Skyrim Se Texture Optimizer

A tool for mod authors that optimizes your SK NIF files for the (actual) new SSE format and fixes issues. Can also scan textures for compatibility. Creating Optimized Vanilla BSAs. The DDSopt Guide discusses how to optimize the Skyrim textures contained in BSAs and loose files.That guide includes optimization of Skyrim - Textures.bsa, the three High Resolution Texture Pack BSAs (which contain only textures), and the textures contained in ht eaddon DLC BSAs that contain a mixture of textures and other resources (Dawnguard.bsa, Hearthfies.

Simply Optimized Textures For Sse
Skyrim Se Texture Optimizer Kit
Skyrim Se Texture Optimizer Pack
Optimized Vanilla Textures Sse
Skyrim Se Texture Optimizer Pack

Warning:

THIS IS NOT A GUIDE!

This is not a guide. It is only a storehouse for information. It may or may not be outdated!

1Intro
2Converted STEP Mods
- 2.122.N. Patches

Intro

This will be the storehouse for information regarding STEP and Skyrim:Special Edition (SSE).

Staff Discussion Forum | User Discussion Forum

Do NOT use the included archiving tools that come with the new CK! They do not work properly. Follow these procedures for properly archiving mods for use with SSE: via Nexus Forums.

Tools

Mod Organizer 2 is the recommended mod manager to use for this guide.

Wrye Bash is used for Bashed Patching.

Bethesda Archive Extractor is used to extract SSE archives.

NifModify is a tool which will fix missing tangent and bitangent data in meshes. This can be valuable to modders porting meshes over to SSE, but also to users who may experience rendering issues with meshes from mods they port for their personal use. It's only available in command line.

SSE NIF Optimizer is a tool which will convert meshes to the new SE format while cleaning and fixing various issues found on the mesh.

Using NIF Optimizer is a one way trip for the meshes. This means the new meshes from using the tool can no longer be used in Skyrim LE. They will only work in SE. Authors maintaining two versions of their mods for each platform, may want to try NifModify before using NIF Optimizer. If NifModify allows the meshes to render properly in SSE, then some maintenance work can be saved as the SE version of the mod will work in Skyrim LE. If not, then the author will have to maintain two separate versions of files for their mods. After converting many mods to SE, there's been very little reason to use NIF Optimizer.

LOOT is now available for Skyrim SE.

BethINI - just use it and save yourself some headache.

Known Issues

Certain older texture formats will cause CTD with the DirectX 11 version included with Windows 7: https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/5077930-skyrim-se-texture-formats-question/?p=44708080

Converted STEP Mods

Below is a list of mods from the STEP Guide which have been converted to SSE or their current status for a port.

2.C. Extenders

ENBoost: ENBSeries has been ported (limited) to SSE; however, ENBoost is not needed with SSE and will be dropped from the SSE Guide. Maybe someone needs Skyrim particle patch for ENB.

FileAccess Interface for Skyrim SE Scripts - FISSES - Third party replacement.

Skyrim Script Extender 64: Has been released for SSE as a open alpha, a stable is eventually expected.

PapyrusUtil SE - Scripting Utility Functions - Author's port.

2.D Fixes

STEP Optimized Vanilla Textures: Temporary replacement: Simply Optimized Textures for SSE, Optimized SSE Textures -FPS BOOST-.
Appropriately Attired Jarls: Currently not ported. Author will port when he/she has time.

SSE Fixes - Author's replacement. Requires DLL Plugin Loader.

Clothing and Clutter Fixes: Combined with Weapons and Armor Fixes.

Consistent Older People - Author's port.
Cutting Room Floor - Author's port.
Fixed Body Collision - New replacement. The first port of Dead Body Collision has been removed.

Weapons and Armor Fixes: Combined with Clothing and Clutter Fixes.

Weapons Armor Clothing and Clutter Fixes - Author's replacement. Not included in the STEP Patch yet!
Enchanting Reload Fix - New replacement.
Enhanced Lighting for ENB (ELE) - Special Edition - Author's port.
Fuz Ro D-oh - Silent Voice - Author's port.
Guard Dialogue Overhaul - Author's port.
Improved closefaced helmets - Author's port.
Invisibility Glitch - Eyes Fix - New replacement.
Modern Brawl Bug Fix - Author's port.
No Animals Report Crimes Remade - Third party port.
Ragdoll Paralysis Redux SE - Third party port.
Relighting Skyrim - Author's port.
Skyrim Project Optimization - Third party port.

Smart Souls: Currently not ported. Requires SKSE.

