Skyrim - Nif Files With Underscores

[Sparklepaws]

Skyrim's texture folder is littered with files that have underscores. I have a general idea what they do. Happy modding!

 

texture_n

Normal Map. This type of map is used to add details to an object without adding more polygons to the model. It saves space and creates a nice effect. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping)

 

texture_s

Specular Map. Defines the highlights and shininess. (http://wiki.splashdamage.com/index.php/Specular_Maps)

 

texture_d

Diffuse Map. Defines the surface's main color. (http://wiki.splashdamage.com/index.php/Diffuse_Maps)

 

texture_g

Many thanks to Werne for pointing these out. They are glow maps for textures that have a glow to them. (http://bighouse.bungie.org/killingtime/Help_Schtuff/Glow_Maps.html)

 

texture_p

Parallax Map. The main purpose of these files is to provide greater depth to things such as walls, creating more realism without impacting performance. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax_mapping)

 

texture_e

Environment Cube Map. See the wiki for this one, it's a bit complicated. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cube_mapping)

 

texture_b

Blurry? More research needed.

 

texture_msn

Model Space Normal map/Object Space Normal map.

 

texture_sk/s

Stands for "Skin". I'm not sure what purpose this file serves. Ghogiel seems to think that it's a sub-dermal layer, placed underneath the already slightly transparent textures.

 

texture_em/_m/_envmask/_envmapmask

Environment Mask Map.

 

 

If anyone has any further knowledge, I'll be happy to add it here. There aren't many topics about this subject, so let's make it happen people!

 

Credits:

Werne - For reminding me that _g maps actually exist.

Ghogiel - For great information on all maps listed. 

Throttlekitty - For pointing out the _b textures.

[Werne]

Actually, these are not nif files, they are .dds files. And there was "texture_g" in FO that represents Glow Maps, not sure if there are Skyrim though.

[Sparklepaws]

Oh wow, I feel really stupid now. Yes, you're correct, the texture files are DDS, not NIF. Any possibility of a moderator changing the NIF to DDS for me?

 

Skyrim does have the _g maps, so I've added that to the list =3

[Ghogiel]

_n - normal map

_msn - Model Space Normal map/Object Space Normal map

_g - glow map

_p - parallax map- these are parallax maps, however I haven't actually found a nif that has one hooked up to double check it's in the right slot and to see the shader set up...

_e - environment cube map.

_em/_m/_envmask/_envmapmask - environment mask map.

 

 

On the skin shader for bodies:

 

_s - specular map. > it does this if you make it whiter:

http://www.skyrimnexus.com/imageshare/images/209926-1322312013.jpg

 

but only for the character skin shader which use the object space normal maps, all other specualr maps are located in the alpha channel of the normal map.

 

_sk - A skin texture, I am currently figuring out exactly what it does, but it is a skin texture. think sub dermal layer, as skin is semi translucent.

 

Some times the _sk and _s naming convention is mixed up. see Dog and Elk. The _s should be _sk if the convention was to be consistant.

 

_d - diffuse map.

Edited November 26, 2011 by Ghogiel

[throttlekitty]

Don't forget _b, which seems to be used for fur. I haven't reinstalled photoshop yet to look.

[Ghogiel]

Don't forget _b, which seems to be used for fur. I haven't reinstalled photoshop yet to look.

It's used for other things besides fur. Unless frost atronachs are furry. :biggrin:

 

It's just a blurry version of the diffuse map in that case. Check the niftools skyrim modding forums for the texture thread, I am posting random stuff about the textures as I encounter it. It's these 'subsurface' shaders which are freaking me out.

[Sparklepaws]

On 11/26/2011 at 12:27 PM, Ghogiel said:

On 11/26/2011 at 11:56 AM, throttlekitty said:

Don't forget _b, which seems to be used for fur. I haven't reinstalled photoshop yet to look.

It's used for other things besides fur. Unless frost atronachs are furry. :biggrin:

 

It's just a blurry version of the diffuse map in that case. Check the niftools skyrim modding forums for the texture thread, I am posting random stuff about the textures as I encounter it. It's these 'subsurface' shaders which are freaking me out.

 

That sounds interesting, but I wasn't able to find the topic or forum. Would you mind posting a link for us?

[Ghogiel]

It's probably not worth it as it's speculation and inaccurate as hell. The maps are named subsurface.... and are stuck in new slots, which we don't know their function yet, so all is going on is a lot of head scratching.

 

If you really want to see it is on niftools skyrim modding forum. but I've found nothing new in terms of the new shaders and map slots, and how to mess with them, what they do, for a few days. All I can say is there are several new shader setups involving that slot and these types of maps.

 

I am messing with the frost atronach and trying to decipher what the maps are doing in that set up if anyone wants to look at the nifs shader and the textures as well... maybe later today I will have a new report on what some of the maps appear to do.

[KiwiHawkNZ]

Kia ora

 

Maybe some body clever could do a wee tutroial clearing up which file goes in what number in Nifskope and translating what files are what from the MindTex out put please. It has:

 

Diffsuse _d (I know this one), second flower down right?

Height _h (Not sure if that the same as _ m or _msn) don't know what number in the list that is either

Normal _n (I know) thrid flower down?

Specular _s (I know) ninth flower down?

Self Illum _si (don't know if supported)

Amb. Occ _ao (don't know if I need either)

 

Kudos to those who help an ole bloke figure this out

Thanks in advance

[DDProductions83]

Necromancer!

 

 

Anyway

 

http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/1188259-bslightingshaderproperty-basics/