Installing Blender

Introduction

This is a small tutorial on how to install Blender with working NIF import/export scripts. It's not at all complicated, but you have to install a few other software packages besides Blender itself. This tutorial assumes you're using Windows XP, if you're unsure if that's the case do press:

 Pause/Break key + Windows key

and at the top right below System: it should read Microsoft Windows XP.

Downloading

First of all you need to download the following, don't install anything yet.

• Blender from blender.org get the Blender 2.44 Installer (8 MB) for Windows.
• Python from python.org get the Python 2.5.1 Windows installer (third from the top).
• Blender NIF import/export scripts from sourceforge.net click the green download button behind Blender NIF scripts (top one) and choose the file that ends on windows.exe.
• PyFFI from sourceforge click the green download button.

Alternatively, you can also download various versions that are compatible with each other at TESSource.net along with additional click-for-click install instructions.

Installing

After you've downloaded everything you need to install you can start installing. Begin with Python 2.5. Run it with default settings; just keep clicking next until you're done. You can install PyFFI right after that the same way. PyFFI is needed for the Blender NIF scripts. Just keep clicking next like you did so well while installing Python.

When that's done you can begin installing Blender 2.44. Double click the installation file and press next, i agree, next, next, install, *wait a second* click OK, uncheck the box that says Run Blender 2.44 and click Exit. Basically; put yourself on autopilot but don't forget to uncheck that box.

You're doing great so far, it's time to install the NIF scripts. This is very similar to the Blender installation; next, i agree, next, install, uncheck box, exit. Almost nothing you can do wrong and done in a few seconds.

Enjoying the goods

That's it you've installed everything you need to run Blender and the most recent NIF scripts. You can delete all install executables if you need to free disk space, but if you don't put them somewhere save in case you need to reinstall or repair an installation.

note: You don't have to configure the NIF scripts like you did with the version 1.5.7 and older. You can now choose the NIF version directly from the export screen.

Basic Blender Tutorials

• Blender 3D: Noob to Pro
• Custom Sword in Blender
• Custom Shield in Blender
• for more tutorials and resources visit the Resources for 3D Modeling page.