×
Menu
Search
 
   
   
   
 

How to use the Notes

Few instructions for using this guidebook
•Set up the tools
 
Install 3dsMax or Blender
to create/edit 3d models or animations
 - Get NIF exporter plugins
to be able to export your work into .NIF file format
Install Photoshop or Gimp
to create/edit textures
 - Get DDS exporter plugins
to be able to export textures in .dds format
Install Nifskope 2. dev7
to create/edit Morrowind NIF files that store models/animations/effects
 - Get custom nif.xml file
to optimise Nifskope for Morrowind NIF editing.
Try Livemeshedit (mwse/openmw)
to be able to instantly see how your NIF file works ingame while editing
 
----See Attached Files pages to get the tools---
 
•Start exploring the Notes
----Most pages are in RU language. View in google chrome and auto-translate content.----
----SEARCH BETWEEN ALL PAGES works in web version! type keyword in search bar, and on the left side, it'll list pages which contain the keyword.----
----Alternatively, you can search between page names → go to Table of contents page → ctrl+F and type in a keyword.----
 
Chapter 0. Introduction.
A few opening words, and version history of the Notes itself.
In Lexicon of "alien words"  you can find the meaning of strange words related to Morrowind modding
History and advices. And a moment of nostalgia, lists of Morrowind related websites, still alive or dead
Also credits and wall of thanks mentions contributors to the Notes.
 
Chapter 1. Nif file.
What is a .NIF file? What kind of information can a .NIF file contain?
Why are there .NIF files with renamed extensions .xnif and .kf ?
 
What NIF elements are working in Morrowind's game engine?  Supported by Engine
Description of all different Node types, Properties, animation controllers, effects, etc that work with NIF version 4.0.0.2
 
Chapter 2. Textures.
Texture formats used by Morrowind. Comparison of .DDS vs .TGA
 
General info about texture concepts (alpha channel, mipmap,...)
Create texture for different texture map slots -  dark map, bump map, glow map, decal map..)
 
Chapter 3. Character animation.
Notes about base animation files Morrowind creatures and player model uses.
Animation groups (Idle, Movement, Weapon, Animations, Spell Casting, Attack, Death and Hit)
 
Lists of timing frame keys and codes for certain animations
How to add new extra animations
 
Chapter 4. Nifskope.
 
This is an important section describing the main tool for working directly with NIF files.
 
Nifskope first install setup . Get friendly with the user interface and see what Nifskope is capable of.
Optimize Nifskope for Morrowind NIF editing with the modified nif.xml
Try Livemeshedit either for MWSE or OpenMW to see how your NIF works ingame while you're editing it in Nifskope
 
Check how to add each single NIF object listed in the supported by engine page using only Nifskope.
Check how to do many various things with the help of Nifskope:
          -how to copy-paste objects, copy paste controllers, or batch clean unneded nodes
          -how to add LOD locally in a NIF, add bounding box, particles, texture effects....
 
 
Chapter 5. Modding programs.
•I.   Basic modding programs.
     -Learn how to optimize these programs for Morrowind modding.
     -As a developing alternative to 3ds Max, important page about Blender and plugins for it.
 
•II. Advanced modding programs.
    - Big list of modding tools. Notes about many modding tools. List of tutorials.
 
•III. 3rd party tools for creating textures/models/animations
•IV. Other useful programs for data extracting
 
 
 
Chapter 6. TES CS.
Everything about TES CS - The Elder Scrolls Construction Set
First steps, and the basics. Check TES CS Hotkeys to effectively use the program.
 
Huge collection of TES CS notes : How to create scripts, dialogs, doors, cells, path grid for AI, animations
 
How to speed up game start for quicker content testing.
 
Chapter 7. Game engine.
Morrowind.exe related useful infos.
 
List of Ingame console commands
Large section on Morrowind.ini file, with a detailed description of all its parameters
Descriptions of possible errors shown in warnings.txt.
 
Info about Scene Graph : Tool that shows detailed background info what the game loads in your current cell
Official game engine help files and model viewer
 
Extracted summary lists of NIF models in txt - To help research what vanilla NIF files contain
 
Chapter 8. 3DS MAX.
Learn which 3DS MAX version, can be used best to create Morrowind models and effects
Learn capabilities of 3DS MAX NIF-exporter Plug-ins so you can export your work into NIF files from 3DS MAX
          How to import / export NIF files into/from 3DS MAX with TES-exporter, FFE-exporter, Niftools-exporter/importer
 
Check how to add each single NIF object listed in the supported by engine page using 3DS MAX.
 
How to create complex animations, or skinned models with 3DS MAX
How to create advanced textured or vertex painted models
 
 
Chapter 9. Attached files.
 
Example NIF files for many objects in Supported by engine page - useful to have examples which work ingame.
Required plugins and tools.
Useful files mentioned in the Notes.
 
Chapter 10. Videos and examples.
 
Example NIF files for many objects in Supported by engine page, with 3dsmax 5 saves and videos!
 
Also few additional videos, eg. creating mipmap dds textures with photoshop