[Request] Information on Re-Texturing Creatures

[Braggi]

I would like to learn the ins and outs of re-texturing stock Oblivion creatures. There are tutorials both here and on the CS wiki for re-texturing statics, but nothing (so far as I can see) about monsters.

Diagnostic Information: I have a friend who has re-textured two stock OB critters, the imp and the slaughterfish. He can't get the textures (or the creatures themselves) to show up in-game. His efforts have yielded two files for each mosnter - a creature nif and a texture .dds - so what else is missing?

Any help would be appreciated, including tutorial links. (I am somewhat familiar with BSA commander and I learn quickly, so feel free to get technical. I'll holler if I'm in over my head.)

Thanks!

[InsanitySorrow]

Hi Braggi,

While requests are great for gaining more information here, to cut down on the amount of tutorial requests threads we have a Tutorial Suggestion thread where you can post any tutorial ideas you have or maybe wanting.

Might be a good idea to post in there

[DarkRider]

Retexturing creatures is no different than retexturing statics, the process is the same so that's probably why no one has done a tutorial specifically for creatures. Your friend's trouble sounds like a missing normal map. Like statics, creatures also require a texture _n.dds file named the same as the texture except for the _n. No normal map means the textures won't render properly, may even render invisible.

[Braggi]

Thank you both.

@InsanitySorrow: My apologies for posting in the wrong spot and thanks for your patience with a new member. Please feel free to move the thread, if that is an option. And I will certainly look over the link you have mentioned - I went through the tutorial section when I joined and I love what I see there - great work!

@DarkRider: You are right - there are no normal maps for the creature. I had wondered about that, but I am a novice when it comes to textures and models. I will pass your information along to him verbatim - I suspect he will be most relived to hear it.

Very much obliged folks and thanks very much for answering my first post here at the the site.

[InsanitySorrow]

Its not a case of being in the wrong place, I was pointing out we have a thread for suggestion new tutorials , Anyway I have had experience in simple creature retextures and can fully agree with DR that its just the same as other retexturing. The only difference I see depends on the creature, and example is the Will o Wisp, it uses some transparency and multiple textures to achieve its effects.