Manually Remaking ECE presets in RaceMenu -- Difficulty?

[NNS10]

If I were to make the switch to RaceMenu, how difficult would it be to remake my ECE presets?

 

If I use the ECE morphs, would using the same slider settings produce similar results?

[Irrational]

If I were to make the switch to RaceMenu, how difficult would it be to remake my ECE presets?

 

If I use the ECE morphs, would using the same slider settings produce similar results?

1. You'll have to play with the sliders a bit to get a feel for them. 

 

2. Some sliders go by different names in racemenu.

 

It was hard at first to get the face the way I want with racemenu, but after messing with it for a while with it, I can say it's not much different from ECE and can produce familiar results.

[Spyder Arachnid]

I'll simply say, it won't be the same.

 

While you can get similar results, one thing ECE has over RaceMenu will always be the vertex editor. Meaning no more spikes or blocky faces, cause you can edit them out via the vertex editor in ECE. RaceMenu, you just have to deal with it.

 

Though RaceMenu has the overlay function. Which is something ECE doesn't have. So no more having to edit your textures just to get tattoo you want and same goes for body features. You can just use overlay now to do all of that, and it will only be on your character instead of all npcs.

 

 

But simply put, it just won't be the same like I said above. That vertex editor makes a huge difference (in my opinion cause I use it a lot).

[blabba]

I'll simply say, it won't be the same.

 

While you can get similar results, one thing ECE has over RaceMenu will always be the vertex editor. Meaning no more spikes or blocky faces, cause you can edit them out via the vertex editor in ECE. RaceMenu, you just have to deal with it.

 

You moving around a few vertices on such a low poly head isn't what's going to make it less blocky.

In fact you can't make it less blocky at all. And that's just because of the low poly head mesh. Which ECE nor stock RaceMenu fixes.

[GrimReaper]

 

I'll simply say, it won't be the same.

 

While you can get similar results, one thing ECE has over RaceMenu will always be the vertex editor. Meaning no more spikes or blocky faces, cause you can edit them out via the vertex editor in ECE. RaceMenu, you just have to deal with it.

 

You moving around a few vertices on such a low poly head isn't what's going to make it less blocky.

In fact you can't make it less blocky at all. And that's just because of the low poly head mesh. Which ECE nor stock RaceMenu fixes.

 

 

If the blockiness is caused by a few vertices being at the wrong place - which happens a lot if you use some sliders - yes you can fix that with ECE.

[Spyder Arachnid]

 

I'll simply say, it won't be the same.

 

While you can get similar results, one thing ECE has over RaceMenu will always be the vertex editor. Meaning no more spikes or blocky faces, cause you can edit them out via the vertex editor in ECE. RaceMenu, you just have to deal with it.

 

You moving around a few vertices on such a low poly head isn't what's going to make it less blocky.

In fact you can't make it less blocky at all. And that's just because of the low poly head mesh. Which ECE nor stock RaceMenu fixes.

 

 

Of course. There is only so much you can do with what you are given. It won't always be perfect.

 

But ECE allows you to fix those tiny imperfections as good as you can. You see those small spikes sticking out on your chin or around your mouth? Use the vertex editor to push them in and about to smooth it out. Jagged blocky chin? Use the vertex editor to smooth it out.

 

RaceMenu doesn't have that. You are stuck with those spikes sticking out of your face, or those jagged blocky verts. There is nothing to get rid of those in RaceMenu. At least in ECE, you can take care of those little imperfections.

 

 

Regardless, as the topic asks, you won't get the same face you can make in ECE if you switch to RaceMenu. It's a given. RaceMenu may be nice with it's overlays and such, and ECE may be nice with it's vertex editor to fix those minor imperfections and customize your head to a tee, but in the end, they build completely different faces. Which it may be somewhat similar, they will never be the same between the two.

[NNS10]

Okay... so let me go about it the opposite way then.

 

If I stick with ECE, is it possible to do PC-exclusive overlays without using a custom race? If so, what's involved? Loading the game with customized body textures, using showracemenu to load the skin, save, and then put back the normal body textures?

