SSE Modding Newbie - my argonian follower has a default face ingame

[Wolfsbaneglow1111]

Hello! :psyduck: :smile:

 

I am Sabrina from Germany, please don't be mad if my english isn't as good as yours!

 

 

I wanted to make my first mod: an argonian follower.

He does spawn ingame, how he is supposed to do,

he also is correctly talking, following, fighting and marriageable.

 

The only problem is his face.

It is a default light green skin (should be brown-orange with war paintings and details), but at least the eyes are the right color and the horns/hair are right, too.

 

I used the CK for SSE, but I load the mod in Oldrim. (don't have an old CK, I never did a mod beforehand)

WHY the heck I would like to have this follower in Oldrim? Because old Skyrim has my old save file with all the good memories. SSE can not run my favourite old mods.

 

I tried to delete all steam add ons but this didnt change the face to the one I made in CK.

I did try to bring all add ons into the right order. (Skyrim.esm/update.esm/dawnguard.esm...etc)

I MADE the correct folder order for the .nif and .dds MANUALLY, because their weren't any folders like this before.

(Data/meshes/actors/character/facegendata/facegeom/grodaguur4.esp/000036CD.nif)

(Data/textures/actors/character/fecagendata/facetint/grodaguur4.esp/000036CD.dds;000036CD.tga)

The .esp was saved with CK. The .nif and .dds were saved CK. These are LOOSE files, I couldnt get the CK to make a .bsa

 

and now I found a very interesting post that might be helping, but I dont know how to do this. (thread is posted below)

 

1. Do I need a .bsa? Is this essential for my follower to have the right facegen file?

2. how do I get CK 32 bit, is this essential? I think my PC only can do 64 bit (-> relating to the post below my questions)

3. what programm should I use for the zip archive? (-> relating to the post below my questions)

4. Is this what I have a typical Dark-face-bug? Only with a green face? I tried to solve this with dark face bug fixes, but I didnt get it to work...

5. How do I save a racemenu preset? (-> relating to the post below my questions)

 

-----------------------------------

How are people making custom NPC faces for SSE?

Started by ranasix, Oct 19 2018 05:27 PM

answer by justinglen75

Hello! In the short and sweet:
1) I start by creating a new character using RaceMenu (and the Live Another Life mod) in Skyrim Legendary Edition. I will save a preset, export the head, and create an NPC file (spf). Exporting the head creates a nif file and a tint mask (dds).
2) Then I create my NPC in CK (32 bit), import my NPC file, create texture sets (body, hands, eyes, brows, face/head), headparts (hair, brows, eyes), armor (for custom body types like UNP or CBBE) + armor AA files (torso, feet, hands) -- the NPC will use the armor as a skin.
3) Then I export facegen data (control + F4)
4) I then replace the CK-created facegen/facetint dds file with the Racemenu-created tint mask dds file, renaming the RM one to match the CK one. I do the same for the tga file. I will then create an ZIP archive of the two files.
4) Next, I use NifMerge to merge the CK-created facegen data nif file with the Racemenu exported-head nif file.
5) Once everything works in-game (SLE) I then create an SSE version by using SSE Nif Optimizer to "optimize" all the SLE nif files for compatibility for SSE, as well as opening my ESP (from CK 32-bit) in the CK 2.0 (64-bit) and saving the file...to convert it to 64-bit.
6) I open each nif file used/depended on my follower in NifScope and link all the standalone textures.

In short and from my experience in getting this figured out -- you need SLE + Racemenu + CK 32-bit + NifMerge + SSE Nif Optimizer + SSE + CK 2.0 (64-bit) + NifScope

Edited December 29, 2019 by Wolfsbaneglow1111

[Algabar]

First things first: Unfortunately you can't port back from Skyrim SE to "Oldrim". So creating a follower in the SE CK and then somehow converting him to "Oldrim" won't work. The only working way of conversion is FROM "Oldrim" TO SE.

That's why I'd strongly recommend working on an "Oldrim" basis (Oldrim CK plus 32bit Skyrim for creating presets in Racemenu and testing). If you want to have your follower in SE, you can "port" him over to SE. But not the other way round...

 

Another reason why I'd recommend working in "Oldrim" is that you'll need a program called Nifmerge in the process. It is only availabe in "Oldrim". There are workarounds that allow to create followers in SE only, but that's not something I'd recommend to a beginner. Besides that, it's always nice to have a companion in both "oldrim" and SE, isn't it? To achieve that, you'll need to work on an "Oldrim" basis.

 

1. Do I need a .bsa? Is this essential for my follower to have the right facegen file?

 

You don't need a bsa. Not for a simple follower mod. For larger mods using a BSA is good practice, but loose files will always work. The right facegen file IS essential though. Think of facegendata as information about your follower's face. If you want him the way you imagined, you'll need that data.

 

2. how do I get CK 32 bit, is this essential? I think my PC only can do 64 bit (-> relating to the post below my questions)

 

It is available for free from Steam - and only from there, if I'm not mistaken. Search Steam for "Skyrim Creation Kit" or something like that. And yes, you'll need it and it will run on a 64bit system. 32bit software will run on a 64bit system - just not the other way round.

 

3. what programm should I use for the zip archive? (-> relating to the post below my questions)

 

7zip. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the direct link here, but you can easily google for "7zip download". BTW, the program is free.

 

4. Is this what I have a typical Dark-face-bug? Only with a green face? I tried to solve this with dark face bug fixes, but I didnt get it to work...

