Blender Skyrim Art Tools
Blender Skyrim Art Tools are Python script Blender Add-ons included with the Creation Kit 1.6.1378.1. These are used for exporting FBX from Blender 3.6 with the correct information for Asset Watcher to convert the Model File into NIF format.
Location[edit | edit source]
Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Tools\ArtTools\Blender
Easily find the Skyrim Special Edition game directory by opening your Steam library > Right Click > Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition > Manage > Browse Local Files.
Installation[edit | edit source]
Official Installation instructions are included in the download of the Creation Kit version 1.6.1378.1 or higher. Look for Exporting Blender Art Assets for Skyrim.PDF in the Tools folder. The instructions, if not read completely first, may seem a bit out of order where adding the data folder for loading textures for your materials is concerned.
- Open Blender
- Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons
- Select Install...
- Navigate to
Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Tools\ArtTools\Blender - Select bgs_skyrim_tools.zip then click Install Add-on
- Navigate back to Preferences > Add-ons and select Install... again
- Select io_scene_bsfbx_skyrim.zip then click Install Add-on
- Search BGS in the Add-on list and check both Add-ons' check boxes to enable them
- Select BGS Skyrim: BGS Art Tools [Skyrim] > click Expand
- Under Preferences, set the Skyrim Data Path to where you have unpacked Skyrim - Textures.bsa.
- Set up the Render Engine to Cycles
- Set up Asset Watcher and your Project Watch folders for your models
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As long as the unpacked texture files are located in a Data folder, they may be unpacked anywhere on your computer to ensure your game data folder does not have extra files that could accidentally be packaged with your mod.
Collision[edit | edit source]
Ensure you are rendering in Cycles. Otherwise files and collision will not export properly. Instructions for set up are included in the Tools folder.
Collision Types and Computational Costs[edit | edit source]
Computational cost varies with Spheres being more performant and using less memory than others.
- Sphere: Requires fewest in-game calculations and therefore considered the "cheapest". Calculated by radius.
- Capsule: Requires second fewest in-game calculations. Calculated by radius and half-height.
- Box: Requires third fewest in-game calculations. Calculated by length, width, and height.
- Convex Hull: Negatively impacts game performance. Use multiple primitive meshes as child colliders instead.
- Concave Mesh: "Outrageously expensive". Negatively impacts game performance. Avoid using concave mesh. Use multiple primitive meshes as child colliders instead.
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For a Quick Preview to see what your collision looks like without having to open the Creation Kit, drag and drop the mesh onto CreationKit.exe then press F4 when the Preview Window pops up.
Notes[edit | edit source]
- Creation Kit 1.6.1378.1 requires Skyrim Special Edition version 1.6.1170.0.8 and above.
- Official Export Documentation is included with Creation Kit version 1.6.1378.1. See Exporting Blender Art Assets for Skyrim.PDF in the Tools folder of the Skyrim Special Edition install directory.
- Blender 4.0 support is in beta.