Getting started with Blender and modding.

[Blah Blahson]

So I've been getting into modding Skyrim in the form of modifying meshes to suit my needs and tastes, but I'm reaching the limits of what I can do with the tools and experience that I have.

 

I've heard of Blender being used for modifying nifs, so I'd like to ask: Can I do the following with Blender, and if so, where can I look to get started?

 

• Modify nif files and their bone structure, mainly to convert armors to various bodies
• Add HDT Havok physics to existing equipment

 

I'd appreciate any help, and I'd be willing to share the things I complete with the community.

[gvman3670]

Blender can convert armors. (I've never attempted adding HDT weights to armors, but think it can do that as well.)

 

This thread here... http://www.loverslab.com/topic/22771-skyrim-blender-armor-conversion-tutorial-update/...has a lot of info in it and even a link to BlenderX (portable).

[~magic~]

Modding in Skyrim is completely possible with Blender. It requires a workflow between Blender 2.49b, the latest version of Blender, and NIFskope. In general, you want to modify meshes with the latest version of Blender, use Blender 2.49b only for .nif exporting and importing, and NIFskope for fixing everything up.

 

Converting armors between bodies is trivial, and requires any version of Blender and NIFskope. My workflow for converting armors without having to use this daunting method is as follows:

>NIFskope: export armor mesh as .obj, export destination body as .obj

>Blender 2.72: Import mesh, armor, fit body to mesh using blender's powerful tools, especially proportional editing. Do not add or remove vertices, or modify the UV layout. If you do, you will have to re-paint the weights and go through blender 2.49b.

>Blender 2.72: Export modified armor mesh as .3ds (.obj export will likely not work).

>NIFskope: Import modified mesh over nitrishape, answer "yes" to replace the old mesh with the new mesh.

>NIFskope: Armor will likely be at the wrong angle, use transform tool and "apply transform" to fix it. Replace the old body with the new body. Save, done.

 

Creating new armors is trickier, and requires use of both Blender 2.49b and a newer version (unless you are insane and want to try to make an armor in 2.49b instead of using blender 2.72's much, much better tools and workflow). This is my workflow:

>NIFskope: export destination body as .obj

>Blender 2.72: Import destination body, create armor around it, save armor as .obj or legacy .blend

>Blender 2.49b: Import new armor (not the body mesh), import destination body .nif, bone weight copy (or do the weight painting by hand if you're insane) from the body or another armor to the new armor, otherwise following the guide found here.

 

HDT weighting in Blender is completely possible, albeit I have yet to attempt it. See here: http://forums.elementalgame.com/395707

[Blah Blahson]

Many thanks for the help and links. I know what I'm going to be doing all day today.

 

Do not add or remove vertices, or modify the UV layout. If you do, you will have to re-paint the weights and go through blender 2.49b.

 

This will probably have to happen, since one of the things I want to do is cut out pieces of equipment and possibly mash them together. However, I think if I need to redo the weights, I think just copying the bone weights in Outfit Studio will suffice. At least, that's what I've been doing all this time and it's worked so far.

 

[~magic~]

Many thanks for the help and links. I know what I'm going to be doing all day today.

 

Do not add or remove vertices, or modify the UV layout. If you do, you will have to re-paint the weights and go through blender 2.49b.

 

This will probably have to happen, since one of the things I want to do is cut out pieces of equipment and possibly mash them together. However, I think if I need to redo the weights, I think just copying the bone weights in Outfit Studio will suffice. At least, that's what I've been doing all this time and it's worked so far.

 

I literally just posted a guide about things like this.

 

If you want to modify the mesh and add pieces, you will need to go through blender 2.49b. However, do not worry - as long as you use it as an exporter and importer, you will still be able to use blender 2.7+ for almost everything.

[ousnius]

 

Many thanks for the help and links. I know what I'm going to be doing all day today.

 

Do not add or remove vertices, or modify the UV layout. If you do, you will have to re-paint the weights and go through blender 2.49b.

 

This will probably have to happen, since one of the things I want to do is cut out pieces of equipment and possibly mash them together. However, I think if I need to redo the weights, I think just copying the bone weights in Outfit Studio will suffice. At least, that's what I've been doing all this time and it's worked so far.

 

I literally just posted a guide about things like this.

 

If you want to modify the mesh and add pieces, you will need to go through blender 2.49b. However, do not worry - as long as you use it as an exporter and importer, you will still be able to use blender 2.7+ for almost everything.

 

 

Did you know that there's Blender 2.72 support of the NIF plugins already?

The most important stuff is supported, and you don't need to fiddle around in NifSkope anymore.

 

[~magic~]

 

 

Many thanks for the help and links. I know what I'm going to be doing all day today.

 

Do not add or remove vertices, or modify the UV layout. If you do, you will have to re-paint the weights and go through blender 2.49b.

 

This will probably have to happen, since one of the things I want to do is cut out pieces of equipment and possibly mash them together. However, I think if I need to redo the weights, I think just copying the bone weights in Outfit Studio will suffice. At least, that's what I've been doing all this time and it's worked so far.

 

I literally just posted a guide about things like this.

 

If you want to modify the mesh and add pieces, you will need to go through blender 2.49b. However, do not worry - as long as you use it as an exporter and importer, you will still be able to use blender 2.7+ for almost everything.

 

 

Did you know that there's Blender 2.72 support of the NIF plugins already?

The most important stuff is supported, and you don't need to fiddle around in NifSkope anymore.

 

 

 

Very aware, but it's still in alpha and testing, and does not support all of the features that 2.49b's scripts do. But, I will make a note of that on the guide.

[Blah Blahson]

I have found the alpha Blender nif plugin to be extremely useful. It took a lot of experimenting and trial and error, but I've managed to make a thing.

 

It's real basic, but I love the way it turned out. I took a fur cuirass and cut off the kilt, leaving only the top. I then rigged it to my character's skeleton with Nifskope, and made final minor adjustments with Outfit Studio. For extra credit I made it into an esp.

 

 

Little shout out to JaFinmongrab for inspiring my new character's looks.

No fancy pose mods unfortunately. FNIS-based mods aren't playing nice right now.

 

 

 

I borrowed the loincloth from Seedeye's Forsworn Loincloth for Sundracon and Favored Soul Males and rigged it to my character. Also modified the texture slightly.

 

This was challenging for me since I'm an absolute beginner, but it was a lot of fun. I couldn't have done it without your guys' help. For my next project I want to add HDT physics to the loincloth. It'll probably be even more difficult, but I'm sure I can do it with the help of this awesome community.