How To Choose Retexturing Mod? (manual & review)

[chur]

Hi! Many people think that retexturing is very simple.

But even simple things should be done good.

Replacing 512x512 textures with 2048x2048 - that's not all.

You must be remembered:

1. Skyrim textures done by professionals, and they are (textures :biggrin: ) balanced in color and tone. So if you changed a rock texture with the darker it will "fall out" of the balance and neighboring textures appear sharp border.

2. Each texture has a second layer - BUMP-texture ("_n" at the end of file name). It shows convexity and troughs of a flat texture. So if you replaced a rock texture with another, but not created new bump-texture for it, the lighting will be "breaking" the surface texture, ie convexity and troughs of stone will not fit in the texture.

3. Most textures have several LOD-files - thumbnails of textures for large distances. If you changed a rock texture, but not created new LOD-files for it, in the distance it will be changes.

4. Texture should not have black areas (mostly shadows and troughs)

We all know that the guys from Bethesda company did their job very well, and (except official patches, of course) the game is DON'T REALLY NEED to be fixed or improved. But we also understanding that the modders do not really want to improve the game - they're works for clicks, downloads, etc. I.e. most of the retexturing mods really useless for the player. So, to avoid spoiling your game using bad retexturing mod, you know that GOOD retexturing is:

1. Replaced almost ALL textures in the game

2. Have specially created BUMP-textures (NOT Vanilla bumps!)

3. Have specially created LOD-textures

4. Don't have black areas in textures

If the mod folder have not something of it - DON'T USE that mod! Vanilla will look better - believe me!

So Skyrim textures are perfect? Almostly yes... But only one - at long distances, some textures are formed in patterns (LOD-files problem).

I'm just a player and I want to say thanks to Skyrim team - you did a great job and the most of amateur mods looks like a children's parody of your work!

P.S. Sorry for my English :biggrin:

Edited January 3, 2012 by chur