If I DDSopt my textures, can I skip the HRDLC in step 2.F. ?

[KiloWatts]

Or, do I install my own DDSopt archive INSTEAD of the HRDLC available from Nexusmods?

 

Thanks

[KiloWatts]

Kelmych,

 

I went ahead and halved my normal maps for the following mods:

 

Skyrim HD

Serious HD

Snow & Rocks HD

 

Question:  Does the modified DDSopt.INI conflict with STEP-mod optimization?  I just realized I left it the same.  

 

Also, are there any other STEP mods you would recommend to halve the normals?  

 

Thank you

[EssArrBee]

No the INI covers all textures that get messed up by being optimized. A lot of the textures are labeled in the INI if you open it up, otherwise if you see a texture that looks funny you can report it and someone will take a look at it.

[KiloWatts]

Awesome, thanks...

 

Everything looks good so far.  The only thing I've noticed is the resolution seems lower when I walk up close to things.  I'm wondering, are these the "normals" I reduced?  I've been trying to understand exactly what a "normal map" is, and how I can see it in the game, but not having luck.  

 

Sorry so many questions - as I said, this is my first mod.

[Kelmych]

Kelmych,

 

I went ahead and halved my normal maps for the following mods:

 

Skyrim HD

Serious HD

Snow & Rocks HD

 

Question:  Does the modified DDSopt.INI conflict with STEP-mod optimization?  I just realized I left it the same.  

 

Also, are there any other STEP mods you would recommend to halve the normals?  

Primarily mods that have a large effect on VRAM use. This typically includes mods that affect terrain, landscape, architecture, and some other subfolders in texgtures. There is no definitive guidance, at least yet. Even then you need to be a little careful since some mods (like Skyrim Flora Ovehaul) don't necessarily do well with optimiztion and/or may already have normal maps that the author has done some optimzation.

Thank you