Hello all,

First, I hope this is the correct forum to be posting this. So I am attempting to build a mod that adds a new race, with custom meshes and textures, as well as a new set of quests if you find said race in game. However I am brand new to modding Skyrim, and as such have many questions. I started to work with creating my custom race, however I want them to look like a cross between Imperials and an elf race. My first question would be, how do I create custom meshes and textures, which can be then used by the Creation Kit. Any help would be appreciated.

Here's a link to a tutorial for how to make custom meshes and textures. http://wiki.tesnexus.com/index.php/Creating_an_armour_for_Skyrim._Part_1


However I'd suggest something simpler for a first mod that only uses vanilla assets. Once you get the hang of the CK and xEdit then branch out to tools like blender and nifskope.

Thank you, however I am ambitious, probably too ambitious, but ambitious none the less. I like taking big leaps.

Your project is indeed ambitious and a big leap for a beginner. Working with skinned/rigged meshes like bodies is fairly advanced modeling.

The first thing you'll need is a 3D modeling program, such as Blender (free) or 3DS Max. Then learn the program (there's probably hundreds of tutorials out there). Then pick apart existing meshes until you understand it. You'll need Nifskope to view and do minor edits to meshes, and of course any graphical program that can create textures in the .dds format.

Just to toot my own horn, I have a Creating Armor tutorial (link in my sig) that explains the relationship that armor/clothing/bodies have with skin partitioning, part of the rigging process. You'll need to find tutorials on creating .tri files, which are the morphs of the head, if you plan on combining elf ears to an Imperial head. It's not as easy as it sounds.

Best of luck to you.

Well thank you, I will definitely look at your Creating Armor kit, however I don't plan on adding Elf ears to imperials, rather changing the skin tone and altering the facial features. My Aravari race still looks human, they are just... different. My only issue is that I am unsure as to where I should actually begin on this mod. Should I start with the race? Or should I look into the custom racial spells? Perhaps even I should work on the racial textures before anything else. There are so many options I am not sure which one to choose from.