How to replace Skyrim NPCs with faces made in RaceMenu
(aka the method I used to make all my NPC overhauls)
This is an updated version of the tutorial from this post. I forgot a step originally.
Why use this method?
RaceMenu (RM) gives you a lot more creative freedom than simply editing NPC faces in the Creation Kit (CK).
Just installing RM gives you access to new sliders not found in unmodded Skyrim and you can install further slider mods (such as Expressive FaceGen Morphs, or Khajiit Character Creation Extended, etc.)
It also allows you to use Overlay mods (like DomainWolf's mod series or Freckle Mania 2) which give you many more options to layer warpaints or skin features and create a more detailed face.
Links are to the SE version of the mods, as that's what I'm most familiar with. They likely have LE counterparts.
Things you will need:
RaceMenu (and SKSE; be sure to get the correct versions of both for your game)
NifSkope - you will use this to open and edit the mesh. Here's GamerPoet's setup video
More Informative Console (especially if you're editing mod-added NPCs)
BSA Extractor (or similar mod that lets you open and extract BSAs)
Things I highly recommend:
Creation Kit Platform Extended for Skyrim - makes using the Creation Kit way less like pulling teeth
Unofficial Creation Kit Patch - if you're using AE
An alternate start mod - I like Dimes Quickstart for its simplicity, but any would work
Another Race Menu Rotation Mod - handy for seeing how the back of hairs look
Stand still in RaceMenu (OAR) - stops the character from wiggling out of frame
If you're looking to edit an NPC from an unplayable race (Elder, Child, etc.) you will likely need a mod that makes that race playable
Fun Stuff for diverse options:
Extra slider mods (I like Expressive FaceGen Morphs)
Skin Overlay Mods (for extra detailed faces)
If you want to get REAL funky with it, you can also use OutfitStudio to have a lot better time sculpting/getting super wild with assets, but that's too advanced for this tutorial (and my method is very 'goof around until it just works.'
I don't really want to cover using mod-added headparts (like eyes, hairs, etc.) There are basically two options there: add them as new headparts for your mod or make your mod dependent on the mod the headparts are from. The second way is probably simpler for beginners, but I definitely suggest installing Creation Kit Platform Extended, as it will allow you to load the other mods as masters without the Suffering™.
The Workflow
1. Design your character like you would a player character. For this example, I am redesigning Arcadia.
A recommendation: unless you really feel like you need to change it, it is typically better to make the Weight slider match the NPC's actual weight. You can see this value using either SSE Edit or the Creation Kit.
It is no big deal if you don't, but if you change the weight and load the mod into an already existing save you will get a gap between the NPC's neck and body (unless you use Save Unbaker.)
Be careful, though, there is a RaceMenu bug where if you load up RM again after exiting, it changes the weight by .01. So annoying.
For Skin Tone choice, if you do a custom skin tone (by pressing 'E' while hovering over the slider) I would recommend leaving the transparency slider (the 'A' value) at 100% (though I usually make the exception for Khajiit and Argonians.) This info will go into the Interpolation Value box in the CK, and the RM values can't be directly input, so you have to calculate the value with a (RM Number/255 = X/100, solve for X which is your Interpolation Value)
1a. If you are planning on adding faceparts from mods to your own plugin, I recommend saving and doing that now. Then come back to your save and change your headparts to the versions from your plugin. If you want to just have the other mods as masters, you can skip this.
2. Once you're satisfied with your design, I recommend saving your game and saving your head as a preset (click to enlarge):
3. Now, you will need to write down some stuff.
Skin Tone (RGB value):
Hover over Skin Tone slider. Press 'E'.
write down the R G B values (and A if you change it, see above note)
Even if you use a default skin tone, this is the best way to make sure you get the correct value for the CK.
Weight (number)
Scars (name) (if applicable)
Hair (name)
Facial Hair (name) (if applicable)
Eye Color (name)
Brow Type (name)
Writing down Hair Color is optional: with this method, the hair will inherit color from the head you export, not the CK value. Plus, RM's values are not really useful, because the default hair colors are named.
It's the same with the Face Complexion (wrinkles, etc), with this method it is exported with the head mesh.
