JIP Realistic Weapon Overheating
Quickthrow
Quick Grenade Use
Just Loot Menu
Just Dynamic Crosshair
B42 Recent Loot Log
B42 Notify
B42 Real Time Weapon Modding
B42 Descriptions
B42 Inspect
AidUI
MUX patches for other mods are now included in the FOMOD installer for MUX - simply choose then when installing MUX.
OX - Toolkit
Required for customizing and repositioning the MUX HUD. You may still want this one with Olymp, as it allows you to adjust Controller Tweaks settings.
M.U.X. Series - Interface Overhaul
MUX requires VUIE version 1.07 or higher.
The more customizable “original” MUX version. While it is more customizable, it is also significantly less performant (particularly the Additions). Since it is feature-complete, it will only be receiving bugfixes - no other updates are planned.
There is also a Lite version if you prefer - better performance, but less features and not customizable. Lite does not require VUIE.
M.U.X. also contains oHUD functionality, and oHUD, iHUD, or Contextual HUD should not be used with it - all of those features are integrated.
M.U.X. Series - Weapon Icons
Necessary for many weapon add-on packs, including for TTW. This works for all MUX versions using weapon icons.
Finishing Touches
MAPMO - Main and Pause Menus Overhaul
MAPMO and MUX have some overlapping features, particularly in the ingame Quest Log.
Personally, I recommend using the MUX version of the quest log instead as it's more tightly integrated and supports local quest display and not just active quest display. That means when you enter a new cell, any available quests in the area will show on your HUD log - not just the quest you currently have active.
The rest of the features of MAPMO are unbeatable, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Simple Cursor (YUI)
Great cursor.
Simple Loadwheels
Much more elegant than the vanilla loading wheel, and several choices.
Main Menu Redone - TTW
Although designed for TTW, can also be used (and isn’t really a lore problem) in vanilla New Vegas - my personal favorite when not using NVR.
NVR - Sights of the Wasteland
But when using NVR, my personal choice is…literally my personal choice. In a shameless act of self-promotion, I very much recommend this video menu replacer for NVR users.
Animated Main Menu Replacer for Tale of Two Wastelands
Because it’s not all about me, here’s another great video menu replacer for NVR.
NVR - Shabby Zeta Animated Menu
Another NVR menu replacer - this time in SPAAAAACE! Kudos to Shabby :D
Scum's Frankly Fantastic Fallout 4 Load Screens
For NV users, I think these are a great option - although since they use vanilla meshes and textures, you may feel differently.
Consistent Loading Screens for TTW
For TTW use, this is my go-to. HOWEVER - make sure you download the Fixed version (was formerly in the mod comments, but the link is now dead). This can be found on my discord.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far - I wish you both THANKS and CONGRATULATIONS.
Modding New Vegas (and even moreso, TTW) can be an arduous process.
But in my mind, the result is worth it - you’ll gain knowledge of how games work, and have the satisfaction of having made the game your own personal post-apocalyptic playground.
Please visit the discord if you have any questions!
For those interested in future additions and projects -
I will eventually put together an NPC and character overhaul guide - this one is going to be EXTREMELY painful, and may never be completed. Many of the mods involved are frankly a nightmare to get cooperating. I’m working on it, but don’t ask when it will be done.
I will also be revisiting my now-delisted Fallout 4 texture guide. Since it’s many years old and there are much better options now, I think it deserves an update. That said, I have no desire to play FO4 at this point, so anticipate at least another year before I even start work.
Thank you again for reading, thank you for your support, and thanks to everyone in the community - modders and users alike - who made this possible.
But Wait - There’s More!
By popular request (meaning Anro, and Shabby helped…) head to the next page for a BONUS page covering my personal choices for sonic mayhem.
It’s an addendum, so feel free to ignore it, but it’s there if you want it.