Arcane University: 3D Art

< Arcane University

This is the main page of the Beyond Skyrim Arcane University 3D Art tutorials.

Expectation

A 3D artist can create shapes based on Concept Art, writing and discussions as well as experiences gathered in the team regarding Animation and Implementation. This plays a vital role in creating new game art assets.

General Workflow

Generally, the artwork is taken and then, a Blockout modeling starts. For the high-poly work flow, a high-poly Sculpting is being done. The height information is being merged into the asset-specific normal map (Baking). On Mesh Export to NIF, the asset obtains its physical properties such as Mesh Collisions and being rigged/skinned to bones during Animation. It is important to understand the Nif-specific rendering properties, shaders and texture set structure.

• Blockout
• Sculpting
• Baking
• Mesh Export to NIF

  • 3DS MAX Export
  • Blender 2.7x Export
  • Blender 2.8+ Export
  • CK-CMD for Skyrim
  • Outfit Studio Export

• Mesh Collisions
• Animation

Basics - The Data Formats Nif (Meshes) and DDS (Textures)

• To review the specifics of the NIF data format used for meshes, check Nif Data Format.
• To review the specifics of the DDS data format used for textures, check DDS Data Format.

Asset-specific Tutorials

Weapons

• Nifskope Weapons Setup

Tool-specific Guidelines and Links

Resource Tools

• BSAopt to unpack Skyrim data files

Modeling Tools (most include sculpting and rigging features)

• Blender for Skyrim
• 3DS Max for Skyrim
• Maya for Skyrim

Sculpting Tools

• Z-Brush for Skyrim
• Mudbox for Skyrim

Rigging Tools/Animation

• Havoc for Skyrim
• Outfit Studio for Skyrim
• Rigging with Blender 2.79
• Rigging Jewelry with Blender 2.79

Texturing Tools

• Gimp for Skyrim
• Photoshop for Skyrim
• Paint.Net for Skyrim
• Bodypaint in Creation Kit
• Material Editor for Skyrim

Exporting and Polishing Tools

• CK-CMD for Skyrim [Link to Github source]
• Nifskope for Skyrim
• Niftools/Chunkmerge for Skyrim