4. Export the Sculpt:
It should end up in your SKSE folder (SKSE\Plugins\CharGen), wherever that is for you
5a. Method 1 (works for both Vanilla and Mod-added NPCs): get your NPC in front of you, either by console command (example with J'zargo):
~
help 'J'zargo'
then, using their RefID (the number that appears next to their name) type:
player.placeatme 0001C1A3
Or find them in-world.
With the mod More Informative Console installed, reopen the console (~) and click on them. Write down their BaseID.
5b. For Vanilla NPCs: close your game and search for your character's name on UESP and find their BaseID. Copy this number.
6. Open your BSA extractor of choice and Skyrim's data folder. Find the Skyrim - Textures0.bsa. Open with your BSA extractor, and paste the BaseID in the search box
Check the checkbox next to the main facegen file only and extract somewhere easy to find.
7. Repeat this process with the Skyrim - Meshes0 file.
8. Create a new mod folder. You can either make a mod directly in the mod organizer (MO2 lets you right click in the left pane -> All Mods -> Create Empty Mod Above) or on your desktop.
Cut and paste the 'textures' and 'meshes' files you just extracted into your mod folder. If you are installing it via archive, go ahead and zip and install the folder.
9. Now open the Creation Kit. Use the folder icon to load your masters.
Pick Skyrim, Update, DLC (if applicable), and any other mods you want to be masters for your mod (for eyes, hairs, etc.) If you've made your plugin already for headparts, just load it up.
10. In the Object Window, expand the Actors -> Actor -> Actor tabs and now you have a lot of tabs with Race names. Find the race your NPC belongs to then open the appropriate gender tab. Alternatively, you can just search the character's name in the searchbox.
11. Find your NPC's name and double click. This opens their Actor window, which is where you will use all the data you wrote down.
If you want a preview of their face, tick the box at the bottom of the window.
For weight adjustments: go to the Traits Tab. For all other values you need to worry about for this tutorial, go to the Character Gen Parts.
So, to parse this: you can ignore the Face Tint Layers box and pretty much everything on the left side of the screen.
Face Tinting Color
Type in your values for R G and B (you can ignore the Preset dropdown completely.) The Interpolation value corresponsed to the 'A' value, so unless you are working on Khajiit or Argonians, it will probably always be 1.
Base Head Parts
To change stuff in this section, click the line you want to change then go down to the dropbox below it and change it to what you want
Face - unless you're using something like High Poly Heads, you can ignore this
Everything else in this box: change to what you wrote down for each
Additional Head Parts
This is mainly used for scars and functions a little differently. To add a scar, you need to go to the Object window again.
You can expand the Character tab and click 'HeadPart' then search the name of the scar you want. Click and drag the line with your scar into the Additional Head Parts box and it should show up there.
12. Once you've got the above like you want it, hit 'Ok', save your plugin. Now, to make the next step a little easier, you can click the NPC name in the Object Window again and hit f4.
This will export the meshes/textures file folders to the mod you just made in step 8.
Go ahead and exit the CK now
13. Go your your files exported from the last step. Open a second window from the files you exported from SKSE.
Open both meshes in two separate NifSkope windows.
If your SKSE head has a weird broken neck mesh like above, that's not a problem and can be ignored.
You absolutely must make sure your headparts match the head you exported from RaceMenu exactly, or you will get the dreaded dark face bug.
Now, you will need to find the Head textures in the head you exported from the CK. If your NifSkope is set up like mine, it should look like this:
Copy this line and paste it into the SKSE head in the same slot.
Save the SKSE NifSkope and close.
14. Rename the SKSE files (both .dds and .nif) to the number your exported heads are. You can then copy and paste your your SKSE files to their respective folders in your step 8 mod folder:
the .nif file goes in meshes/actors/character/FaceGenData/FaceGeom/[name of plugin]
the .dds file goes into textures/actors/character/FaceGenData/FaceTint/[name of plugin]
And now you're ready for testing! At this point I also recommend taking a second and converting your plugin to an ESPFE via SSE Edit. It's pretty simple and there are tutorials out there.
Scully, you're not gonna believe this.
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