[Spyder Arachnid]

Sadly with ECE, there is no overlay type feature. The only way to do all that would be to edit your overall skin texture via Photoshop/Gimp, but then everyone would have it.

 

Though you can easily take overlays from RaceMenu and then apply them via Photoshop/Gimp to your texture (it's what I do all the time), but again, everyone will have it.

 

 

That's one of the upsides to RaceMenu. The whole Overlay feature. Being able to have a unique look just for yourself.

 

Though I know there is stuff like PC Exclusive and things, and being able to have unique bodies for each race. I've never used them myself, so I can't say for 100% if they will do what you are looking for. I think the best you'll get is by race, not unique to just the player character only. Sadly your best bet is to use a custom race for it. It's really the only option that I know of if you decide not to use RaceMenu.

[GrimReaper]

Okay... so let me go about it the opposite way then.

 

If I stick with ECE, is it possible to do PC-exclusive overlays without using a custom race? If so, what's involved? Loading the game with customized body textures, using showracemenu to load the skin, save, and then put back the normal body textures?

 

Just use the ygnordrace that comes with ECE. It has it's own meshes and textures so you can go crazy with that and it won't affect anyone else in your game other than your character. It's a custom race yes but it's just a clone of the nord race, nothing more. No special abilities or anything like that, just the stats of the plain old vanilla nord.

[NNS10]

Maybe there isn't even a point to me going to RaceMenu. I was thinking I could use the overlay for body scars... but amazingly I can't seem to find any such mods.

 

Am I missing something? Or are there really no RaceMenu body scar overlays?

[Guest]

 

I'll simply say, it won't be the same.

 

While you can get similar results, one thing ECE has over RaceMenu will always be the vertex editor. Meaning no more spikes or blocky faces, cause you can edit them out via the vertex editor in ECE. RaceMenu, you just have to deal with it.

 

You moving around a few vertices on such a low poly head isn't what's going to make it less blocky.

In fact you can't make it less blocky at all. And that's just because of the low poly head mesh. Which ECE nor stock RaceMenu fixes.

 

 

I have to disagree, you definitely can fix a lot of the normal sliders' issues with vertex edit.

 

This is what it would probably look like without vertex edit (not the same face but both made with ECE, two with and one without the vertex editor)

 

 

 

 

And this is what it looks like with vertex edit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe there isn't even a point to me going to RaceMenu. I was thinking I could use the overlay for body scars... but amazingly I can't seem to find any such mods.

 

Am I missing something? Or are there really no RaceMenu body scar overlays?

 

I think there aren't any. There are some resource files that allow you to add scars to a body texture via gimp/photoshop but so far I've seen no RaceMenu overlays.

[blabba]

 

I have to disagree, you definitely can fix a lot of the normal sliders' issues with vertex edit.

 

This is what it would probably look like without vertex edit (not the same face but both made with ECE, two with and one without the vertex editor)

 

 

 

 

 

And this is what it looks like with vertex edit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All I can say is, I still see the same pointy 3 vertices on the chin, no amount of normal mapping, and vertex editing is ever going to get rid of that for you.

 

But then we can just agree to disagree.

[nompo]

I was curious about this myself. I like the layout and options of ECE so much more than RaceMenu. The only thing that's now killing me is the fact that I can't use the Familiar Faces mod that dropped a few weeks ago. The character trophy display thingy would be cool in and of itself but the fact that it allows a doofus like myself to easily make their own unique followers is amazing.

 

I just can't bring myself to scrap the character that I've meticulously sculpted over hours of gameplay in order to switch over to RaceMenu. 

 

..and I tried putting ECE lower in the load order than RaceMenu. Thought it might make ECE override RaceMenu to an extent so that I could keep my character but still use Familiar Faces. Have my cake and eat it too, you know? Didn't work though.

[dobmc]

Meanwhile this gem pops up out of nowhere. 

 

Can someone confirm that Racemenu no longer has more sliders than ECE? Of course excluding duplicate sliders like being able to individually alter right and left arms. I think its unlikely but it looks like Racemenu lost its advantage against ECE.

