Guide:Lighting: Difference between revisions
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There are limited way in which to customize a lighting mod. Some mods contain optional presets such as darker dungeons, warmer interiors, brighter nights, etc. Using these with at your own discretion for your own personal tastes. | There are limited way in which to customize a lighting mod. Some mods contain optional presets such as darker dungeons, warmer interiors, brighter nights, etc. Using these with at your own discretion for your own personal tastes. | ||
== Climates of Tameriel (CoT) == | ==== Climates of Tameriel (CoT) ==== | ||
CoT provides many options for customization using presets. You can customize nights with 4 different options, dungeons and caves with 2 different options, and interiors with 2 different options as well. To learn more about each of these please visit their nexus page. | CoT provides many options for customization using presets. You can customize nights with 4 different options, dungeons and caves with 2 different options, and interiors with 2 different options as well. To learn more about each of these please visit their nexus page. | ||
== Realistic Colors and Real Nights (RCRN) == | ==== Realistic Colors and Real Nights (RCRN) ==== | ||
RCRN includes three optional night lighting levels to choose from; Legacy, Classic, and Pure. Legacy provides lesser contrast and slightly brighter nights and dungeons; torches will not be needed. Classic provides balanced colors and dark nights and dungeons; suggest you utilize your torch. Finally, Pure provides the ultimate experience with very dark nights and pitch black dungeons; torches are required if you wish to see. You can see an example of each on their Web site. | RCRN includes three optional night lighting levels to choose from; Legacy, Classic, and Pure. Legacy provides lesser contrast and slightly brighter nights and dungeons; torches will not be needed. Classic provides balanced colors and dark nights and dungeons; suggest you utilize your torch. Finally, Pure provides the ultimate experience with very dark nights and pitch black dungeons; torches are required if you wish to see. You can see an example of each on their Web site. | ||
== Realistic Lighting with Customization (RLwC) == | ==== Realistic Lighting with Customization (RLwC) ==== | ||
You can customize RLwC with three different presets; Hardcore, Vanilla with Customization, and Vision Lighting. RLwC also includes an INI file for greater control and tweaking of the entire mod. However, RLwC is moving towards a modular design with 4.0 which will allow for even greater control and compatibility. Please visit their page on nexus for the most up-to-date information. | You can customize RLwC with three different presets; Hardcore, Vanilla with Customization, and Vision Lighting. RLwC also includes an INI file for greater control and tweaking of the entire mod. However, RLwC is moving towards a modular design with 4.0 which will allow for even greater control and compatibility. Please visit their page on nexus for the most up-to-date information. | ||
== Imaginator == | ==== Imaginator ==== | ||
Imaginator is a powerful, yet easy to use in-game tool which allows individual control over visual elements such as: brightness, contrast, saturation, sunlight output, bloom, and tint. It is utilized in-game by the use of a "helper spell". This is a great tool to use as a first choice when tweaking lighting and one of the only way to tweak these mods besides using their presets. | Imaginator is a powerful, yet easy to use in-game tool which allows individual control over visual elements such as: brightness, contrast, saturation, sunlight output, bloom, and tint. It is utilized in-game by the use of a "helper spell". This is a great tool to use as a first choice when tweaking lighting and one of the only way to tweak these mods besides using their presets. | ||
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Below is a basic comparison of the three lighting mods against vanilla. Please note that your results may vary based on the options you choose and the settings of your hardware and software. For a more complete comparison visit each mod's nexus page and view the images uploaded by users. | Below is a basic comparison of the three lighting mods against vanilla. Please note that your results may vary based on the options you choose and the settings of your hardware and software. For a more complete comparison visit each mod's nexus page and view the images uploaded by users. | ||
== Frame Rate Comparison == | |||
The frame rates below are very subjective as they are based off a specific hardware setup. Please note that frame rates vary from system to system. This comparison is provided for a general idea of the performance impact only; therefore, if your frames rate do not match that is perfectly normal. Frame rates were gathered from various areas around Skyrim to provide diversity. | The frame rates below are very subjective as they are based off a specific hardware setup. Please note that frame rates vary from system to system. This comparison is provided for a general idea of the performance impact only; therefore, if your frames rate do not match that is perfectly normal. Frame rates were gathered from various areas around Skyrim to provide diversity. | ||
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The same results can been see at the other eight areas tested around Skyrim. With only a variation of 1 FPS or none at all, these lighting mods provide no noticeable impact on performance. | The same results can been see at the other eight areas tested around Skyrim. With only a variation of 1 FPS or none at all, these lighting mods provide no noticeable impact on performance. | ||
== Daylight Comparison == | |||
These screen shots were taken during the day at the same location and time. | These screen shots were taken during the day at the same location and time. | ||
Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | ||
== Dust Comparison == | |||
These screen shots were taking at dusk (sun setting) at the same location and time. | These screen shots were taking at dusk (sun setting) at the same location and time. | ||
Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | ||
== Nighttime Comparison == | |||
These screen shots were taken during the night at the same location and time. | These screen shots were taken during the night at the same location and time. | ||
Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | ||
== Dungeon Comparison == | |||
These screen shots were taken in a semi-dungeon environment at the same location and time. | These screen shots were taken in a semi-dungeon environment at the same location and time. | ||
Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | ||
== Interior Comparison == | |||
These screen shots were taken inside an interior at the same location and time. | These screen shots were taken inside an interior at the same location and time. | ||
Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | ||
== Additional Lighing Comparison - Fire Glow == | |||
These screen shots were taken inside a cave environment at the same location and time. | These screen shots were taken inside a cave environment at the same location and time. | ||
Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | Vanilla Image - CoT Image - RCRN Image - RLwC Image | ||
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If you are planning on using an ENB in combination with a lighting mod, please review the ENB Guide. As always, this guide is provided only for general information. The choice of which mods are used or not used is a personal one which only the individual can decided. | If you are planning on using an ENB in combination with a lighting mod, please review the ENB Guide. As always, this guide is provided only for general information. The choice of which mods are used or not used is a personal one which only the individual can decided. | ||
== Testing Results Ranked == | ==== Testing Results Ranked ==== | ||
1st: Realistic Lighting with Customization - Hardcore<br/> | 1st: Realistic Lighting with Customization - Hardcore<br/> | ||
2nd: Realistic Colors and Real Nights<br/> | 2nd: Realistic Colors and Real Nights<br/> |
Revision as of 04:50, December 5, 2012
Template:Notice A guide to popular lighting mods for newcomers and gurus alike -- by TechAngel85, the S.T.E.P. Team, and S.T.E.P Community
- Updated: 4:50:55 5 December 2012 (UTC)