guide Skyrim AE for Beginners - V 3.1.0

[Aylis]

44 minutes ago, Skjall said:

... I'll wreck your trash bins. 😉

🤣

 

Was that a warning, a promise, or a threat? 😁

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Spoilers are back, so I could finish the update.

 

Hopefully this was the last update for cities/landscape. I hate rerunning DynDOLOD.

Edited September 29, 2025 by Aylis

[YuFeng]

@Aylis

I found CCC - Farming - Landscape and Water Fixes  in the CCC Patches. We might not need that anymore, right?

 

Also Weapons Don't Clip Cloaks was added to the list in 3.0.4 into the Bugfixes section, but I don't find it in the list there.

[cloudmc]

12 hours ago, Aylis said:

@cloudmc

I got it. There has been a new update to DynDOLOD and it broke the next mod. No idea why a mod for mapmarkers is in any way or form relevant to DynDOLOD and the creation of LOD.

I think it's a valid error, loading the plugin in SSEEdit (w/ it's requirements) and running a check for errors shows;
 

Spoiler

[00:00] Start: Checking for Errors
[00:00] Checking for Errors in [FE 004] Disco - 3DNPC-ASNB-AMM Greenwood Shack Patch.esp
[00:00] SLMM8ADProspectorsShack [REFR:FE0031A6] (places MapMarker [STAT:00000010] in GRUP Cell Persistent Children of [CELL:00000D74] (in Tamriel "Skyrim" [WRLD:0000003C]) at -1,-21)
[00:00]     REFR \ Linked References \ XLKR - Linked Reference \ Ref -> [FE00327D] < Error: Could not be resolved >
[00:00] Done: Checking for Errors, Processed Records: 6, Errors found: 1, Elapsed Time: 00:00

It appears the ref is bad;



Both 3DNPC and New Beginnings's Records don't have a XLKR Ref, but the one in Atlas Markers has;

SLMM8ADx [REFR:FE0039BE] (places XMarkerHeading [STAT:00000034] in GRUP Cell Persistent Children of [CELL:00000D74] (in Tamriel "Skyrim" [WRLD:0000003C]) at -1,-21)

Loading all of my plugins the ref still can't be resolved. 

I think the options are disable it for DynDOLOD LOD generation or add the ref record from Atlas (but I am not 100% sure that is the correct thing)

 

[Aylis]

@YuFeng

Thanks. Both are fixed now.

 

@cloudmc

Disabling it for the creation seems to be the easier solution. Others seem to have fixed it (no download found) but they didn't confirm if it worked.

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Added In the 'LOD Blending' menu check the box for 'Disable Terrain Vertex Colors' to 'Community shaders'. This should help to blend the snow better.

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Too bad that the kittens add floating items to the big tent. I had some more mods for them that are all now unusable...

 

Edited September 30, 2025 by Aylis

[Was1]

@AylisHey i think you forgot to remove Skyshards - TGC Winterhold Patch in World - Locations [Exterior Skyrim] since you removed The Great City Of Winterhold.

 

[Aylis]

Hotfix (will be added to the last update) 

I just noticed that I still had  a mod in there that is incompatible with 'Better Dynamic Ash'. It was a way to avoid BDS/BDA in 2.X but those are now required after the switch to CS.

 

Mods to REMOVE 

Spoiler

Textures - Landscape

Better Dynamic Ash                                                             Incompatible with a better mod

Nature of the Wild Lands - Better Dynamic Ash

 

World - Locations [Exterior Skyrim]

Fortified Morthal - fixed and extended navmeshes         Was integrated

 

World - Locations [Exterior Skyrim]

Ryn's Anise's Cabin                                                               Incompatible with another mod

Ryn's Lund's Hut                                                                  Caused random issues. I remove to ensure stability.

 

Skyshards - TGC Winterhold Patch                                    City mod is gone

Unique Border Gates Fixes                                                 Added NPC use the correct armor but have texture issues.

Unique Border Gates Fixes - SMIM Patch

Unique Border Gates Fixes - Goblins

 

World - Textures

Ash Rocks                                                                             Mesh issues with 'PG-Patcher'

 

Shaders

Vanilla HDR                                                                          Was for a reshade we're not going to use.

