Converting 3DS to NIF

[MyGoodEye]

Heya. I'm usually a fairly self-sufficient guy, but man, I'm going nuts trying to get a .3DS model to successfully convert to a .NIF.

 

I have tried it with 3DSTUDIOMAX 2011 and the NIF 64-bit plugin.

 

I have tried it with BLENDER and the appropriate NIF plugs.

 

I've tried opening an OBJ in NIFSKOPE.

 

The closest I've ever come was getting a blank box the approximate size of the model to import into GECK and what appeared to be a series of textures listed... that was from 3DSTUDIOMAX

 

Now, then, I figured I'm overlooking something simple and stupid... so maybe some fresh eyes on this would be good.

 

I've read a bunch of tutorials and followed them to the letter (I thought). It should be simple, no? I'm just trying to bring in some new ARCHITECTURE models...

 

So... ANYONE with any ideas/experience willing to offer up some advice will be rewarded by becoming an NPC in one of my mods ;) Hahah... whoopie!

 

Thanks

 

David

[SpeedyB64]

I have extensive experience with getting models from 3ds Max into the GECK.

 

There is a nif exporter for max 2010 (can be hard to find since its a beta version, Try HERE) This is the best way. And you need to do it this way to get collision working.

 

OR

 

You can also export a 3ds from max and import it into nifskope. once you import it into Nifskope you need to stripify the NiTriShape into a NiTriStrips, right click on the NiTriShape block and select:

Mesh->Stripify

 

Once you have done this open up an original mesh from the game and replace its NiTriStripsData block with the NiTriStripsData block from your file. Right click on your NiTriStripsData and select

Block->Copy

Then right click on the NiTriStripsData block in the file you got from fallout and select:

block->Paste Over

 

Then you change its texture to the one you want and it should work in the game (it will still have the collision mesh from the original model you replaced, you need the exporter for that)

 

If you have any trouble I should be able to help.

[Floatsup]

Good read, I'll be using this info also, cause I had a bear of a time today for a simple thing. Thank God for friends. Cause I couldn't make it work.

 

Cheers

[MyGoodEye]

Oh THANKS! I appreciate the input.

 

I d/led that plugin and reverted to Max2009

 

Thing is, I'm still having the same/similar troubles. I get marker errors or blank boxes. Is there an "idiot's" walkthrough available somewhere? Or, would you care to write one up? hahah... there are a number of options in the exporter. Also, should I have relinked any textures to DDS files?

 

I appreciate any insight you'd care to offer.

 

David

[SpeedyB64]

There are some tutorials here:

http://niftools.sourceforge.net/wiki/3ds_Max

 

Exporting static objects for fallout New Vegas is exactly the same as exporting for fallout 3.

 

There are some tutorials here:

http://www.fallout3nexus.com/articles/cat.php?id=52

[MyGoodEye]

Thanks a ton! Those links cut through all the clutter and I finally saw my model in GECK! I toldya you could be an NPC in one of my mods... so what'll it be?

 

David

[SpeedyB64]

That depends on what kind of mod it is.

[MyGoodEye]

I have a few, take your pick:

 

WARZONES (boss characters, either good or bad, require names)

http://newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40980

 

ELECTRO-CITY (master engineers are named)

http://newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37908

 

REPOULATED WASTELAND (not truly 'mine', but I've got update rights)

http://newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40176

[SpeedyB64]

Ohh you're that guy! ELECTRO-CITY is cool. I would run Warzones if my computer could handle it.

 

You could make me a Good boss character in Warzones.

If you need my actual name its Tyler Bourne.