Hi everybody, I just bought a guide book and am using v2.57 in an attempt to learn more about 3D Modeling. I downloaded and successfully used the Blender plugin that allows the Importing and Exporting of .NIF files ( the file type associated with Oblivion, Fallout 3 and Fallout:NV) on Blender v2.39b, but for some reason it will not install on v2.57. I am using the x32 bit installer version of the plug-in and require some assistance. If anyone is familiar with how this process works please let me know.

I don't think v2.57 is compatible with .NIF scripts at the moment, I know v2.59 isnt.Version 2.49b is the latest one with .NIF scripts as far as I know, however I might be mistaken.

EDIT: Apparently there are .NIF scripts for v2.57. Did you get yours from http://sourceforge.net/projects/niftools/files/blender_nif_scripts/2.5.x/2.5.07/ Try using the .exe first and if that doesn't work try installing it manually by downloading the .zip file.

Yep thats the same installer I've got, guess i should give the .zip a shot although it seems to have a rather complex installation process.

Alright so im following all the rules and the install file from the .zip even indicates that it has installed the plug-in components and yet it I still cannot import or export NIFs into 2.57, please any help

You'll figure it out dude, just focus.

nifscripts still do not support blender 2.5x! the version numbers you are seeing for the scripts are merely a coincidence to the current blender version.

see here for installation instructions:
http://niftools.sourceforge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2930

If there's one thing I know on this board concerning .nifs and blender..



listen to the falcon.



(yes, there are others as well, but falcon knows his stuff)

Alright so its looks like my best option is to learn the program with 2.57 and following along with the guide and then just using the latest NIF script supported version of Blender which i think is 2.49b, now my second question is am I going to cause any irreparable damage attempting to keep two versions installed?

well... imho it depends on what tutorials/books you're following. since the difference in UI is so vastly different, i'd stick to one version or another. i'd recommend learning 2.5x since that will of course be the standard moving forward. if you're using it for FO3 (or similar game), you can do your modeling in 2.5x, then open up your model in 2.49 and export from there. keep in mind if you do any animations, they will not port from 2.5x -> 2.49. you should be okay the other way around though (haven't tried it myself, ymmv).

i actually use both versions myself. for me personally, i install 2.49b using the .exe (i'm assuming you're using windows) -- that way all the registry entries are there for that. after i install 2.49, i download the .zip version of 2.5, which does not need any install. that way (i think) there are no possible conflicts with respect to the NIF import/export scripts. just make sure you get the proper versions of python and pyffi so the script installer is happy.



thanks for the vote of confidence, andy. :foodndrink: