New to blender & animating

[nuruguru]

Hi all, 

I recently downloaded blender with the aim to make some animations.. I am only 5 days into trying to figure out blender so there is alot i am unaware of. Could someone please help me or point me in the right direction for a couple questions 

1) what rig? I have downloaded a few different rigs already and am slowly getting the hang of controls but is there one that you would recommend? (i intend to make ww animations) 

2) how to add a prop and fix it to rig? I have tried to export the object mesh from s4s but the object folder has nothing but camera and lamps. 

 

 

[elys19]

5 hours ago, nuruguru said:

1) what rig? I have downloaded a few different rigs already and am slowly getting the hang of controls but is there one that you would recommend? (i intend to make ww animations)

That´s very much up to you, I´d personally recommend rig_MaleBPC_Master_TesticlesPhysV1 for males and Female_Dagger's_Rig(boobphys) for females, from this post:

 

 

They´re initially a bit more complicated to use than the base rig, but once you learn where things are they´re actually very reliable and smooth.

I suggest you read the rest of the post as well, there´s important info in there.

That said, maybe you want to find your way around blender itself before you do this (or maybe not, what do I know).

 

5 hours ago, nuruguru said:

2) how to add a prop and fix it to rig? I have tried to export the object mesh from s4s but the object folder has nothing but camera and lamps. 

File/Append > object-you-want-to-import.blend/Object > select "rig" and any meshes in there.

But this sounds like what you were already doing, so what object in particular are you trying to use? I can try to take a look.

[nuruguru]

1 hour ago, elys19 said:

That´s very much up to you, I´d personally recommend rig_MaleBPC_Master_TesticlesPhysV1 for males and Female_Dagger's_Rig(boobphys) for females, from this post:

 

 

They´re initially a bit more complicated to use than the base rig, but once you learn where things are they´re actually very reliable and smooth.

I suggest you read the rest of the post as well, there´s important info in there.

That said, maybe you want to find your way around blender itself before you do this (or maybe not, what do I know).

 

File/Append > object-you-want-to-import.blend/Object > select "rig" and any meshes in there.

But this sounds like what you were already doing, so what object in particular are you trying to use? I can try to take a look.

Thank you very much! I will download and give thoes rigs a try when i am home from work. 

 

I probably should take some time to learn some more about blender and im sure i will as time goes on. I have downloaded it twice before but never for animation, i was trying to 3d model and couldn't even get the camera controls down.. This time after lots of reading and watching sims 4 animation guides  i feel i have the very basics and am goingat it gung ho! 

 

I was trying to import the mesh from a camera (cant remember the object name. Its the most dslr looking camera in the base game) i did try to append and then i tried to open the file in blender on its own but no joy with ever way. 

 

Thanks for the reply and help i look forward to giving the new rigs a try! 

[elys19]

4 hours ago, nuruguru said:

I was trying to import the mesh from a camera (cant remember the object name. Its the most dslr looking camera in the base game) i did try to append and then i tried to open the file in blender on its own but no joy with ever way. 

I tried with a couple of cameras from the game just to be sure, and it worked fine...

You´ve probably followed this tutorial for exporting objects, right?

 

https://turbodriver.itch.io/wickedwhims/devlog/137369/exporting-objects-from-the-sims-4-5

 

That´s pretty much all there is to it, the only thing is that it doesn´t explicitly mention that you need to import the "rig" part as well, if you intend to actually animate the object (which you probably do, considering it´s a camera).

 

If I haven´t misunderstood, you also want to know how to actually "attach" the object to your main rig; explanation in the spoiler.

Spoiler

 

Now, assuming you successfully imported the object in your blender scene, you might want to attach it to a bone of another rig; I´ll explain the way I do it, but I´m sure there are other ways.

For example, let´s say you want to have that camera follow the right hand of a rig.

First append the object:

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Then select the imported rig, and select pose mode (you only want to do things in pose mode anyway).

Select all the bones by pressing "a", then press "i" to add frames for them in your dope sheet.

Then select the bone that you want to link to your main rig. There´s only one bone in this rig, so select transformBone.

Spoiler

 

To actually link it to her right hand, on the right hand side of the screen select the "bone constraints" tab, "add bone constraint" and then "child of".

Now select the target, which would be the rig to which you want to attach it, then the specific bone.

Spoiler

 

 

The object will now follow whatever bone you selected.

Adjust its position the way you want it.

Spoiler

 

 

Enjoy great success.

Yes, blender is not the most user-friendly program in existence.

 

[nuruguru]

On 11/3/2020 at 9:40 PM, elys19 said:

I tried with a couple of cameras from the game just to be sure, and it worked fine...

You´ve probably followed this tutorial for exporting objects, right?

 

https://turbodriver.itch.io/wickedwhims/devlog/137369/exporting-objects-from-the-sims-4-5

 

That´s pretty much all there is to it, the only thing is that it doesn´t explicitly mention that you need to import the "rig" part as well, if you intend to actually animate the object (which you probably do, considering it´s a camera).

 

If I haven´t misunderstood, you also want to know how to actually "attach

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Now, assuming you successfully imported the object in your blender scene, you might want to attach it to a bone of another rig; I´ll explain the way I do it, but I´m sure there are other ways.

For example, let´s say you want to have that camera follow the right hand of a rig.

First append the object:

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

 

 

Then select the imported rig, and select pose mode (you only want to do things in pose mode anyway).

Select all the bones by pressing "a", then press "i" to add frames for them in your dope sheet.

Then select the bone that you want to link to your main rig. There´s only one bone in this rig, so select transformBone.