Trade and Barter - Author's port. Requires SKSE.
Unlimited Bookshelves - Author's port. - should be tested and included as a fix for the vanilla bookshelves.

Wiseman303's Flora Fixes: Currently not ported. Possible replacement: Flora Respawn Fix
Complete Crafting Overhaul Remade: Currently not ported. Requires SKSE. Can be ported manually: Complete Crafting Overhaul Remade for SSE - Patch and Instructions

Realistic Ragdolls and Force - Author's port.
XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended - XPMSSE - Author's port.

2.E Interface

Better Dialogue Controls - Author's port.
Better MessageBox Controls - Author's port.

Disease Descriptions for the Immersive Adventurer: Currently not ported. Unknown if works in SSE. William will be porting the mod. Included in the STEP Compilation.
EASIER LOCKPICKING - Without Cheating - Nordic Retexture: Currently not ported. Gamwich will be porting.
High Quality 3D Map: Currently not ported. Author isn't active much so no word on a port or not.

Immersive HUD - iHUD - Author's port.

KenMOD - Time on loading screen: Currently not ported. No word if there will be one or not.

Lore-Based Loading Screens - Author's port.

Main Font Replacement: Be ported below. Has been reported to work fine with SSE. Font Overhaul - Realistic Typefaces for Skyrim is a very nice font overhaul and has the default font that STEP currently recommends for the UI. This could be a replacement.

Main Font Replacement SSE - Third party port.
Main Menu Spinning Skyrim Emblem - Author's port.
moreHUD - Author's port.

RaceMenu: Need vanilla and skse64plugins.

Skyrim SE Skill Interface Re-Texture - Author's port.
SkyUI - Author's port.

Smaller Cursor: Be ported below. Works in SSE (confirmed by Tech). No word from the author. Included in the STEP Compilation.

~~Small Cursors - Third party port.~~ Deleted. Smaller Vanilla Cursors SE is a possible replacement.
Viewable Faction Ranks - Author's port.

Simply Optimized Textures For Sse

2.F Conflicting Graphics

Ultimate HD Fire Effects (included in the STEP Compilation)

Ultimate HD Fire Effects SSE Reported to work. Author has given someone else permission to port.

SkyFalls and SkyMills: Currently not ported. Author is working on a port. Not really needed anymore with DynDOLOD. However, larger windmill sails are possible (needs testing) with SMIM Windmills Resized.

Static Mesh Improvement Mod - Author's port.
Skyrim Realistic Overhaul - Author's port.

HD Misc: Currently not ported. Author is MIA. Has been reported to work in SSE. Realistic HD Misc Remastered seems to be a possible replacement.
Tobes Highres Textures: Tobes Highres Textures. Currently not ported. Author claims that no port is needed and that they have tested it themselves in SSE for ~40 hours.

High Quality Food and Ingredients - Third party port.
A Quality World Map - Third party port.

2.G. Landscape & Environment

aMidianBorn Caves and Mines: Currently not ported. Issues have been reported with SSE. No word from CaBaL whether a port will be made or not.
aMidianBorn Farmhouse: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from CaBaL whether a port will be made or not.
aMidianBorn Solstheim Landscape: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from CaBaL whether a port will be made or not.
aMidianBorn Whiterun: Currently not ported. Issues have been reported with SSE. No word from CaBaL whether a port will be made or not.

Deathbell HD - All-New Textures (2K-1K) - Author's port.
Skyrim Flora Overhaul SE - Author's port. - currently only supports the latest version of SFO and not a vanilla. Still needs a replacement.
Embers HD - Author's port.
Farmhouse Chimneys - Third party port.
Footprints - Author's port.

HD Dark brotherhood door: Currently not ported. No word if it will be or not. At least 1 user has reported that it works in SSE as-is.
HD Enhanced Terrain: Currently not ported. Report says it doesn't work with SSE. Author said in November he will port it; 3 months, no port. Possible replacement is HD Detailed Terrain
HD Stone Quarry and Clay Deposit for Hearthfire: Currently not ported. Mainly works in SSE besides the clay mesh. No word from the author.
High Quality LODs: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE, as is. No word from the author.
HQ Snow Texture: See Nordic Snow below.
Hybrids HD Plants and Herbs Retexture: Currently not ported. Supposedly works with SSE, as is. No word from the author.
Improved Vanilla Mountains HD: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word form the author.

Just Ice - originally in The Ruffled Feather (Included in the STEP Compilation 2.10).
Lanterns of Skyrim SE - Author's port.
Moss Rocks - originally part of The Ruffled Feather (Included in the STEP Compilation 2.10).
Nordic Snow - Author's port. - aka HQ Snow (its just been renamed)

Northfire's Skidmarks 1K-2K: Currently not ported. I (TechAngel85) have been given permission to port this. Currently in testing.

