I downloaded and ran Blender just fine and mucked around in it following basic tutorials etc... But having got somewhat acquainted with how it works I want to use it to open and modify Skyrim meshes, so am following http://wiki.tesnexus.com/index.php/Installation_of_Blender#Install_NIF_Scripts on installing the necessary scripts and software, but am getting confused.

1) First the tutorial says I need Python. Why?

2) I downloaded ver 2.49 of Blender. Is this right for working with Skyrim?

3) There was a tutorial, that showed you how to change the layout in the new Blender to the old Blender, which I have lost. Most Blender tutorials for TES are old and therefore I cannot follow them in the new Blender. Anyone remember that tutorial and have a link please?

Finally, I am running Windows 7 64-bit. I downloaded (have not installed yet) these:

PyFFI-2.2.2.win32

blender-2.49b-windows

blender_nif_scripts-2.5.9.77b0815-windows

Is this correct, really confused here.

It's a bit mad, isn't it?

I just went through this myself the other day. Couple of things:

The latest version of blender, along with the alpha version of the nif import script seems to be working now. Although I've not exactly made extensive use of the thing yet, so you might want to stick to the 2.49b version which is (I believe) known to work.

Python is the scripting language for a lot of Blender plugins, presumably including the nif importer.

I can't help you with the layout tutorial. I've been working through the opening chapter of the Blender manual where it deals with windows and panels and whatnot just to try and remind myself how it all works.

Shezrie, I think you're confusing yourself with talking about both "old" and "new" versions of Blender.

When Skyrim first came out we were using Blender 2.49b for Oblivion meshes. It took some time for the Niftools team to update the plugin for Skyrim information, so those of us working on meshes had to use http://afkmods.iguanadons.net/index.php?/topic/3658-skyrim-skyrim-meshes-and-blender-importingexporting/ for the "old 2.49" version. This method works just fine. To use Blender 2.49, you'll need to install all the requirements http://niftools.sourceforge.net/wiki/Blender (which are more current than the tutorial you were following).

While the Niftools team worked they also updated the plugin to work on "new" versions of Blender - versions 2.6+ (I currently use 2.74). This is an entirely new plugin and workflow that doesn't require the old workarounds. If you want to use the newer version, you http://afkmods.iguanadons.net/index.php?/topic/4141-blender-27x-set-up-preferences/ to look like the older version (that link also has the link to the new plugin). You'll still need the PYFFI and Python versions that 2.49 used. As DocClox said, Python is the scripting language for Blender.

I suggest you stick with one or the other. Most Skyrim tutorials are going to be written for the old 2.49 Blender but really the only difference is importing and exporting.

Lol, it certainly is.

Thank you for clarifying it for me.