DynDOLOD beta for Skyrim Special Edition and Skyrim VR | Skyrim/Enderal | What is DynDOLOD? | DynDOLOD FAQ
DynDOLOD is the advanced but also easier version of xLODGen. It is for experienced users that can RTFM and know how to mod. Start by reading the Quickstart.html in the Standalone download. It is fully feature compatible with the Skyrim version.
This is called beta because Skyrim Special Edition is still plagued by mods triggering large reference bugs. Until that can be easily resolved there is no pro-active testing and support of mods. As always users are asked to provide feedback and report compatibility issues with mods.
What’s New?
Starting with DynDOLOD 2.70 the Skyrim TVDT Occlusion data of cell records can be update/generated. The data is used to disable distant occluded object and terrain LOD meshes behind other terrain LOD meshes for better performance. See included Docs\DynDOLOD_Manual.html "TVDT - Occlusion Data" section. Check the dedicated Skyrim TVDT - Occlusion Data thread for more information, questions and feedback.
Starting with DynDOLOD 2.48 both TexGen and DynDOLOD can now export textures with BC7 compression. They are used by default.
If there is trouble with BC7 somehow or the external tool TexConv being denied access by the OS, try switching back to BC1/BC3.
Starting with DynDOLOD 2.45 there is an alternative DynDOLOD DLL that can be used instead of PapyrusUtil for the optional dynamic LOD.
Required Skyrim SE and Skyrim VR
DynDOLOD Standalone 2.74 beta
DynDOLOD Resources SE 2.74 beta - Make sure to use matching or higher version of DynDOLOD Standalone.
Vanilla Skyrim LOD Billboards from TES5LODGen, Indistinguishable Vanilla Tree Billboards or Indistinguishable Billboards for Skyrim Special Edition.
The optional dynamic LOD requires SKSE64 or SKSEVR for the used game version and either DynDOLOD DLL or PapyrusUtil SE/VR
The optional DynDOLOD SkyUI MCM requires SkyUI for Skyrim Special Edition or SkyUI VR for Skyrim VR
Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017 and 2019 - Required by LODGen.exe. Get matching platform x86/x64 depending on which DynDOLOD.exe (x86) or DynDOLODx64.exe (x64) is used. LODGen.exe will print an explanatory message in case it is missing.
Generate from scratch if updating from older version.
By default this will generate a DynDOLOD.esm and a DynDOLOD.esp to work around well known game engine bugs.
Read the included ..\Docs\DynDOLOD_Manual_SSE.html ..\Docs\DynDOLOD_Manual_TES5VR.html for more information, explanations and the different options of the DynDOLOD patcher and in the DynDOLOD MCM regarding the use of large references in the game. Default settings will make a best compatibility and performance effort based on current INI settings.
DynDOLOD dynamic LOD works correctly with large references and there are no issues with the vanilla game. However, in case ESP are used that modify large references there is nothing to be done to stop the flickering other than disabling the large references atm. There might be more compatibility settings or patching in the future.
Generally, installation and generation is the same as with Skyrim.
Skyrim SE/VR BETA - What to test
Test that things generate as expected with whatever plugins in the load order.
Test that the dynamic LOD works as intended. Test things work right with plugins adding new worldspaces. I only did brief testing with a couple mods.
Things should work fine with paid mods and ESL flagged ESP, report all oddities.
Mod testing is limited, if things are out of place or have wrong LOD, report with screenshots, form ids etc. so rules for mods can be updated.
Because of the need to have an ESM for things to work properly, there is a chance that some records have to copy as "underwrite" into the ESM and as normal overwrite into the ESP at the same time. The DynDOLOD.esm should never have any unflagged ESP as a master and only get its records/data from masterfiles (including flagged ESP). Post a report with log in case the DynDOLOD.esm has an unflagged ESP as master. LOOT typically will let you know one way or another (reporting cyclic interaction or crash for example). Do not use such plugins for anything as they are broken.
Also check final load order in the game mod menu, as it will enforce the load order.
Post error reports with entire contents (not just the last couple lines) of ..\DynDOLOD\bugreport.txt (if it exists) and ..DynDOLOD\Logs\DynDOLOD_[GAMEMODE]_log.txt or a screenshot of the error. Use pastebin or file service if files can not be attached.
Skyrim VR Notes
I do not own Skyrim VR, so testing and support is limited and made on a best effort basis.
Everything from Skyrim SE applies to Skyrim VR. Use DynDOLOD DLL for dynamic LOD.
See ..\Docs\DynDOLOD_Manual_TES5VR.html as it points out the differences to Skyrim SE to the best of my knowledge.
-TES5VR command line, but uses all of SSE configs and settings.
Install DynDOLOD Resource SE as is. There is no need to delete scripts in case generation of dynamic LOD is not selected.
Other new stuff 2.44
Starting with 2.44 there is now full ESL and ESPs flagged as ESL support for Skyrim SE - based on the latest xEdit updates.
Added back proper support for new worldspaces added by ESPs.
Added support for external Billboard NIFs to allow for different type of "2D" tree LODs done in object LOD. See DynDOLOD\Docs\trees.ultra\DynDOLOD-Trees.html for full explanation how to use.
Enabled Racemenu NiOverride support for Glow LOD Windows
Other new stuff 2.36
Some of the install options (Whiterun and Solitude Exterior etc.) of DynDOLOD Resources SE 2.36 do not install plugins anymore. Instead the options install patch files used by DynDOLOD.exe. When LOD is generated, the former plugin data is merged into the DynDOLOD plugins directly.
Other new stuff 2.37
Worked around bugs present in paid mods, so Homestead works fine now.
Added proper support for Legacy of the Dragonborn SSE 4.x - it shows on the map now, Guild buildings visible from inside Solitude and other improvement and optimizations.
Fixed Wyrmstooth problems as reported by Sandman53
Other new stuff 2.38
improved paid mods and ESL support
fixed no model found issue reported by mtreis86 and others
reworked plugin detection in papyrus scripts
Other new stuff 2.40
Checks for SKSE and PapyrusUtil are automatically disabled in case dynamic LOD is not generated.
I really do not want to talk about the things I had to do to work around the large reference bugs. Bethesda needs to fix their ****.
Edited by sheson, 20 October 2019 - 09:10 AM.