 

Also there are plenty of mods out there that allow players to have independent bodies from NPCs. Dunno what's with the hype of having an overlay feature, it barely outweighs against the vertex edit. Plus half of the time I won't be able to see the damn tattoo unless my character wears a skimpy outfit. Oh wait nevermind, my bad. This was already mentioned.

 

Maybe there isn't even a point to me going to RaceMenu. I was thinking I could use the overlay for body scars... but amazingly I can't seem to find any such mods.

 

Am I missing something? Or are there really no RaceMenu body scar overlays?

Actually, I found a few scars that you can just plug-into gimp and use it on your favourite skin-texture. God knows where it is in my HD right now, but it even comes with a normal map for it! But I don't know if Racemenu allows overlays using normal maps, would take out half the fun out of the scars. Anyways I guess you could just replace the a few overlay textures to use the scars.

 

@Absurdity

Eh, really? Even I'm able to use gimp at ease, and I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to something like this. Seriously its literally just copy & paste. Geez I wonder how hard is life for them.

[Guest]

Meanwhile this gem pops up out of nowhere. 

 

Can someone confirm that Racemenu no longer has more sliders than ECE? Of course excluding duplicate sliders like being able to individually alter right and left arms. I think its unlikely but it looks like Racemenu lost its advantage against ECE.

 

Also there are plenty of mods out there that allow players to have independent bodies from NPCs. Dunno what's with the hype of having an overlay feature, it barely outweighs against the vertex edit. Plus half of the time I won't be able to see the damn tattoo unless my character wears a skimpy outfit. Oh wait nevermind, my bad. This was already mentioned.

 

Yep, those new sliders are awesome and they finally allow you to fix XPMS' problem with characters clipping slightly into the ground.

 

The overlays' usefulness probably depends on how much experience you have with PS/Gimp because if you can customize textures yourself there's no real need for an overlay feature.

 

[GrimReaper]

 

 

All I can say is, I still see the same pointy 3 vertices on the chin, no amount of normal mapping, and vertex editing is ever going to get rid of that for you.

 

But then we can just agree to disagree.

 

 

And no amount of vertices will ever result in a really, really round shape. What's your point, exactly?

[dobmc]

 

 

 

 

 

All I can say is, I still see the same pointy 3 vertices on the chin, no amount of normal mapping, and vertex editing is ever going to get rid of that for you.

 

But then we can just agree to disagree.

 

 

And no amount of vertices will ever result in a really, really round shape. What's your point, exactly?

 

 

 

Well lets look at Lara Croft's boobies

 

 

I think you'll get what I'm trying to say but let me ask a question. Out of which Lara's, would you bang? Um, well okay let me rephrase it. Which Lara tricks your brain into thinking its a real person instead of some polygons? No, no, no, okay, final question: Which looks visually appealing?

 

Actually, why did I do this? Urg, brb. I'm going to have a conversation with my brain.

[blabba]

 

 

 

All I can say is, I still see the same pointy 3 vertices on the chin, no amount of normal mapping, and vertex editing is ever going to get rid of that for you.

 

But then we can just agree to disagree.

 

 

And no amount of vertices will ever result in a really, really round shape. What's your point, exactly?

 

 

I present to you a perfectly round sphere with only about 2k vertices:

 

 

 

If I really bothered to invest time into it, I could cut down the vertex count and put a nice good normal map on it.

 

Same principle for head, a good topology, and a slight increase in vertex count goes a long way (see the Citrus head pics and try to point out the chin vertices....)

[NNS10]

Actually, I found a few scars that you can just plug-into gimp and use it on your favourite skin-texture. God knows where it is in my HD right now, but it even comes with a normal map for it! But I don't know if Racemenu allows overlays using normal maps, would take out half the fun out of the scars. Anyways I guess you could just replace the a few overlay textures to use the scars.

 

Do you know what the mod was called for the scar textures? I'm going to play with player-exclusive body mods and gimp the scars onto my existing textures.

[Guest]

 

Actually, I found a few scars that you can just plug-into gimp and use it on your favourite skin-texture. God knows where it is in my HD right now, but it even comes with a normal map for it! But I don't know if Racemenu allows overlays using normal maps, would take out half the fun out of the scars. Anyways I guess you could just replace the a few overlay textures to use the scars.

