The Better Bow node is a kind-of realistic way of carrying a bow. Unfortunately, the bow doesn't expand when you assign this node for it, making it clip with the body. Well, not anymore.

Requirements

- Immersive Equipment Displays (IED) - Version 1.7.3 or higher.
- Open Animation Replacer (OAR) - Version 2.0 or higher.

What does this mod do?

Using IED and OAR, this mod will "expand" the bow when you use the Better Bow node, preventing it from clipping with the body.

How to get started

Start by applying a "Gear node" preset.
Navigate to "View>Gear nodes", choose where to apply, I advise you to use the Global tab with Player toggled, then select the preset "GP - Better Bow" and click on "Merge":

Then, go to "View>Display manager>View>Custom items", choose where to apply, then select one of the presets named "GP - Better Bow" and click on "Merge":

And that's it, the bow should be expanded now.

Optionally, go to "View>Display manager>View>Equipment slots", choose where to apply, then select the preset "GP - Separate Bow from Crossbow" and click on merge.

Otherwise, crossbows will be invisble, since they share the same node as bows by default.

But how exactly does this work?

OAR from version 2.0 and onwards, allows you to change weapon's animations. There's an animation for the bow, of how much it can be drawn, located at meshes\weapons\bow\animations\bow_drawlight.hkx. This animation is used to draw the bows when an actor attacks with it.
IED allows you to send animation events to the displays, one of which is the "BowDraw". This animation event tells IED to play the draw animation for the bow.

Using OAR with a modified animation for the bow draw combined with a custom display from IED, it's possible to expand the bow just enough that it doesn't clip too much with the body.

Images for comparison:

Before:

After:

Secondary main file with equip/unequip animations