Replacing armors with custom

[LordVladek]

How do we replace vanilla outfits with custom ones? If I have custom .nif file how do I save it so it replaces vanilla, for example Blades helmet?

[VersuchDrei]

You gotta know what file is linked in the ArmorAddon. Skyrim prefers loose files over archives when loading assets, so if you place it at the right location it will be used instead.

You can look that up either in the CK or in xEdit. Blades helmet for example is "..\meshes\armor\blades\bladeshelmet.nif" and "..\meshes\armor\blades\bladeshelmetf.nif" for male and female respectively.

[nilead]

 You have to replace it in a couple of places.

First one is CK/SSE edit. Armor has separate records for: Male model, female model and world model. There is also first person model, but that one is usually a reuse of a male/female one, if armor even has FP model. Technicly, changing that record is enough, However, you need to make sure that body partitions (item slots) are the same. Many custom armors use multiple/non standard partitions.

Fist is plugin file - Its faster to change via CK, but you can do it in SSE edit.

Second is mesh - just to double check. Nifscope is your friend.

Lastly - if any changes to partition slots were done - you need to do those in bodyslide as well, or you'll roll them back on next bodyslide batch build.

 

[imai8312]

As said the simplest way is the rename the nifs of the custom armor and place them in the Correct directory (don't rename or change the directory of the textures). This only works easily if the custom armor has the same number of parts as vanilla. Another way to replace vanilla armor with custom armor on NPCs is to use SPID. You can replace the armor on individual NPCs, whole factions, or other defining conditions. The advantage of this is the armor retains it's original attributes and can contain as many different parts as you want. For example  https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/57100

 

EDIT:  Or more specifically this is set up to facilitate custom armor replacement of your choosing  "that covers a majority of the NPCs in the game" https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/58794