Bur's Basic STEP v0

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Changelog | Release Date: 22nd July 2014

About BBSTEP

This is my personal (WIP) STEP setup, designed (hopefully) with a minimal amount of mods and little to no impact on performance, while expanding the existing game, improving gameplay and increasing immersion.

NOTE: If you happen to stumble onto this page, don't proceed unless you know what you're doing!

NOTE: This guide assumes all DLCs except the Hi-Resolution DLC are installed!

STEP 1

Pre-Installation Setup

1.A. Install Steam & Skyrim

Detailed Information --> Skyrim Installation Guide

Security Settings

Since User Account Control can prevent some tools from working correctly, it is recommended to edit the security settings of your skyrim directory to give Users full control. To do this:

Find your skyrim directory (normally located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\).
Right-click the skyrim folder and select Properties.
Go to the Security tab and click Edit...
Highlight Users (<username>\Users) in the top panel.
In the bottom panel, under the Allow column for Full Control, check the checkbox and click Apply.
Click OK and OK and you're done.

1.B. Skyrim Launcher Options

Detailed Information --> Skyrim Launcher Guide

As a quick-start to installing STEP, simply launch Skyrim from Steam to initialize the auto-detection process, accept the preset, and continue to 1.C. Make certain that the preset Antialiasing is no greater than 4x (4 samples); otherwise, keep the preset. This is a conservative preset that will facilitate a smooth game once STEP is configured initially according to this guide (i.e., what does not tax performance now may be burdensome later). More extensive INI tweaking can be done after STEP is set up and verified as running smoothly.

1.C. Install Utilities

This guide uses Mod Organizer.

	Mod Name	Baseline	Quality Options	DLC Required	Notes
	Mod Organizer				Detailed instructions available
	LOOT				Detailed instructions available
	TES5Edit				Detailed instructions available
	Wrye Bash				Detailed instructions available

1.D. INI Tweaks

Detailed Information --> Skyrim INI Guide

As in the previous section above, it is highly recommended that no other INI settings be configured at this point, because the conservative presets are a good starting point for accommodating a performance-friendly initial STEP setup. The detailed INI guide can be referenced once a stable setup is verified after completing this guide.

The following INI tweaks are recommended for all users and affect gameplay without impacting performance.

Using the Tools > [Configurator] tool prevents any editing mistakes. Open the tool, click [Basic] to get the Advanced options, and choose the applicable section from the combobox. Then find the applicable setting and alter as indicated below. Click the [Save] button after each change and close the dialog when finished.

1.D.1. Skyrim INI

Each of the following entries can be pasted directly into the INI (if editing manually). The entry descriptions are commented, so they will not be interpreted by the game at startup. Alternatively, these descriptions can be omitted.

[General]
sIntroSequence=    ;Disables the intro sequence for a faster startup
fFlickeringLightDistance=8192    ;Helps prevent lighting pop-in

[Display]
;Improves shadow changes as the sun moves through the sky
fSunShadowUpdateTime=0.25    ;Transition time of sun-shadow movement
fSunUpdateThreshold=1.5    ;Time between sun-shadow movement

[Actor]
fVisibleNavmeshMoveDist=12288.0000    ;allows arrows to hit objects as far as the appear to fly.

1.D.2. SkyrimPrefs INI

[Display]
iMaxAnisotropy = 0    ;Anisotropic Filtering - set this to zero, as it should be controlled via the graphics driver.
iPresentInterval = 0    ;disable vsync! - vsync should be handled in enblocal.ini (see ENBoost mod instructions)

[Controls]
bMouseAcceleration=0    ;Disable mouse acceleration

1.F. Performance Benchmarking

Detailed Information --> Benchmarking STEP

YOU CAN HELP!

Baseline performance benchmarks help us to assess performance variation across a range of computer configurations, which is useful for all users. User contributions in this regard are highly valued and much appreciated! Database-comparison benchmarks will be available as sufficient numbers of user-submitted data accumulate (and once we construct the system that will contain this information).