Point the Way - Author's port.

Real Wood Textures - Farmhouses: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Re-Defined Dungeons WIP: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Realistic Water Two - Author's port.

RUSTIC MONUMENTS and TOMBSTONES: MOUNTAINS has been ported below. Unknown if old one works with SSE. Author will likely port.

RUSTIC MOUNTAINS - Special Edition - Author's port.
Improved Shadowmarks - Author's port.
Skyrim SE Improved Puddles - Author's port.
Stalhrim - originally in The Ruffled Feather (Included in the STEP Compilation 2.10).

TreesHD_Skyrim_Variation: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Vivid Clouds and Fogs: This mod is currently included in the Vivid Weathers mod below. Unknown if the author plans to do a separate release.

Vivid Weathers Definitive Edition - Author's replacement.
Vivid Landscapes - All in One - Special Edition - Author's port.

Whiterun Trellis Redesigned and HQ: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

2.H. Characters & Creatures

Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack SSE - Third party port. - included in Compilation
Bellyaches HD Dragon Replacer Pack (SE) - Third party port. - included in Compilation
Beards - Author's port.
Better Males Remesh for Skyrim SE - Third party port.

Brows: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. Author is planning to port it.
Coverkhajiits: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. No word from the author. Possible replacement: Feminine Khajiit Textures (Grey Cat and Leopard), Masculine Khajiit Textures (Grey Cat and Leopard).

DRAGON PRIEST - Author's port.
DRAUGR - Author's port.
FALMER - Author's port. - worth testing
FAR - Forgotten Argonian Roots - Author's port.
Female Vampires Have Fangs - Author's port.
GIANT - Author's port.
HAGRAVEN - Author's port.

High-Res Dartwing Texture: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Immersive Citizens - AI Overhaul - Author's port. - users can skip the patches included in the main file if they use the STEP SSE Patch.

Lepidoptera Of Skyrim: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

MAMMOTH - Author's port.

More Realistic Hair: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author. Permissions grant conversion.

Northborn Scars - Author's port.

PAINTERLY: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
PondFish and Salmon Replacer - texture: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
RUSTIC CHILDREN: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. Author will likely port.
RUSTIC DEATH HOUND: Combined with GARGOYLE.
RUSTIC GARGOYLE: Combined with DEATH HOUND.

RUSTIC DEATH HOUND and GARGOYLE - Special Edition - Author's port.
SABERCAT - Author's port.

Superior Lore-Friendly Hair - HD textures: Currently not ported. Mixed bag if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

The Elder Scrolls V Rewritten - Arvak SE - Third party port.
TROLL - Author's port.

Wiseman303's Critter Fixes: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. No word from the author.

WISPMOTHER - Author's port.
WICO - Windsong Immersive Character Overhaul SE - Author's replacement. - Successor to WSCO; however, this version isn't a good 'vanilla' replacement.

2.I. Clothing & Equipment

aMidianBorn Blade of Woe: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
aMidianBorn Book of Silence: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
aMidianBorn imperial light and studded: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
aMidianBorn stormcloak officer armour: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Dawnguard Crossbow Explosive Bolts Visualized: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Dragonbone Mastery - Weapons Retexture - Author's port.
RUSTIC CLOTHING - Special Edition - Author's port.

Dragonborn Mages Robes Retexture Pack: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Dragon Priest Mask Overhaul SSE - New replacement. - worth testing
Elemental Staffs SE - Author's port.
Gemling Queen Jewelry SE - Third party port.

Skyrim Weapon De-LARP-ification Project: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author. It's probably just time to drop this mod. Currently there are only 54 meshes not covered by Better Shaped Weapons.

Greatsword Sheaths and Scabbards Redux SE - Author's port.

Mage Outfit Texture Overhaul - Schools of Magic: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. Author seems to think it'll work, but plugins should be ran through the new CK.
New Thinner Torch: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Nightingale Prime HD: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Not Really HD Mask of Clavicus Vile: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

RUSTIC FORSWORN - Special Edition - Author's port.

TDN Vampire Armor Retexture: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

2.J. Animations & Effects

Animated clutter - Third party port.
Animated Weapon Enchants (A.W.E.) - Author's port.

Better Turn Animation only One pose: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Bowlegged jump animation fix - Third party port. - included in the STEP Compilation.

