Mesh Import/Export Error

[CourierandWanderer]

I figured that I would actually try in import a mesh into Blender, export it into a NIF file, and then importing that mesh into GECK. I started with duplicating the Bounty Hunter Duster, which is the apparel worn by Red Lucy in the Thorn. Now, I'm only testing the import/export system. I haven't gone around to creating my own meshes just yet; what I'm doing here is mostly for experimental purposes. I have all of the requirements needed for mesh making, even NifSkope.

 

Here's the punchline of my experiment. I extract the mesh from its BSA file, import it into Blender with "Immersive/Gamebryo" or whatever it's called, and there it is in Blender. I then decided to extract it through the "Gamebryo" thing and set the settings as seen in the second image shown below. I dragged the newly-made NIF file into the "meshes" directory and then opened it with GECK preview. As you can see in the third image, it's somehow stuck to the camera, I think. I have no clue what's going on. I can tell that this isn't a texture problem, but it's mostly the mesh. Did I export it wrong? It shows to be normal in NifSkope, but I don't understand what the problem is.

 

Anyway, it seems that I can't attach three images into the same thread. I'm sorry about that. Combine them together, they are more than 250KB.

 

I had to improvise, so here they are:

 

https://s23.postimg.org/yhmbbi1or/Preview1.png

https://s14.postimg.org/q88buhbs1/Preview2.png

https://s13.postimg.org/fmdm7xypj/Preview3.png

 

Since I can't determine the problem, you could try to follow the steps in the images I provided. I've done all I can, and I really need help. Better yet, here's this tutorial vid I found.

 

Edited April 17, 2017 by CourierandWanderer

[madmongo]

It's not 100 percent clear from the screen shots exactly what you did. I didn't watch the video in much detail either, though I noticed that it's a weapon tutorial and not an armor/clothing tutorial.

 

For importing armor and clothing, I've always used the default in the nif tools and I've never had a problem with it. When you export, make sure you select all before exporting to make sure that you get the armor/clothing mesh as well as the armature (aka the skeleton). Blender only exports whatever you have selected, so make sure you do a select all before exporting.

 

You've got Use BSFadeNodeRoot unchecked, which is what you want for clothing and armor. I don't remember what all of the numbers should be all over that screen, but I generally click on Creature and the Skin (not cloth) on the export options. I'm not sure that having cloth active instead of skin actually matters much. Anyway, no matter what I've ever checked or unchecked on that export screen, I've never had Blender output all of the shader flags properly. For regular armor parts, the type needs to be set to SHADER_DEFAULT and make sure SF_SHADOW_MAP and SF_REMAPABLE_TEXTURES are both checked. For the any visible human skin body parts (arms, legs, etc) the type needs to be set to SHADER_SKIN and make sure SF_SHADOW_MAP and SF_FACEGEN are both checked.

 

Blender usually sets the rest of the flags correctly.

 

Having the shader flags set incorrectly won't cause the problem you are describing, but it will cause the armor to be invisible in-game, so once you get your mesh problem fixed you'll need to make sure the flags get set properly after that.

 

My best guess at this point is you didn't include the armature when you exported.

[CourierandWanderer]

It's not 100 percent clear from the screen shots exactly what you did. I didn't watch the video in much detail either, though I noticed that it's a weapon tutorial and not an armor/clothing tutorial.

 

For importing armor and clothing, I've always used the default in the nif tools and I've never had a problem with it. When you export, make sure you select all before exporting to make sure that you get the armor/clothing mesh as well as the armature (aka the skeleton). Blender only exports whatever you have selected, so make sure you do a select all before exporting.

 

You've got Use BSFadeNodeRoot unchecked, which is what you want for clothing and armor. I don't remember what all of the numbers should be all over that screen, but I generally click on Creature and the Skin (not cloth) on the export options. I'm not sure that having cloth active instead of skin actually matters much. Anyway, no matter what I've ever checked or unchecked on that export screen, I've never had Blender output all of the shader flags properly. For regular armor parts, the type needs to be set to SHADER_DEFAULT and make sure SF_SHADOW_MAP and SF_REMAPABLE_TEXTURES are both checked. For the any visible human skin body parts (arms, legs, etc) the type needs to be set to SHADER_SKIN and make sure SF_SHADOW_MAP and SF_FACEGEN are both checked.

 

Blender usually sets the rest of the flags correctly.

 

Having the shader flags set incorrectly won't cause the problem you are describing, but it will cause the armor to be invisible in-game, so once you get your mesh problem fixed you'll need to make sure the flags get set properly after that.

 

My best guess at this point is you didn't include the armature when you exported.

Looking back at Image 2, I'm not seeing SF_SHADOW_MAP or SF_FACEGEN. Where are they? Unless, are they not in Blender? There are just some names that aren't there. Are you using a different version of Blender?

Edited April 18, 2017 by CourierandWanderer

[madmongo]

I don't think they are in Blender. You need to fix them using NifSkope.

 

If there is a way to get Blender to set them correctly, I haven't found it yet. I always need to go into NifSkope afterwards and fix them for armors and creature meshes.

 

When the shader flags are set wrong, the typical symptoms are that everything looks fine in the GECK but is invisible in-game, so I don't think those are your problem. But you are likely going to run into that next once you get your mesh problem figured out so I made sure to mention it.