What is ReShade?
ReShade is a generic open-source post-processing injector for games and video software developed by crosire. It is capable of injecting advanced depth-edge-detection-driven SMAA antialiasing, screen space ambient occlusion, depth of field effects, chromatic aberration, dynamic film grain, automatic saturation and color correction, cross processing, multi-pass blurring and other effects to games that run on Direct3D 9, Direct3D 10, Direct3D 11, Direct3D 12, OpenGL and Vulkan.
How is ReShade different than ENB Series?
Unlike ENB Series, Reshade lacks memory manager functions and does not address RAM utilization limit of 32-bit games. The lack of memory management features should not be viewed as a downside, though, as ReShade aims at providing support for a wider catalogue of games and while ENB series has been viewed as the definitive post-processing enhancer for Skyrim, ReShade works on a number of games that are not supported by ENB series.
ReShade Installation
Latest versions of ReShade come with an installer that detects and downloads the components needed for the specific game and preset in use. Therefore Step recommends installing the presets first.
- Download and install the DirectX 9 Runtimes, unless this step has already been covered by the game guide.
- This step is to prevent the common issues of missing DirectX files required by ReShade. Be sure to install it and not just extract it!
- Make sure to download and install the ReShade Preset listed in the respective Step Guide before proceeding, as it will make ReShade's installation considerably easier.
- Download the latest ReShade version to a location of choice.
- Click on the button on the top of the page to get the latest version
- Alternatively, if the Preset requires an older version of Reshade, look it up in the Repository
- Open the download location and run the installer.
- ReShade should automatically detect games currently installed. Select the game executable on which you want to install ReShade. Note that ReShade will list script extenders as well, so make sure to select the .exe file, then click [Next].
- On the next screen users should select the API the game uses, then click [Next]. This information can be obtained by searching (the game on PC Gaming Wiki). Check below for the games on the Step website:
- Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 3 and Skyrim LE use Direct X 9
- Skyrim SE, Fallout 4 use Direct X 10/11/12
- No Man's Sky uses Vulkan
- Alternatively, games that have been modified by DXVK should also choose Vulkan
- On the next screen click [Browse], navigate to the game's folder where its executable is located and select that preset ReShade will use. Then click [Next].
- The installer will list all effect packages required by the selected preset. Step recommends to click [Next] without modifying anything on the list.
- Wait for the installation to finish and then click the [Finish] button.
- Run the game via Mod Organizer. If the i9nstallation was successful, a new bar will appear at the top of the screen. ReShade might require some time to get set up on the initial load after installation and will give feedback when the set-up is complete.
ReShade Configuration
Pressing Home in-game will open ReShade's settings in case adjustments are needed.
ReShade Presets
As described in the introduction, ReShade's main attraction is the ability to customize its features and visuals using presets, commonly referred to as " ReShade Presets". These ReShade Presets may encompass all of the features of ENBSeries or only a subset of them, depending on what the author intends as the final result.
ReShade Features
The features available will vary by game. ReShade is still in active development for the latest games it supports. Thus means it's constantly updated with bug fixes, enhancements to current features, as well as, new features. Below is a list of some of the features ReShade provides (version dependent):
- advanced depth-edge-detection-driven SMAA antialiasing,
- screen space ambient occlusion,
- depth of field effects,
- chromatic aberration,
- dynamic film grain,
- automatic saturation and color correction,
- cross processing,
- multi-pass blurring and other effects
Preset Installation
This is a basic and generic set of instructions for setting up ReShade Presets. Once again, Step recommends to install presets first, in order to facilitate ReShade installation.
- Select a preset from Nexus Mods or some other source, and carefully read the author's instructions. The following are general instructions provided for convenience.
- Download the archive to a location of choice.
- Extract the archive to the game's folder where its executable is located.
- Proceed with installing ReShade.
Uninstall ReShade
- Open the download location and run the installer.
- ReShade should automatically detect games currently installed. Select the game executable on which you want to uninstall ReShade. Note that ReShade will list script extenders as well, so make sure to select the .exe file, then click [Next].
- On the next screen users should select the API the game uses, then click [Next].
- On the next screen click [Browse], navigate to the game's folder where its executable is located and select the preset currently in use by ReShade. Then click [Next].
- The installer will list all effect packages required by the selected preset. Step recommends to click [Next] without modifying anything on the list.
- The installer will identify ReShade's installation and [Uninstall] button will apper. Click on it and wait for the process to finish.
