Advice needed for STEP Extended + ENB

[eperdos]

After a STEP install that ended-up being uninstalled for many reasons (ENB not working, INI files way too messed up, apparent lighting issues - fake issue after all) I decided to start a new install. Although my first one was a carefull managed task, I did some mistakes due to unknowing what will be next. Now, with prior experience, I want to state my goals, to ask some questions and to ask for advices before I go with my new installation.

 

My goals:

 

A full STEP extended high quality install with a good ENB to deliver beautifull imagery while keeping framerate playable.

 

I have a good enough rig in my oppinion:

i5 4690 @3.5GHz

2x 8GB RAM @1600

GTX 1070 boost @2.0GHz

Windows 7 Ultimate on 850 EVO SSD

 

Skyrim will install on new folder named Games, on the same SSD as the OS.

 

Some questions:

 

1. Extended STEP means ALL mods listed, EXCEPT if they are recommended not to be installed for various motives (they will be included in final STEP Extended Patch, etc.). But then, what about ENB compatibility? If a mod has ENB related guidelines, should I follow those guideline from the start, or should I change the mod after completing STEP install?

2. High quality: Should I choose ALWAYS the highest quality where available, or 2048 for example should be enough?

3. INI settings: is there a point in setting the INIs at the start? As I discovered, BethINI makes wonders. Wouldn`t running BethINI at the end be better?

4. ENBoost: Same as above. Wouldn`t setting up the enblocal.ini at the end be better?

5. ENB Presets: My previous STEP install CTD after an ENB install. Should I use a ENB manager of some sort? Or manually install ENB would be better?

 

Asking for advices: 

 

Now, as you know what I want, I kindly ask for any advice regarding my STEP Extended Install.

Wanting to use an ENB Preset (like Vividian or RealVision) should make me consider something particular during install?

Having 8GB of vram should make me consider something particular when setting up INIs?

Any other advices?

 

Thankyou!!!

 

P.S. I will come here periodically asking for help if nedeed.

 

 

 

 

[TechAngel85]

1. You can install the ENB features along with STEP. There are only a few, such as RWT has a version for ENB. This will only be textures and will not hurt your STEP install.
2. Depends on the screen resolution you're playing at. In most cases, there is no need to install 4K textures since you can't even see the extra detail unless you're right up on the texture. I also want to note that simply because you have the latest video cards doesn't mean you can go out and install all the high-res textures you want. High resolution textures will affect VRAM more than processing power so keep this in mind. 2K should be good for the major of systems.
3. No, just run BethINI. The INI section will be replaced by BethINI in the next release.
4. ENBoost is a utility that 9/10 times, should always be ran on a fully modded system. If you're testing your build as you're building it, you're likely going to need ENBoost to be there.
5. That is personal choice. I prefer manual because I have full control over the files rather than relying on a program that may or may not have bugs. ENB management is not hard. I see ENB manages only useful for those that are switching back and forth between ENBs a lot, not for those that are installing one ENB and sticking with it. Keep in mind that if you're going to install an ENB Preset then there are a couple changes to make to the enblocal.ini file.

Your system is similar to mine so there aren't any special things to consider when installing STEP. STEP has been designed to work on the widest range of systems possible. In most cases, as long as you meet the CPU and GPU requirements, then you're good to go.

[eperdos]

Good. Then so, I`ll start STEP Extended instalation shortly. I already installed Skyrim LE and made a backup of main folder, My Games folder and Local folder. I will do the folowing:

 

Follow all the STEP sections, excluding INIs editing, leaving that for BethINI. I will install all mods considering in the end I will install Vividian ENB. I`ll choose a 2048 maximum quality where available.

 

Questions:

 

Considering I will install Vividian ENB and that it has a mod of its own, should I let that mod install at the end, altoghether with the actual ENB, or should I install that mod in some specific place during STEP install?

Is Vividian ENB and its mod conflicting in any way with any of the STEP mods?

BethINI should be run instead of editing INIs (at the specific point during STEP install) or at the end of install? If during install, should I generate the ini files with ENB checked from the start or not?

