User:Neovalen/Skyrim Revisited: Difference between revisions
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=== Configure Your Graphics Driver / Modify INI Accordingly === | === Configure Your Graphics Driver / Modify INI Accordingly === | ||
Start ''Mod Organizer''. If this is your first run, a Profiles dialog box should appear. Make sure "Automatic Archive Invalidation" is unchecked and the Savegame Filter is blank. Click [Create] and type a name for this profile, for now call it "Vanilla Skyrim". Do NOT check the box that says "Default Game Settings". This creates a local ''Mod Organizer'' copy of your ini files among other things. Now close the dialog box by clicking [Close]. Verify that "Vanilla Skyrim" is the currently selected Profile at the top of the ''Mod Organizer'' window, if it is not, then click the bar and select "Vanilla Skyrim". Once this is done, click the [Edit Ini] button on the top bar to bring up the ini editor and follow the steps below. *Note: This only edits the local mod organizer copy, NOT the one in your user directory!* | |||
==== Nvidia Users ==== | ==== Nvidia Users ==== | ||
Download and install [http://downloads.guru3d.com/NVIDIA-Inspector-1.94-download-2612.html Nvidia Inspector]. Run the program and click the tool icon next to the Driver Version information box. Once the dialog box is up, go to the profiles text box and type "Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" (the autocomplete will likely do this for you). Set the following options: | Download and install [http://downloads.guru3d.com/NVIDIA-Inspector-1.94-download-2612.html Nvidia Inspector]. Run the program and click the tool icon next to the Driver Version information box. Once the dialog box is up, go to the profiles text box and type "Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" (the autocomplete will likely do this for you). Set the following options: | ||
Revision as of 05:52, December 12, 2012
| Skyrim Revisisted |
A STEP-based mod guide created and maintained by Neovalen.
Last Update: 5:52:22 12 December 2012 (UTC)
Template:Notice Small Template:TOC right
Introduction
Skyrim Revisited is a STEP-based guide designed to keep up with the ever changing Skyrim DLC/Mod landscape. It will be updated with more frequency than STEP proper and decisions are based completely upon my personal choice. With that in mind, you may need to tailor it to your specific CPU/GPU setup. Generally I use the most graphically intensive versions of all mods.
My setup is as follows:
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5Ghz MOBO: Gigabyte G1.SNIPER 3 RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600Mhz GPU: EVGA 670GTX Superclocked 4GB (SLI)
Should you have questions, please feel free to message me on the Nexus or STEP forums.
Prerequisites
Software
- Skyrim v1.8.151.0.7
- Creation Kit v1.8.151.0
- High Resolution Texture Pack DLC
- Dawnguard DLC
- Hearthfire DLC
Script Extenders
- Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) v1.06.05
Tools
- Mod Organizer v0.11.15 (STEP Guide)
For my mod install, I will be using Mod Organizer as the mod manager of choice. The reasons for doing so are hereby given:
1. Profiles allows us to have multiple configurations set up per character/function and does so cleanly by NOT touching the Skyrim data folder or ini files. 2. Mod Downloading via NXM allows us to download mods directly into the tool using the "Download With Manager" button on the nexus web site. 3. Mod Version Tracking allows us to leverage the power of the nexus to track MAJOR mod updates. *This is not a replacement for the track file option on the actual site for optionals!* 4. NMM Installer Compatibility allows us to use Nexus Mod Manager installers. 5. BAIN Installer Compatibility allows us to use BAIN packages. 6. Manual Installation Option allows us to select the data folder in an archive manually, allowing us to fix path problems at install time. 7. Sort By Category allows us to easily sort through a mass number of mods easily. 8. Run Executables allows us to use tools such as BOSS, BUM, Wrye Bash, and TES5Edit without physically touching the data folder.
- Wrye Bash v302.1 Standalone (STEP Guide)
The primary function of this tool for the purposes of this guide is to create Bashed Patches which will merge the leveled lists of the various installed mods.
- BOSS v2.1.1 (Video Guide)
The primary function of this tool is to provide a default ordering between various mods and to help identify mods that require cleaning with TES5Edit.
- BOSS Userlist Manager(BUM) v6.4.8
The primary function of this tool is to assist BOSS with ordering mods not currently in the BOSS master list and to override any improper ordering.
The primary function of this tool is to clean dirty edits and UDRs from the .ESMs and .ESPs that Skyrim will be loading, including the game ESMs.
The primary function of this tool is to optimize and re-mip the vanilla and high res DLC textures. Selected mods may also fall into this category.
First Steps
Run The Launcher
Simply start "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" through steam to open the launcher.
If this is your first run, it will auto-detect your video card and generate a default state ini file based on your hardware configuration.
Once this is done, click "Options" to open the dialog and do the following in order:
Click the [Ultra] button. Set your Aspect Ratio and Resolution. For most users this will be 16:9 Widescreen and 1920x1080. Set your Antialiasing level to Off. Set your Anisotropic Filtering to Off. Click the [OK] button to close the dialog and save.
Run The Game
Simply click "Play" on the launcher splash screen. Once the game has loaded to the main menu, select "New Game" and allow the game to run until you are able to access the menu by pressing "ESC". This is generally after the SKYRIM logo has faded away. Once there, I recommend to set the following options:
Enable dialogue subtitles. Enable general subtitles. Disable all autosave options.
These settings will be saved to your ini file.
Backup Your Fresh INI Files
Go to C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\My Games\Skyrim and save Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini to a backup folder in case something bad should happen.
Configure Your Graphics Driver / Modify INI Accordingly
Start Mod Organizer. If this is your first run, a Profiles dialog box should appear. Make sure "Automatic Archive Invalidation" is unchecked and the Savegame Filter is blank. Click [Create] and type a name for this profile, for now call it "Vanilla Skyrim". Do NOT check the box that says "Default Game Settings". This creates a local Mod Organizer copy of your ini files among other things. Now close the dialog box by clicking [Close]. Verify that "Vanilla Skyrim" is the currently selected Profile at the top of the Mod Organizer window, if it is not, then click the bar and select "Vanilla Skyrim". Once this is done, click the [Edit Ini] button on the top bar to bring up the ini editor and follow the steps below. *Note: This only edits the local mod organizer copy, NOT the one in your user directory!*
Nvidia Users
Download and install Nvidia Inspector. Run the program and click the tool icon next to the Driver Version information box. Once the dialog box is up, go to the profiles text box and type "Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" (the autocomplete will likely do this for you). Set the following options:
Anisotropic filtering mode = User-defined/Off Anisotropic filtering setting = 16x Texture filtering - Negative LOD bias = Clamp
If using SLI, also set the following:
SLI compatibility bits (DX1x) = 0x080116F5 (Battlefield 3, Medal of Honor: Warfighter)
Finally, click [Apply Changes] and exit the program. You have enabled driver level Anistropic Filtering which is superior to the in game filtering.
ATI Users
Bring up Catalyst Control Center that came with your video drivers and configure as specified here. I no longer own an ATI card but I trust the STEP guide. Additionally, open up SkyrimPrefs.ini and change the following lines (they should already exist with different values after the =):
iMaxAnisotropy=16
This is because we will not be using Anisotropic Filtering through the driver like we do on Nvidia.
