I have retired from modding Skyrim. I hereby give blanket permission for anyone to use, modify, rehost or port any of my content to Special Edition, provided proper credit is given.
It has been a blast being a part of this community and it makes me very happy that my work is still appreciated by so many. Have fun creating!
A Note about Dynamic Depth of Field I noticed when taking screens that the refraction effect reacts strangely to the DoF of Serenity ENB. Firstly the ENB can't seem to focus on the talons if they are the center of view, it focuses on whatever lies behind them. Secondly, if there is a claw in the blurred background it seems that refraction doesn't get blurred with it, so you get very rough and grainy patches amidst the smooth rest of the image. I don't know if this happens with other ENBs as well, I'd wager it does as I noticed the vanilla inventory screen blur is also affected. I don't think I can fix this whithout removing refraction entirely, so please disable DoF when screenarching.
Latest News Version 3.0 is up, it adds refraction for more realistic transparency/translucency (many thanks to skysan for his help! ). This effect is poorly documented and it's the first time I'm working with nif-files in any kind of depth, so it may still require some tweaking, please post screenshots of how it looks on your system. Depending on your graphics card it may not work at all or produce strange artifacts, all I can say is try it out. It looks great on my end (see screens), I'm absolutely hooked. Normal transparency just won't do anymore, I'm afraid.
Please note that refraction does not show on the inventory screen, so the items will look somewhat different there than they do ingame.
In addition to the refraction (which picks up light/background colour and creates a damn good illusion of transparency) there is a new and improved transparent version that now also includes the diamond claw (had to split the mesh). I also added a subsurface parallax layer to the panels on the diamond claw's base to make it look like the underlying material is showing through.
There is a slight catch though - if you're using the transparent version, don't take your claws near fire and don't throw them into water. The talons will go totally transparent and almost disappear if viewed against a particle effect or through a water surface. I'm not sure what is causing this, do contact me if you do! For now, if disappearing gemstones disturb you, use the solid version. It also has the refraction so looks pretty nice on its own.
I don't know. lordjoseph7 ported my other mods to SE, but I think there are issues with the refraction effect in the new mesh format. You'd have to ask him if he's still working on it.
I tried this mod, both the solid and transparent version as is with Skyrim Special Edition, and the mineral claw part of the dragon claws flicker in-game. I tried converting all textures using BC7_UNORM compression with DirectXTex texconv.exe and runnig the meshes through NIF Optimizer but the issue remained. The 2.0 version that does not have refractions does version does work as is with Skyrim Special Edition. Both the solid and transparent versions.
Thanks for your beautiful gems I can't find any good claw body texture replacer aside from Ruins Clutter Improved. Would you please upload Ruins Clutter Improved 2.7? It's no longer available on RCI page...
No, since ivory is technically not a gem (it's made from mammoth tusks). It wouldn't benefit from my trademark transparent sparkle setup, so I left it to more talented texture artists to improve.
I hadn't played Skyrim for quite awhile and had forgotten just how gorgeous these are. Been using them forever but I still get excited every time I find one of the gem claws. Thanks again for this!
Ah, I'm loving these! Goes perfect with your jewelry mod! Hey, I don't suppose you plan on changing the actual textures of the claw bodies? It would be great if you could get Gamwich to help you with that, so that they match his textures that come with GQJ!
There are not currently any plans for that. I use the textures from Ruins Clutter Improved 2.7, but the latest version of that mod is no longer compatible with my meshes. I have permission to upload the old textures though, so I'll do that one of these days.
Let's make this official: All my mod projects are currently on hold, because I am incredibly busy with other things at the moment.
Unfortunately this means that there will be no updates to any of my mods for quite a while. I may have some time to work on them occasionally, but I can't promise anything. I would like to apologise to all the people that I've promised stuff to, you have been super patient with me in the past and I am very sorry about this new delay. I'll let you know when I make any progress.
I will still be lurking about the site and answer comments occasionally, so I'm not gone for good! I'm too addicted to modding to quit XD. So thank you for your patience, and hopefully I'll be back soon.