Edited August 24, 2016 by eperdos

[Greg]

I'd run BethINI at the beginning of the guide because this sets the groundwork for performance, quality visual rendering, and stability. After you run BethINI, you may need to set the grass type to 7 for Skyrim Flora Overhaul per the guide.

 

I have 1900x1200 displays so I use 2K textures where available.

 

I think this depends on your comfort level. The first few times I installed STEP Extended, I installed STEP Extended exactly per the guide using the higher resolution 2K textures where available and then tested it in game to make sure everything is stable. Then I installed Vividian ENB as a new mod, ran Wrye Bash to rebuild the bashed patch, and reran DynDOLOD to regenerate the textures and worlds. As TechAngel notes, there are a few mods like Real Water Two that have an ENB variant that you can install as you go through the guide.

[TechAngel85]

As Greg was speaking about, the STEP Guide is made to be flexible to the immediate and advanced modders while still being fairly easy for newer modders who've taken the time to learn some of the basics. Most newer modders just follow the Guide as is. This is fine and it's the most well tested method. More advanced modders will realize they can do things like install the newer version of SFO, as long as they grab the right billboards for DynDOLOD, use Verdant instead of SFO's grass, so on and so forth.

 

However, for newer modders we do recommend they complete the Guide and confirm a stable game before adding other mods on top.

[eperdos]

So, I done all steps and now I am in front of Fixes subsection. But before it, I run loot and it sais update.esm needs cleaning,even though I clened it. Should I clean it again or this is due to not ticking the new cleaned update esm? Witch brings a new question: most of the time step guide DON'T mention ticking the new installed mods. Shoul I always tick them except otherwise stated? (seems the reasonable thing, but never hurts asking)

[eperdos]

Of course I needed to tick the Cleaned Update ESM. Of course I need to tick all the new installed mods. I am really dumb...;)

 

Now, there is a real questions:

 

There is a recommandation for the Unofficial High Resolution Patch to untick the plugin (as it is a dummy) but to tick it on archive tab and let MO manage archives. This I do understand. What about High Resolution Texture Packs? They also look like dummies and are not ticked in archive tab. How to handle them?

[eperdos]

Above question still needs answer.

 

I have some more questions:

 

1. Improved Closefaced Helmets (Legendary) + Update - Male Corundum... guideline sais Merge if asked. But I didn`t been asked. And also this line appears on many other mod guidelines and in my previous install I have never been asked to Merge anything. Is this OK?

 

2. Vividian ENB states it is compatible with Relight Skyrim. Is this the same as Relighting Skyrim mod from Fixes subsection?

 

3. Realistic Ragdoll and Force: guideline sais Extended Patch users can remove the plugin form this mod. What this exactly means? I should untick the dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp in plugins tab OR actually delete the esp file from mod folder?

[TechAngel85]

Of course I needed to tick the Cleaned Update ESM. Of course I need to tick all the new installed mods. I am really dumb...;)

 

Now, there is a real questions:

 

There is a recommandation for the Unofficial High Resolution Patch to untick the plugin (as it is a dummy) but to tick it on archive tab and let MO manage archives. This I do understand. What about High Resolution Texture Packs? They also look like dummies and are not ticked in archive tab. How to handle them?

No, don't untick it yet. That was an instruction we missed. Leave all the dummy plugins ticked until the end of the Guide. This is necessary for running DynDOLOD in the Patches section. I've removed the instruction from the UHRP mod page.

 

Above question still needs answer.

 

I have some more questions:

 

1. Improved Closefaced Helmets (Legendary) + Update - Male Corundum... guideline sais Merge if asked. But I didn`t been asked. And also this line appears on many other mod guidelines and in my previous install I have never been asked to Merge anything. Is this OK?

 

2. Vividian ENB states it is compatible with Relight Skyrim. Is this the same as Relighting Skyrim mod from Fixes subsection?

 

3. Realistic Ragdoll and Force: guideline sais Extended Patch users can remove the plugin form this mod. What this exactly means? I should untick the dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp in plugins tab OR actually delete the esp file from mod folder?

