Since the forum isn't segmented out for topics yet, I have to yell into the wind (sorry).

I've done a bit of modding and game design before, but after reading comments about concerns about female characters getting little attention in the past, I want to help. Granted my work has been storyline/worldbuild-ish, but hey, i can learn! So, I'll focus on clothing design.

So, attention all clothing/armour modders, this old man needs your help. I need your favorite tutorials on meshes and such that helped you become awesome. I've worked with Blender, so probably going to stick with that, but still open to ideas you have. So ANYTHING that helped you learn or tools you use to make your magic, let me know. Links, books, whatever.

Let's see if an old dog can make a new dress :hehe:

Thanks everyone ahead of time!

If you put skyrim in there...anywhere...maybe it will be relevant

"For Skyrim!" lol

You can probably find assistance in the Oblivion mod forum - most of making new clothing (and other items) is making the models - using programs like Blender and Nifskope. Yes, the Creation Kit for Skyrim will probably be different than the Oblivion and Fallout 3 ones.... but they said the game will still use the .nif file format, so reading tutorials on making Oblivion clothes with Blender and Nifskope will still be useful in giving you a beginning base of knowledge to work from.

Thanks Kiralyn!

in the mean time.. just make an outfit for oblivion.

When Skyrim hits you can probably convert your asset over without too much hassle. All the skills you develop in modelling, texturing, rigging, and exporting and game set up will be applicable to skyrim as well/ More or less.

Since you know blender, you probably already know about it, but in my opinion, blendercookie.com is the best place for tutorials on how to use blender and to learn more about blender features.

Have you had a browse on the Nexus for HGEC mods? In particular look at jojos Silverlight armor, my fav (the warglaives are a little overdone though).

http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=28723

Wait a bit for HGEC to be ported to Skyrim (probaly happen within ten minutes of game release), much better mesh for you to use than the stock female meshes will be.

this isnt relevant to this forum wait till the game is released then try posting it in the skyrim mods section when its made or if you cannot wait that long put it in the oblivion or morrowind mods section

I haven't looked at HGEC mods, but certainly will. Thanks for the help!

I like blendercookie, good call, I can always stand to learn more!

Will do! It will take me at least that long to actually produce something.

As I stated, there isn't "mod" forum yet, still it hardly makes my request for help from those who know irrelevant. I've been a programmer for almost 20 years, but I never considered a question from a co-worker or student "irrelevant" simply because it was off-topic. Sorry it upset you so much. No need to reply.

Howdy there, Saint Mac! You might also want to try getting help at http://tesalliance.org/forums/: while they don't have any clothing / armor tutorials as of yet, there's a good amount of clothing modders there; not to mention even more fine tutorials. Give it a look see, and feel free to register.

On another note, a thought... just because Skyrim's coming out, don't be afraid to do some modding for Oblivion (or even Morrowind)... I've never bought the argument that Skyrim will somehow make all the other game's obsolete; I think that's just the hype machine going on the fritz, myself No doubt Skyrim'll be great... but hey, I still play Daggerfall from time to time.

The models you make for any game are likely to port to Skyrim, as Blender works in its own format and then you use an exporter script to convert to the target one. The skeleton (armature in Blender terminology) may need to be replaced if the bone hierarchy changes, which could require the bone weights to be re-made. You might want to import the Skyrim bodies so that the exposed parts look the same when costumes are changed, but otherwise the content you produce will be game-ready, and your skills will be tuned for the conversion you need to do.

One thing we don't know yet is if the new engine will allow bone-weighted and morph animations on the same figure (which is not possible in Oblivion). That would allow things like muscle flexing, folding of cloth etc. There may even be collision support for cloth!

this is a myth BTW. Or rather might be.. I have a POC rigged outfit with morphs on top working in game. I haven't fully tested it, but the rigging works. And the morph animation works.

Which Also leads me to beleive morphed weapons work. Saiden reports they work.. but eventually crash after some undetermined amount of time, and he tested on multiple systems.

But my morph experiments are still promising...