DROPPED HQ Snow Texture (by Erik and gorefest2011)

[EssArrBee]

It should say 1024 on the guide now, I just updated the mod page. As a rule, we always start with 1024 for a baseline. We only make exceptions when needed and for interior stuff due to the memory limitations of Skyrim. Even with the mem patch we should still stick to it because that project has just started.

[z929669]

I see we're including this mod in 2.2.8. Are we recommending 1024 or 2048 textures for baseline?

1024 is fine.

[DoubleYou]

Terrain Bump is overwriting the normals for this mod in its currents position in STEP. Is that intentional?

[EssArrBee]

Terrain bump is amazing. Step recommends the ddsopted version but that ruins the fidelity of the normal maps for the snow texture. Try version that is just uncompressed normals and the snow is @(&)::%*%# amazing.

 

 

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[z929669]

Terrain Bump is overwriting the normals for this mod in its currents position in STEP. Is that intentional?

This is intended. HQ Snw diffuse maps are still an enhancement (See the OP ... the HQ Snow version is how it looks with TB normals and HQ Snow diffuse)

Terrain bump is amazing. Step recommends the ddsopted version but that ruins the fidelity of the normal maps for the snow texture. Try version that is just uncompressed normals and the snow is @(&;)::%*%# amazing.

 

 

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The performance version of TB (on the Nexus) is already optimized via DDSopt. It converts from 888 uncompressed to Ethatron's 565 uncompressed (not to DXT compressed), which shaves off about a third of the size without any noticeable impact on quality.

[DoubleYou]

Ok, just wanted to make sure.

[DoYouEvenModBro]

So just so I'm clear, HQSnow looks better if Terrain Bump overwrites it? Also, what exactly is a "normal" texture.

[Octopuss]

This mod still needs proper rename in the guide.

[DoYouEvenModBro]

If I decide to use a different snow mod, should I still overwrite it with Terrain Bump? Or is that impossible to say without comparing? I'm not sure if it's like a 'rule' that Terrain Bump should overwrite all snow mods or something.

[EssArrBee]

You have to test. No way to know without loading it up and comparing the shots you take.

 

With that said, I've yet to find anything close to Terrain Bump normals in my experience. 

[DoYouEvenModBro]

You have to test. No way to know without loading it up and comparing the shots you take.

 

With that said, I've yet to find anything close to Terrain Bump normals in my experience. 

What exactly is a 'normal map'? I've asked a ton of times but no one ever answers me :-P. Also, how can Terrain Bump normals be used with non-vanilla mods? How do the regular textures and normal maps (whatever those are) match?

[EssArrBee]

Open one up in the MO data tab. Just find a texture with _n.dds and look at it. Basically it is a way to add in 3D to a color map so you don't have in more triangles to the meshes.

[PlanetExp]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping

 

It's complicated. Normal maps is a technology to make meshes look more 3d from texture data instead of rendering polygons, which would cripple today's vcards in a game situation.

 

Why one is preferred over the other is cause they're better probably, but I'm just guessing.

 

 

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[DoYouEvenModBro]

Oh. So it's the part of the texture that deals with 'depth'. So how is it that Terrain Bump normals can be combined with mods like HQ Snow if Terrain Bump was made off of VANILLA textures?

[EssArrBee]

Snow textures don't really change enough that you can't use the Terrain Bump stuff. If it really changes up the the way the snow looks then it can't be used.