Snow textures comparison

[rootsrat]

I've been comparing some snow textures to what we've got currently in STEP. I was looking at Quality Snow, Alternative Snow and Alternative Snow Dark. If you're interested, have a look here: Snow textures.

 

The order is:   STEP >> Quality Snow >> Alternative Snow >> Alternative Snow Dark.

 

I still can't decide what I like best...

 

 

 

[phazer11]

STEP or Quality Snow IMO. Alternative Snow is way too bright, and Alternative Snow Dark is slightly off IMO.

[plaGGy]

Alternative Snow is too bright and too dark (depeding on the version used).

 

I quite like that Quality Snows isnt as clean and smooth. It looks more like nature, more random, not as consistent as STEP.

[rootsrat]

After having another look I think I prefer Quality Snow as well, even to what's in STEP. I think I'll use that for my current mod set up. If we were to include that in STEP, it would need more in depth testing, as it overwrites a few different mods.

 

[crime_syndicate]

I hardly even see what could be improved on Quality Snow, it seems to look just right.

[plaGGy]

I will give it a shot too, in my recent playthrough and take a look at some of my prefered mod test locations.

 

I think its save to try using it with all files first, so i put it below Terrain Bump. Its looks like an all in one solution imo.

Edited May 24, 2014 by plaGGy

[phryxolydian]

Which version of Quality snow are you testing? Gonna grab the Dark version first.

[rootsrat]

It was normal one. I didn't even test the dark one, seeing how good normal one blended in. Couldn't decide on Alternative Snow, so I tested both.

[DoubleYou]

Could you add the snow from Skyrim Realistic Texture Overhaul to the comparison? Some of them I know I really liked.

[rootsrat]

I have now deleted the saves :/

[phryxolydian]

My vote also goes to Quality Snow. For landscape textures I go back and forth from Cabal's to a personal favorite Better Landscape Skyrim (which I know it's not at all popular around here, probably because of the terrible screenshots on the mod's page) but snow it's always a tricky one, I think I may keep these for good.

[phryxolydian]

Why is this not tagged for testing?

 

Anyways, as I've already taken the screenies, I might as well post them for you peeps who might be interested.  I initially took these for my own so I included Better Landscape Skyrim which I know you don't like but I don't care.   I was also testing both of InsanitySorrow's Snow Replacers but neither come with a snow road texture so the clipping is pretty horrific.  Locations are Dawnstar and a familiar site (I hope!).

 

Album Order is: aMidianborn Landscape > Better Landscape > STEP (High Quality Snow) > Quality Snow > Quality Snow Dark > SRO

 

 

I also accidentally found out why Terrain Bump overrides High Quality Snow's normals. Well done guys! Used as is, it's ah.. well, not for me. 

 

HQS without Terrain Bump:

 

So yeah, Terrain Bump is used in all of the comparison shots, k? 

[rootsrat]

Why is this not tagged for testing?

/snip

Because I created this thread when I was looking for a new snow texture for myself and thought I will post my compares for people to see. Note this is not in Mods section, it's not a mod recommendation, just my personal texture comparison with non-STEP build :)

 

But thanks for contributing! I went for Quality Snow personally. 

[phryxolydian]

Oh.. didn't even notice! I normally just click the View New Content tab. We should put this up for testing then! I'm also keeping Quality Snow. BL is pretty good as well but the road isn't it's highest selling point. 

 

What did you think of AMB's?

[rootsrat]

I didn't try AMB's to be honest, as it comes from his landscape pack, yes? AMB Landscape didn't blend quite well with my mod set up.