Difference between revisions of "Arcane University:Mesh Export to NIF"

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(Removed Blender export tutorial, moved to its own page. Added section on the pros/cons compared to other methods.)
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{{Trail|3D Art}}
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{{Trail|3D Art}}[[Category:Arcane University-3D Art-Mesh Export to NIF| ]]
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== Basics ==
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In order for your mesh to be used in Skyrim, it must be in [[AU:NIF Data Format|.nif]] format. There are several ways to do this, depending on what 3D software you use.
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* To review the specifics of the NIF data format used for meshes, check [[Arcane_University:NIF_Data_Format|Nif Data Format]].
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* To review the specifics of the DDS data format used for textures, check [[Arcane_University:DDS Data Format|DDS Data Format]].
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== Export ==
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* Any 3D programs (see requirements)
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Meshes can be exported by the following applications:
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** CK-CMD
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** Outfit Studio
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* Blender
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** Blender Niftools Addon
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** PyNifly
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* 3DS MAX
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** 3DS Max Nif Plugin
  
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* Blender export plugin (Blender version 2.7x)
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A number of these methods do not directly support Special Edition nifs. However, this can be circumvented using [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4089/ SSE Nif Optimizer] or [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/23316 Cathedral Assets Optimizer], both of which can convert LE meshes to SE format and the other way around.
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* 3DS MAX export plugin (Max versions xxx)
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* CK-CMD (any 3D program that can export to fbx)
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* Outfit Studio (any 3D program that can export to obj)
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== General Workflow ==
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== Blender 2.7x Export ==
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The process for direct export from Blender 2.7x is documented on [[AU:Blender 2.7+ Export|Blender 2.7+ Export]]. It allows for directly exporting from Blender to a full NIF, but you will need to merge the created NIF with separately created collision using Chunkmerge. The advantage of this method is that you do not need any intermediate files and can export directly from Blender. The disadvantage is that it does not work for all versions of Blender - but every older version of Blender is also available for download.
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== 3DS MAX export ==
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== CK-CMD ==
 
== CK-CMD ==
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* https://github.com/aerisarn/ck-cmd
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[[AU:CK-CMD for Skyrim|CK-CMD]] is an independent command-line software you can use to, among many other things, convert FBX files to NIF and the other way around. You can download it on its [https://github.com/aerisarn/ck-cmd GitHub page]. The advantage of this method is that it allows for exporting for any 3D program that can export to FBX. Limitations: Does not directly support SE nif files.
  
 
== Outfit Studio ==
 
== Outfit Studio ==
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The process for exporting using Outfit Studio is documented on [[AU:Outfit Studio Export|Outfit Studio Export]]. The advantage of this method is that it allows for exporting for any 3D program which can export to OBJ. The disadvantage is that you have to work with intermediate files, which makes it harder to quickly test out small edits in-game. Limitations: The OBJ format cannot store vertex weights or vertex colors, so any rigging will need to be done within Outfit Studio.
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== Blender Niftools Addon ==
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You can export directly from Blender using the [[AU:Blender Niftools Addon|Blender Niftools Addon]]. Which version you should use (and how you export) depends on which version of Blender you are using. It allows for directly exporting from Blender to a full NIF, but you will need to merge the created NIF with separately created collision using [[AU:Niftools/Chunkmerge for Skyrim|ChunkMerge]]. The advantage of this method is that you do not need any intermediate files and can export directly from Blender. Limitations: No collision handling, and does not directly support SE nif files. Both of these limitations can be handled with workarounds.
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=== Blender 2.7x ===
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The process for direct export from Blender 2.7x is documented on [[AU:Blender 2.7x Export|Blender 2.7x Export]].
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=== Blender 2.8+ ===
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The process for direct export from Blender 2.8 or up is documented on [[AU:Blender 2.8+ Export|Blender 2.8+ Export]].
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== PyNifly ==
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[[AU:PyNifly for Skyrim|PyNifly]], like the Blender Niftools Addon, allows for direct import/export of nif files. Unlike the Blender Niftools Addon, it has support for SE nif files and handles simple collisions (non-MOPP).
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== 3DS MAX Nif Plugin ==
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The process for direct export from 3DS MAX export using especially made plugin is documented on [[AU:3DS MAX Export|3DS MAX Export]]. It allows for direct export from 3DS MAX to a full NIF. The advantage of this method is that you do not need any intermediate files and can export directly from 3DS MAX. The disadvantage is that it does not work for every version of 3DS MAX, and will therefore need to be updated when updating 3DS MAX. Limitations: Does not directly support SE nif files.
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== See Also ==
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* To review the specifics of the NIF data format used for meshes, check [[Arcane_University:NIF Data Format|Nif Data Format]].
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* To review the specifics of the DDS data format used for textures, check [[Arcane_University:DDS Data Format|DDS Data Format]].
  
