Guide:Lighting: Difference between revisions
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== What is a lighting mod? == | == What is a lighting mod? == | ||
Without getting technical, a lighting mod changes either individual lighting aspects of a game, such as interiors and dungeons, or the the overall lighting of a game; often called overhauls. The above mods are overhauls; but are compatible with most other mods including ENBs to further enhance their effects which is covered in the ENB Guide. | Without getting technical, a lighting mod changes either individual lighting aspects of a game, such as interiors and dungeons, or the the overall lighting of a game; often called overhauls. The above mods are overhauls; but are compatible with most other mods including ENBs to further enhance their effects which is covered in the ENB Guide. | ||
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Note: All screen shots were taken with no AA and default game settings in order to generalize performance across all mods. | Note: All screen shots were taken with no AA and default game settings in order to generalize performance across all mods. | ||
= Installation = | |||
The instructions below are only general and are not intended to be a step-by-step guide. Modders are highly encouraged to review the Readme file included in each of the mods. It will include the most up-to-date information about the installation of each individual mod. | |||
== Pre-installation == | |||
* Calibrate your monitor. There are many free online tools for this. | |||
* Make sure your graphic card drivers are up to date. | |||
* Back up your game saves. This is good modding practice before using any new mod. | |||
== Installation == | |||
Installation of these mods is just like any other mod. | |||
# Download and extract the mod file | |||
# Copy the extracted files to your Skyrim folder and/or Data folder | |||
# Active the esm/esp files using your mod manager or Skyrim Launcher | |||
# Run BOSS to properly sort the load order of the mods | |||
# Play Skyrim with your new lighting mod and enjoy! | |||
= Customization = | |||
There are limited ways in which to customize a lighting mod. Some mods contain optional presets such as darker dungeons, warmer interiors, brighter nights, etc. Use these at your own discretion for your own personal tastes. | |||
==== Climates of Tameriel (CoT) ==== | |||
CoT is not just a lighting overhaul but also a complete weather overhaul as well. CoT provides many options for customization using presets. You can customize nights with 4 different options, dungeons and caves with 2 different options, and interiors with 2 different options as well. | |||
The night options start at the default level and goes to up level 3. Default is the darkest and most natural night lighting; each level up the nights get slightly brighter. Dungeons and cave have the presets, Hardcore and Hazardous. Hardcore is recommended for the darkest dungeon experience and Hazardous for slightly darker dungeons than from the default. Finally, the two interior options are Cold and Warm. Cold provides a slightly darken vanilla interior where as Warm provides a similar darken interior but with warmer lighting. | |||
==== Realistic Colors and Real Nights (RCRN) ==== | |||
Like CoT, RCRN is more than just a lighting mod. It includes dynamic weathers, FXAA, and HDR as well. RCRN includes three optional night lighting levels to choose from; Legacy, Classic, and Pure. Legacy provides lesser contrast and slightly brighter nights and dungeons; torches will not be needed. Classic provides balanced colors and dark nights and dungeons; suggest you utilize your torch. Finally, Pure provides the ultimate experience with very dark nights and pitch black dungeons; torches are required if you wish to see. You can see an example of each on their [http://www.rcrncommunity.com/presets Web site]. | |||
==== Realistic Lighting with Customization (RLwC) ==== | |||
You can customize RLwC with three different presets; Hardcore, Vanilla with Customization, and Vision Lighting. RLwC also includes an INI file for greater control and tweaking of the entire mod. However, RLwC is moving towards a modular design with 4.0 which will allow for even greater control and compatibility. Please visit their page on nexus for the most up-to-date information. | |||
==== Imaginator ==== | |||
Imaginator is a powerful, yet easy to use in-game tool which allows individual control over visual elements such as: brightness, contrast, saturation, sunlight output, bloom, and tint. It is utilized in-game by the use of a "helper spell". This is a great tool to use as a first choice when tweaking lighting and one of the only way to tweak these mods besides using their presets. | |||
= Final Recommendation = | = Final Recommendation = |
Revision as of 20:20, December 5, 2012
Template:Notice A guide to popular lighting mods for newcomers and gurus alike -- by TechAngel85, the S.T.E.P. Team, and S.T.E.P Community
- Updated: 20:20:37 5 December 2012 (UTC)