BECAUSE INSTALLING THIS SHIT IS HARD. I don't wanna hear any whining about how easy it is.
Even people who are computer savvy above an average level had difficulty. And when I say 
"people", I mean me. 

Second, there are a lot of great tutorials out there covering a wide range of topics, but sometimes
the most needed ones are the most seemingly simple things. All of this information is available is
readily available on the niftools website, but it's all a little spread out and difficult to find, especially
if you're not sure what you're looking for. Accordingly, a lot of people (myself included) are visual 
learners, and an image-based tutorial is really the best way for us to learn.



I'm so glad you asked, non-descript purple text symbolizes the masses of confused Nexus members! According
to my very good friend and scholar wikipedia, Blender is a "professional free and open source 3D computer
graphics program used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed modsels, interactive 3D
applications and video games. Blender's features include 3D modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, raster graphics, 
rigging and skinning", and a lot more. Basically, Blender is a modeling tool that can aid modders in creating/editing
meshes and making textures. Anything else you want to know can be found on the interwebs and via the many useful
tutorials here on the nexus.

For use with many Bethesda games, Blender has to be dialed back a few versions (actually, nearly 5 years worth of 
versions) in order for certain needs to be fulfilled. The version of Blender most modders use is...considerably less
polished than the newest versions.

Because of the version needed to meet said needs, the installation process is a little more complicated than just
downloading an .exe and double-clicking it. And, considering how much trouble some Nexus users go through installing
a simple texture pack (JK GUYS I LOVE YOU, WE WERE ALL THERE AT ONE POINT), a tutorial is almost necessary.
So, coupled with my narcissistic tendencies, inert love for attention, and superiority complex, I decided to do it!

Aura, stop blasting me with a wall of text! Y U SO BORING?

Well, someone's a little testy. Take a seat and get ready to learn.


(Don't worry, these are all safe downloads directly from the developers through niftools' sourceforge.)
- Blender 2.49b
- Python 2.6.6
- PyFFI 2.1.11
- Blender NIFscripts 2.5.9
- Optionally, winrar or 7zip. You can find those online.

Reason why an old build is needed:
Blender 2.49b is the build that we need in order to utilize the Blender NIFscripts. We have to use the 2.49b build
because the 2.5 build and the 2.49 builds were massively different in regards to their coding. The NIFscripts must be
coded to work with entire new systems in the API (application programming interface). The PyFFI API and Blender API
have been coded to work together using the Blender NIFscripts, and if one is changed in a drastic way, then it must be
entirely rewritten. The development team for the NIFscripts has a blog, but the development is going slow due to instability
in newer versions and introduction of new systems.

Basically, it's molasses up in there right now. So we work with what works.


Now, you walk that sweet ass over to the files tab, and download the cute little tutorial file I put together just for you. When
you've finished and everything is working, come back to this page and let me know how it went (hopefully great, or I'm a failure).
I'll have a stickied post in the comments full of useful links, resources, and other things I've found helpful.