NIF files

[SXH]

how do i port them to sfm well what programs do i need to port

[Pte Jack]

I would like to know this as well because the only NIF file extractor or importer for Blender needs Linx.

[SXH]

Originally posted by Pte Jack:

I would like to know this as well because the only NIF file extractor or importer for Blender needs Linx.

fr man, that sucks dude

[Marco Skoll]

Can you be more specific?

At first I assumed you meant NetImmerse Files from (what became) the Gamebyro engine and its descendants, but the fact that Pte Jack is saying he doesn't know of any Windows importer for it has me pretty confused, because I've imported any number of things from the Fallout and Elder Scrolls series, so now I don't know what you're talking about.

*Fallout 4 is more of a pain where Blender is concerned, but there are workarounds that involve going via FBX format or, worst case scenario, OBJ format.

(I've not yet had cause to try non-Bethesda games, but said studio is certainly one of more high profile users of the format).

[SXH]

Originally posted by Marco Skoll:

Can you be more specific?

At first I assumed you meant NetImmerse Files from (what became) the Gamebyro engine and its descendants, but the fact that Pte Jack is saying he doesn't know of any Windows importer for it has me pretty confused, because I've imported any number of things from the Fallout and Elder Scrolls series, so now I don't know what you're talking about.

*Fallout 4 is more of a pain where Blender is concerned, but there are workarounds that involve going via FBX format or, worst case scenario, OBJ format.

(I've not yet had cause to try non-Bethesda games, but said studio is certainly one of more high profile users of the format).

i mean like the skyrim nif files

[Shakes]

Originally posted by EmperorFaiz.ogg:

What is NIF file to be exact anyway?

Essentially models for GameBryo games, like from Fallout 3/4, Skyrim, etc. AFAIK each game has a different version of the NIF format. Even Fallout 3 and New Vegas use different versions despite the two games being on practically the same engine version.

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

So, are those different types of NIF files required a different ways/importer to be ported into whatever 3D modelling software?

[Marco Skoll]

Which version of Skyrim? I've had more issues with the Special Edition, which may be easier to pass through the Outfit Studio mod in order to convert it to FBX format (which Blender supports rather better, particularly with the enhanced Autodesk SDK FBX plugin), but the original version isn't usually too much trouble to import into Blender.

This plug-in is a bit buggy at times, but the v2.6.0a3 development version does still mostly work with the current Blender version, 2.79b (and I've just tested it in case it's been recently broken by Blender updates - it loaded in a dragon from original Skyrim just fine):
https://github.com/niftools/blender_nif_plugin

I recall trouble getting it to import a Spriggan at some point, but as there's also community tools to extract things like the vertex animation files (TRI files? I forget, it's been a while), I even got Serana ported with the game's original facial expressions. (Not that that's necessarily a good thing, as they're not that good, but it proved it could be done):
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=774327255

[Shakes]

Originally posted by EmperorFaiz.ogg:

So, are those different types of NIF files required a different ways/importer to be ported into whatever 3D modelling software?

Some of them do. Not sure about newer games as I haven't actually played anything past New Vegas, but IIRC New Vegas and older versions could be opened with a NiF importer for Blender that was updated for Blender 2.76(?). You would need to set the game you were working with when you imported/exported, though. Skyrim and later might need a different importer, though NiFSkope has an option for exporting to OBJ if you're feeling dangerous.

EDIT: got ninja'd by Marco

[Pte Jack]

When I researched NIF importers for Blender it was when i first started out (back in the ver 2.50 days) and as everyone has stated, there are different versions of nif. I was most likely confused with the language back then used in this documentation.

http://niftools.sourceforge.net/wiki/Blender

Anyway, When I tried using niftools, the project failed miserably and I dropped the project. It may have been something written into the addon screen where I read Linx.. maybe something to do with PyFFI, I really don't remember.

[Marco Skoll]

Originally posted by Shakes:

though NiFSkope has an option for exporting to OBJ if you're feeling dangerous.

It's actually a very good way of handling clothing items, as it tends to support all NIF formats with no issues, and losing the weight paint here usually isn't a problem; even if I'm attaching them to a model that was originally NIF format, I almost invariably copy weights over from the base model anyway (given that I've generally changed all the bone names and repainted the weights to work better for Source's 3-link limit rather than Gamebyro's 4-links) and tidy that up.

[SXH]

tbh im just trying to port a head model into sfm not a whole body

[SXH]

i already got the model in blender and rn i have it as a obj and just exported it as a smd i dont think i have to weight paint

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

The only thing left is to create the VMT and VTF files, and QC file for compiling.

[SXH]

Originally posted by EmperorFaiz.ogg:

The only thing left is to create the VMT and VTF files, and QC file for compiling.

so make the textures and materials then crowbar?

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

Yeah. I assume you already know what to do but we can still help you out.