Burn Freeze Shock Effects: Currently not ported. Some report it works (loose files) with SSE while others have issues. No word from the author. Frozen Electrocuted Combustion as a possible replacement.

D13 Faster GET UP STAND UP animation vanilla friendly SSE - Author's port.

Dawnguard Rune Weapons FXS Replacer: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Deadly Spell Impacts - Author's port.

DROPS: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Dual Wield Blocking Animations: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Enhanced Blood Textures SE - Author's port.
Improved Weapon Impact EFFECTS Correct Metal - Author's port.
Lightning During Storms Sse (Minty lightning) (aka Lightning during Thunder Storms) - Third party port.
No Spinning Death Animation - Author's port. - included in the STEP Compilation.

NoMaaM Breathing Idles BBB: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author. Waterbreathing Breathless Emerge SSE
Realistic Boat Bobbing: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Running with your Bow Replacer: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Skyrim - Enhanced Camera: Reworked below by the author. Requires SKSE. No word from the author. Will likely be dropped anyway.

Joy of Perspective - Author's replacement.

Smaller Ice Spike and Ice Spear: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Wonders of Weather - Author's port.

2.K. Clutter & Miscellaneous

The 418th Step: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Barenziah's Glory SE - Third party port.
Book Covers Skyrim - Author's port.
Book Covers Skyrim - Lost Library - Author's port.

Dark Brotherhood Tenets Restored: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author. Possible replacement: Dark Brotherhood Tenets 16K 8K 4K 2K 1K 512 Redone
Detailing the Eldrich - Higher-Res Riekling Architecture: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Gemling Queen Dragon Claws: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
HD Linens: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
HD Ore And Ingots: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. No word from the author.

HD Reworked Baskets - Author's port.
HORNCANDLES - Author's port.
HQ Paper - Author's port. - but is likely to have some issues with bright textures and compatibility with Book Covers Skyrim.

N-R HD Display Case: Currently not ported. Works with SSE (confirmed by Tech). No word from the author.
Not Really HD Keys: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. No word from the author.
Not Really HD Leather Strips: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Pilgrims Delight - High Hrothgar Shrine Retextures: There is a port, but unknown if it's legit. No word from the original author.
Radiant and Unique Potions and Poisons HD: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. No word from the author.
Realistic Instruments - Flute Lute and Drum HQ: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. No word from the author. Possible replacement: HD Better Instruments

Rens HD Shrines - Third party port.

Retexture for Bread - Hearthfire: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Retexture for Soup: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. No word from the author.

Ruins Clutter Improved - Author's port. - included in STEP Compilation
LeanWolf's Improved Enchanter Candle Meshes SE - Author's port.
RUSTIC COOKING - Special Edition - New. Worth testing

RUSTIC DRAGON CORPSE: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author, but Gamwich is slowly porting his mods over.

RUSTIC ELDERSCROLL - Special Edition - Author's port.

RUSTIC NORDIC MURALS: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author, but Gamwich is slowly porting his mods over.
RUSTIC POTIONS and POISONS: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author, but Gamwich is slowly porting his mods over. His animated version is ported.

RUSTIC SOULGEMS - Special Edition - Author's port.

Septim HD: Currently not ported. Some issues reported with SSE. No word from the author. ~~CC's HQ Septims is a possible replacement.~~ Possible replacement: M17 Septim Gold Coin Retexture
Silly Level of Detail - Wine Cellar -- SLOD WC: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

SKELETON - Author's port.

Skyrim Redesigned WIP: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Super Realistic Ore Textures: Currently not ported. Reported to work with SSE. No word from the author.
Sweet Mother - the Night Mother Improvement: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

WEBS S.E. - Author's port. - previously WEBS extended
White Phial Replacer SE - Third party port.

2.L. Sound

Only the linked mods below have been converted; however, all sounds should work as is in SSE. Be wary of using the mods listed below as needing some sort of conversion. The effects of using a non-converted plugin are still unknown. If a mod is not listed, then it's only loose files and can be used safely with SSE.

Lucidity Sound FX SSE - Author's port.
Audio Overhaul for Skyrim 2 - Third party port.
IHSS - Improved Horse Step Sounds - Author's port.
SSE High Quality Music - New. - worth testing, though I don't even think it needs it...just accept it!

These mods have archives that require conversion:

Better Weapon Swing Sounds

These mods have plugins that should be converted:

Dragons Shout with Voice (loose version works, but he location optional needs converted)
Immersive Skyrim Thunder V6
Improved Combat Sounds
Smooth blade draw and Sheathe

2.M. Gameplay

Auto Unequip Ammo: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author. Possible replacement: Simple Auto Unequip Ammo

Better Stealth AI for Followers - Author's port.
Bring Out Your Dead - Author's port.

