Isolating texture usage

[amallichetta]

Taking my first few steps in modding, I have started to change texture files.

Success!

 

My problem is, and this is what I'd like to get info about.....

that Skyrim uses textures as batch, and I don't like that!

At least not always.

 

Meaning: I change a texture to my liking, and its awesome and it fits the part,

but then other parts of the building or the town are changed too.

 

Now, the question is

 

** How can I isolate the texture file, that one texture will only be used at a certain place? **

 

and it is not going to be scattered all over Skyrim!

 

 

Here is an example:

I am working on changing textures in the Blue Palace.

 

I want the very top of the dome to be a stained glass window, that will look like a skylight!

I've done that.

Not perfect, but the base is done, and I will make it glow like a window.

 

 

 

 

and here is the problem...

the glass window shows up on top of columns and on the ceiling where it has got nothing to do!

I want that ONE skylight!

I don't want the texture everywhere !

 

 

Showed up on this windowframe too and it looks beyond ridiculous

I'd like a 19th century theme not a psychedelic one!!!

I'm not called Pelagius!

 

 

 

 

and showed up on some stupid parts of the ceiling where i definitely don't want them

 

So I'd like to ask seasoned n clever modders what to do?

Any ideas?

Anything I need to research and learn?

Just point me to the right direction please so I could develop my skills and hopefully learn it and do it myself!

How can I separate that 'top of the dome' part so it has its own unique texture?

 

Many thanks for any ideas and insight!

Amy

Edited December 6, 2022 by amallichetta

[olnorton]

It's been a long time since I modded Skyrim, but you need to look at texture sets.

In the Creation Kit, in the Object window, go to Miscellaneous and TextureSet, right click in the window and choose New

Add your texture files.

Then assign the new set ID to the Blue Palace.

[amallichetta]

I will look at Texture Sets, thx for the idea!
I have been working on the problem and found a different solution.

Instead of isolating the texture file (meaning used as singular text and not as a batch)

I have found a way to isolate the the texture USAGE.
Meaning I have changed the allocated place where the existing texture file is used.


For this I have to use the system of 3 programmes.

Photoshop with DDS plugin.
BSA browser.
NifSkope.

With the combination of these 3 I was able to change where a certain mesh (almost any mesh) drags the texture from.
Bit complicated but not too bad with simple surfaces.
With complicated surfaces it is a bit more difficult.
And I still haven't figured out how to scale down the texture allocating grid with Nifscope, that would help immensely!
So if anyone knows tell me pls!

Here is a picture of work in progress

 

 

[amallichetta]

Soooo...

 

It seems NifSkope is the solution!

 

You can change SINGLE, and targeted textures on one exact surface!

It shows up there where you want it, and does not come as a batch!

For example if you change the staircase in the Blue Palace, you will not find the same texture on the steps of a random wooden peasant hut.

 

NifSkope can open NIF (mesh files) and allocate the exact texture that is linked to it. It even shows you with texture grid where the texture is grabbed from on the DDS file.

 

It also opens the NIF mesh file in a 3D view, AND lets you change which DDS file is linked to the surface (any part of the mesh) you want to work with.

You can choose a new DDS file if you want, or just change which part of the linked DDS file you want to use.

Brilliant!!!

 

Now you just have to get yourself a DDS file editing programme.

For me Photoshop with DDS plugin works a treat. It can change any random texture/picture file to dds.