There is a slight catch though - if you're using the transparent version, don't take your claws near fire and don't throw them into water. The talons will go totally transparent and almost disappear if viewed against a particle effect or through a water surface. I'm not sure what is causing this, do contact me if you do! For now, if disappearing gemstones disturb you, use the solid version. It also has the refraction so looks pretty nice on its own.
I do not know if you figured this out or not but perhaps you could send a note to mikegemini Author of Realistic Transparent Glass Armors and Weapons http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/33602/?
He was having the same issue with his transparent armours and he finally figured out a solution to it. He posted the solution on his mod page but I will paste it here. Then if you still need help I am sure he could give you some pointers as he seems like a really helpful guy.
From: Mod Author MikeGemini's Page: "...there is an issue when two models with this settings overlap themselves or when for instance you go inside water (a river or a lake): the pieces of armor or weapon affected with this trasparency will simply look TOTALLY INVISIBLE! (to understand what i mean watch screenshot n.19) This bugged me a lot because indeed it looked unrealistic swimming with a completely invisible armor Well i used my brain and i came up with an idea. I applied a trick to the meshes to make transparent models still visible in water too (at least partially visible) Do you want to know the trick? ... ok I'll tell you In Nifskope i doubled the Nitrishape with the NiAlphaProperty so basicaly i created 2 identical Nitrishape that overlap themselves. Now the first Nitrishape uses values: Flags 4845 and Threshold 0. and the second Nitrishape uses values: Flags 4844 and Threshold 254 (or also 230-240) In this way outside water you will see the soft trasparency, when you go inside water the first Nitrishape will disappear but you still will see the second one, so that model now will NOT look completely invisible anymore! (screenshots 06 18 20)."
I love your mods and I think you have done a fantastic job. Everything is so elegant and dynamic. Keep up the amazing work!
Hey there! Thanks for the info, I'll take a look at this when I can find the time. Interesting trick he uses there, might just work on my claws. Also, thanks for the nice words, I'm glad you like my work.
Saerileth, I absolutely love the transparent claws. If you can find the time to make them work 100% of the time, I would love you forever. If not, I'll manage with 95%. Thank you for making our beautiful things actually so beautiful!
Hey chkari, thank you for your interest and kind words! I'll see what I can do after my winter exams (and maybe a bit of a holiday), so 3-4 weeks if all goes well. In the meantime, I will not have much time for modding, unfortunately.
I can't get MikeGemini's fix to work for my meshes. The second shape never shows up, not even when submerged in water. I also tried enabling SLSF1_Dynamic_Decal as suggested elsewhere (that I can't link to, because the mere mention of a certain site appears to be censored here). That fixes the underwater issue but makes the claw tranparent when viewed above a water surface. I've tried all manner of combinations of the above, they all fix one thing and simultaneously break another (above water, against other non-transparent objects, or in inventory). Either this is something Skyrim simply can't handle, or my graphics card is the problem. For now I think I'll drop the issue, as very few people ever decide to submerge their quest items in water. And if that does bother someone, use the solid version.
I must be crazy, i remember something about a display for claws, and either Saerileth or someone pointed a house/mansion mod that had absurd levels of displays of all sorts. I searched the comments and noticed you intended to add a display for the claws, but that's not what i was intending to find when looking here.
I am actually curious about a specific mod i saw. It had a sort of magic theme/ oblivion plane-related look with pedestals that made weapons float and such. It's all i can actually think of, and i don't think it is a certain sovengard-themed mod with a portal atop the throath of the world [forgot its name too. I really am completely away from modding, and my mind just isn't the same anymore thanks to all the work.]
Ruins clutter improvement has been updated and has conflicting meshes, was hoping that you would take a look and see if it is still compatible with this fantastic mod
They are not compatible, you will have to choose one or the other. Furthermore, the new texture layout will not work with my meshes, either (I'll update the description to that effect shortly). For now, use the old dragon claw textures from v2.7 of Ruins Clutter Improved.
I will probably put up an optional version with reworked UV at some point, but I can't say when. I will not merge any of the other changes into my mod, for example I don't agree with the colour changes (the handle of the emerald claw being bright green, etc.)
