Importing and Exporting .nif files?

[Denisowator]

I know the only way to get your models into the game is to export models as .nif files, and since there are literally millions of mods adding different items into the game, there are also millions of people asking the question. But for some reason, I am unable to find ANYTHING on this topic. :sad:

 

So how would I import nif files, and export my own files in the .nif extention?

 

Thanks in advance. :smile:

Edited September 5, 2015 by Denisowator

[Jokerine]

You need to specify the game you're working with and the version of Blender you've installed, you see.

[Denisowator]

You need to specify the game you're working with and the version of Blender you've installed, you see.

I'm working with skyrim and I'm using Blender 2.75 alpha (newest).

[Denisowator]

Just watched a couple tutorials, and realised I don't even need to import or export the .nif files. Since I can just export the mesh within NifSkope as .obj. Then edit, save it as .obj and put that back into NifSkope.

 

Why did noone say anything? Cause like 27 people viewed this.

Edited September 5, 2015 by Denisowator

[sLoPpYdOtBiGhOlE]

Probably because export as Obj from nifskope and then importing to blender it seems to loose some info.

eg: Scale and a few other things.

 

So when you export the model as obj and then import it back into nifskope the size will be wrong, the UV map will be gone and it's just not as easy as you made out or think.

Edited September 22, 2015 by sLoPpYdOtBiGhOlE

[RabidGears]

Exporting as OBJ strips out a ton of info from the NIF that it needs. You need to import it as a NIF into Blender. To do that you need the import/export scripts from the Niftools site.

[Despato]

I've found that exporting meshes from blender works a better when they're in the .3ds format. Importing them into NifScope is easier, it saves rotation data ect... Plus then you don't have a pesky .mtl file that gets created along with the .obj.

[wonderasunder]

This thread talks about character meshes, but the beginning of Caliente8's reply ought to help you regarding preparing skyrim .nif files so it can be loaded onto blender 2.49b, saved as a (2.49b) .blend file, and accessed in blender 2.62. If 2.62 blend files can be loaded into blender 2.75, then after loading the objects from the (2.49b) .blend file into blender 2.62 and saving that, you can load your (2.62) .blend file into blender 2.75. When you're done, you'll have to load it backwards from blender 2.75, into blender 2.62, and finally into blender 2.49b, because you need 2.49b to export a valid .nif file, and even then you'll have to prepare it for skyrim before you test it in-game.

 

You need Nifskope to prepare the .nif file for blender use, and to prepare your modified .nif file for skyrim in-game use. Some people use Blender 2.49b all through out their process, but some are more comfortable with newer UI and better tools of newer Blenders so they go back and forth of the Blender versions.

 

*The preparation of the .nif files as instructed in the thread are for body replacers (I think) and armors follow the same preparations. Google what are the appropriate blender actions you should take before you finally export your modified .nif file.

*I'm no blender/modding expert, I can only barely use blender to be honest, please make use of documentations such as Blender 3D: Noob to Pro. Google stuff, watch/read tutorials, etc etc

*Take this reply with a grain of salt. Again, I'm not a blender expert.

*Read the thread I linked because I didn't really explain how blender version works in the most sensical way I admit.

*Sorry for the run-on sentences. :sweat:

 

 

How to Install Blender 2.49b: What You Need (Windows Installation)

 

^That's how I installed Blender 2.49b on my laptop. Should be pretty straightforward. Uninstall any Blender on your system before attempting to follow those^ instructions!

 

For my later versions of blender (anything after 2.49b version), I choose to download the ZIP option over the MSI option from Blender's website to avoid conflicts. For example, in C:\Apps I have a folder named 2.62, which is where I extracted the contents of blender-2.62-release-windows64.7z (Blender 2.62 ZIP _{(technically not a .zip file, aha)}). I can run Blender 2.62 with no problems and Blender 2.49b is not acting up in the presence of another Blender in the same drive. Easy peasy.

 

 

Hope this helps!

[Tigrah2k]

Hopefully this bump isn't out of topic, or viewed poorly... I'm still modding in Morrowind (my pc can't handle skyrim). I am trying to create custom meshes again, after a long break. I have created another topic, asking for help with the fact that I cannot get Nif Textures to work anymore. Can I use Nifskope to mod the textures attached to my objects, and still have them function within Morrowind? (Oblivion and Skyrim, when I get a new pc)?

[Dovhakiin]

Sorry I cant answer your question because I'm a newbie on this. since your doing morrowind what blender version is best for modding morrowind? I heard that version 2.41 (which is what I have) but I also heard 2.49 was good to witch one is better? also do I need a certain version of niftools?