LE Mod Request: Closer Bows/ Slung Bows

[EmancipatorJCH]

Not a very complicated request here. Skyrim's vanilla placement of bows and quivers, floating rather obnoxiously behind the player had and has become a great annoyance of mine. I have managed to alleviate quivers to a degree through using a combination of belt-fastened quivers, and closer quivers/ longer arrows- a solution I'm rather happy with: it's simple yet elegant. The bow however still floats behind my character a few inches rather annoyingly.

 

I can't be the only Skyrim player who desires a simple modifcation that exclusively modifies the placement of bows on characters. If someone more knowledgeable and skilled than I, could move the bow closer a few inches in it's default vanilla skeleton position I'd be grateful for it. Just enough so then it doesn't float rather obviously behind. Optionally I'd find great pleasure in seeing a slung variation also- over the shoulder, in a position not unlike you'd imagine a real archer would carry it.

 

I've tried those various mods out there that do aim to reposition the bow, but they tend to change the placement of quivers also, and have no belt fastened quivers optional combatibility. It might seem like I'm a spoilt child wanting a solution to a particular problem of my own, but I can imagine there are others wanting of a modification as described above.

 

Thanks for your time.

Edited July 11, 2014 by EmancipatorJCH

[IsharaMeradin]

I too do not like how the bow & crossbow float a little further from the body than the 2 handed weapons do. However, I play with my weapons on hotkeys and always switch to melee/magic for running around. I only pull out the ranged weapons when needed so the issue is less of an issue for me due to play style.

Two options to resolve this.

 

#1 -- Adjust the skeleton node (WeaponBow). Shifts all bows at once, also affects crossbows.

 

#2 -- Adjust each bow's NIF file individually. Allows for greater precision from bow to bow and only affects those that you edit.

 

#1 would be incompatible with most custom skeletons. #2 would be incompatible with mods that change bow meshes and require patches for mods that add new bow meshes.

 

You could attempt this yourself. All you need is a copy of NifSkope

For #1 you'll need to edit the Translation and/or Rotation fields of the NiNode labeled WeaponBow on all four skeleton files

Data > Meshes > Actors > Character > Character Assets > Skeleton.nif

Data > Meshes > Actors > Character > Character Assets > SkeletonBeast.nif

Data > Meshes > Actors > Character > Character Assets Female > Skeleton_Female.nif

Data > Meshes > Actors > Character > Character Assets Female> SkeletonBeast_Female.nif

 

For #2 you'll need to edit the Translation and/or Rotation fields of the BSFadeNode on each bow's nif file (should shift all sub-meshes at the same rate keeping them together)

 

#1 might be the best option as you can set the game up the way you want for every other skeleton aspect first and then shift the WeaponBow node as you see fit.