Trying to Learn How to Create Armor Mods

[GamerRaizen]

Sup Nexus?

 

Being that I'm a long time fan of Skyrim as well as the excellent mods that are scattered all over the Nexus, I've always wanted to add my ideas to the mix. The problem with that is.....I have no idea where to begin. My goal is to create armors so I'd like to know which programs are the best for Skyrim models specifically, as well as texturing software recommendations. If anyone has any advice, tutorial links, or suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks folks! :D

[ghosu]

3D Modeling (to create the rough shape of the mesh):

Blender (free), 3DsMax, Cinema 4D, Maya etc.

 

sculpting and texturing software (to model details and draw directly on the mesh):

Sculptris (free), Mudbox, Substance Painter, zBrush, 3D Coat etc.

 

image editor (to create/tune/convert texture):

Gimp (free), Photoshop, PaintNet etc.

 

Plugins:

Nvidia DDS plugin for image editor (to convert texture to .dds = Skyrim's texture format)

NIF plugin for Blender/3DsMax etc (to open/save .nif = Skyrim's 3D model container)

NifSkope (to edit .nif files)

 

Tools:

Crazybump, xNormal, quixel suite...mainly to create normal maps, but there are plenty other features and tools out there, impossible to list them all :D

 

There are quite a few tutorials on youtube, can't list them all right now (there is an own tut thread as well) - but tbh i personally would suggest to start with static items, like weapons - IF you never created anything before. Armors/clothing is much harder to create because you have to weight the mesh (so the 3D model sticks to the character's body). Sometimes quite a messy and time consuming job.

 

There is my weapon tutorial in my signature, just to get an idea for the whole process. You can exchange the used tools in each category - and you don't have to use them the way i listed them above. Example: zBrush is listed as sculpting/texturing tool - but you could create the 3D model with it as well. Just a matter of workflow.

 

Whatever, i guess as a beginner you start with free software or trial versions. I'm not using it myself, but Blender=>Sculptris=>GIMP should work well.

 

greetings

Edited May 27, 2016 by ghosu

[drewsbrew]

Check out this playlist on YouTube, I found it very helpful and informative-- although it is a little outdated in terms of the software, the overall info is still good.

[GamerRaizen]

  On 5/27/2016 at 7:13 AM, ghosu said:

3D Modeling (to create the rough shape of the mesh):

Blender (free), 3DsMax, Cinema 4D, Maya etc.

 

sculpting and texturing software (to model details and draw directly on the mesh):

Sculptris (free), Mudbox, Substance Painter, zBrush, 3D Coat etc.

 

image editor (to create/tune/convert texture):

Gimp (free), Photoshop, PaintNet etc.

 

Plugins:

Nvidia DDS plugin for image editor (to convert texture to .dds = Skyrim's texture format)

NIF plugin for Blender/3DsMax etc (to open/save .nif = Skyrim's 3D model container)

NifSkope (to edit .nif files)

 

Tools:

Crazybump, xNormal, quixel suite...mainly to create normal maps, but there are plenty other features and tools out there, impossible to list them all :D

 

There are quite a few tutorials on youtube, can't list them all right now (there is an own tut thread as well) - but tbh i personally would suggest to start with static items, like weapons - IF you never created anything before. Armors/clothing is much harder to create because you have to weight the mesh (so the 3D model sticks to the character's body). Sometimes quite a messy and time consuming job.

 

There is my weapon tutorial in my signature, just to get an idea for the whole process. You can exchange the used tools in each category - and you don't have to use them the way i listed them above. Example: zBrush is listed as sculpting/texturing tool - but you could create the 3D model with it as well. Just a matter of workflow.

 

Whatever, i guess as a beginner you start with free software or trial versions. I'm not using it myself, but Blender=>Sculptris=>GIMP should work well.

 

greetings

 

 

 

 

 

First off, I love your mods....they're fantastic! Secondly, thank you for all the info! You literally answered every question I have. Much appreciated!

[GamerRaizen]

  On 5/27/2016 at 4:11 PM, drewsbrew said:

Check out this playlist on YouTube, I found it very helpful and informative-- although it is a little outdated in terms of the software, the overall info is still good.

 

 

Definitely going to check it out thanks!