---

name: skyrim-nif description: Read and manipulate NIF 3D mesh files. Use when the user wants to inspect meshes, find texture paths, scale models, or troubleshoot invisible items.

Skyrim NIF Module

Read and manipulate NIF (NetImmerse Format) 3D mesh files using Spooky's AutoMod Toolkit.

Prerequisites

Run all commands from the toolkit directory:

cd "<TOOLKIT_PATH>"
# Example: cd "C:\Tools\spookys-automod-toolkit"

Overview

NIF files are the 3D model format used by Skyrim for meshes (weapons, armor, architecture, etc.). This module provides read capabilities and basic transformations.

Note: This module cannot create new meshes from scratch. For that, use Blender with the NifTools addon.

Command Reference

Get NIF Info

dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif info "<nif>"

Output includes: Filename, file size, header string, NIF version.

List Textures

dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif textures "<nif>"

Lists all texture paths referenced in the mesh.

Scale Mesh

dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif scale "<nif>" <factor> [options]

Option	Default	Description
<factor>	Required	Scale factor (1.5 = 150%, 0.5 = 50%)
--output, -o	input file	Output file path

Copy NIF

dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif copy "<nif>" --output "<file>"

Copies and validates the NIF file.

Common Workflows

Inspect Mesh for Troubleshooting

# Get basic info about a mesh
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif info "./Meshes/Weapons/Iron/IronSword.nif"

# Find what textures it uses
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif textures "./Meshes/Weapons/Iron/IronSword.nif"

Example texture output:

Textures (3):
  textures\weapons\iron\ironsword.dds
  textures\weapons\iron\ironsword_n.dds
  textures\weapons\iron\ironsword_s.dds

Scale Weapon/Armor

# Make weapon 50% larger
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif scale "./Meshes/weapon.nif" 1.5 --output "./Meshes/weapon_large.nif"

# Make weapon 50% smaller
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif scale "./Meshes/weapon.nif" 0.5 --output "./Meshes/weapon_small.nif"

# Double the size
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif scale "./Meshes/weapon.nif" 2.0 --output "./Meshes/weapon_huge.nif"

Find Missing Textures

# 1. Extract BSA to get meshes
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- archive extract "SomeMod.bsa" --output "./Extracted"

# 2. Check what textures a mesh needs
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif textures "./Extracted/meshes/myarmor.nif"

# 3. Verify those textures exist in the extracted files
# If missing, that explains purple/missing textures in-game

Troubleshoot Invisible Items

# 1. Check if mesh file exists and is valid
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif info "./Meshes/MyWeapon.nif"

# 2. If info fails, mesh is corrupted or wrong format

# 3. If info succeeds, check texture paths
dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif textures "./Meshes/MyWeapon.nif"

# 4. Common causes of invisible items:
#    - Mesh file not found (wrong path in ESP)
#    - Mesh is wrong format (LE vs SE)
#    - Textures missing

NIF Format Information

Skyrim NIF Versions

Game	NIF Version	Notes
Skyrim LE	20.2.0.7	Older format
Skyrim SE/AE	20.2.0.7	BSTriShape optimized
Fallout 4	20.2.0.7	Different shaders

Common Node Types

Node	Purpose
BSFadeNode	Root node for meshes
NiTriShape	Triangle geometry (LE)
BSTriShape	Optimized geometry (SE)
BSLightingShaderProperty	Material/shader info
NiSkinInstance	Skinning for animated meshes

Texture Slots

Slot	Suffix	Purpose
Diffuse	none / _d	Base color
Normal	_n	Normal map (bumpiness)
Specular	_s	Specular/gloss
Glow	_g	Emissive/glow
Cube Map	_e	Environment reflections

Vanilla Mesh Paths

Useful vanilla mesh paths for --model option in ESP module:

Weapons

Weapons\Iron\IronSword.nif
Weapons\Iron\IronDagger.nif
Weapons\Iron\IronWarAxe.nif
Weapons\Iron\IronMace.nif
Weapons\Iron\IronBattleaxe.nif
Weapons\Iron\IronGreatsword.nif
Weapons\Iron\IronWarhammer.nif
Weapons\Bow\HuntingBow.nif
Weapons\Staff\Staff.nif

Armor

Armor\Iron\Male\IronCuirass_1.nif
Armor\Iron\Male\IronHelmet.nif
Armor\Iron\Male\IronGauntlets.nif
Armor\Iron\Male\IronBoots.nif
Armor\Iron\IronShield.nif

Limitations

This module CAN:

• Read NIF file information
• List referenced textures
• Scale meshes uniformly
• Copy/validate NIF files

This module CANNOT:

• Create new meshes from scratch
• Edit mesh geometry (vertices, faces)
• Retexture meshes (change texture paths)
• Create or edit rigging/skinning
• Convert between NIF versions (LE to SE)

For advanced mesh editing, use:

• Blender + NifTools addon - Full mesh creation/editing
• NifSkope - Direct NIF editing
• Cathedral Assets Optimizer - LE to SE conversion

Important Notes

1. LE vs SE meshes - SE uses optimized BSTriShape, not compatible with LE
2. Texture paths are relative - Start from Data folder (e.g., textures\weapons\...)
3. Case sensitivity - Windows ignores case, but be consistent
4. Scale affects all nodes - Uniform scaling only
5. Use --json flag for machine-readable output when scripting

JSON Output

All commands support --json for structured output:

dotnet run --project src/SpookysAutomod.Cli -- nif info "./Meshes/weapon.nif" --json

Example responses:

{
  "success": true,
  "result": {
    "fileName": "weapon.nif",
    "fileSize": 45678,
    "version": "20.2.0.7",
    "headerString": "Gamebryo File Format, Version 20.2.0.7"
  }
}

Textures response:

{
  "success": true,
  "result": {
    "textures": [
      "textures\\weapons\\iron\\ironsword.dds",
      "textures\\weapons\\iron\\ironsword_n.dds"
    ]
  }
}