When I try to run the installer, it says I need to have PyFFI installed, even though I already do. Am I installing the wrong version? I installed PyFFI 2.1.11. Thank you.

Try PyFFI 2.1.5, I think that's the version I'm using.

Pretty much everything you need to get Blender up and running for Fallout modding can be found here.

Tesvixen wrote:

Try PyFFI 2.1.5, I think that's the version I'm using.

Pretty much everything you need to get Blender up and running for Fallout modding can be found here.

It's cooperating with me now that I downloaded the 2.5.5 installer of NIF Scripts. Thank you.

Here are some Blender basics to help you get started:

Tab Key = switches between Edit and Object mode. (edit mode is where you do the majority of your work)

A Key = selects/deselects all objects.  Useful for scaling and moving meshes. In Edit mode, A selects and deselects all vertices/polygons.

B Key = Drag tool for selecting meshes or vertices in Edit model Pressing B twice in a row actives a round, brush-style cursor that allows you to select vertices in Edit mode much more precisely.

S Key = Scaling.  You can type in S, then a number to scale the mesh - for example S, then 10 would scale the mesh to 10x its original size.  S, then 1.5 would make the mesh 1.5 times larger.  S, then 0.5 would make the mesh half its original size.

You can also scale on a single axis.

Z axis = height
Y axis = depth
X axis = width

So if you were to type in S, then X, then 2... you would make the model twice as wide without changing its height or depth.

G Key = Grab function, used for moving meshes.  Much like the Scale option mentioned above, you can press G, then a specific axis to move/slide your mesh along only that axis.  G, then Y for example.  You can move your mesh manually with the mouse, or you can type in a specific amount - for example G, then Y, then 5 moves the selected mesh 5 units forward on the Y axis.  Y, then -5 would move it 5 units backward.

If you type in your numbers for scaling/grab, left click (or Enter key) finalizes it.  Right click undoes it.

Space Bar = brings up a mini-menu with a lot of useful tools and options.

Shift + C = re-centers your cursor to the 0,0,0 coordinates.  Useful if you left click a lot... in Blender you want to right click almost all of the time, aside from menus.

Alt + Z = toggles textures on and off.  

Z Key = Toggles Wireframe/x-ray mode

Control + Z = Undo.  If you make a mistake (and believe me, you will), Control + Z undoes the last action.  You can undo up to 9 or 10 mistakes in a row, but it gets buggy once you do that many.  

Control + A = Apply Object.  THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.  It brings up a menu that has the 'Scale and Rotation to OBdata' option... this is a critical step that affects the scale and orientation of any mesh that you plan to port to Oblivion or Fallout.

Hmmm, I can't enter edit mode for some reason. EDIT: Selecting the mesh with A doesn't work for entering Edit Mode. Also, the model's textures are really messed up. Is it supposed to look like that in Blender?

Yes as I said, A selects and de-selects vertices in Edit mode. :p

As for the model, looks like the UVs are screwed up on it.  Either that or the textures have been flipped.  If you want to shoot me a PM/link I can look at it.

Edit: yep, the textures were flipped vertically by whoever ripped the model.  Flipping them back fixes it:



Load all your textures in GIMP/Photoshop/whatever you use, flip them vertically, then save them.