Not by itself, it's Project Atlas that improves performance. This just makes Project Atlas look better (and will reduce performance compared to just using Project Atlas by itself, because the atlas textures are bigger).
But right now I don't really recommend using this mod, since it's out of date. I suggest getting the latest version of Project Atlas and generating atlas textures using the batch files. This mod really needs an update.
For Project Atlas, you have to generate atlas textures using the batch files? How do you do that? I just dragged and dropped the mesh and texture folders into data files. I didn't touch the bat files.
The only thing that's required is Project Atlas. But it's recommended to also install the replacers these atlas textures are based on for consistency. For example if you use the Imperial atlas texture in this mod, but don't also have Imperial Ordo Arkitektora installed, there would be an inconsistency between atlased and non-atlased surfaces.
I'm really confused, don;t the textures you need already come with the Project Atlas file? Or are these the generated textures so i don';t have to attempt the .bat stuff? I am sorry if this is a stupid question.
It sounds like I have to download the suggested mods on the description, Project atlas AND this?
I thought Project atlas worked mostly out of the box.
Last thing, would this collection of files be best at the bottom of the other files (MO2) load order?
Project Atlas does basically work out of the box, and it includes all the required textures. But the textures included in Project Atlas are low resolution ones based on the vanilla textures, so the atlased parts of the game will have vanilla appearance.
If you're using texture replacers, you'll want atlas textures generated from them for consistent appearance. To use the textures in this mod only Project Atlas is required, but I also recommend using the texture replacer they're based on (for any of them you choose to use anyway), otherwise there will be inconsistencies in appearance.
And yeah this mod is fine toward the end of your install order. It would definitely need to come after Project Atlas, and also after any other atlas textures like the IT atlas textures, unless you want the others to override these. (Project Atlas itself is more picky regarding install order if you're using Glow in the Dahrk or Graphic Herbalism. It basically should be GITD -> GH main file -> Project Atlas -> GH Patches and Replacers.)
There are some architectural retextures with bump (normal) maps. I am wondering if atlased support for these can be added, and the correct procedure for doing so.
Is it a matter of just adding a bump map reference just below the diffuse texture atlas reference in the Project Atlas meshed eg. tx_redoran_atlas.dds, tx_redoran_atlas_nm.dds .? And then altering the ImageMagick match file to use the normal map versions instead eg replace all instances of.dds with _nm.dds ?
Also, you don't seem to have generated any Redoran redwall atlas textures: tx_redwall_atlas.dds
Using the batch files to create an atlas texture from the normal/bump map textures should be pretty easy (as long as they're all the correct aspect ratio). Just changing the texture names in the batch file should be enough.
I don't know how to modify the atlas meshes to use the new normalmap atlas though. The only mesh experience I have is changing texture paths.
This is the perfect resource for anyone wanting to take full advantage of the ATLAS system but who struggles with generating their own atlased textures. Which is probably the majority of players. Thanks a lot, hope you keep expanding on the system! Also I really like most of your texture choices!
Would you consider doing the "optional vanilla-friendly retexture without bumpmaps" from AOFs imperial housing?
In my opinion its the one of the best retextures for north/common exteriors there is. Feel free to decline if its too much hassle of course and in any case keep up the good work!
I used to use that one actually. It's missing quite a few textures that the nord common atlas uses. The missing ones could be gotten from AOF's Imperial Housing, but it might also make sense to get them all from AOF's original.
Thank you for this mod. I never managed to correctly generate Atlases for the common tileset with Tiddy textures. Would you mind telling which textures need rezising? I am trying to do an atlas for the normal maps, and run in the same issue than the diffuse, so it is probably that non standard ratio causing it.
It's definitely a pain even figuring out which ones need resizing. The batch file will work just fine with textures that are the wrong aspect ratio, but the resulting atlas texture will have weird dimensions and you'll see lots of plain white surfaces in-game. And to figure out which textures are the culprits you have to compare them to the vanilla textures in morrowind.bsa. (You *might* be able to compare them to the ones in say Intelligent Textures which I *think* are all the same aspect ratio as vanilla.)
But for nord common the ones that need to be resized are:
Following your post, I was able to correctly generate those textures. Thank you for going trough this tedious task of comparing the ratios. Everything went smooth and nice after that.
1.2 update includes half size textures for Imperial and Nord Common. Anybody who had problems with the full size textures, try these and see if they work.
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But right now I don't really recommend using this mod, since it's out of date. I suggest getting the latest version of Project Atlas and generating atlas textures using the batch files. This mod really needs an update.
Project Atlas has undergone many changes since then.
It sounds like I have to download the suggested mods on the description, Project atlas AND this?
I thought Project atlas worked mostly out of the box.
Last thing, would this collection of files be best at the bottom of the other files (MO2) load order?
If you're using texture replacers, you'll want atlas textures generated from them for consistent appearance. To use the textures in this mod only Project Atlas is required, but I also recommend using the texture replacer they're based on (for any of them you choose to use anyway), otherwise there will be inconsistencies in appearance.
And yeah this mod is fine toward the end of your install order. It would definitely need to come after Project Atlas, and also after any other atlas textures like the IT atlas textures, unless you want the others to override these. (Project Atlas itself is more picky regarding install order if you're using Glow in the Dahrk or Graphic Herbalism. It basically should be GITD -> GH main file -> Project Atlas -> GH Patches and Replacers.)
Is it a matter of just adding a bump map reference just below the diffuse texture atlas reference in the Project Atlas meshed eg. tx_redoran_atlas.dds, tx_redoran_atlas_nm.dds .? And then altering the ImageMagick match file to use the normal map versions instead eg replace all instances of.dds with _nm.dds ?
Also, you don't seem to have generated any Redoran redwall atlas textures: tx_redwall_atlas.dds
I don't know how to modify the atlas meshes to use the new normalmap atlas though. The only mesh experience I have is changing texture paths.
The Redoran texture is for use with RR Better Redoran Architecture. I actually don't use that one anymore myself. I use the one from Redoran Arkitektora Vol 2.
Would you consider doing the "optional vanilla-friendly retexture without bumpmaps" from AOFs imperial housing?
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42407?tab=files
In my opinion its the one of the best retextures for north/common exteriors there is. Feel free to decline if its too much hassle of course and in any case keep up the good work!
I never managed to correctly generate Atlases for the common tileset with Tiddy textures.
Would you mind telling which textures need rezising?
I am trying to do an atlas for the normal maps, and run in the same issue than the diffuse, so it is probably that non standard ratio causing it.
But for nord common the ones that need to be resized are:
tx_metal_strip_01 (8:1 -> 4:1)
tx_rooftop_01 (4:1 -> 8:1)
tx_stucco_imp_01 (1:1 -> 2:1)
This is specifically for Imperial Ordo Arkitektora. Other replacers might use textures with different aspect ratios.
Ideally the textures would be tiled when resized. I was lazy and just stretched them, and I think it looks okay.
Thank you for going trough this tedious task of comparing the ratios.
Everything went smooth and nice after that.
All of the old individual atlas packages are still available on the Project Atlas page btw.