CS - Light Limit Fix                                                              Got integrated

Window Shadows Ultimate - Skyland Farmhouse Fix     We don't use 'Skyland Farmhouse' anymore

 

PBR

Cathedral Landscapes PBR                                                Causes flickering textures in Solstheim

 

Mods to MOVE 

Spoiler

Textures - Landscape

Skyland AIO                                                                         Moved above BDS

Shaders of Solstheim - Ash and Moss                               Moved from 'World - Locations (Exterior Solstheim)'.

 

Mods to ADD 

Spoiler

Meshes

Mesh Improvement Compilation                                       Fixes a few meshes

 

World - Locations [Exterior Cities]

The Great Village of Mixwater Mill - Retexture

 

World - Locations [Exterior Skyrim]

Across the Border - Diverse Border Gates                         Fixes issues with 'Unique Border Gates Fixes'.

 

World - Locations [Exterior Solstheim]

Solstheim - Abandoned Lodge Overhaul                          Changes a copy/pasted vanilla house

 

Bugfixes

Config GrassControl (See 'Files')

 

Patches

Textures and Mesh Patch (See 'Files')

 

PBR

Whiterun PBR

Whiterun - Darker wood PBR

 

Adding NEW instructions for 'Skyland AIO' 

Spoiler

1.1	Automatic
2.1	Yes
3.1	No
3.2	No
3.3	Snowy Roads
3.4	Yes
3.5	None
4.1	All cities
4.2	Your choice. I recommend ‚Grey‘.
4.3	Yes
4.4	Yes
4.5	Yes
4.6	No
4.7	Yes
5.1	Yes
5.2	Your choice
5.3	None
6.1	Vanilla
7.1	Your choice
8.1	Yes
9.1	Yes
10.1	Automatic

 

Edited October 6, 2025 by Aylis

[cloudmc]

How would I lighten up interior spaces?  I can't even see in areas of Bleak Falls Barrow
 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2025 by cloudmc

[Aylis]

@cloudmc

Get a torch or wearable lantern. 

 

Also check the new version of 'True Light'. The OA added a new lighting setting.

 

Or add a reshade. The one I reommended on page #1 is a more balanced one. Not too dark and not too bright.

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With PBR there is one big issue.

 

Texture-wise everyone is putting packs up and almost all either ignore the DLCs or have issues with the snow. The one we got atm is absolutely perfect for snow but has issues in Solstheim (flickering textures). Roadpacks are the same. Great in Tamriel, but nothing in Solstheim.

 

We see something similar for Winterhold. Everyone is focusing on the effing college while the city gets ignored. 

 

What started as an 'easy fix for a texture' became a search for a Solstheim compatible PBR pack. For now I'll wrap up the hotfix first as some smaller things have to be addressed, then I'll go through all texture packs to look for a solution. 

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Crazy idea incoming...

Snow looks fine

Roads look OK

Solsheim done

Snowy rocks too dark BDS Settings? Keep logs!

 

1	2
1	1
3	1
0	0

Gap at Windhelm brigde Filler? Different road setup?

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Now I know why everyone calls 'Northern Roads' a difficult mod. So many many patches (almost like LUX)!

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Uploading files:

Config GrassControl Done

Textures and Mesh Patch Done

Edited October 3, 2025 by Aylis

[DarkForce_256]

has SC Horses been considered as a replacement for Witcher horses since it works with ABC?

[Aylis]

4 hours ago, DarkForce_256 said:

has SC Horses been considered as a replacement for Witcher horses since it works with ABC?

Nope, thats something you have to test yourself.

 

Quote

Purple                     Mods i've tested but won't use myself (aka no support from me).

 

Edited October 3, 2025 by Aylis

[Was1]

it's just me or Draugr Voice - Aptrgangr - Draugr Voice Overhaul is far too loud ? they are screaming in my ear.

[Aylis]

4 hours ago, Was1 said:

it's just me or Draugr Voice - Aptrgangr - Draugr Voice Overhaul is far too loud ? they are screaming in my ear.

Not really louder than the other monster. Just turn them down in the settings.

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Hotfix is live now.

Still working on the snowy rocks and road textures (looks like I have to replace them too).

