New Creator, Needing advice with Meshing


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New Creator, Needing advice with Meshing Jan 2, 2023 19:55:31 GMT -5

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Post by jotunkottr on Jan 2, 2023 19:55:31 GMT -5

Hey there, I'm in need of some meshing/CAS help. I'm new to modding TS4, but already somewhat familiar with Blender. Especially after the 2.80 UI refresh.

My setup:
Windows 10
Blender Launcher v1.15.1
Blender v3.3.2 (LTS)
Sims 4 Studio v3.2.0.3 (Star)/Beta Channel

Goal:
To frankenmesh a couple CAS mods together into one and learn the modding workflow for TS4.

Process (thus far):

Use Blender Launcher to download 3.3.2 (LTS) into its own directory, specifically for S4S use.
Install S4S, familiarize myself with the UI, make sure all of my directories are assigned correctly.
Follow tutorials to get some basic understanding of the workflow, specific terms, and the templates needed for TS4.
Place the mod into "Documents/Sims 4 Studio/Mods" to view in the cloning menu in S4S.
Clone the mod, export meshes for Blender from S4S. The modded item appears to have only one "cut", "0000".
Export the "DiffuseMap" for import into S4S and later editing.
Manipulate the exported meshgroups as needed, adjusting the topology, utilizing the mirror modifier as well.
Adjust the weight assignments on the Vertex Groups. (The mirror modifier didn't automatically flip the b__L weights to the b__R groups, so I'll need to do it manually).
Flood the Vertex Color with "00FF00".
Clone a similar EA model to utilize the Data Transfer modifier in Blender to gather a baseline for "uv_0" and "uv_1" mapping.
Adjusting the UV islands here and there, this is where I'm at and more work is needing done. My topology is a mess right now and there are more UV islands than I expected. I'm not quite sure what to do about all the extra islands.

Problems:

The biggest issue stopping me right now is an error on importing any mesh into S4S, including untouched EA export meshes.

Here's a link to the error on pastebin: Pastebin Link

When I manage to import a mesh without any error from S4S, the geometry fails to import. LOD_0 reports 0 vertices.

Questions:
Where am I falling short? I've tried following several tutorials, but I've lost track of which ones I've done and haven't done, and I'm sure that there's now gaps in my understanding. Now I'm getting this error on importing anything at all, and it's really discouraging.

What can I do differently?

What do I do about all the extra UV Islands?

Thanks for reading, I appreciate any help with understanding where I'm going wrong.

Here's my Blend file: MEGA Link

New Creator, Needing advice with Meshing Jan 3, 2023 17:09:19 GMT -5 jotunkottr likes this

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Post by mauvemorn on Jan 3, 2023 17:09:19 GMT -5

Hi. Not sure what the exact problem is for i tried to replace/delete everything that could give an error and it did not fix the issue, so you're going to have to re-do everything ( some of it has to be re-done anyway)

Try this first:

- clone any maxis mesh (like a hat), export the blend, open;

- select any vertex and move it so that the difference is noticeable;

- import back to see if you will get the error. If not, then the problem is with the shared blend specifically.

I would advice you to re-do the whole process from the beginning because you messed up the uv_0 and will have to completely remake the textures from scratch.

You can symmetrize the mesh without mirroring it.

It would be best to re-transfer data only for the edited parts of the mesh instead of everything because the sleeves are shaped in a way that will cause you problems.

But lets just try to get it in s4s first

- open your blend, delete all body parts. Do not join the body with the garment, this is done after the garment is fully adapted. The maxis body is adapted to perfection and overwriting this data can mess things up;

- select the top and export it in obj with Selection only enabled, close the file;

- clone yfTop_Tank, export the blend, open it, rename the meshgroup to Body, import the obj;

- select the garment, Object - Clear - Rotation. Never transform the object in edit mode;

- switch to edit mode, change pivot to 3d cursor, press R X 90;

- You can change L to R if there aren't a lot of vertex groups. If there are a lot, it is best to re-transfer the weights. You should also re-transfer uv_1. Vertex paint does not need to be edited (if it was 00ff00). Use the Body as a reference;

- delete all areas of Body covered by clothing (or the ones you don't need like the bottom);

- join Body with the garment;

- do not transfer uv_0, this will work only with skin-tight clothing that has seams exactly where the body has them. You need to re-unwrap the mesh because now the uvs are unusable. Select all uvs, assign this image as the background, put them in the free space;

- assign the right cut(0000), split edges, import in s4s;
- check in the game;
- fix all issues, edit the diffuse, edit other textures and lods


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New Creator, Needing advice with Meshing

Post by jotunkottr on Jan 2, 2023 19:55:31 GMT -5

Post by mauvemorn on Jan 3, 2023 17:09:19 GMT -5

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