ClamsDropPearls: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.
Come together N Out of the way - Nausicaa-S Tweaker: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Convenient Horses - Author's port.

Dual Wield Parrying: Currently not ported. Requires SKSE. No word from the author. Dual Wield Blocking for Idiots - Skyrim Special Edition is a possible replacement.
Enhanced Skyrim Factions - The Companions Guild: Currently not ported. Requires SKSE. Author will likely port when SKSE64 is available.

Follower Trap Safety - Author's port.
Gildergreen Regrown - Author's port.
Hearthfire Extended - Author's port. Hidden file. - users should still download the 'Cutting Room Floor - Hearthfire Extended Patch' because it contains assets which would require STEP to have permission to incorporate the patch.
Lock Overhaul - Third party port.
No NPC Greetings (Special Edition) - New replacement. - included in the STEP Compilation.
Non-Essential Children - Author's port.
Not So Fast - Mage Guild - Author's port.
Not So Fast - Main Quest - Author's port.
Oblivion Gates Remade - New replacement. - author remade the mod from the original.
Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - Author's port.

Skyrim Se Texture Optimizer Kit

Skyrim Coin Replacer Redux: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. Author is planning on porting.
Skyrim -Community- Uncapper: Currently not ported. Requires SKSE. Author has no plans to port the mod, but as opened permissions to allow someone to port it when SKSE64 is released.

SM Drop Lit Torches - Author's port.
Smithing Perks Overhaul SE - Author's port.

Stealth Skills Rebalanced: Currently not ported. Requires SKSE. Author is planning on porting.

The Choice is Yours - Author's port.
The Paarthurnax Dilemma - Author's port.

Thieves Guild Requirements: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. Author is planning on porting it.
Timing is Everything - Quest Delay and Timing Control: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. Author is planning on porting it.
Traps Make Noise - More Dangerous Traps: Reworked below by the author. Unknown if old one works with SSE. Author is planning on porting it.

Improved Traps - Author's replacement.
Wet and Cold - Author's port.

Wiseman303's Trap Fixes: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works with SSE. No word from the author.

Even Better Quest Objectives - EBQO - Author's port. - users can skip the patches if the use the STEP SSE Patch. Users should still download the 'Dark Brotherhood Forever to Misc Quests - Addon' file.

2.N. Patches

Modern Brawl Bug Fix - Author's port. - this mod is now included in EBT.

STEP Compilation: This will be available when the SSE Guide is available.

STEP SSE Patch - This patch can be used as long as the user follows the advice provided below.

Bashed Patch: WB works for SSE and this will be available when the SSE Guide is available. Wrye Bash here.
Dual Sheath Redux: Currently not ported. Requires SKSE. Author is planning on porting. Possible replacement: Ecotone Dual Sheath

LeanWolf's Better-Shaped Weapons - Author's port.
Fore's New Idles in Skyrim Special Edition - Author's port.

Dynamic Distant Objects LOD - DynDOLOD: Currently working in a limited fashion.

Using the STEP SSE Patch

First this patch has only been made for the current list of ported mods provided above. This means if the mod isn't linked to a SSE Nexus page above, then it hasn't been included within this SSE Patch. Users can skip all patches provided by the mods because they have been included in the STEP SSE Patch, unless otherwise stated within the list above. Mods in testing have NOT been included in the patch with the following exceptions. Users should have these mods installed, as well, if they are going to use the patch:

Unlimited Bookshelves has been used because it is a straightforward mod that fixes bookshelves; thus, should have no issues being accepted into STEP.
Cinematic Fire Effects 2 HD SSE edition has been used over Ultimate Fire Effects due to it actually being ported over and the other not, yet.
Vanilla Vegetation Overhaul has been used over SFO, for now, to maintain STEP's mandate of staying as close to vanilla as possible.

I've made this setup as simple as possible. Simply load LOOT, add the following meta rule, and sort:

Books Cover Skyrim.esp

Load after:

UnlimitedBookshelves.esp

STEP Compilation Mods

Better Circlets
Better Shadowmarks: has been fixed in USLEEP so this mod is no longer needed.