Points during setup that benchmarking is suggested will be indicated by:

Benchmark

STEP 2

Mod Installation

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2.A. LOOT Sorting

At any time during the mod installation process LOOT should be used to sort plugin load order before stopping to benchmark and test Skyrim. This is necessary to ensure proper plugin priority order (load order), which can have a dramatic impact on the game (or at worst cause a CTD).

Launch LOOT via Mod Organizer by clicking on the "Sort" button or directly from the executables drop-down menu.
Examine the LOOT output carefully and look for any alerts or warnings and address each. The Plugins tab in MO (on the right side of the MO window) is where plugins can be activated/deactivated and sorted (either drag and drop or use Ctrl + Up/Down arrow keys to sort).

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2.B. Clean the Bethesda Master Files

To remove errors in the Bethesda master files, STEP recommends that they be cleaned with TES5Edit. This ensures maximum stability and compatibility within the Skyrim modding experience.
Clean Update.esm, Dawnguard.esm, HearthFires.esm and Dragonborn.esm in the following manner:

Clean the .esm.
- Run TES5Edit through Mod Organizer.
- Right-click the list of plugins and choose Select None.
- Double-click the .esm.
- Wait for the Background Loader: finished message in the right panel, and then right-click the .esm and select Apply Filter For Cleaning.
- Wait for the [Filtering done] message in the right panel, and then right-click the .esm and select Remove "Identical to Master" records. If the Warning! prompt pops up, click Yes, I'm absolutely sure.
- Wait for the [Removing "Identical to Master" records done] message, and then right-click the .esm and select Undelete and Disable References.
- Wait for the [Undeleting and Disabling References done] message, and then click the [X] to exit the program
- At the prompt, make sure the .esm is checked and click OK.
After cleaning, there shall be files in Overwrite (essentially a fake mod located at the bottom of the left pane if sorted by priority ascending) created by TES5Edit.
- Right-click Overwrite and select Create Mod
- Name it TES5Edit Backups and click OK. This will create a new mod listing in the left pane for the TES5Edit Backups useful if the changes failed to be successful.
- Each subsequent time TES5Edit is used to edit a file, open Overwrite and drag the TES5Edit Backups back to this mod. This will keep them in an organized and safe location. The files have no impact on the game.
- Right-click the TES5Edit Backups mod and select Ignore Missing Data to remove the red X flag.

After that, repeat the process once more for Dawnguard.esm, but don't Undelete and Disable References.

Once all mods have been installed, run LOOT one final time to ensure the correct plugin order. When ready to play for the first time after a STEP install, be certain to either:

Start a brand new character, or
load the save game generated just after character creation if it exists, or
load an existing character after clean saving the relevant save game.

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STEP 3

Tips & Troubleshooting Common Issues

3.A. Troubleshooting Common Problems

A heavily modded Skyrim can bring even a very powerful system to its knees. Maximum visual quality is highly dependent upon total on-card graphics-dedicated video memory (VRAM), the number of GPUs, and monitor resolution. The goal should be to maintain 30 or more FPS on average without any noticeable stuttering.

3.A.1. Failure to Launch

Skyrim still sometimes fails to launch, and the following are some of the most common causes and solutions:

Improper load order - Run LOOT and examine the output. Plugins out of order or plugins with missing masters will cause this. LOOT will sort everything properly, but certain patches installed with certain mods included with STEP:Extended will not apply under a STEP:Core install, so these plugins need to be un-ticked in MO or WB plugin lists.
Improper Bashed Patch - This can result from ticking options that are not explicitly mentioned in this guide, or it can result if the Bashed Patch was not rebuilt after a mod-list/order change.
Bad INI settings - If Skyrim.ini or SkyrimPrefs.ini were edited in a way that was not described in STEP 1.D. (or if a fresh, default INI was not used as a baseline), certain settings can cause this issue. The quickest solution is to revisit that section and regenerate a fresh INI with the recommended settings.

