Editing Arcane University:CK-CMD for Skyrim

'''CK-CMD''' is a command prompt application that can convert between fbx and [[Arcane_University:NIF_Data_Format|NIF]] files, and generate behavior files for animations. This makes it software-agnostic, unlike most nif conversion methods, and thus not as affected by changes in the modeling software. CK-CMD makes it possible to export a finished asset as an fbx from nearly any modeling software, and create a nif file that is 95% ready for game import with only one command.

It properly transfers vertex coloring to nif files from an fbx, and materials settings and paths are translated from modeling software to BSLightingShaderProperty nodes. It also applies all necessary strings, flags, and values in the resulting nif. Visual adjustments may be desired through [[AU:Nifskope for Skyrim|NifSkope]], but if properly prepared, the resulting nif is game-ready.

* [https://github.com/aerisarn/ck-cmd ck-cmd on GitHub]: Download the latest ck-cmd.zip from the releases (ck-gui is a related but different program).

Ensure all faces have the intended materials applied, as ck-cmd will create BSLightingShaderProperty nodes with any applicable materials in the FBX. Note that some material shaders do not translate correctly to  BSLightingShaderProperty nodes, so check this first if the generated BSLightingShaderProperty nodes have issues. Standard blinn materials are recommended. The application will also use the same file paths as your 3D software’s material shaders, meaning that if you set up materials with the textures already in their proper end-user location in \Data\Textures, you may not need to change the paths in the nif later.

 

===Scale===

In Blender, setting "Apply Scaling" in the fbx export to "FBX All" is usually the safest. The units in Blender will be equivalent to Skyrim units. For example, an object 128 "meters" tall in Blender will be 128 Skyrim units after converting, which is equal to 6 feet in game.

 

In Maya, it is necessary to set the scale of the grid to meters, instead of the default centimeters, then export the fbx with the Units dropdown changed to no automatic scaling, and file units converted to centimeters. This is a matter of Maya to game engine workflow, not specific to ck-cmd.

 

===Animated statics===

{{main|[[AU:Exporting animated statics using ck-cmd|Exporting animated statics using ck-cmd]]}}

It is usually not necessary to flip or change export settings to compensate for Z-up vs Y-up modeling software. However, animations that use rotation may require proper export settings. Skyrim usually uses Y-forward, Z-up. Additionally, if you are including translations, be sure animation simplification is disabled in the fbx export settings. If it is enabled, the animation may be lost upon export. This will leave some extraneous transform controllers in the controller sequence, but they can be removed manually without too much trouble.

Use the command:

ck-cmd.exe importfbx (full input path\Example.fbx) -e (full output path)

Open the resulting nif in [[AU:Nifskope for Skyrim|NifSkope]] for inspection. It is generated in the output location with the same name as the fbx file originally used for input.

Video tutorial: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f_9evNUiGU CK-CMD FBX to NIF] by Thog

==Adjustments in NifSkope==

Ck-cmd should have created a nif file with all basic setup complete, such as strings, [[AU:NIF Data Format#BSXFlags node|BSX flags]], collision meshes, etc. It should have also approximated your material shader settings in the resulting BSLightingShaderProperty nodes. If your asset appears untextured (bright magenta in color), you will need to direct NifSkope to the proper texture paths. You will still need to adjust visuals via BSLightingShaderProperty settings that are not present in your default modeling software’s materials, such as the global glossiness value, switching [[AU:NIF Data Format#Shader Types|shader types]], adding shader flags such as emission or environment mapping, etc, as well as other arbitrary settings in the nif, such as audio material settings.

{{main|[[AU:Implementation of Custom Animations|Implementation of Custom Animations]]}}

Another of ck-cmd's functions is creating custom animations for actors. This can be used to replace animations of vanilla npcs or creatures, or add new animations by editing the behavior files. ck-cmd can also be used to create entirely new actor rigs with custom animations.

**While ck-cmd can automatically separate objects with multiple materials on export, it duplicates many vertices in the process. Instead, simply separate each object by material before export.

* [https://github.com/aerisarn/ck-cmd ck-cmd on GitHub]

[[Category:Arcane University-3D Art-Mesh Export to NIF]] [[Category:Arcane University-Animation]]