1. You won't be asked if you renamed the patch files when you install them. Mods downloaded from the same Nexus page will attempt to install using the same mod name. In case of ICH, the update file would have tried to install as the same mod name as the ICH file did. This will produce a window that allows you to choose how to install the file. Merging the file only overwrites conflicting files. Replace will delete all the files in the installed mod and replace them with the files in the update file. This is undesired in this case since we want the update file to overwrite the files already contained in the mod. If you rename the patches and install them as separate mods, be sure they are listed below their parent files.
2. Yes.
3. Users who are installing the entire Guide and will be installing the STEP Extended Patch (found in the STEP Compilation mod in section N), can move the plugin to "Optional ESPs". This is done by double-clicking on a mod in the left pane, going to the  "Optional ESPs" tab, clicking the plugin in the bottom plane, and move it up to the top pane using the arrow button. This prevents MO from listing the plugin on the plugins tab in MO. Plugins listed in "Optional ESPs" will not be loaded by the game.

[eperdos]

So, ALL the dummy plugins, absolutely all should remain ticked. And in the end, after dyndolod, should I untick all dummy plugins AND tick all coresponding archives?

 

About archives, in the end, should I have ALL archives ticked?

 

I downloaded manually all mods. So they are named as the files. This makes probably they are installed separately though they are updates. So, as long as they are next to eachother, all is good? Loot should keep them toghether anyway, am I right?

Edited August 25, 2016 by eperdos

[TechAngel85]

Yes, that is correct for deactivating dummy plugins and activating all archives at the end of the Guide. The instruction to make the switch is at the end of the Guide (section O).

 

Yes, just make sure the patches are installed directly below. LOOT is only going to alter your plugin order (right pane), not your mod order (left pane).

[eperdos]

Hi to all,

 

After a very long time of absence (hard work and lots of events ...) I decided to finish the STEP install. So, I am at the point when I should install the Bashed Pach. I did run loot, I checked all metarules are correct. Now, the guide states:

 

1. Ensure all your plugins are active in Mod Organizer.

 

But I have some plugins that are not active:

 

- SMIM-DragonbornTernFix.esp

- SMIM-DungeonsCliffsIceSkirts.esp

- SMIM-FarmhouseFlickeringFix.esp

- SMIMFurnitureChestSnowFix.esp

- SMIM-ShackRoofFixes.esp

- SMIM-ShackRoofFixesDragonborn.esp

 

I remember these are not active because at some point, the guide tells to untick them.

 

Now, should I leave them unticked (in-active) and install the Bashed Patch or should I first tick them (activate them) and then install the Bashed Patch?

 

Also, the instructions for Bashed Patch tell at point 6. Optional: tick the box to "Timescale". Should i do this or not?

 

Also, at point7. it tells ...and optionally set "Timescale" to a valua less than '20' but no less than '10'. What value should I choose?

Edited November 2, 2016 by eperdos

[TechAngel85]

The SMIM plugins should have been moved up into your Optional Plugin section for that mod. You missed that step and it's why you are confused about them. You don't need those plugins ticked.

 

Timescale is optional, but ticking it ensures the game runs at the right timescale and no mod is overwriting it. 20 is default. Lowering it will make the days/nights last longer. This is user preference.

[eperdos]

Ok, I installed all patches but Dyndolod. 

 

From my last install, I remember that after Dyndolod install, game was freezing in load screen. I can`t exactly say what mod fixed this, but I would like to NOT get this issue again. So, are there any safety lines that I should follow when installing Dyndolod? Is the STEP guid regarding it up to date? Any advice would be great.

 

Also, though there is no issue with it, I get some kind of flickering (to be read as glowing) in the close range mountain snow. It looks to me very similar to how aliasing in small texture shine. Nothing bothering, but I wanted to mention it, in case there is a fix for it.

 

Also, I get the glowing artefact around objects. How to deal with it?

 

Thank you!

[eperdos]

I created DynDOLOD as described in the detailed instructions. But now skyrim doesn`t start anymore. The black window appears after running skse from MO, but than it closes and thats it. I know for sure that before installing Dyndolod, game lauched. Even if I deactivate the 3 Dyndolod mods the game won`t start. I also deactivated dummies and ticked have MO manage archives.

 

What to do?