Editing 3ds Max: Custom Shield

===Saiz's Custom Shields How To Guide: V 1.7 With Pics===

In this tutorial I am using 3dsmax 7. 3ds max 6 users might have some difficulties, but 3ds max 8 users Should be alright. If you have any questions visit the [http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=389313 original discussion thread] on the Elder Scrolls forum.

====Tools Required or would be useful====

* [http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=159481 CIV4 Nif Exporter] for 3dsmax 6 and 7.
:'''Note: Max 7 plugins should work for 8 too'''
* [http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5972446 3dsmax 30 day trial]
* [https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=149157&package_id=170735 Nifskope]
* [http://www.cuneytozdas.com/software/3dsmax Texporter]-outputs uvs in an easy way to texture


There is currently no .Nif exporter for Maya, an importer can be found [http://niftools.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/NIF_File_Format_Library_and_Tools here] it is not compatible with Maya 7


1. Select a reference shield. [[:Image:Select_a_reference_shield.jpg|Pic]]

2. Export that shield as a .obj and import in to 3dsmax
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/2.jpg Pic]

3. When imported click on the model in the perspective window. Then '''rotate -90 on the x axis, 12 degrees on the y and -7 on the z'''], that should have straightened out the shield
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/3.jpg Pic]
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/4.jpg Pic2]

4. Now you can delete everything '''BUT THE HANDLE'''
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/5.jpg Pic]

5. Make your custom shield now.
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/6.jpg Pic]
 
6. Then uv map your new shield and the handle. Now output the uvs and texture it. 

7. After you are done texturing save as a dds and using a blinn texture click on the diffuse box and select bitmap. Now select the texture you made.
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/10.jpg Pic]
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/11.jpg Pic2]

8. Now '''click the handle''' and rotate '''y''' from '''12''' back to '''0''', and the '''Z''' from '''-7''' back to '''0'''
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/8.jpg Pic]

9. Now you can select your '''New Shield''' and rotate the '''y''' to '''-12''' and the '''z''' to '''7''' If done correctly the new shield and the old handle should line up. Other wise move your shield back so they match up.
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/7.jpg Pic]
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/9.jpg Pic2]

From now on thanks to EdgeofForever

'''***Note: First- make sure you DON'T flip your DDS's. Civ4 takes care of the coord stuff for you.'''

10. You'll need Max and the Civ 4 plugin. Export with original images selected.
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/12.jpg Pic]
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/13.jpg Pic2]

'''***Note: The error "WARNING: Map, "01 - Default", has a DIFFUSE MAP with alpha in the image, but has no OPACITY MAP. Please add the same texture as an OPACITY MAP to apply alpha." is uncommon but whenever I export ignoring that error the mesh still functions fine for me.'''

11. Load up Nifskope, and load the .nif file you exported. '''MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A TEXTURE BLOCK ALREADY IN THE FILE. IF NOT, YOU EXPORTED WRONG.''' Copy the NiTriStrip branch. Now load a default shield from the game- like a imperial guard shield - in the same instance of Nifskope (A new window doesn't work for me). 
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/14.jpg Pic]
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/15.jpg Pic2]

12. Paste your branch.
 
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/16.jpg Pic]
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/17.jpg Pic2]

13. Now go check NiNode, expand the "children" subdirectory. Change Num Indicies to 2. Click on the Indicies bar below it.
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/20.jpg Pic]

'''***NOTE: Make Sure you have Block Details turned on you can do this by view and select it or you can press f2'''

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/19.jpg Pic]

14. Right click, update array. If you haven't, expand indicies. Right click the new slot and change it to the block number that your copied NiTriStrips received look for the number of the block you pasted in 

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/21.jpg Pic]
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/22.jpg Pic]

15. Click the old mesh, right click its NiTriStrips, go to flag. Check hidden.

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/18.jpg Pic]

16. Click your new shield and right click NiTriStrips and select flags and select Collision Detection continue

17. Finally, make sure the texture node of YOUR mesh (should have been copied over with NiTriStrips) is going out to the correct dds. Save the file. This is your dds texture and path

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/23.jpg Pic]

Thanks Edgeof Forever

Now back to CS

18. Load the Oblivion.esm file

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/25.jpg Pic]

19. Now Select armors

20. Right Click and select New

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/26.jpg Pic]

21. Now on the right for the models for both the view and world models select the .nif you saved.

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/27.jpg Pic]

22. Now In the list select Shield.

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/28_2.jpg Pic]

23. On the values on the left choose the weight and the AR (Attack Resistance), Type (Light or heavy) , and Health

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/28.jpg Pic]

24. Select a cell and drop your model in it and test for collisions.

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/29.jpg Pic]

25. Once collisions are tested you can close and save and play the game with a custom shield.

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/30.jpg Pic]

26. Now save and activate your new shield

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldtut/31.jpg Pic]


Here is just a quick example of a shield from this tutorial (Very fast one but it works)

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Saiz08/shieldsuccess.jpg HERE IS AN EXAMPLE CUSTOM SHIELD]


'''***Tutorial still in progress if you have problems just ask'''


Plans for next Version


V1.8 Custom handles and Alternative to hiding referance mesh (In progress by Edgeofforever and me)


Change Log

V1.0 Change and added notes

V1.1 Updated the shield rotation

V1.2 Updated the shield and handle rotation separate

V1.3 Updated the New Shield rotations. Old Ones listed did not line up with the referance.

V1.4 Added example picture

V1.5 Cleared up step 5 and added 2 more steps

V1.6 Cleared up Edge's Tutorial and added some steps for shields

V1.7 Added Pics, and Clarified step 11, fixed typos

Special thanks the Edgeofforever with the civilization importer and nifskope help

[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:Modeling_and_Texturing_Tutorials]]