Category:Bethesda Basics Tutorial Series

The Bethesda Basics Tutorial Series will help you set up the Creation Kit and start learning your way around.

Getting Started

• 1. Download and install Bethesda.net Launcher from the Main Page.
• 2. Run Bethesda.net Launcher at least once, so the latest updates can be installed.

Tools and Other Resources

• Material Editor: a editor for material files, both .bgsm and .bgem extentions.
  • Material Editor
  • There is also a Material Editor that came with the Creation Kit in the tools folder.
• Notepad++: a free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.
  • Notepad++
  • Widely recomended for scripting.
• WinRAR: is a Windows data compression tool that focuses on the RAR and ZIP data compression formats for all Windows users.
  • WinRAR
• 3ds Max: is a 3D Modeling, Animation, & Rendering Software.
  • 3ds Max Subscription
  • 3ds Max Student
  • It is preferred to use 3ds Max 2010, so the tools that came with the Creation Kit can work properly. Unfortunately, the only way to use it after the 30 day trial is to pay for it. It is possible to use later versions with the Unofficial 3ds Max Nif Importer-Exporter.
• Mudbox: 3D digital painting and sculpting software.
  • Mudbox Subscription
  • Mudbox Student
  • Used for texturing, re-texturing, creating or editing diffuse(.d), normals(.n) and spectacular(.s) textures.
• Photoshop: a photo editing and manipulation software.
  • Photoshop Subscription (free trial)
  • a method for a legitimately free Photoshop
• paint.net: is free image and photo editing software for PCs that run Windows.
  • paint.net
• Nifskope: A graphical program that allows you to open and edit NIF files.
  • NifSkope 2.0 Pre-Alpha 4

Note: There are plenty of other tools that can be used and listed, but all the tools that are listed are either free from the start or there is a way to get it free legitimately.