Need help in modifying an armor

[malone423]

This is in regards to Neo's CM Punk outfit http://skyrimmodshighlights.blogspot.com/2017/09/cm-punk.html which I was able to get before it's removal in the Nexus.

 

I'd like to make two variants of the outfit (specifically the CBBE version), in which I could use at the same time with original version. I will be omitting the mod's boots and gloves, so the focus is just the base outfit.

 

First variant; To modify the textures of the outfit's trunks/shorts. I'd like it entirely black.

 

Second variant; To remove (or make invisible) the shirt and knee pads, leaving only the shorts/trunks, It would make a good topless look.

I also would like to know what programs to use and what procedures I must do to get this done. Thanks.

 

Also, I'll gladly upload the armor for anyone interested.

[malone423]

Update: I just realized that parts of the armor could be deleted in the outfit studio, But I actually forgot how to properly save/export the file. So I ended up with something like this https://imgur.com/a/geByt5U

 

It's been since early last year I fiddled with Outfit Studio

[Pauduan]

You have to do exactly the same operations in both the _0 and _1 meshes, even one vertex different will cause problems.

 

Some older Bodyslide versions were terrible at exporting. I usually checked each mesh and saved it using Nifskope, which checks the mesh for consistency while saving. Saved my ass a number of times. I usually experienced this when doing both the weight meshes in a single program instance. Quitting and opening OS again helped sometimes (though it wasn't a guaranteed fix).

 

The latest versions are much better and seems it works well at both Skyrim and FO4. Nifskope checks are no longer needed.

 

After finishing the edit I usually 'Export to NIF with Reference' (if using a reference shape) or "Export to NIF' - works well for me.

[onesumgame]

On 8/15/2018 at 4:06 AM, malone423 said:

 

First variant; To modify the textures of the outfit's trunks/shorts. I'd like it entirely black.

 

You can do this using GIMP, and you'll need to install the dds plugin that was made for it. Depending on how the texture is made you can simply use the color picker tool to get a sample of the black and then use the paint brush to cover the colored parts.

[malone423]

Thanks for the info, guys.

 

I'd like to know how to save my edits without overwriting the originals and at the same time give them in-game names (like renaming the second variant; CM Punk (t).

[onesumgame]

9 minutes ago, malone423 said:

Thanks for the info, guys.

 

I'd like to know how to save my edits without overwriting the originals and at the same time give them in-game names (like renaming the second variant; CM Punk (t).

You can simply add something to the name such as armor_B or armor_Alt or whatever you want. Do this for both the meshes and textures. Then you must open the .esp and make new forms to point to your modified files. Simply double click the existing forms to open them, change the names, change the file paths, and click OK. A message will pop up asking if you want to create a new form because the name was change. Agree to it and Save.

[malone423]

57 minutes ago, onesumgame said:

You can simply add something to the name such as armor_B or armor_Alt or whatever you want. Do this for both the meshes and textures. Then you must open the .esp and make new forms to point to your modified files. Simply double click the existing forms to open them, change the names, change the file paths, and click OK. A message will pop up asking if you want to create a new form because the name was change. Agree to it and Save. 

Thanks. What software do I need to do the .esp thing? TesVedit?

[onesumgame]

12 minutes ago, malone423 said:

Thanks. What software do I need to do the .esp thing? TesVedit?

Perhaps, but I don't know how to create new forms in Tes5edit. Use the Creation Kit because it's more visual. Afterwards you can use Tes5edit to make sure the weight slider is enabled in the Armor Addon. If you need help with any of this I can walk you through it when you're ready, or you can send me the files and I can get it done within a couple of minutes, but it's really not difficult so I recommend that you give a shot yourself so that you'll know what to do in the future.

[malone423]

Attached here is the armor itself. For some reason it can't be downloaded from that link in my first post. I got it from a Russian site. Perhaps you could just do the topless variant (while removing the kneepads as well). The recoloring/texturing for the trunks is a low priority any way. I'll try to do that one myself. The character I use is a female Ningheim using the packaged-in-the-installer CCBE body.

 

My modding experience with some older games just didn't help me here XD

 

I'll be doing some experimenting at the same, thanks!

Just_for_Fun_CM_PUNK_by_Neo_-_CBBE-18804-1-00.7z

[onesumgame]

28 minutes ago, malone423 said:

Attached here is the armor itself. For some reason it can't be downloaded from that link in my first post. I got it from a Russian site. Perhaps you could just do the topless variant (while removing the kneepads as well). The recoloring/texturing for the trunks is a low priority any way. I'll try to do that one myself. The character I use is a female Ningheim using the packaged-in-the-installer CCBE body.

