I have decided to learn to do 3D modelling, and while it's going rather well learning Blender, I'm getting seriously confused about the many, many other tools that are mentioned here, there and everywhere. So I've tried to make a list of the various tools, as well as file formats, and would like if you could take a look at it, and tell me if I'm right, or if I've missed something or made errors. It might be of use for other budding modders as well.

So, my list:

Many/most of the programs are WIP, but should work, unless otherwise stated:


Tools for making meshes & textures:

FOMM: Fallout Mod Manager: Used to unpack Skyrim BSA files (other programs can do the same)

Blender/3dStudioMax: Used to make/edit meshes, animations etc.

Blender-Nif plugin: Used to open nif files directly in Blender. WIP, not fully functional yet
3DstudioMax-Nif plugin: Used to open nif files directly in 3DstudioMax. WIP, not functional yet

NifSkope: View/edit nif files. WIP – needs Throttlekitties modified nif.xml

Photoshop/paintshop/GIMP/Whatever: Used to make/edit textures

It’s possible to make new statics and weapons by saving meshes in Blender/3DstudioMax as obj, then opening the mesh in NifSkope, add texture here and save as nif.


Tools for making Skyrim mods:

TESsnip: View/edit ESP and ESM files. Used for making gameplay and mesh replacement mods without the CK, using hexeditor

The CK: Used for just about everything, hopefully

Script Dragon: Engine extender. Used to make powerful scripts without CK

SKSE: Script Extender. Used to make powerful scripts not possible with CKs basic script language


Tools for use in installing mods:

Nexus Mod Manager: Download and install functionality

BOSS: Basic mod sorting to avoid conflicting mods

Wrye Bash - Skyrim: Safe uninstalling of mods (so far)


File formats:

BSA: Achieve format used to hold all Skyrim ressources, incl. Meshes, textures, scripts
NIF: NetImmerse/Gamebryo mesh file format. Blender/3DstudioMax cannot open file without plugin
DDS: Texture file format. Photoshop/Paintshop/GIMP can open file directly
OBJ: Basic mesh file format. Blender/3DstudioMax/NifSkope can all work with OBJ. Doesn’t save animations/anything other than the basic mesh.

Bash is the Oblivion version. Mash is for Morrowind, and I think they're working on a Wrye Slash (I think that's the name they decided) for Skyrim.

It's more of a mod managing utility, than it is just for uninstalling mods. The Oblivion version has a ton of utilities built into one.

Wrye Smash. However it's actually labelled "Wrye Bash - Oblivion" and "Wrye Bash - Skyrim" at the moment rather than renaming as Smash.

Thanks for the feedback. I've edited the list so that it's clear that it is the Skyrim edition of Wrye Bash I'm referring to.

I've tried to edit some plugins for Skyrim. They are .esm format and TESsnip dies when I try to open them. (edit) Same goes for .esp

Is there any other way?

I can't help with TESsnip, unfortunately. Haven't even tried to open it. There's a tutorial for TESsnip here: http://www.skyrimforge.com/forums/skyrimmodding/moddingtutorials/28901-tutorial-making-new-smithing-recipes-pre-ck/

If that doesn't help, I think you're better off starting a new thread here, with a descriptive title.

What I use to mod:

• http://cheatengine.org/
  
• http://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/
  
• http://www.ollydbg.de/
  
• http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1303320-rel-script-dragon/
  
• http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=640