Use vanilla scope model on a weapon mod.

[FunkyHawk]

Hi, first time posting here. I've being doing basic mods for personal use for a few years. Recently I decided to do a playthrough with way too many mods. I already adjusted some and managed to make minor patches for conflicting mods. Anyway, I got a weapon mod that came with the same model of scopes for all the different scopes. I never worked with 3D models, so I decided to just go on CK and change the models using vanilla scopes. Well, The scopes don't attach to the top of the gun, they clip right at the middle of it. After much reading I kinda learned how to use nifskope , but I still can't figure out how to change the default model from the mod to the vanilla one. Is there a way to do it without using nifskope? I apologise up front if there's an answer, I searched and failed to find one here, reddit and youtube (I did learned a lot though). Thanks in advance.

 

If I take long to reply, well, it's december and there's a plague, so yeah. My bad.

[robotized]

Here is my theory. The main part of the gun is usually the receiver nif file. Open the file in NifSkope and select BSConnectPoint::Parents. You will see green circles with some lines(the lines probably representing x, y, z, not sure exactly). The center of those circles, where the lines meet, should be the connect points for scopes, projectiles and so on. The one on top of the weapon is probably for the scope. Now open the scope's nif and select the NiNode. Look at the 3d mesh, there will be a green dot somewhere. I think this is the connect point for the scope. Right click on each of the meshes of the scope and use Transform-->Edit. When you know where the connect points are, you will adjust the scope to better match the weapon.

[FunkyHawk]

Here is my theory. The main part of the gun is usually the receiver nif file. Open the file in NifSkope and select BSConnectPoint::Parents. You will see green circles with some lines(the lines probably representing x, y, z, not sure exactly). The center of those circles, where the lines meet, should be the connect points for scopes, projectiles and so on. The one on top of the weapon is probably for the scope. Now open the scope's nif and select the NiNode. Look at the 3d mesh, there will be a green dot somewhere. I think this is the connect point for the scope. Right click on each of the meshes of the scope and use Transform-->Edit. When you know where the connect points are, you will adjust the scope to better match the weapon.

I got all that. I even copied the block branch into the receiver model to get it right on top where it is meant to be and take in it's xyz coordinates in relation to the receiver, however, I don't know hot to proceed from there. I'm slowly learning and something tells me I skipped something. Does the "nodes" and "bounding spheres" need to be changed as well?

 

Edit: I kinda figured out what should be done, but I don't know how. How do I move the node to match the parent one in the receiver?

 

Edit2: I have no clue how to fully use nifskope, I'm going with trial and error here. I'm trying to move the node (green dot) only, but when I use transform>edit in it, it moves one or more parts of the mesh along. The recon scope has the connect node on the back below the lens and the receiver has the parent point behind the trigger. I move the mesh above it to fit it in the receiver and now I don't know how to move the node to match the parent position.

Edited December 15, 2020 by FunkyHawk

[robotized]

You shouldn't adjust the scope according to the receiver's position. Instead use Copy Branch to copy TriShapes from recon scope, to the one used by the weapon. Adjust the recon scope's position in comparison with the other scope. Take note of the x, y, z values. Then edit the recon scope's nif file, transform all the TriShapes with the same values.

[FunkyHawk]

You shouldn't adjust the scope according to the receiver's position. Instead use Copy Branch to copy TriShapes from recon scope, to the one used by the weapon. Adjust the recon scope's position in comparison with the other scope. Take note of the x, y, z values. Then edit the recon scope's nif file, transform all the TriShapes with the same values.

Okay, done that, just now. Only thing is, I had to stop trying in the past two day due to life stuff. I haven't tried to figure out nifskope as a result. So now I got the scope in the same position but I still don't know how to move the green dot.

[robotized]

You won't be able to edit the node. Transform works mainly for TriMorphs. But there is no need to move dots, only the meshes.

[FunkyHawk]

You won't be able to edit the node. Transform works mainly for TriMorphs. But there is no need to move dots, only the meshes.

Oh... Just tested. It was just move entire mesh and hit Transform>Apply. I'm so mad at myself. Thanks for the help.

[robotized]

You are welcome. Well, I'm not best at explaining. I learn some of the things from trial and error too.

I think there is a way to adjust the scope if you copy its mesh in the nif of the receiver. Requires some calculations though. Gonna post it anyway. First you have to take note of the coordinates of the BSConnectPoint::Parents for the scope( select the block, then look for the one called P-Scope in the Block Details below). Those will be marked as X₁, Y₁, Z₁. Then you copy the mesh of the scope and move it to where you want it to be on the weapon. Take note of the coordinates, those will be X₂, Y₂, Z₂. Next you have to calculate:

X₃ = X₂ - X₁

Y₃ = Y₂ - Y₁

Z₃ = Z₂ - Z₁

X₃, Y₃, Z₃ will be the coordinates you want to input, to transform the meshes in the scope's nif file.