fallout nv custom armor question

[MattWith2Ts]

hello fellow mod makers, I'm working on my 1st mod and I have just a few probably simple questions about a custom armor piece I'm creating. I'll keep it short.

 

1. I have a neck armor piece that screws up my view in 1st person while looking at my pipboy (see images)

Is there a way to exclude that from 1st person? the armor right now is one full piece but I can easily chop it up if needed and re export from 3ds max.

 

2. SPECULAR MAPS - can I put in a custom spec map? I would love to create my own in photoshop that compliments the metal and leather materials, is that an option? or does the engine just use my diffuse as the specular map? I have nifscope so if I need to change settings in there but I would prefer to create my own. is there specific shaders I can use for my leather then another for my metal and will I need to separate the parts of my model in that fashion?

 

any information or even links to tutorials with this subject matter will be much appreciated.

 

Thanks guys

[krigulv]

name it UpperBody or anything other than Arms

 

edit: and yes, you can add in your own spec map. it is the alpha channel of normal maps.

Edited May 22, 2013 by krigulv

[MattWith2Ts]

oh ok great, thanks for the quick reply Krigulv.

[MattWith2Ts]

ok so the "UpperBody" name fixes the problem with the 1st person but I'm still trying to find out how to access the alpha channel of my armor.

 

I know how to create one in photoshop then resave to proper format and all that stuff but is there something I have to do in nifscope to allow my alpha map from my normal map to access in game for the spec map? ps. I'm using texture sets for this armor so also is there an option I need to check there?

 

let me know

 

thanks.