Making overlapping mesh/texture mods work - where to begin?

[Deleted57671586User]

Hello, I am still new to modding, but I have spent many hours searching/reading just trying to learn as much as I can (still feels like I know so little!). I have hit a wall in my research and would like to directly consult the modding veterans/experts.

 

To explain my situation in short, I'd like to ask for suggestions on how to tell tree LODs apart when installing mods. If I can tell them apart, I assume I'll be able to better decide which parts of a mod to overwrite when installing using NMM? What is the file type of tree LODs and how do I view them?

 

Based on my noob knowledge, most flora overhaul/tree mods come with pre-installed LODs? If my assumption is correct then if I'm using trees from one mod, I also have to use the associated LODs (in the same mod)? The mods I'm trying to combine are Skyrim Flora Overhaul and 3D Trees and Plants - lots of overlap between the two. I only like one aspect of 3d trees (the pine trees), while everything else I like from SFO. I installed SFO through NMM first, then installed 3d trees and let it only overwrite the pines and some tamriel-tree files? (what are these?)... So now what happens is I'm seeing trees from 3d trees when close to a tree, and SFO trees in the distance. And when I move toward the distant trees (LODs from SFO), they change into 3d trees. Seeing as the meshes are very different, the transition causes a very jarring "pop-in" transition from one tree type to another. I use NMM but am considering MO2 as I'm starting to experience conflicts with overlapping mods and apparently MO2 can alleviate the issue better... or not?

 

I will update this post with pics soon, but I figured it might not be necessary if the solution was simple enough.

 

Any advice or suggestions are appreciated. Any corrections would be even more appreciated! Even if it is a link to a guide on using tree LODs from different mods would be great. Thank you for your time!

 

EDIT: I recorded some footage of it instead, I recommend staying in default view (not fullscreen) because my recording software isn't great https://youtu.be/IXa0MXj-Dxc

Edited August 24, 2018 by Guest