Wait, I am confused. I have RCI higher in my installation order (using MO). Are you saying it's still not enough and I shouldn't use the most recent version of the mod with your claws?
I don't use MO, but I assume higher up means it won't overwrite my meshes? Then you get my gems, but RCI textures for the base. Unfortunately raiserfx changed the texture layout in his latest version, by scaling/moving all of the original parts to the left to make room for his own gemstone texture to the right. If you use these together with my mod, you will get claws with weird, mismatched patterns on them.
@ Saerileth: you should switch to MO, really, trust me.
Re- RCI incompatibility: MO shows Mesh conflicts (sapphire, ruby, glass, emerald, diamond) with GQDC, if GQDC is placed after RCI in the left (install) pane it wins the conflicts. Can you list the RCI textures that don't "conflict" but cause the problem (I'm guessing just diamond?), MO users can "hide" those in the RCI mod using the mod information window.
All of the dragon claw textures and meshes from RCI 2.8 cause problems. My meshes use both default and ebony textures as well as their normal maps, so you will need the 2.7 versions for all of these or the gemstone claws will have mismatched patterns. You cannot use the meshes included with RCI for the other claws (iron etc.) because those depend on the new texture layout, using them with the 2.7 textures will result in mismatches on those claws.
Here's a full list of the textures you will need from the 2.7 archive:
Okay, makes sense. MO users can install RCI v2.7 and then v2.8 after, then "hide" the textures you list in the info window for v2.8 and the v2.7 textures will be used and the other (non-claw related) v2.8 contents will be used for everything else. Thanks for the "heads up", I'll let you get back to you Mod Organizer installation (I assume you're switching over as we type ).
I dunno, I think I need some more convincing I really like how NMM handles all the downloads automatically for me. And I'm incredibly lazy when it comes to switching tools... I tend to stick with what I'm used to.
No, basically I have your mod overwrite any conflicting files from RCI. Do I still need to delete the files from RCI even then? I thought overwriting stuff is always perfectly enough. I'm afraid we might not understand each other at all because you you a mod manager that works in a completely different way. Any MO user could explain if I need to do anything?
Overwriting the files will not be enough. RCI 2.8 textures will not work with my meshes (I don't add textures of my own, so GQDC won't overwrite these files from RCI). If you copy the texture files I listed from the 2.7 archive, you will still get the non-gemstone claw meshes from 2.8 unless you delete them manually (once again my mod does not add meshes for these claws at all, so they will just be installed without prompting an overwrite). These meshes won't work with the 2.7 textures though because of the new texture layout.
This is a bit of a special case as far as conflicts go, because of the dependencies between image information (stored in the textures) and UV layout (stored in the meshes). In simpler terms, each mesh stores a sort of template that tells it which part of the texture belongs on which surface. The new textures from RCI 2.8 are scaled to the left (they only use the left half of the image), but my meshes still expect the old layout, so they will try to use the entire file. Which results in completely mismatched patterns, obviously. This can be fixed by using the old 2.7 textures, which conform to the layout my meshes expect. But then the new meshes from RCI 2.8 will be all wrong, because they try to use the left half of the texture only (their template doesn't match the old textures anymore). I hope this bit of technobabble helped clear things up and didn't just confuse you further.
I don't know if MO supports fomod-installers (I think it does), but the easiest thing to do is just uninstall RCI completely, reinstall 2.8 (check all the modules you want in the installer, but don't install the dragon claws at all), then manually copy over the textures from RCI 2.7 that I listed above. You will not even get an overwrite prompt for my mod that way, as there are shouldn't be any conflicting files.
Mod Organizer does everything you want, and lots more. You can launch the CK through it, you can make virtual copies of your current install to safely add new mods to test (or even have a profile specifically for mod construction). It handles FOMODs & the NMM "download with manager links" and shows updates from within its interface (both just like NMM), I think there's even a "move my NMM install to MO" option but I haven't tried it. Oh, if you have multiple texture mods installed, there is a preview window that lets you view each option by individual texture (aMB, SRO, Vivid all installed - click through each option to get the Jorrvaskr exercise yard looking just right & matching the Skyforge. decide you want to install the 4k Spicy Skyforge instead of the 2k? Just click the downloads tab and rerun the Stunning Statues installer again with that option, it won't overwrite mods installed before or after until you launch a game session ). tl;dr I was the biggest "You can have my Wrye Installer when you pry it from my cold dead hands" kid, but I converted to MO & I love it.
