Animation Mod

This small conversion package contains Bethesda's Havok post-processor tool, detailed instructions, and a handy batch file to safely convert all animation files to Oldrim/Skyrim animation modules. It should work with any Havok file built for non-SSE versions of Skyrim.

This guide was inspired by the Skyrim Special Edition Animation.hkx conversion guide, which, while providing a working batch script, provided misleading/erroneous instructions and had not been updated in several years. This guide includes pictures and detailed instructions, and each step has been thoroughly tested using various older versions that have not been converted to SSE mods. It's fully Newb-friendly, and thanks to the bundled Havoc post-processor, there's also no need for users to download the entire SSE Creation Kit via the Bethesda Launcher.

Step by step instructions

• Manually download the archive and extract it into an empty working directory. Don't use the Mod Loader/Manager just yet: this is not a mod, but a batch file and .exe file to be used (probably more than once!). After unzipping the archive, the new directory should contain three files:

-convertToSSE.bat

-readme.txt

-HavokBehaviorPostProcessor.exe

• Manually download the old animation mod you want to convert - do not use Vortex, MO2 or any other Mod Organizer at this stage.

• Use 7Zip or WinRar to extract the entire contents of the Skyrim mod (in our case, we will convert the photorealistic animation project) into the same directory as this readme file. Your working directory should now contain the three files from before plus all folders/files in the mod:

-convertToSSE.bat

-readme.txt

-HavokBehaviorPostProcessor.exe

-ModFolders

-ModFiles.hkx

• Double-click convertToSSE.bat. Note that this will replace any files it converts in place. Once completed, you should see a message that reads "Please read the results of output.txt to ensure all files were successfully converted."

• You should now have an extra text file named output.txt in your working directory. Read the file and double check that there are no errors - you should not see anything like "Cannot handle..." or "Error". output.txt will contain a list of each file that has been processed by the batch script.

• Now you need to repackage the mod using 7zip or WinRar. If using WinRar, right-click on the mod's parent folder and click "Add to Archive". Give the archive a different name than the original module so it can be easily identified later.

• Now since the mod is repackaged and all the files are in place to convert, you just need to add the mod

Use the Mod Loader of your choice (Eddy Current, MO2, NMM, etc.). For MO2, select "Install new mod from archive".

• From here, you can install your newly converted SSE mod as normal! That's it, you're done!

troubleshooting

Q: Help! I keep getting the "Unable to load resource: File exists? Is it the correct Havok file?" error!

Answer: The post-processor does not work on converted havok files. Double check you haven't

Accidentally running a batch file twice (the modification date of all files should be the time you last ran it)

batch file). If you're not sure, delete the mod folder and restart from scratch

Re-extract all files and folders from the original mod download.

Q: My output.txt file is empty except it says "You should not see any errors in this file.

Please be sure to read this article carefully! "

Answer: If your output.txt only contains this message, the batch file failed to find any files or folders

in your working directory. Make sure all files and folders are in the same directory as this readme file

files, batch files, and Bethesda's post-processor tools.

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This guide was inspired by the Guide to Animation.hkx conversion for Skyrim Special Edition guide which, while offering a workable batch script, gives misleading/wrong instructions and hasn't been updated in a couple years. This guide includes …