Need help making mod - already have models/materials

[nmcnick]

Hello, everyone. Firstly, I want to thank you for viewing my thread. Secondly, I would be grateful if you could help me figure out how to incorporate the models into a mod. I already made the .obj, and I still need to convert it to a .nif but I dont know how to incorporate the nif into skyrim, because I dont know how to find the item id of a custom item, therefore making it impossible to craft. I also am lost when it comes to making a .esp file.. Ill attach the model file here, along with the materials in case you want to try it out for your self, but if anyone has a good start for me Id be thankful. If anyone would like to, I could provide all the models and textures and you could modify it to make it fit in-game. I'm decent at blender, but bad at modding >.< By all models I mean weapons from monster hunter that'd work in skyrim. We could be business partners :P. Here yah go, the model and materials..

[Lutine]

The easiest thing to do would be to wait until the Creation Kit comes out later this month.

Then you can add the .nif files in and make an .esp in just a few clicks to your heart's content. :thumbsup:

[nmcnick]

The easiest thing to do would be to wait until the Creation Kit comes out later this month.

Then you can add the .nif files in and make an .esp in just a few clicks to your heart's content. :thumbsup:

 

Yeah I thought about that, that seems like the best option, but knowing bethesda, you never know anything for sure lol. I just dont know if the creation kit is really coming in January or not.. Oh well, Ill probably just wait. Thanks for your opinion ^^

[NorthWolf]

I'll try to help, but I haven't used the <Acronym Here>Edit series of tools in a while. This isn't going to be comprehensive because I don't have a comprehensive understanding of the changes Skyrim has made to the armor/weapon forms, so if something derps up I apologize in advance. If that hasn't scared you off, read on:

 

1.) Grab a copy of SkyEdit.

2.) Copy the files to wherever you happen to want to use them.

3.) Run the utility, and go to "File... -> Open".

4.) Open Skyrim.esm, which will pop up a new dialog.

5.) Go to the appropriate section to add your new form (Armors or Weapons).

6.) I advise copying a form very similar to the item you're trying to make (i.e. making a longsword? Try copying the SteelSword form). You can do this by right clicking on the form you want to copy and choosing "Create Copy...".

7.) Rename your copy, then double click it to open up its properties.

8.) The relevant field for importing the .nif is "Model". This refers to where the weapon will be under the \Data folder when the user installs your mod. I personally prefer that modders put their mod content in their own independent folders... i.e. "NorthWolf\Weapons\Supersword.nif". Up to you at the end of the day.

9.) Check the FormID of your new item. Mine was 0x01001000. This is important to remember so that you can test if this works.

10.) Save your new .esp with a unique name once the form is to your liking. Add it to your \Data folder.

11.) Make sure the .nif you specified in the form is also in the \Data folder in the appropriate folders! To be absolutely clear, I would have two files:

 

.\Skyrim\Data\SuperswordMod.esp

.\Skyrim\Data\NorthWolf\Weapons\Supersword.nif

 

12.) Check the new .esp you made to enable your mod when in the Skyrim launcher or the 3rd party launcher of your choice.

13.) Check where it is in your load order! Optimally you want to test it with only Skyrim enabled, so that it's in the second place in your load order. I won't go into details here, but so long as only Skyrim.esm and your mod's .esp are active, the mod index of your mod is 0x01. You can learn more about mod ordering on the web.

14.) Ingame pull up the console (~) and type "player.additem <FormID> 1". This should add your new item. In my case, provided SuperswordMod.esp is in the first mod index, I would use:

 

player.additem 0x01001000 1

 

Adding the item to the crafting tables is an issue I'm not familiar with but can't be more complicated, you'll most likely have to add the form to a crafting list or somesuch... I imagine there would be an independent guide for doing so at this point.

[nmcnick]

-snip

 

Will try. +rep to you sir, Ill report back if it works.

Edited January 18, 2012 by nmcnick

[NorthWolf]

I'll assist more if it doesn't, let me know.

[nmcnick]

I'll assist more if it doesn't, let me know.

 

Hmm.. the code apparently isnt in the game. When I go to add it it doesnt work. I also noticed something else that Im pretty sure only modelers will know so I will also ask it at blender forums or something, but nifscope and blender cannot find my textures for some reason. I tried .dds and .tga and neither work. I view it on Noesis and then it shows up though. Here, Ill show you what I mean.

 

On Noesis

http://i41.tinypic.com/24o3erl.png

 

On Blender (is even this way if I do alt+z)

http://i43.tinypic.com/1qibfn.png

 

Any help is much appreciated.

[NorthWolf]

I wouldn't know the texture problem. I believe you need to be using .dds but I could be entirely mistaken. As for the form missing, check that:

 

- You're only loading Skyrim.esm and <your mod>.esp.

- Open SkyEdit and check the FormID of your new weapon again.

 

If the form still doesn't exist, I'm willing to review the .esp for you to see if there's anything to be fixed.

[nmcnick]

I wouldn't know the texture problem. I believe you need to be using .dds but I could be entirely mistaken. As for the form missing, check that:

 

- You're only loading Skyrim.esm and <your mod>.esp.

- Open SkyEdit and check the FormID of your new weapon again.

 

If the form still doesn't exist, I'm willing to review the .esp for you to see if there's anything to be fixed.

 

Still nothing.. Here is the esp

[NorthWolf]

I get the same problem when I try what I described... this process worked in previous versions of the game but I'm afraid that's where my knowledge ends. :unsure: I haven't tried making anything new for Skyrim so it's hard to say why that's not working, but you could always try modifying the appearance of an existing sword to make a replacer and see if that works.