[Genshin Modding] Episode 2 - Your First Character! (Tutorial)

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to guide you through the process of modding a character in Genshin Impact using Blender. In this episode, we will specifically focus on removing an accessory from a character model and ensuring the animations work seamlessly. This tutorial is relevant for those who want to dive deeper into character customization and understand the intricacies of modding.

Step 1: Import Character into Blender

• Open Blender and import the character you wish to mod.
• Add the character textures as demonstrated in previous tutorials.
• Note that characters typically consist of multiple objects (e.g., body, head, dress). Focus on saving the body and head diffuse textures.

Step 2: Clean Up Loose Vertices

• Enter Edit Mode for the character object.
• Check for loose vertices, especially on the head.
• Use the following method to clean up:
  • Navigate to Mesh > Clean Up > Delete Loose.
• Repeat this for all objects associated with the character to streamline the model.

Step 3: Modify the Character Model

• Select the accessory (e.g., bandana) you want to remove.
• Use the link select tool to select all vertices of the accessory.
• Delete the selected vertices.
• If part of the character's body is missing due to the accessory covering it, you will need to fill the gap:
  • Identify similar edge loops on the opposite side of the character.
  • Mirror these edges to the missing side.

Step 4: Mirror Geometry

• After ensuring the topology matches, select the parts to mirror and press P to separate them into a new object.
• Go to the modifiers tab and add a Mirror Modifier:
  • Adjust the axis to ensure the geometry mirrors correctly.
• Apply the modifier to integrate the changes into the model.

Step 5: Join and Clean Up Mesh

• Select the modified object and the main body, then press Ctrl + J to join them.
• Use Mesh > Clean Up > Merge by Distance to remove any duplicate vertices.
• Manually adjust the merge distance to avoid merging unintended vertices.

Step 6: Adjust Normals and Fix Textures

• Check for any weird dents or spikes in the model due to normals being inconsistent:
  • In Edit Mode, select the affected areas and use F3 to search for "Recalculate Normals".
• Switch to the UV Editing workspace to adjust the UV map for any texture issues caused by the modifications.

Step 7: Link Armature for Animation

• Download the armature file for your character from the provided repository.
• Copy the armature to your project by selecting the armature and pressing Ctrl + C, then pasting it into your project.
• With the body selected, go to the modifiers tab and add an Armature Modifier. Select the newly added armature.
• Do not apply the Armature Modifier to keep the body editable.

Step 8: Weight Painting for Proper Animation

• Switch to Weight Paint Mode to adjust the weights of the vertices:
  • Select the correct vertex groups that correspond to the bones of the character.
  • Ensure that weights are properly distributed (values should sum to 1).
• Use the gradient tool to cleanly adjust weights across the arm without affecting the rest of the model.

Step 9: Transfer Weights from Original Model

• To ensure animations work, copy the weight data from the original model:
  • Select both the original body and the modified body.
  • Press F3 and type “Transfer Weights”, adjusting the settings as needed to copy the appropriate weight data.

Step 10: Normalize Weights

• Normalize the weights across the model to ensure proper animation.
• Use the Weights menu and select Normalize All to finalize the weight distribution.

Step 11: Export the Mod

• Ensure your object names are correct (e.g., "Bennett Body", "Bennett Head").
• Export your mod to the designated GIMI folder.
• Confirm the export process is successful by checking the exported files.

Conclusion

You have successfully modified a character in Genshin Impact by removing an accessory and ensuring animations function correctly. This tutorial covered essential steps such as cleaning up the model, adjusting weights, and exporting the mod. As you continue to explore character modding, consider experimenting with more complex modifications to enhance your skills. Happy modding!