Difference between revisions of "Bethesda Tutorial Layout Part 1"

To make the standard kits available, first click on the load button [[File:Jbrowne IconLoad.jpeg]] on the toolbar at the top of the creation kit window, double-click the checkbox in front of "Skyrim.esm" to make sure it is selected, and click OK. Answer "yes to all" for any errors that pop up during this process.

You can use the '''[[Preview Window]]''' to preview objects by right clicking an object in the object window and selecting "preview". A window will pop up showing the object. This window automatically updates to show whatever object you select in the [[Object Window]], so it can be handy to keep up for browsing the art. Unfortunately, the camera controls for the Preview Window are a markedly different and simplified subset of those in the [[Render Window]], and these differences can take some getting used to.

 

{{ProTip|Kits are very robust, and the large number of pieces at your disposal can be overwhelming at first. Stick with it! Just knowing your way around the kit is a huge part of being able to effectively work with it, and this will take some time and experimentation on your part.  Give yourself a generous amount of time for this before moving on. Try not to get frustrated at slow progress right now!}}

{{InDepth|Once you've learned the naming convention, you can use the asterisk "(*)" to serve as a wildcard when searching for pieces in the Object Window. For example, if you are searching for all possible exits from a Nordic Small Room, just enter '''"NorRmSm*Ex"''' into the Object Window Filter. Each possible exit piece for the Nordic Small Room kit will appear. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcard_character More about wildcards at Wikipedia]}}

Before we can do anything else, we need to create a space to work in.  This is most commonly done by duplicating an existing cell.  The cell you choose will bring over some data you may need to modify, but we'll deal with that later.  For now, go to the '''Cell View''' window, locate and right-click on the interior cell '''aaaMarkers''' and choose '''Duplicate Cell'''.  You should see a new cell appear in the Cell List just below it.  Rename this new cell by selecting it and pressing F2. We'll call this dungeon '''LokirsTomb'''.

{{WarningBox|It's important to be 100% sure of what cell you have loaded before doing any editing. There are two places to check this: the title bar of the [[Render Window]], and the area above the filter box in the [[Cell View]] window both show the name of the currently-loaded cell}}

Let's get started by placing our first piece. Take a look at your [[Object_Window|Object Window]] and expand: "'''World Objects > STATIC > Dungeons > Nordic'''"  You'll notice several sub-kits here, but for now we're just concerned with the Small Room, or "''SmRooms''" sub-kit.  Expand that sub-kit now, and the list on the right-hand side of your Object Window will populate with a number of pieces beginning with "NorRmSm".

Everything in the Creation Kit is measured in '''[[Unit|"Units"]]'''. These units don't correspond to any real-world units of measurement, but [[:File:UnitScaleRef.jpg| Fig. 3]]

{{WarningBox|Remember that you have to "click in" to the render window before performing operations like duplicate. Also, if objects inside the render window are not being selected, type CTRL+P or click the [[File:Jbrowne_IconPortalMode.jpeg]] '''Enter Portal Mode''' button in the [[Main_Toolbar|main toolbar]].}}

Click and drag on the object inside the Render Window to move the newly-created wall piece.  With grid-snapping turned on, it will lock into place relatively easily.

Two walls is hardly a room; we need corners! Return your attention to the [[Object Window]] and search for "'''NorRmSmCorIn01'''", then drag it into the render window.  [[Creation_Kit_Interface_Cheat_Sheet|Rotate the piece]] into the correct orientation to line up with one of your walls and drag it into place.  [[:File:FittingPieces01.jpg|See Fig. 5.]] Remember to have your angle-snapping turned on and locked at 45 degrees.  

The room is nearly complete - except for the gaping hole in the center.[[:File:LevelShell01.jpg|See Fig. 6.]] Place a '''NorRmSmMid01''' piece, which can be snapped into the gap. Duplicate the mid piece and keep snapping until the hole is filled. There's something you have to check at this point: this piece also has specific flow, so rotation is important, even though it may not appear to be at first glance.

To check the ceiling flow, [[Creation_Kit_Interface_Cheat_Sheet|rotate the camera]] so you're looking at the ceiling. Notice the linear pattern in the pieces. Rotate the mid pieces individually where necessary to connect the pattern to the walls. [[:File:WrongRotation01.jpg|See Fig. 7]] for the correct configuration.

{{WarningBox|Rotating the camera to look up can be disorienting, especially if you are new to the Creation Kit or working in 3D.  Be patient and use Shift+F to re-focus the camera and start over if you end up looking into the void.}}

{{ProTip|Not sure what object you have selected? The [[Main Toolbar]] displays this in its lower-left corner.  If you have multiple objects selected, it displays the most recently selected object name and "+X more" to give you an idea how large your total selection is.  Your current selection is also highlighted in the [[Cell View Window]]}}

{{WarningBox|When loading example plugins, remember '''not''' to load your plugin to avoid conflicts caused by having two cells with the same name.}}

{{ProTip|When testing, it's helpful to use the '''[[COCMarkerHeading]]'''.  These markers are only used for testing - when using the COC [[Console_Commands|console command]], this is where you will appear.  Only one of these markers should be placed per cell. If a cell has a pre-existing coc Marker, simply move it before saving the plugin. Like all markers, if it's hidden, press '''"M"''' to show it. If you are having trouble finding it in the Object Window, simply type "COC" into the filter box and select the '''*ALL''' category.

|style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0"|[[image:cocMarkerIcon.png|30px]]}}

 

 

 

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