 

 

Whiterun (Reshade, PBR textures and full 'City Trees')

Spoiler

 

Kynareth temple (Maxed out)

Spoiler

 

Edited October 3, 2025 by Aylis

[YuFeng]

@Aylis

The instructions for CS Lights are outdated and don't match with the installer at all anymore.

 

--------------------

 

And I think we don't need these two patches anymore:

 

Nature of the Wild Lands - Ryn's Anise Cabin

Nature of the Wild Lands - Unique Border Gates Fix

Edited October 3, 2025 by YuFeng

[Aylis]

4 hours ago, YuFeng said:

@Aylis

The instructions for CS Lights are outdated and don't match with the installer at all anymore.

 

Nature of the Wild Lands - Ryn's Anise Cabin

Nature of the Wild Lands - Unique Border Gates Fix

1. Hey, that one came out today... I'm not that fast. Havn't even downloaded the new version yet.

2A. Already in the hotfix.

2B. Correct. But I can't find it. Not installed on my system (or even marked for deletion) and not in the guide.

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The site doesn't like me today. I'm always getting timeouts.

 

First run of 'Northern Roads' was interesting. Only the needed patches are scary (and I need more than the ones I have atm).

Edited October 3, 2025 by Aylis

[YuFeng]

You don't need to be that fast, you only need to know.

[cloudmc]

FYI the new CS doesn't need, and errors out w/ Light Limit Fix.  And Vanilla HDR is included

[Aylis]

16 hours ago, cloudmc said:

FYI the new CS doesn't need, and errors out w/ Light Limit Fix.  And Vanilla HDR is included

Both were already removed a few days ago. 😇

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Looks like I have to remove 'Valhalla Bridges' as they conflict heavily with 'Northern Roads'. The mill from Redbag is the next point to check. The mod is close to the road.

The new companion here breaks Anise. But I already got a replacer for her that removes the black face.

 

Time for the next 'dummy'. The setup with the roads broke her... 😮

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The new Riverwood looks fantastic. I'll add it later in a subgroup for Riverwood so you can decide which one of the two replacer you want to use. 

 

Falkreath now got a few missing textures. 51 patches for 'Northern Roads' (incl. one for Falkreath) and this still happens.

Spoiler

At least I got an idea where to look.

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We already got Remi. Redcap will be next.

Spoiler

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The snow issue seems to be caused by PBR

Spoiler

Withourt PBR

 

With PBR

That does shrink the number of mods I have to check.

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The gap at the bridge to Windhelm is fixed.

'Northern Roads' is done and no big issues anymore. But the configuration is a big PITA (you have to manually sort 67 patches).

Falkreath is fixed. Have to make another run with 'City Trees' enabled.

Tweaked 'Winterhold' it is now more like vanilla but repaired and got some extensions.

Edited October 4, 2025 by Aylis

[Aylis]

Collecting Links NOT for use!

Spoiler

Detailed Landscapes - Morthal Swamp (BOS)

The Great Village of Mixwater Mill - Retexture

Winterhold Rebuild

The Ruined Great Wall of Winterhold

Dungeon Pack

Dungeon Pack - Misc Patches

Dungeon Pack - Unique rewards

HAG - Occult Orphan Rock

Subgroup: Riverwood

Riverwood Option 1 (Static)

Riverwood Option 2 (Static)

     Ivy Riverwood Overhaul

     Docks of Riverwood

Interesting NPCs (3DNPC) - Winterhold Rebuild

Light and Shade

Redcap the Riekling

     Can fight in/under water.

Project Cougar - Anise

     REQUIRED for Redcap

Anglerfish

     Very hostile!

Anglerfish Commentary and Interactions Patch

     ONLY if you installed Redcap.

Butterflies Land True

Dragon Eggs

Sweeping Organizes Stuff - Use Broom to Clean Mess

     REQUIRED for the second magic broom mod.

Immersive Diseases

Immersive Magic Brooms

Immersive Magic Brooms - Sweeping Organizes Stuff

     Fixes accidental 'Fuz Roh Dah' or similar situations.

True Storms - Thunder Rain and Weather Redone

True Storms and NAT III patch

Particle Lights for ENB - Blood Decal Fix

Subtle Candlesmoke for Smoking Torches and Candles

     Use and effect strengh depends on your screen and in-game lighting.