Disease Descriptions: Currently not ported. Unknown if works in SSE. William will be porting the mod.
Distant Decal Fix
Dragon Glyphs-Fixed
Enchantment Effect Replacer
Finer Dust
Frost Atronach HD
HD Sacks
HiRes Legible Road Signs
Improved Foot Wraps for Females

Realistic Smoke and Embers
Realistic Wolf Howls

Serious HD: This is likely to be replaced by SRO.
Skyrim Performance Plus: This is really no longer needed. It'll likely be dropped.
Smaller Cursor: This works out of the box from classic Skyrim.
The Beauty of Skyrim-Dungeons: Currently not ported. Unknown if it works in SSE. Author is likely to port.
The Ruffled Feather: This will eventually be converted. Currently Moss Rocks is ported. Decrease Those Plants will not likely be ported. Just Ice and Stalhrim will be ported.
Visible Windows

Potential Mods

This is a list of mods that could have potential in a STEP:SSE.

Acquisitive Soul Gems Multithreaded - potential replacement for Smart Souls.
Blended Roads - looks really good!
ETHEREAL CLOUDS - Special Edition - vanilla-friendly, cloud replacer.
HD Road Signs - 2K and 4K - a nice HD, vanilla-friendly replacer.
Remove Small Rocks - removes the annoying pebbles that are set as a grass which are seen along the roads. We already have a mod that does this, but this one is for SSE.
Circlets or Masks with all Robes and Hoods - why? Because it just makes sense.

Retrieved from 'https://wiki.step-project.com/index.php?title=Project:Skyrim_Special_Edition&oldid=128028'

A quick guide to using BSAopt and DDSopt to extract loose files from a BSA archive. -- by STEP Team
Guide Forum Thread

This page assumes you have a basic understanding of the mod manager being used. If this is not the case, please read up on either the Wrye Bash Guide or Mod Organizer Guide.

Unpacking BSAs

Both BSAopt and DDSopt are built off of the same architecture, but DDSopt has a different primary purpose: optimizing textures. The difference between the programs is that because DDSopt is primarily used to alter the files it is extracting, it requires an extra step to use purely as an extraction tool. If you don't mind having another application installed, BSAopt is easier to use and doesn't require potential configuration changes every time it's used. Instructions for installation and initial setup of BSAopt are available here, and instructions for setup of DDSopt are found in DDSopt Configuration. Instructions for extracting BSAs using either program are as follows:

(Optional but recommended for general use) Set BSA archives to be opened with BSAopt or DDSopt by default. This only needs to be done once and then BSAs can be opened by simply double-clicking them.
1. Right-click a BSA file and selecting [Open with...].
2. Next choose 'Select a program from a list of installed programs' and click [OK].
3. Click [Browse...] then find and select 'BSAopt.exe' or 'DDSopt.exe'.
4. BSAopt or DDSopt should then appear highlighted in the 'Open with' dialog box. Make sure 'Always use this selected program to open this kind of file' is selected and click [OK]
Now that the BSA is opened in your program of choice, DDSopt users will need to click the [Ignore] menu on the top bar and select [Don't process any of the known file types at all].
You must next specify where to extract the files. Generally one would extract the files to the same directory the BSA is located in. To achieve this, all you need to do is type '.' (a singular period without quotes) in the bottom text box. Otherwise, click [Browse] and navigate to the desired directory.
Click [Unpack] (BSAopt) or [Process] (DDSopt) and another window should appear with two progress bars. Once that disappears the extracted files should appear in the destination folder.
If using this process during mod installation, rename or delete the source BSA so that the associated ESP doesn't use it and instead relies on the newly extracted loose files.

Mod Organizer Special Instructions

Mod Organizer has a built-in BSA extraction feature. In v0.12 of Mod Organizer it will ask whether you want to extract a BSA when you install a mod with one. When the 'Extract BSA' prompt appears when installing a mod, simply click [Yes]. Deleting the BSA after extraction is a good thing, it forces the associated ESP to rely on the newly extracted loose files.

To extract a BSA that's already installed in MO:

Open the 'BSAs' tab on the right side of the screen.
Right-click the BSA you wish to extract and click [Extract...].
Browse to the desired destination and click [Select Folder].
- Usually you'll want to extract the BSA to the mod's folder. The wizard should open initially to the 'ModOrganizer' directory. The mod folders are found under the 'mods' subfolder, so browse there to find the correct folder.
Unfortunately using this method doesn't automatically delete the BSA. Instead just deselect the BSA in Mod Organizer, this achieves the same effect.

Using BSA to Identify Redundant ESPs

Mods with resources (e.g. textures and scripts) can use either a BSA or loose files for these resources. If a BSA file is used, then an ESP file is needed so that Skyrim can load the BSA. There are several mods that utilize an ESP only to 'activate' the provided BSA. In these cases, by extracting the BSA into a set of loose files, the ESP will no longer be needed. In order to maximize compatibility and reduce possible engine trouble associated with a high number of ESPs, it is useful to eliminate these files whenever possible. Mod Organizer does this automatically, so those using MO typically do not need to use the following instructions.