Re- original GQDC issue, for MO users place RCI 2.7 first in left pane,RCI 2.8 second in left pane, use information window's files tab to mark as hidden the dragon claw meshes & textures from RCI 2.8 Bob's your uncle, you have updated Ruins Clutter and proper GQ dragon claws.
Dude, you're confusing the hell out of me. Why would I install RCI 2.7? Could someone tell me EXACTLY what I need to delete/hide from RCI 2.8 when using Mod Organizer please?
P.S. Where's this preview feature in MO? I never noticed anything like that when looking through mods' files.
for MO users; 1) install RCI 2.7 first 2) install RCI 2.8 second 3) use information window's files tab to mark as hidden the meshes & textures from RCI 2.8 that have "dragon claw" in the name.
To use MO's preview feature, use data tab in right pane & right click on a texture, preview option in the drop down menu.
I'll stop highjacking the Gemling Queen's comments now, thanks for the beautiful claws.
If you want the dragon claw textures from RCI (I do, they're pretty), you'll need them from the 2.7 version because those still use the old layout that's compatible with my meshes. That's why EProctor suggests installing RCI 2.7 first, then dropping RCI 2.8 on top of it so everything else is up to date with the latest version.
If you use some other mod for the textures of the claw base, or want to use vanilla, you can simply install RCI 2.8 but without the dragon claw module.
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It has been a blast being a part of this community and it makes me very happy that my work is still appreciated by so many. Have fun creating!
Love,
Saeri
I noticed when taking screens that the refraction effect reacts strangely to the DoF of Serenity ENB. Firstly the ENB can't seem to focus on the talons if they are the center of view, it focuses on whatever lies behind them. Secondly, if there is a claw in the blurred background it seems that refraction doesn't get blurred with it, so you get very rough and grainy patches amidst the smooth rest of the image. I don't know if this happens with other ENBs as well, I'd wager it does as I noticed the vanilla inventory screen blur is also affected. I don't think I can fix this whithout removing refraction entirely, so please disable DoF when screenarching.
Version 3.0 is up, it adds refraction for more realistic transparency/translucency (many thanks to skysan for his help! ). This effect is poorly documented and it's the first time I'm working with nif-files in any kind of depth, so it may still require some tweaking, please post screenshots of how it looks on your system. Depending on your graphics card it may not work at all or produce strange artifacts, all I can say is try it out. It looks great on my end (see screens), I'm absolutely hooked. Normal transparency just won't do anymore, I'm afraid.
Please note that refraction does not show on the inventory screen, so the items will look somewhat different there than they do ingame.
In addition to the refraction (which picks up light/background colour and creates a damn good illusion of transparency) there is a new and improved transparent version that now also includes the diamond claw (had to split the mesh). I also added a subsurface parallax layer to the panels on the diamond claw's base to make it look like the underlying material is showing through.
There is a slight catch though - if you're using the transparent version, don't take your claws near fire and don't throw them into water. The talons will go totally transparent and almost disappear if viewed against a particle effect or through a water surface. I'm not sure what is causing this, do contact me if you do! For now, if disappearing gemstones disturb you, use the solid version. It also has the refraction so looks pretty nice on its own.
Hey, I don't suppose you plan on changing the actual textures of the claw bodies? It would be great if you could get Gamwich to help you with that, so that they match his textures that come with GQJ!
All my mod projects are currently on hold, because I am incredibly busy with other things at the moment.
Unfortunately this means that there will be no updates to any of my mods for quite a while. I may have some time to work on them occasionally, but I can't promise anything. I would like to apologise to all the people that I've promised stuff to, you have been super patient with me in the past and I am very sorry about this new delay. I'll let you know when I make any progress.
I will still be lurking about the site and answer comments occasionally, so I'm not gone for good! I'm too addicted to modding to quit XD. So thank you for your patience, and hopefully I'll be back soon.