True light - Small fixes

CCC - Goblins - Redcap Patch

     ONLY if you installed Redcap.

CCC - Myrwatch - Butterflies Land True

CCC - Tundra Homestead - Butterflies Land True

CCC - Tundra Homestead - Stability

Lawbringer - Guardsman

Lawbringer - Guardsman - Atlas Version

Lawbringer - Guardsman - Ryn's Karthspire version

Mehrunes Dagon's Shrine Unlocked - Pieces of the Past Alternate Ending

Northern Roads

Northern Roads - Landscape Fix and Improvement

Northern Roads - Patch Collection

Northern Roads - Patches Compendium

Northern Roads - HAG Occult Orphan Rock

Northern Roads - Floating Objects Fix

Rerun 'Ivy Riverwood Overhaul' in 'World - Locations (Exterior Skyrim)'

     ONLY if you selected the second option for Riverwood

     Move unrelated patches above 'Northern Roads'

Rerun 'City Trees' in 'World - Textures (Fixes)'

     Move unrelated patches above 'Northern Roads'

Sort the patches (Failing to do so will cause issues)

PBR The Great Cities - Ressources
PBR Whiterun                                                                                                          Didn't I already add that?
PBR CCC Goblins Overhaul

PBR Vanaheimr - Landscapes

PBR Vanaheimr - Mountains                                                                                   Moved in the group

PBR Northern Roads

PBR Northern Roads Patch

PBR Vanaheimr - Northern Roads

     Pick what you like

 

Notes: ToDo

Update instructions for BDS

Update instructions for City Trees

Create pics for the NR patches

     Several pics? Written instructions?

Edited October 5, 2025 by Aylis

[Was1]

Excited about Northern Roads even if we need 50 patch for it !

[Aylis]

7 hours ago, Was1 said:

Excited about Northern Roads even if we need 50 patch for it !

Atm I run 64 patches for it (Riverwood Option 2).

Spoiler

'Northern Roads' is very sensitive when it comes to patches. One wrong placement can have serious consequences (ranging from visual glitches to broken landscape or even hangs or CTD). It took me a while and countless reruns of PGPatcher to figure it out. 

I also have to see how I got to handle the different options for Riverwood. Maybe I'll have to create separate pics for each one.

 

Too bad that 'City Trees' is missing a patch for 'Redbag's Falkreath' plus 'Northern Roads', so that mod causes issues in Falkreath.

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The third option for Riverwood isn't. CTD when I got too close to the village and that was when I managed to get into the game.

Edited October 5, 2025 by Aylis

[YuFeng]

3 hours ago, Aylis said:

Too bad that 'City Trees' is missing one for 'Redbag's Falkreath' plus 'Northern Roads', so that mod causes issues in Falkreath.

 

The mod author from City Trees seems to be very happy to make patches, so we could simply ask him to make a mod like that. There are already patches for both mods, so I'm sure they can make a combined one as well.

[petrowitch]

While following the guide, I came across this message: The latest version of Fortified Morthal Patch Collection contains navmesh fixes. Using these both together will cause navmesh conflict that will result in CTD.

 

So i guess this Fortified Morthal - Fixed and extended navmeshes from World - Locations [Exterior Cities] is no longer needed. It is now replaced by Fortified Morthal - Patch Collection from Patches.

 

[Aylis]

3 hours ago, petrowitch said:

While following the guide, I came across this message: The latest version of Fortified Morthal Patch Collection contains navmesh fixes. Using these both together will cause navmesh conflict that will result in CTD.

Nice find. Thanks 👍

 

Will be removed now. Fixed and added to the last update

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Adventurers

Spoiler

 

Edited October 6, 2025 by Aylis

[valencydenied]

Wanted to leave this here in case anyone finds it useful:
Running Community Shaders on Linux with wine I got horrible flickering effect on a lot of shadows but there is a patch by some guy on github, you have to manually edit the Utility.hlsx file https://github.com/doodlum/skyrim-community-shaders/issues/1479

[YuFeng]

@Aylis

Looks like I found another thing. I guess sometimes it is a good thing to be bored to tears....

In Gameplay - Animations we have Unique Border Gates Fixes - EVG Animated Traversal. Since the Border Gates are gone, this should go too, right?