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Outfit Studio is a program included with BodySlide. It is available on the [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/49015?tab=posts Skyrim Nexus], on the [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/201?tab=posts SSE Nexus] and on [https://github.com/ousnius/BodySlide-and-Outfit-Studio/releases Github]. It can be used to convert Obj files to Nifs and the other way around. Since Obj files cannot contain rigging information, rigging will need to be done within Outfit Studio itself when working with rigged meshes such as clothes. It also contains simple mesh deformation tools, useful for creating simple edits. In spite of its name, it can also work with non-rigged meshes.
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[[Category:Arcane University-3D Art| ]] [[Category:Arcane University-Method| ]]

Latest revision as of 01:19, 12 July 2022

< Arcane University:3D Art

In order for your mesh to be used in Skyrim, it must be in .nif format. There are several ways to do this, depending on what 3D software you use.

  • Any 3D programs (see requirements)
    • CK-CMD
    • Outfit Studio
  • Blender
    • Blender Niftools Addon
    • PyNifly
  • 3DS MAX
    • 3DS Max Nif Plugin

A number of these methods do not directly support Special Edition nifs. However, this can be circumvented using SSE Nif Optimizer or Cathedral Assets Optimizer, both of which can convert LE meshes to SE format and the other way around.

CK-CMD[edit]

CK-CMD is an independent command-line software you can use to, among many other things, convert FBX files to NIF and the other way around. You can download it on its GitHub page. The advantage of this method is that it allows for exporting for any 3D program that can export to FBX. Limitations: Does not directly support SE nif files.

Outfit Studio[edit]

The process for exporting using Outfit Studio is documented on Outfit Studio Export. The advantage of this method is that it allows for exporting for any 3D program which can export to OBJ. The disadvantage is that you have to work with intermediate files, which makes it harder to quickly test out small edits in-game. Limitations: The OBJ format cannot store vertex weights or vertex colors, so any rigging will need to be done within Outfit Studio.

Blender Niftools Addon[edit]

You can export directly from Blender using the Blender Niftools Addon. Which version you should use (and how you export) depends on which version of Blender you are using. It allows for directly exporting from Blender to a full NIF, but you will need to merge the created NIF with separately created collision using ChunkMerge. The advantage of this method is that you do not need any intermediate files and can export directly from Blender. Limitations: No collision handling, and does not directly support SE nif files. Both of these limitations can be handled with workarounds.

Blender 2.7x[edit]

The process for direct export from Blender 2.7x is documented on Blender 2.7x Export.

Blender 2.8+[edit]

The process for direct export from Blender 2.8 or up is documented on Blender 2.8+ Export.

PyNifly[edit]

PyNifly, like the Blender Niftools Addon, allows for direct import/export of nif files. Unlike the Blender Niftools Addon, it has support for SE nif files and handles simple collisions (non-MOPP).

3DS MAX Nif Plugin[edit]

The process for direct export from 3DS MAX export using especially made plugin is documented on 3DS MAX Export. It allows for direct export from 3DS MAX to a full NIF. The advantage of this method is that you do not need any intermediate files and can export directly from 3DS MAX. The disadvantage is that it does not work for every version of 3DS MAX, and will therefore need to be updated when updating 3DS MAX. Limitations: Does not directly support SE nif files.

See Also[edit]

  • 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.
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