Modding different dog followers help

[ShiftyApparition]

Basically, what I'm trying to do is mod my game so that the dog followers each have their own distinct appearance. I've tried messing around with this mod, but I want each of the three dogs to be distinguishable, plus I don't really wanna use the texture provided with the mod.

 

So my issue's that I want to add three possible dog "skins" to use with the Creation Kit, and while I can mod the skins to my heart's content once they're in the CK, I'm not sure how to create or alter additional skins so they'll work. Please note that I DO NOT want to change the default. I know how to change the default. The number of promising tutorials I found on the subject that ended with "and that's how we change the default" made me want to hit someone. I've really, really had enough of changing the defaults. Really.

 

I've tried a couple different methods, but what came closest to working was copying the dog mesh from the game, replacing the texture with one of the dogs from Bellyache's Animal and Creature pack with NifSkope, and using the CK to make a new "skin" using the altered mesh. However, while I was able to get the new skin into the Creation Kit, the new texture didn't seem to show up, and I'm not sure the animations made it over. So I basically managed to accomplish absolutely nothing. I'm having loads of fun here, in case you couldn't tell.

 

I've exhausted what little knowledge I have of modding, and I'm having trouble finding information that applies specifically to NPC/animal skins, so if I'm missing something really obvious, please point it out. I only learned how to do this yesterday, so I'm sure there's plenty I don't know about here.

[markofthedog]

ok, i have acomplished this. it took a lot of trial and error.

 

i used that Dog Companions mod you linked to.

 

step 1. make copies of that mods files. one for each dog. rename DogCompanion esp to dog1 esp and dog2 esp ect.. the mesh files to dog1.nif dog2.nif ect... and the textures to dog1.dds dog1_n.dds dog1_s.dds and dog2.dds dog2_n.dds dog2_s.dds ect.

 

step 2. open the dog1 esp with TESVSnip download here http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=5064, and go to GRUP NPC and click the + to open the list. you will see the 3 dogs and an npc in there. delete 2 of the dogs from that list so its just 1 dog and the npc in there. remember which dog you keep in dog1 esp so when you start on the next esp you can delete that dog. then when you do the third dog delete those 2 dogs from dog3 esp. (did that make sense?)

 

step 3. still in TESVSnip click the + for GRUP ARMA. in there click (nakeddogcompanion) and that opens a list below that window. in there go to MOD2 and doubleclick it. it will open a new window. at the top of that new window check "insert mode". now look to where it has the file location in the top right of that window. it says actors\canine\ characterassets\dogcompanion.nif change the word dogcompanion to dog1. now save you esp.

 

step 4. now open dog1.nif in nifscope.look at the bottom half of the screen and go to line 7 called BSShaderTextureSet and click the arrow next to it, it'll open the list further and you will see Textures section, click the arrow next to it and it will open the list even more. now you should see the locations of the textures it uses. change textures\actors\dog\DogCompanion.dds to textures\actors\dog\dog1.dds textures\actors\dog\dog1_n.dds textures\actors\dog\dog1_s.dds. now save you nif file.

 

that should be it.. all thats left is to edit the dog1 textures how you see fit.

 

repeat the process for dog2 and dog 3.

 

if you need more help send me a message.

 

i made meeko and vigilance into my real life pets Napoleon and Burt Reynolds.

 

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/6951/napoleonandburt3.jpg