I do not know if you figured this out or not but perhaps you could send a note to mikegemini Author of Realistic Transparent Glass Armors and Weapons http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/33602/?
He was having the same issue with his transparent armours and he finally figured out a solution to it. He posted the solution on his mod page but I will paste it here. Then if you still need help I am sure he could give you some pointers as he seems like a really helpful guy.
I love your mods and I think you have done a fantastic job. Everything is so elegant and dynamic. Keep up the amazing work!
E.
Yeah, i must be crazy. :c
Ruins clutter improvement has been updated and has conflicting meshes, was hoping that you would take a look and see if it is still compatible with this fantastic mod
I will probably put up an optional version with reworked UV at some point, but I can't say when. I will not merge any of the other changes into my mod, for example I don't agree with the colour changes (the handle of the emerald claw being bright green, etc.)
I have RCI higher in my installation order (using MO). Are you saying it's still not enough and I shouldn't use the most recent version of the mod with your claws?
Re- RCI incompatibility: MO shows Mesh conflicts (sapphire, ruby, glass, emerald, diamond) with GQDC, if GQDC is placed after RCI in the left (install) pane it wins the conflicts. Can you list the RCI textures that don't "conflict" but cause the problem (I'm guessing just diamond?), MO users can "hide" those in the RCI mod using the mod information window.
Here's a full list of the textures you will need from the 2.7 archive:
- textures/clutter/ruins/ruinsdragonclaw01.dds
- textures/clutter/ruins/ruinsdragonclaw01_n.dds
- textures/clutter/ruins/ruinsdragonclawebony.dds
- textures/clutter/ruins/ruinsdragonclawebony_n.dds
- textures/clutter/ruins/ruinsdragonclawiron.dds
Delete the diamond texture, without the RCI meshes it isn't needed.
I'm afraid we might not understand each other at all because you you a mod manager that works in a completely different way.
Any MO user could explain if I need to do anything?
This is a bit of a special case as far as conflicts go, because of the dependencies between image information (stored in the textures) and UV layout (stored in the meshes). In simpler terms, each mesh stores a sort of template that tells it which part of the texture belongs on which surface. The new textures from RCI 2.8 are scaled to the left (they only use the left half of the image), but my meshes still expect the old layout, so they will try to use the entire file. Which results in completely mismatched patterns, obviously. This can be fixed by using the old 2.7 textures, which conform to the layout my meshes expect. But then the new meshes from RCI 2.8 will be all wrong, because they try to use the left half of the texture only (their template doesn't match the old textures anymore). I hope this bit of technobabble helped clear things up and didn't just confuse you further.
I don't know if MO supports fomod-installers (I think it does), but the easiest thing to do is just uninstall RCI completely, reinstall 2.8 (check all the modules you want in the installer, but don't install the dragon claws at all), then manually copy over the textures from RCI 2.7 that I listed above. You will not even get an overwrite prompt for my mod that way, as there are shouldn't be any conflicting files.
tl;dr
I was the biggest "You can have my Wrye Installer when you pry it from my cold dead hands" kid, but I converted to MO & I love it.
Re- original GQDC issue, for MO users place RCI 2.7 first in left pane,RCI 2.8 second in left pane, use information window's files tab to mark as hidden the dragon claw meshes & textures from RCI 2.8
Bob's your uncle, you have updated Ruins Clutter and proper GQ dragon claws.
Could someone tell me EXACTLY what I need to delete/hide from RCI 2.8 when using Mod Organizer please?
P.S. Where's this preview feature in MO? I never noticed anything like that when looking through mods' files.
1) install RCI 2.7 first
2) install RCI 2.8 second
3) use information window's files tab to mark as hidden the meshes & textures from RCI 2.8 that have "dragon claw" in the name.
To use MO's preview feature, use data tab in right pane & right click on a texture, preview option in the drop down menu.
I'll stop highjacking the Gemling Queen's comments now, thanks for the beautiful claws.
If you use some other mod for the textures of the claw base, or want to use vanilla, you can simply install RCI 2.8 but without the dragon claw module.