 

No. Rather a case of facegen data not created / handled properly. Creating proper facegen data involves basically three steps:

1. Create the face/head you want in game with Racemenu. Save the preset.

2. Create your follower in the Creation Kit. Use the hair/horns/whatever you want to use in the CK and export the facegen data (Control/Strg + F4).

3. Now use Nifmerge on the exported head. You basically "copy" the "real" head you created in Racemenu over the "dummy version" you created in the CK.

 

5. How do I save a racemenu preset? (-> relating to the post below my questions)

 

To save a face for future use in Racemenu, you should save it as a PRESET: >Presets >F5

To create a headmesh for a follower, you need to go to the "SCULPT" tab in Racemenu. Then export the head with F5.

[Wolfsbaneglow1111]

2. how do I get CK 32 bit, is this essential? I think my PC only can do 64 bit (-> relating to the post below my questions)

 

 

It is available for free from Steam - and only from there, if I'm not mistaken. Search Steam for "Skyrim Creation Kit" or something like that. And yes, you'll need it and it will run on a 64bit system. 32bit software will run on a 64bit system - just not the other way round.

 

3. what programm should I use for the zip archive? (-> relating to the post below my questions)

 

7zip. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the direct link here, but you can easily google for "7zip download". BTW, the program is free.

 

4. Is this what I have a typical Dark-face-bug? Only with a green face? I tried to solve this with dark face bug fixes, but I didnt get it to work...

 

No. Rather a case of facegen data not created / handled properly. Creating proper facegen data involves basically three steps:

1. Create the face/head you want in game with Racemenu. Save the preset.

2. Create your follower in the Creation Kit. Use the hair/horns/whatever you want to use in the CK and export the facegen data (Control/Strg + F4).

3. Now use Nifmerge on the exported head. You basically "copy" the "real" head you created in Racemenu over the "dummy version" you created in the CK.

 

5. How do I save a racemenu preset? (-> relating to the post below my questions)

 

To save a face for future use in Racemenu, you should save it as a PRESET: >Presets >F5

To create a headmesh for a follower, you need to go to the "SCULPT" tab in Racemenu. Then export the head with F5.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

 

I already tried to get the CK from Steam, but it isn’t there anymore.

The discussions are deleted and you can not download it. There is atm only the CK for SE left to use.

 

I can not really understand the problem, I did use the SE CK to make this Follower. He does function properly in Skyrim Classic but only without his face. But you say it can not function in Oldrim? I am confused

But I will try to nifmerge! Maybe this is the only problem and it will function properly after that!!

Thank you!

[Algabar]

I can not really understand the problem, I did use the SE CK to make this Follower. He does function properly in Skyrim Classic but only without his face. But you say it can not function in Oldrim? I am confused

But I will try to nifmerge! Maybe this is the only problem and it will function properly after that!!

Thank you!

Hmm... Plugins for Skyrim SE have a different file version, also some other aspects of the game (e.g. meshes - which should be important for followers) are different. That's why everybody says you can't use SE content in "Oldrim". TBH, I never tried (I'm using "Oldrim" for modding and testing purposes only, I don't play it any more). So maybe you're just lucky that the file works for you. Or "everybody" isn't right...

 

Good luck!

[Wolfsbaneglow1111]

I made a facegen with RaceMenu, I downloaded Nifmerge.

 

The facegen-nif from RaceMenu is working and shows up in Nifmerge,

BUT if I try to drag and drop my Follower nif into the Nifmerge window, there is nothing.

As if my Follower HAS NO facegen at all.

 

Does the CK not save any facegen data?

What could I do to resolve this?

——————————————

EDIT:

 

I tried to work with WryeBash. Converting my mod to .esm, trying to forcing export facegen with ctrl-f4 and wanting to convert the .esm after that back to .esp. But sadly, it seems I can not save properly a .esm, the program only wants to save .esp...

Edited January 4, 2020 by Wolfsbaneglow1111

[Wolfsbaneglow1111]

 

I can not really understand the problem, I did use the SE CK to make this Follower. He does function properly in Skyrim Classic but only without his face. But you say it can not function in Oldrim? I am confused

But I will try to nifmerge! Maybe this is the only problem and it will function properly after that!!

Thank you!

Hmm... Plugins for Skyrim SE have a different file version, also some other aspects of the game (e.g. meshes - which should be important for followers) are different. That's why everybody says you can't use SE content in "Oldrim". TBH, I never tried (I'm using "Oldrim" for modding and testing purposes only, I don't play it any more). So maybe you're just lucky that the file works for you. Or "everybody" isn't right...

 

Good luck!

 

 

Thank you very much! I will need luck with this...

[Algabar]

The facegen-nif from RaceMenu is working and shows up in Nifmerge,

BUT if I try to drag and drop my Follower nif into the Nifmerge window, there is nothing.

As if my Follower HAS NO facegen at all.

 

Does the CK not save any facegen data?

What could I do to resolve this?

——————————————

EDIT:

 

I tried to work with WryeBash. Converting my mod to .esm, trying to forcing export facegen with ctrl-f4 and wanting to convert the .esm after that back to .esp. But sadly, it seems I can not save properly a .esm, the program only wants to save .esp...

Unfortunately you probably hit the typical brickwall when working on a SE basis. The SE CK DOES save facegendata. But Skyrim SE uses a different .nif format than "Oldrim". Nifmerge was created for the "Oldrim" format and sadly never updated for SE. So it can't read the SE .nif format. I guess that's why you see an "empty" .nif file.

 

Without the "Oldrim" CK, you can only follow the instructions I linked above to create at least a working follower for SE.

 

I know that's bad news. It's also a pity that the "Oldrim" CK seems to be only available for Steam users who owned "Oldrim" while it was still officially available. :sad: