So what did the Skyrim official HD textures actually improve?

[Beriallord]

I ran around outdoors, windhelm, whiterun, solitude, etc and I honestly can't tell a difference over normal textures. I feel like for a 3gb DLC, I should be seeing an enormous improvement, but I'm not. For those of you who haven't got it yet, I'd recommend not wasting the bandwidth and just sticking with the HD 2k textures which are FAR superior.

 

I was expecting something at least as good as the HD textures Bioware released for Dragon Age 2. Which was worth the download.

Edited February 16, 2012 by Beriallord

[Th3uNKn0wN]

On youtube you can find quite an amount of comparison videos.

 

When ingame you'll notice not much difference, but when you watch the video you'll see it has been much improved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW_YwjwcSug&feature=related

 

But even now, its a fact that Skyrim HD 2k textures is higher detailed.

[NoAardvarksAllowed]

I agree that some of the community texture packs are better than what's in the high resolution texture packs. However, the latter changes LOADS of textures, including stuff that I haven't seen in the community HD packs I've looked at. If your rig can handle it without slowing down, you basically have nothing to loose by use Beth's packs as a base and then just let all the community work you like load over it.

[babis8142]

At least it's one pack that changes everything a little bit. You need like 20 high texture mods and the whole thing just gets out of control and you end up with black textures. Sure Skyrim HD 2K is better but how many things does it change?

[Th3uNKn0wN]

I agree that some of the community texture packs are better than what's in the high resolution texture packs. However, the latter changes LOADS of textures, including stuff that I haven't seen in the community HD packs I've looked at. If your rig can handle it without slowing down, you basically have nothing to loose by use Beth's packs as a base and then just let all the community work you like load over it.

 

What he said is a very good way to have the best textures possible.

 

Sure Skyrim HD 2K is better but how many things does it change?

 

Skyrim HD 2k textures includes a load of improved textures: 'The Mod is 2 GB big and replaces 530 textures and normal maps' as stated by NebuLa1

Also he noted this in the description:

(It's just to minimize post length)

 

Changed Textures:

 

 

 

Landscape (all textures)

 

 

 

Architecture

 

- Whiterun

- Windhelm

- Farmhouses

- Solitude

 

 

Sky

 

- Stars

- Galaxy

- Sunglare

 

 

Water

 

- Water surface

- Rain Ripples

- Water fog

- Water streams

 

 

Clothes

 

- Barkeeper

- Blacksmith

 

 

Clutter

 

- Sellingbar

- Blacksmith Items

- Carts

- Dresser

- Firewood/Ash/Burned wood

- Stockades

- Alchemy workbench

- Enchanting workbench

- Barrels

- Furniturewood

 

 

Dungeons

 

- Baisc Ground Texture

 

 

He also linked to a detailed version: link

 

But if you read the spoiler you'll already notice it by far doesn't include as much as Skyrims official HD texture DLC

Edited February 16, 2012 by Th3uNKn0wN

[vertex23]

I find it funny that Beth is calling it an HD pack.

 

Most textures were increased by twice as much. (Which isn't a lot) 524x524 ran rampant everyone in vanilla, now they're 1048x1048. ~That's not bad, but they're not HD.

[Beriallord]

Are you sure they are 1024x1024? Because I can still play count the pixels in every single one of these textures. I can look close enough and I still see pixelated blocks about 1/4 the size of my pinky nail. Those aren't 1024 textures. Most of the stone, wood, roads still look like garbage with the official texture pack. I mean they may as well release this for the 360, I'm sure it could handle it. Give us some real DX11 HD textures, and the shadows still need a ton of work. I got it where the shadows outdoors are fine, but indoors the shadows are still very blocky. Are there any mods to fix the shadows? So far all I've seen are ini file tweaks and they don't fix the problem 100%.

 

It could be where I'm used to playing games with graphics that far exceed skyrim, because I do got a higher end rig and I'm used to maxing games out and getting the most out of them. Skyrim graphics are just mediocre, and I was just expecting something a bit better than this from Bethesda, so yeah I am a bit disappointed.

Edited February 16, 2012 by Beriallord

[Guern]

two things I've noticed that the hi-res textures have definitely improved...Lydia's armor. in particular her breastplate. yeah i said it. :pinch: Also, yes, contrary to what I read in some other posts, the blocky textures of the nose and chin are much smoother now.

 

also, i was surprised by this but the text in books is more crisp and darker now :)

[phototext]

"For those of you who haven't got it yet, I'd recommend not wasting the bandwidth and just sticking with the HD 2k textures which are FAR superior."

 

I disagree, the new textures are not OMFG, but they do improve the overall experience of Skyrim.

 

I have not had a look at HD 2k textures for a few weeks, and will check it out again, but I found some textures worse than the original vanilla textures and stopped using it.

[phototext]

"you basically have nothing to loose by use Beth's packs as a base and then just let all the community work you like load over it."

 

Exactly.