I would like to make a new item using existing meshes and textures without replacing old items in-game. I have the ability to modify .dds files but not .nif. So I basically want to create a new version of a suit of armor with different color variants but I want to keep the old ones in the game. So, I could have, for instance, Steel Plate armor and Enameled Plate or Filigreed Plate all in the game simultaneously. They would use the same mesh, but different textures. When looking through the CK, I could not find an option to change only the texture of an existing item. I know that if I create a path in my Data folder to a modified texture, it will automatically draw the .dds over the appropriate mesh. So, I could make a new texture for all Plate armor, but I would not be able to have multiple versions of armor using the same mesh but different textures. Is there a way to create new items using existing meshes and different textures without a .nif editor?

Look for Texture Sets -> any tutorial related to FO3 or Skyrim will show you how to allow you to add new armors with just the re-textures.dds files and not need any new .nifs.

TS's are VERY useful and people really should get used to using them as bloating DL files just so they can say my mod is 500 Megs when it only needed to be 150 or less once you remove all of the needless bloat.nifs.

Rant not directed at you just in general I already see tons of mods/modders doing this bloating garbage using 50 of the exact same .nif just pointing to different textures when all that is needed are the new Textures and the .nifs can be completely deleted, just so they can pomp around gloating that their mod is <----THIS BIG----> when it only needed to be <-thisbig->...

1. Make a new copy of the armor object.
2. Make a new 'Texture Set' with the texture you want to use.
3. If you Edit your armor object, you can change the 'world' object only.
4. The 'Models' box shows all the Armor Addon objects that are attached to the armor.
5. The 'Armor Addon' objects point to the mesh used for that armor piece. (Biped model) You simply edit the mesh, and on the object list of that armor piece mesh, you can attach your own texture set.

Obviously, I am very new to modding....but I think I understand what you guys are telling me. Thanks