basic modding questions

[pablo88]

So I'm looking here

http://geck.bethsoft.com/index.php/Creating_A_Custom_Weapon

and here

http://geck.bethsoft.com/index.php/Weapons

 

I see blender is being used. Why is that? Why can't I use max or maya? Is that because blender has a built-in .nif exporter or something?

 

Also, instead of say making a whole new mesh and custom animations for a weapon, couldn't I just force the game to use pre-existing animations or would the new gun mesh have to be the exact same size as the animation I'm trying to force it to use to avoid clipping?

 

Another thing, do I need normals and a spec map for a weapon in the game? Like if I don't have normals will the object not display light and thus be pitch black? I thought someone here told me that a while back but I want to make sure.

 

And a final question if I might, I'm trying to use the .nif exporter for my version of maya 2009 unlimited. All of my research however suggests that if I want to use the .nif exporter plugin I need to roll back to maya version 9.0 [not unlimited]. Any one know anything about this? I feel foolish using blender when I have much more powerful software such as maya.

 

Thank you!!!

[BulletSix]

blender is most certainly only being used as a reference since its freeware, so no money or doubtful actions are needed to get a 3d-modeling program.

Max and maya work fine too, if they have a nif-export or maybe you could go with obj and use blender to import the .obj and export the nif)

 

As far as i know it is not possible to make new animantions for Fallout anyway. So all guns from FO3-mods did use the animantions of the core game.

This is only interesting if you think about reloads, though. For firing a) the animations are mostly the same (a bolt/cover/slide going backwards and a hammer/trigger turning somewhat ... revolver drum(s) turn too, i know ;) ) and b) stored in the .nif.

You can edit the distance or angle of movement of the various parts with nifskope later.

 

Spec map ... no i don`t think so but normals are a definitive yes.

 

Can`help you with the maya part, i am using blender ;)

 

All that is to the best of my knowledge, which may be totally off, especially about the textures ;)

[pablo88]

I know when millenia released his re-textured 9mm [to a 1911 looking gun] he said he made specs but the engine either couldn't handle them or they couldn't be used.

 

The normal map, does that help reflect light, is that what it does?

[pablo88]

Nevermind. I learned what a normal map is.

 

I solved a lot of questions else where but thank you for your input. I am now directly working on Fallout3 NV assets.