 

Do you know what the mod was called for the scar textures? I'm going to play with player-exclusive body mods and gimp the scars onto my existing textures.

 

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/31954/? for example has resources for scars and other stuff.

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/24600/? not really for body textures but maybe you can still find something useful since it has a lot of different scars.

 

[dobmc]

 

 

 

 

Actually, I found a few scars that you can just plug-into gimp and use it on your favourite skin-texture. God knows where it is in my HD right now, but it even comes with a normal map for it! But I don't know if Racemenu allows overlays using normal maps, would take out half the fun out of the scars. Anyways I guess you could just replace the a few overlay textures to use the scars.

 

Do you know what the mod was called for the scar textures? I'm going to play with player-exclusive body mods and gimp the scars onto my existing textures.

 

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/31954/? for example has resources for scars and other stuff.

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/24600/? not really for body textures but maybe you can still find something useful since it has a lot of different scars.
 

 

 

 

Ah, I think you nailed it with the first link. I'm guessing its one of the resource files. If not, then *sighs heavily* I guess I'll go check my HD.

 

Ah, yes its called "Pack01 CBBE" for me.

 

 

 

I guess you should know it since I've seen your character use the same, if not, similar scar mod. By the way I just wanted to say that your character is unique. She's got that kawaii-vibe unlike any other characters I've seen.

 

Have you considered naming them individually? They could be sisters for all I care.

[Guest]

Ah, I think you nailed it with the first link. I'm guessing its one of the resource files. If not, then *sighs heavily* I guess I'll go check my HD.

 

Ah, yes its called "Pack01 CBBE" for me.

 

 

 

I guess you should know it since I've seen your character use the same, if not, similar scar mod. By the way I just wanted to say that your character is unique. She's got that kawaii-vibe unlike any other characters I've seen.

 

Have you considered naming them individually? They could be sisters for all I care.

 

Heh, thanks. Guess I achieved atleast one of the goals with her design then. When creating characters I normally try to go for something between cute (though that's highly subjective) and disturbing. And yes, I'm pretty sure I use some of the scars from that pack.

[NNS10]

Hm, interesting resources from BI Phenotype.

 

The arrow wound scars don't look

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, I found a few scars that you can just plug-into gimp and use it on your favourite skin-texture. God knows where it is in my HD right now, but it even comes with a normal map for it! But I don't know if Racemenu allows overlays using normal maps, would take out half the fun out of the scars. Anyways I guess you could just replace the a few overlay textures to use the scars.

 

Do you know what the mod was called for the scar textures? I'm going to play with player-exclusive body mods and gimp the scars onto my existing textures.

 

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/31954/? for example has resources for scars and other stuff.

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/24600/? not really for body textures but maybe you can still find something useful since it has a lot of different scars.
 

 

 

 

Ah, I think you nailed it with the first link. I'm guessing its one of the resource files. If not, then *sighs heavily* I guess I'll go check my HD.

 

Ah, yes its called "Pack01 CBBE" for me.

 

 

 

I guess you should know it since I've seen your character use the same, if not, similar scar mod. By the way I just wanted to say that your character is unique. She's got that kawaii-vibe unlike any other characters I've seen.

 

Have you considered naming them individually? They could be sisters for all I care.

 

Looks like Pack01 CBBE is from Body Imperfect.

 

 

Do you guys know if there are any good arrow scar resources somewhere? BI Phenotype has the Archer body scars, but the arrow scars just look odd. Looks more like a cigar burn than an arrow scar.

[NNS10]

What do the colors mean on normal maps?

 

I'm editing and moving around the scars from the BI Phenotype resource normal maps, but the scar layers themselves seem to have colors from the base normal map.

 

This is resulting in odd looking scars when I move them around. In-game the height of the scar (outward / inward) changes depending on the lighting.

[GrimReaper]

 

 

I present to you a perfectly round sphere with only about 2k vertices:

 

 

Except it isn't. Even with the naked eye you are still able to spot some edges here and there.