[sky] Unpacking BSAs (complete newbie question)

[Gringo1323]

So, I'm completely new to modeling (as in never done it before new) and was going to ask for some help on how to get models from .bsa format into blender. Do I need to unpack the .bsa files, if so how do I do that? Once I get the model can I immediaely see the model in blender? Can you go step by step how to get the files from .bsa into blender? Also, what version of blender can I use to get new meshes into skyrim?

Edited April 19, 2013 by Gringo1323

[_echo]

If you are completely new to modding, then I STRONGLY suggest you hold off on modeling. For Skyrim specifically, it is a very tedious task and also requires a bit of fiddeling in NifSkope.

 

I would instead suggest you start with modding basics, using only vanilla assets. Once you are comfortable with that, then you can start with more complex things.

[Gringo1323]

If you are completely new to modding, then I STRONGLY suggest you hold off on modeling. For Skyrim specifically, it is a very tedious task and also requires a bit of fiddeling in NifSkope.

 

I would instead suggest you start with modding basics, using only vanilla assets. Once you are comfortable with that, then you can start with more complex things.

I'm not completely new to modding (I have made my own house and a few other items similar to what you did in the skyrim basics tutorial although I am still new at it (i have not done anything like scripting). I am completely new to modeling and texturing.

[InsanitySorrow]

Echo's right it's a bit of a pain but I wouldn't discourage people from trying, learning is always fun

 

What you need to do is unpack the BSA file, using something like BSAopt or Fallout3 Archive Utility (My preferred choice, you can find it on FO3 Nexus). You'll need to download Nifskope and spend a little time learning how it works, doesn't take long to learn the basics.

 

From there you'll need to open the NIF you want to import, change the view of the Block List window to a list instead of the tree, click the NiHeader node and the top of the list and in the details pane change the user version numbers to: 11, 22, 34 (going down the list). The final step is to remove anything Blender can't import such as the collision and BSLightingShaderProperty.

 

Smarty Says: To change the view - View>Block List>Show Blocks in list

[Gringo1323]

Echo's right it's a bit of a pain but I wouldn't discourage people from trying, learning is always fun

 

What you need to do is unpack the BSA file, using something like BSAopt or Fallout3 Archive Utility (My preferred choice, you can find it on FO3 Nexus). You'll need to download Nifskope and spend a little time learning how it works, doesn't take long to learn the basics.

 

From there you'll need to open the NIF you want to import, change the view of the Block List window to a list instead of the tree, click the NiHeader node and the top of the list and in the details pane change the user version numbers to: 11, 22, 34 (going down the list). The final step is to remove anything Blender can't import such as the collision and BSLightingShaderProperty.

 

Smarty Says: To change the view - View>Block List>Show Blocks in list

Thanks, sounds like I have my work cut out for me (college of winterhold here I come). Any reason why I can't use the most recent blender? The Nifscope you have linked on this site has a lot of different download options, should i download them all?

Edited April 19, 2013 by Gringo1323

[InsanitySorrow]

The newer versions of Blender don't have a fully working set of NifScripts so the older Blender has to be used. Download anything that's is linked to in the tutorials.

[Gringo1323]

The newer versions of Blender don't have a fully working set of NifScripts so the older Blender has to be used. Download anything that's is linked to in the tutorials.

What is the most recent older version that is fully working?

[InsanitySorrow]

2.49b is the last version with fully supported NifScripts, 2.5+ had a large amount of changes to the UI and it how it works which makes the Nifscripts incompatible until the team have made updates, which requires lots of work.

[_echo]

I wasn't trying to discourage, it just seemd like a mad dash towards modeling/texturing, and that is what I was advising against. If you have already messed with the CK and know its basic functioning, then by all means, continue down the modding path.

 

Best of luck to you.

[Gringo1323]

I wasn't trying to discourage, it just seemd like a mad dash towards modeling/texturing, and that is what I was advising against. If you have already messed with the CK and know its basic functioning, then by all means, continue down the modding path.

 

Best of luck to you.

Thanks, I've actually been planning the basic meshes and trying to figureout room sections and the such for a while. I'm trying to alter meshes instead of starting from scratch at first, but if I can figure this out, I plan on creating new meshes for a mod in skyrim.