To determine whether the ESP in a mod with a BSA is only present so Skyrim will extract the BSA and thus can be safely removed, do the following. Of course, if a mod has more than one ESP then it automatically does not fall under this category. Mod Organizer generally puts a broom icon in the plugins list if the plugin is only present to cause the BSA to be loaded.

Load the mod into TES5Edit:
1. Start TES5Edit.
2. When the 'Master/Plugin Selection' window is shown, right-click in the window and click [Select None].
3. Scroll through the list and select the mod(s) you are interested in.
4. Click [OK] at the bottom of the window.
TES5Edit will load the mod(s) and any required master files. This process is complete when 'Background Loading finished' appears in the right window.
Now the mod can be examined:
1. Click the [+] box next to the mod name. This will expand the mod information to show what is included in the ESP.
2. The first line is 'File Header'. If there are no other lines, the ESP can safely be removed once the BSA is extracted.

Once the mod's BSA is extracted (per the previous tab's instructions), it is safe to delete both the BSA and ESP files and only use the extracted loose files. Note that any mod extracted in this manner should still be installed in the order specified on the STEP Guide.

The STEP guide includes a list of which mods have esp plugins that are redundant.

Creating Optimized Vanilla BSAs

The DDSopt Guide discusses how to optimize the Skyrim textures contained in BSAs and loose files. That guide includes optimization of Skyrim - Textures.bsa, the three High Resolution Texture Pack BSAs (which contain only textures), and the textures contained in ht eaddon DLC BSAs that contain a mixture of textures and other resources (Dawnguard.bsa, Hearthfies.bsa, and Dragonborn.bsa). Skyrim also has 8 other vanilla BSAs that do not contain textures. Prior to Skyrim version 1.8 it was possible to use BSAopt to optimize some of the vanilla BSAs that contain resources other than textures, but with the current version of Skyrim there are all too frequent problems when this is done. The full set of reasons for this are not well understood, but one of the reasons is that Skyrim no longer expects compression on many of the resource types used in Skyrim as discussed in this thread in the STEP forums.

Mod Organizer, the mod manager generally recommended for use with STEP, can automatically extract resources from BSA if necessary so even if it were feasible to optimize the non-texture BSAs it often would not provide any practical advantage. It is usually best to avoid extracting BSAs with a mod manager, particularly with Mod Organizer, since there are some known issues with some mods when this is done.

Using BSAopt to optimize non-texture BSAs is thus not recommended.

Repairing Skyrim files with Steam

Note that the following guidance is not needed when using Mod Organizer since it preserves the vanilla Skyrim files in their default location.

One reason for having copies of the original and any BSAs whose textures are optimized with DDSopt in two folders is to use when there's a corrupted Skyrim game file. If this happens, use Steam to validate the game files in the Skyrim directory. Before using the [Verify integrity of game cache] command in Steam, copy all of the files in the 'Original Vanilla BSAs' folder (or whatever name was used for the folder with copies of the original BSAs) into the Data directory, overwriting any optimized ones. This step is necessary because Steam is going to replace all the game files with their original versions, and if there are different versions of the vanilla BSAs Steam will need to download all the original BSAs from scratch - a slow process if you have a low BW connection. By copying back the original BSAs the Steam validation will typically proceed quickly.

After Steam completes any necessary repairs and validates the game files, it is time to return the optimized BSAs to the 'Data directory'. Copy all 6 of the optimized BSAs from the 'Optimized Vanilla BSAs' folder (or equivalent) into the Data directory, overwriting the 6 original BSAs. Then do the same for any additional vanilla BSAs you have.

BSAopt uses much of the same code as DDSopt, but it has a simpler purpose. Initial configuration of BSAopt is similar to that used for DDSopt.

Setup of BSAopt

To reduce potential issues on Windows OS, the following should be considered:

The user must have Administrative access on the system (this allows BSAopt settings to be saved for later use),
Applications installed within User Access Controlled (UAC) directories (e.g., Program Files, Program Files (x86)) may not behave as expected, so consider installing BSAopt and Steam into other directory locations (e.g., C:GamesBSAopt and C:GamesSteam)

Before using BSAopt the first time make sure that step 1.B. of the current STEP guide has been completed. BSAopt uses a registry value created during this process.
Make sure the 2012 Visual C++ redistributable from Microsoft is installed on the system; the current 32 bit and 64 bit versions are available here. When using a 64 bit version of windows installing both the 32 and 64 bit versions is recommended.
Download BSAopt-beta (version 2.0.0) from the Nexus.
Since BSAopt is completely portable, there is no installer, so extract the files into a folder (e.g., C:GamesDDSopt).
Create a shortcut to the applicable executable (32-bit or 64-bit, depending on which version of Windows is being used).
Right click on the shortcut, go to the 'Compatibility' tab, and check the box labeled 'Run this program as an administrator', then click 'Apply' and 'OK'. This ensures that BSAopt is run with administrative privileges so the chosen settings will 'stick' between sessions.
The first time BSAopt is used, it is suggested that the Game menu selection be set to Automatic.

