Beyond STEP: Parallax

[Spock]

Hi,

 

I am currently in the process of refreshing my STEP install to 2.2.9.2. As probably most of you, I use an ENB and would like to delve into the full beauty parallax mapping has to offer.

 

My currently planned list (not installed yet) consists of:

Project Parallax Remastered (vanilla+updates+amidianborn+HD2k)

Vivid Landscapes (1k/2k mixed version)

Rocking mountains two (2k)

ENB terrain parallax fix

HD terrain parallax tribute (1k)

Skyrim 2015 WIP by Pfuscher (1k/2k)

 

There is probably more by Pfuscher, who does amazing work. His is usually 4k though, so it needs ddsopting.

 

One problem is, that with all the hiding I'm not really sure which textures comes from which mod. Maybe someone who is more involved in the texture testing and who is making extensive use of parallax maps could point out what has to be changed in the STEP install instructions.

 

I also hope for more great suggestions :)

Edited November 20, 2015 by Spock

[TechAngel85]

I can tell you that most of the landscape textures are now coming from Skyrim HD. The only thing that is overwriting those are the textures found in the Landscape & Environment section. That's all I can offer since I don't use parallax even with ENB.

[Spock]

After (mostly) finishing my 2.2.9.2 install, I did a quick test with this. It really looks beautiful! For anyone who wants to give it a shot, here is what I installed (in this order, resolutions for 4gb vram):

 

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/63456/?

for vivid landscape users

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/40512/?

vanilla

updates

amidianborn landscape

amidianborn whiterun: hide the _p files with the same name as those hidden in the STEP install guide (city walls)

project parallax hd2k

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/61929/?

get the 2k version (mega link)

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/64856/?

2k

mesh fix

roads 2k

update for 2k

smim bridge dirt

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/49344/?

all in one loose files better performance

smim farmhouse stuff

moss rocks compatibility

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/54540/?

2k

RS compatibility patch

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/66113/?

2k

 

Remember that you need FixParallaxBugs=true and FixParallaxTerrain=true in your enblocal.ini.

 

Maybe this would be better suited for the tamriel traders skyrim forum.

[elwaps]

Thanks alot. I also got 4GB of VRAM and only filled about half of it with STEP Extended (2.2.9.1) so I'm gonna give it a shot after I'm through with 2.2.9.2 & VividianENB! :)

[Spock]

In a full STEP:Extended install you need to move the STEP texture pack at the end of the texture mods (the end of clutter&misc). Immediately after that, install those mods. The .esp files have no conflicts with STEP:Extended.

 

You should be aware that there are currently no terrain parallax complient solstheim landscape textures available that I know of. Cabal's textures will look very distorted with FixParallaxTerrain=true.

[elwaps]

There's a Project Parallax patch for Skyfalls and Skymills and a Parallax Farmhouse Textures patch for Farmhouse Chimneys, should I install them too?

 

/edit

Also, what do you mean with the "STEP Texture Pack"? The optimized vanilla textures from 2D (Fixes)? For now I have 2K (Clutter & Misc) -> Real Snow -> all the parallax stuff -> 2L ...

 

/edit

I'm a bit surprised about the non existing performance impact...  :O_o:

 

 

/edit

I haven't seen any conflicts, visual oddities or anything else bugging me so far. Thanks for your guide! Wasn't in Solstheim so far but yeah... I prefer Skyrim anyway.

Edited December 9, 2015 by elwaps

[Spock]

I meant the Step Texture Compilation.

 

Parallax should have virtually no impact on the performance on newer systems. Most parallax maps have fairly low resolution (which is just fine).

 

This is not really a pack, more of a point to start with a pack. To turn this into a pack we would need some comparison shots or even better: comparison vids (because the parallax effect doesn't show well in shots) to decide which landscape textures to use.

 

I'm also not sure if Vivid Landscapes is fully DynDoLod 'compatible'. But I do not even know exactly what requires billboards and lod textures and what doesn't.

Edited December 16, 2015 by Spock

[elwaps]

I'm using your suggestions for a while now. I couldn't find any odd distant textures so far.

 

However, I still don't get what you mean with the STEP Texture Compilation. These are the downloads from STEP:

 

 

You probably mean the above one including the STEP patch and stuff?! Now, when I move this from the beginning of 2N (Patches) to between the end of 2K (Clutter & Misc) and the parallax files (probably to have parallax overwrite a ton of the compilation textures), won't I get problems due to the other mods from the compilation? Or are you again talking about a different pack of textures I'm not aware of? :D

[Nebulous112]

STEP Texture Compilation was the billboards file to work with a STEP profile in earlier STEP versions. Was in 2.2.9.1. It is now included in the main STEP Compilation.

[elwaps]

Thanks!

 

So... should I move the STEP Compilation? Or will this get me into trouble?

[Nebulous112]

I know nothing of ENB or Parallax, but moving the STEP Compilation itself is definitely perhaps a bad idea, due to the fact it has the main conflict resolution patch for STEP contained within.

 

Edit: See Spock's post below, apparently it may be OK to move it. I have never tried, and again I do not know anything of Parallax.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Nebulous112

[Spock]

Yes, I do mean the STEP Compilation and I would actually recommend moving it because I prefer some sound files from AOS. The .esp should be handled by LOOT.

 

I would also recommend to uninstall some sound mods as well. Improved combat sounds (needs to be removed from the patch), bow shoot sounds, weapon swing sounds and then move the draw and sheath mod before AOS.