Very basic questions from a beginner (Blender, GIMP)

[Behescrolls]

So I've started using blender to make me some swords for skyrim, I have the latest version of blender and also I have gimp and nifskope. I have several questions however.

1. Do I need any other utilities to finish my work?

2. In order to texture my weapon do I need only to do a uv unwrap/texture? Or do I need to add a material/texture since that's the way texture shows up in blender render view?

3. Once I'm done texturing what else do I have to do? I'd like some of my one handed swords to have a higher base damage than daedric weapons in order to level one handed up faster but without going all OP, and also I'd like to know how if the size affects the weapon to being a one handed or two handed sword, since I want to make some large one handed swords.

4. Where does the skyrim creation kit fit into this? Do I need it? Or only nifskope to add my weapon into the game.

 

Thanks for any help and advice provided, I'm sure there are many other topics that probably answer these questions but I don't know how to search for the specific questions I was looking for.

-Mark.

 

Ps, I'd also like to add my weapons to a larger armory download once I finish them, I have some 3d models finished already, (a couple kopis, a flamberge and a one handed version of boethiahs statue sword, untextured though.) If anyone would like to collaborate with me you can PM me on here or email me at [email protected]

Thanks.

[Behescrolls]

I guess I mainly need help with making my dds maps for the swords I make and figuring out how to put it into the game, if no one feels like telling me how to do that can someone at least link me to a thread that explains everything?