 

My modding experience with some older games just didn't help me here XD

 

I'll be doing some experimenting at the same, thanks!

Just_for_Fun_CM_PUNK_by_Neo_-_CBBE-18804-1-00.7z

Try this. I put both outfits in Bodyslide and added check boxes to remove the shirts and knee pads. I don't use CBBE so I can't test it, and I don't know if the outfits were already weighted for HDT so I didn't touch the bone weights. Try it in game to make sure there is no clipping, and hopefully they won't cause a CTD when equipped. If all is good then we'll move on to the next step.

 

CM Punk BodySlide.7z

[malone423]

Thanks! I'll notify you of any updates.

[malone423]

I'd like to know to make the modified (topless) armor's proportions match the CCBE body the Ningheim female uses

 

https://imgur.com/a/UOvTMaD

 

The third image is the modified one, but I noticed that the proportions are not consistent with the first two, the first thing you might notice could be the thinner shins/calves. What do I need to do?

 

Update: thin lines could be seen on the wrists and ankles https://imgur.com/a/gJwScNz  <-- ankles pictured

 

[Pauduan]

The reason for the mismatch is that some armors mistakenly apply the shape slider(s) to the armor, constraining the body within the bounds set by the armor. This causes some disfigurement.

 

The correct way to do it is apply the shape to the body, and get the armor to fit around it. I say correct, but that's my way of looking at it. Other modders may disagree, but when someone else wants to modify their work, it ends up pear-shaped (literally).

 

What you have to do is open the modified armor and import your main body shape (CBBE in your case, or from the Ningheim folder). Delete the body shape that came with the armor (you can do this just before importing the correct body) and reshape the modded armor to fit the imported body. Finally export your work, and remember you've do it on both weights.

 

HDT armors are significantly more tricky and a bit beyond my pay grade, as you have to reattach the weights to the bones of the imported body. Fortunately, I have needed to do that for a while now.

[malone423]

I see, thanks! I'll work on it. Will update you after I've done some progress.

[malone423]

I was able to do it. It's just that there are neck and wrist lines. I'm kind of glad there ain't any ankle lines. Any idea as to how to deal with those?

[onesumgame]

5 hours ago, malone423 said:

I was able to do it. It's just that there are neck and wrist lines. I'm kind of glad there ain't any ankle lines. Any idea as to how to deal with those?

Sorry busy weekend and I wasn't able to keep up with this thread.

 

Have you tried using Bodyslide to generate the outfit with different body presets? I see that there are many CBBE variants and perhaps you just need to find the one that matches the body in the race mod. You can also try to generate the outfit with Zeroed sliders.

[malone423]

Just tested something. I put on the costume on the CBBE version of this follower https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/61140/?tab=description   and it worked close to perfect.

 

From experience, the CBBE body for the Ningheim I used, and many followers I got which used the CBBE body just don't got consistent proportions. Therefore not uniform. And yes, I'n aware that the body types are merely templates in which modders could alter in their final works.

 

I wonder how do I copy the proportions of Toccata's body file to the Ningheim.

 

[onesumgame]

1 hour ago, malone423 said:

Just tested something. I put on the costume on the CBBE version of this follower https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/61140/?tab=description   and it worked close to perfect.

 

From experience, the CBBE body for the Ningheim I used, and many followers I got which used the CBBE body just don't got consistent proportions. Therefore not uniform. And yes, I'n aware that the body types are merely templates in which modders could alter in their final works.

 

I wonder how do I copy the proportions of Toccata's body file to the Ningheim.

 

If the issue doesn't affect npcs is it possible that you are using Racemenu morphs on your character?

 

The outfit should have the same proportions whether it is worn by npcs or the player character because the meshes have a set shape.

[malone423]

I tried the costume on a CBBE Ningheim follower, same problem with the player character version occurred.

[onesumgame]

11 hours ago, malone423 said:

I tried the costume on a CBBE Ningheim follower, same problem with the player character version occurred.

Is your character's body weight set to 100?

 

Does the problem occur with other outfits?

[Pauduan]

Mismatch around hands and feet at every body weight would indicate meshes are not matched to the body, for example using UNP/UUNP hands/feet with CBBE body. The body used in the armor must exactly match the one used in the body *for that race*.

 

If you also have a neck seam, it means a skeleton mismatch between the body you used to build the armor, and the body that originally was built with the armor.

[onesumgame]

What Pauduan said is probably is the solution. Replace the body, hands, feet, and skeleton meshes with newer ones.