3.A.2. Crashes to Desktop (CTD)

There are unfortunately many reasons for CTDs just after launch or shortly thereafter, but if this guide was followed precisely, STEP mods should not be the cause. Following are some common causes and solutions.

Improper Load Order - Run LOOT and examine the output as in the previous section.
Missing Masters - If an active plugin is missing its dependent master, a CTD will occur immediately. To fix, either locate the missing master and add it in or deactivate the plugin missing its master.
- MO will show a red exclamation icon next to the plugin, while Wrye Bash will show a red checkbox next to the plugin.
Improper Bashed Patch - See the previous section.
Bad INI settings - Yep, see the previous section.
Bad video settings or incompatible driver version - Revisit STEP 1.E. and verify settings, back them down to 'performance' options, or update to the proper video driver.
Windows environment issue - This is highly possible and unfortunately too difficult to prescribe any remotely ubiquitous solution other than restarting the computer and checking for conflicting processes (e.g., anti-virus/maleware). Google is a friend to all in need.

3.A.3. Semi-Invisible People, Objects or Misbehaving Walls

Following are some solutions:

Transparency Antialiasing - Turn of any transparency (adaptive) sampling if enabled under antialiasing settings of the graphics-driver software (see references under STEP 1.E.). Also, remember to download the latest graphic drivers.
Bad INI settings - If using ENB, set bFloatPointRenderTarget=1 in the SkyrimPrefs.ini.

3.A.4. Stuttering

Microstutter - This is an annoying 'glitchiness' when moving or panning for those using higher-end graphics cards (usually) or multiple GPUs in SLI or CrossfireX configs (purportedly). Follow the recommendations for ENBoost, noting in particular EnableVSync=true . If this does not resolve the issue:
- Ensure that microstutter is not being confused with 'macro'-stutter, which is more severe and memory related. Remember: microstutter is very annoying, but not hindering in any way.
- Try forcing vsync via Nvidia Inspector (Nvidia users) or RadeonPro (AMD users) ... sorry Intel users. Also (and this is very important), enable D3D-compatible triple buffering via RadeonPro. Nvidia Inspector users: D3D-compatible triple buffering is not available. Use D3Doverrider instead. This may also have a vsync function.
Macrostutter - This is most likely the result of using textures and meshes that exceed the limits of GPU VRAM. ENBoost should prevent this in most cases, but certain user configurations and/or hardware may not behave as expected:
- Verify ENBoost settings and graphics settings described under STEP 1.E.!
- Re-install the most performance-friendly versions of mods as indicated by the "Quality Options" column of the mod tables above.
- Consult the DDSopt Guide to learn how to optimize textures accordingly.
- Finally, Un-install Skyrim Flora Overhaul and Skyrim Realistic Overhaul, which are easily the most VRAM-intensive mods in STEP (although there are others under STEP 2.F. and STEP 2.G. in particular).
- Enable windowed mode via ENBoost (instructions at bottom of mod page).

3.A.5. Texture Flickering, Etc.

Refer to the Z-Fighting Guide.

3.B. In-Game Tips

The console can be activated by pressing the tilde ([~]) key, often located just below [Escape], while in-game.
ENBoost has a couple built in hotkeys that are helpful (can be adjusted in enblocal.ini section [INPUT]):
1. Show FPS: [*] (on the numpad not shift+8)
2. Free VRAM: [f4]
3. Screenshot: print screen (Skyrim's screenshots do not work with ENB/ENBoost)
Steam screenshots are [f12], but if using a keyboard with multimedia keys it could be [shift+f12].
1. Be aware [shift+f12] is also the ENB Series Graphics hotkey to toggle the effects on/off. ENBoost ONLY users are not affected.

3.B.1. Optimize Field of View (FOV)

Prior to 2008, the most common monitor resolutions were 16:10 aspect ratio (source). Since then, 16:9 has become the standard. The Skyrim FOV defaults to 75 (%) and is optimized for monitor aspect ratio of 16:10. Therefore, users with 16:9 monitors (e.g. 1920x1080) will want to increase their FOV to 81. Setting this in the INI does not persist, so it must be done via the console. Within Skyrim, open the console (tap the tilde [~] key) and type: fov 81 . Those rare and unfortunate users stuck with 4:3 aspect ratio will need to 'reduce' their FOV down to 62.