  Reveal hidden contents

 

To actually link it to her right hand, on the right hand side of the screen select the "bone constraints" tab, "add bone constraint" and then "child of".

Now select the target, which would be the rig to which you want to attach it, then the specific bone.

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

The object will now follow whatever bone you selected.

Adjust its position the way you want it.

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

Enjoy great success.

Yes, blender is not the most user-friendly program in existence.

 

Thaks for having a look.. I tried with other cameras and it worked but the one im after gives me an error message when i tried again. I have seen tutorials but i was exporting "3D mesh" instead of clicking override (ill try again tonight) 

 

Thanks for the prop guide! I look forward to using when i can actually get the camera into blender! 

 

EDIT: I have found the link you sent..woops, I will now try to learn how to use it. Thank you for the link the rig looks great

[nuruguru]

So here is my first attempt at animating. Not WW related but I have to find a way to keep stuff family whilst I'm learning as im working from a laptop. So I decided to make something where I have a idea of how the body moves...funny enough I only done boxing but the punches were what I was least happy with. This is my first animation and im not going to waste to much time on it as I plan to use the rig that is in previous comment. That brings me to my noob questions, if anyone would be so kind to let me know

1) will having a Mac become a problem when trying to get animations into game?

2) can you put clothes on a naked rig? 

3) when exporting animation (blender) I understand you do individual saves for m/f+ is this the same for objects? & what file type to export as?

4) still no luck with a camera.. how would I get a blender file of a CC object? looking for a DSLR type camera for a photoshoot scene

4+1) same as above but massage table??? I don't have any dlc..who needs it when CC is a absolute game changer so thank you all for your hard work!

5) has anyone made some animations for switching positions? the crazy leaps from doggie to missionary wasn't the best when I was playing. Just had a thought that it may be a good place for me to start to repay the debt ive built up from all the CC I got from you guys!

 

 

Thanks for reading/watching

 

[Oops19]

4)

If you want to export game data use S4S, under "Object" click on "Create 3D Mesh" and search for "camera" or "tripod". Select one, click next and the "Meshes" tab allows to export the LOD 0 mesh as a blend file and open it in Blender. I assume you need to export it as OBJ/STL/FBX to be able to import it to your scene. I think one can not merge blend files but there may be still an easier way. The same applies to tables.

 

Without DLCs there are only 4 base game cameras so it could make sense to buy Moschino (M icon) when it is on sale (anyhow everyone using the animation would also need it). Get Famous (chair icon) has even more cameras which are already used by some animators as far as I can tell.

 

The ksuihuh's AEP "Vivus 3000" camera. It's in AEP and would require that at least the AEP .package file is installed.

 

On free3D (https://free3d.com/3d-model/slr-camera-v1--279412.html) is also an OBJ/STL file for a SLR but one would need to add it to TS4 first and color it (probably replacing the mesh of the 1st base game camera). This way you could bundle your own camera with your animation.

 

5)

I think one or two creators do the additional work to add "transition" animations.

[mrhaiya]

Hello. I am new at making my own custom content.
When I am done whit an example of an object/animation in blender, how am I suppose to get the object/animation into sims 4?

[nuruguru]

On 11/8/2020 at 9:00 AM, Oops19 said:

4)

If you want to export game data use S4S, under "Object" click on "Create 3D Mesh" and search for "camera" or "tripod". Select one, click next and the "Meshes" tab allows to export the LOD 0 mesh as a blend file and open it in Blender. I assume you need to export it as OBJ/STL/FBX to be able to import it to your scene. I think one can not merge blend files but there may be still an easier way. The same applies to tables.

 

Without DLCs there are only 4 base game cameras so it could make sense to buy Moschino (M icon) when it is on sale (anyhow everyone using the animation would also need it). Get Famous (chair icon) has even more cameras which are already used by some animators as far as I can tell.

 

The ksuihuh's AEP "Vivus 3000" camera. It's in AEP and would require that at least the AEP .package file is installed.

 

On free3D (https://free3d.com/3d-model/slr-camera-v1--279412.html) is also an OBJ/STL file for a SLR but one would need to add it to TS4 first and color it (probably replacing the mesh of the 1st base game camera). This way you could bundle your own camera with your animation.

 

5)

I think one or two creators do the additional work to add "transition" animations.

Thank you. still no luck exporting the base game camera, I guess I may just have to get a bundle as its on sale at the moment, that way I can get a massage table and cameras... hmm what expiation pack to get its over get together (for doing stuff) or get to work/city living (so I can get the brookhlights mod)

 

some of that went straight over my head..but I got the rough idea. I wouldn't know how to (recolour & replace base game mesh) although im sure it won't be hard to find with a quick search. 

 

 

On 11/8/2020 at 6:01 PM, mrhaiya said:

Hello. I am new at making my own custom content.
When I am done whit an example of an object/animation in blender, how am I suppose to get the object/animation into sims 4?

^^ I am also wondering the same thing.

I know that you have to save the rigs separate m/f files, but what about the object that has been used? weather its a camera in the sims hand or an object that does not move, how do you save and use the object. 

 

 

also; (sorry for the billion questions)

I am using the dagger female rig and master rig that has been posted in a link above. where/how do I control the physics? and also I have control over the rig on layer 1 & 2 but other layers just move bones but not the rig. is there a guide on these rigs? I've read through the thread that it was posted but saw no answers.

 

thanks again!!

[Oops19]

Please remove the stack trace or hide it in a spoiler and post it in the s4s forum where you downloaded the software.