A helpful conversion calculator can assist in calculation of other monitor types (just type in a 16:10 on the right side and the new resolution on the left to get the new hFOV).

3.B.2. BIG Frame Drops During Cell Loading

This is a likely indicator that VRAM is too often operating at or beyond capacity (see 3.A.4).

STEP Packs

Community Add-ons

STEP Packs are generally intended to go over the STEP:Core build. Be certain to read the Pack instructions to determine what build the Pack is dependent upon.

Template:MO Note

Consider reviewing some of the Packs that our users have been developing to augment STEP.

STEP Packs

User Contributions

How YOU Can Help

STEP can only get bigger and better with help from the user community. Even simply maintaining the current STEP is too much work for the core STEP team to ensure that the highest quality is maintained. We need people to help us identify mods that improve Skyrim while adhering to the STEP Mandate. We also need ongoing reviews and updates on mods that may be causing problems or that stray from the STEP philosophy. Finally, we need help from the community in terms of testing, benchmarking and analysis. More detail is presented in the Mod Testing Guide.

In order to suggest a mod, visit the Mod Suggestions section of the STEP Forums.

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Call for Wiki Content Editors

The STEP Community Wiki is open to editing by all registered community members; however, we need assistance maintaining and creating new supporting content. We are particularly interested in obtaining a few people with a passion for writing and editing. Familiarity with wiki markup is preferable but not necessary. Interested parties please contact z929669 via PM on the forums (Please register on the forums and see the very bottom of the Forum Team page).

Call for STEP Mod Testers

STEP users interested in becoming testers, please contact z929669 via PM on the forums (Please register on the forums and see the very bottom of the Forum Team page). Once registered, record your system specs by clicking on the button and filling out the form. These specs will be associated with performance data by tester. Before deciding, read through the Mod Testing Guide to get a sense what mod testing involves.

Call for STEP Benchmarks

Users interested in helping out with the STEP Benchmarking Project, see our benchmarking guidelines and submit results on the forums (see link at upper left of site header bar).

Call for Forum Moderators

Regular STEP forum users interested in becoming moderators, please contact z929669 via PM on the forums (Please register on the forums and see the very bottom of the Forum Team page).

Thank you for reading and enjoy the game!

Special Credits

The STEP administrators would sincerely like to thank (from the bottoms of our fuzzy little hearts):

The authors of mods recommended in STEP
The core STEP Community for feedback, suggestions and input
The STEP beta testers ... for their good humor and rigorous analyses
The Nexus community
Bethesda Softworks for Skyrim (and TES in general)
Tannin for continued development and support of Mod Organizer
A very special thanks to STEP aficionados, EssArrBee, DoubleYou and TechAngel85 for their assistance with this release. EssArrBee is also our STEP Patch maintainer, so a big thanks to him for that. DoubleYou is also the lead maintainer of the MO Guide. TechAngel is a Release Coordinator and FOMOD extraordinaire.

The core STEP team is:

stoppingby4now - Main site developer, Semantic Mediawiki developer & extraordinaire, site founder
TheCompiler - STEP creator, mod-list extraordinaire
z929669 - Wiki & forums content editor, main site administrator, hosting maintenance, site founder
Active STEP volunteer staff: Aiyen, EssArrBee, deathneko11, DoubleYou, GSDfan, Kelmych, kryptopyr, phazer11, phryxolydian, rootsrat, TechAngel85, torminater, WilliamImm
Farlo - Mediawiki developer & extraordinaire, Mod-list co-compiler, forums admin, site founder (out of commission since November, 2013)
MontyMM - Solutions developer (Semi-Automatic STEP), site founder (out of commission since December, 2013)

User:Bur