Using BSAopt

Basic documentation from Ethatron on BSAopt is available here. A useful tutorial on using BSAopt to extract BSAs is found here.

Skyrim Se Texture Optimizer Pack

This page describes the format of the BSAs used for the Elder Scrolls games including Skyrim, and this thread in the STEP forums has additional details on the BSA format and the options used in the vanilla Skyrim BSAs. Note that when creating BSAs BSAopt will set the flag for compressed or uncompressed, but it does not set the other flags mentioned in this post. It is not known how Skyrim uses these flags or whether there are problems with BSAs that do not have these flags set to the Bethesda default values for the resource type. Note that vanilla Bethesda BSAs containing multiple resource types (e.g., the DLC BSAs) are always uncompressed. BSAopt does not have an option to enter the types of resources included in a BSA, and if a BSA is going to include any of the resources for which the corresponding Skyrim vanilla BSA is uncompressed, then the BSAoptCompression value must be manually set to 0(off). Any BSA with a single resource type of textures, meshes, or animations resources can be a compressed BSA, but if the BSA includes any other resource type it must be uncompressed. If this is not done then there will be CTDs with Skyrim when these BSAs are used.

When creating a BSA with resources that include duplicate copies (based on the CRC of the resource) with different file/path names, BSAopt will include all of the file names in the BSA but only one copy of the resource file itself.

When BSAopt starts up it scans the last directory that was used for input. If this directory has a large set of files, it can take BSAopt a long time to complete this scan before it accepts user input. It is recommended that before closing BSAopt the upper (input) Browse window be set to a directory that has few files so the initial scan will be quick. BSAopt can also get into a loop if it failed to load an archive and the user forces BSAopt to close. For advanced users the following tip (taken from a post in the Nexus BSAopt forum) can be used:

BSAopt/DDSopt can be used to create BSAs, but the safest way to create BSAs for Skyrim is to use the Archive.exe program that is loaded into the Skyrim directory when the Creation Kit is installed using Steam. Arthmoor created a useful page Using BAIN and Archive.exe to Package a Skyrim Mod on using Archive.exe that includes examples and screenshots. For older Bethesda games such as Fallout New Vegas, Fallout 3, Oblivion, and Morrowind the FOMM (Fallout Mod Manager program) can be used to create BSAs. The most recent version of FOMM is available here.

The Archive.exe program has a simple GUI. The Root Dir: can be set to Data or to the root directory on one of the system drives (e.g., D:). If RootDir: is set to Data then all the files being added to the BSA must be in the current SkyrimData directory. If RootDir: is set to a root directory then the resource folders being added to the BSA (e.g., the textures folder) need to be in this root directory. Folders and even individual files can be added to the BSA by dragging and dropping them onto the large window in Archive.exe. The files to be included in the BSA should be checked; the Edit menu includes an option to Check All Items which will check all the boxes. When all the files are entered and checked, click on the File menu and select Save As, then enter the name of the new BSA including the '.bsa' extension.

For Advanced Users: When Skyrim is installed on an SSD
Steam has a capability to install games in multiple directories, and a common use of this is to install most Steam games on a hard disk drive (HDD) and a few games like Skyrim that need faster disk access on a Solid State Drive (SSD). Steam tools, however, are only installed in the main Steam directory (..SteamSteamAppscommonSkyrim) on the HDD. When this happens copy the Creation Kit files that Steam installed in the Skyrim directory in the main Steam directory to the Skyrim directory (..SteamSteamAppscommonSkyrim) on the SSD.

Installing the Creation Kit

Highlight Library in the menu in the upper part of the Steam window by clicking on Library.
Right-click on Library and select Tools.
Right Click on Creation Kit in the TOOLS menu and select Properties.
Select the LOCAL FILES tab and click on the VERIFY INTEGRITY OF TOOL CACHE button.

Steam will begin downloading and installing the Creation Kit in the Skyrim directory, and will provide a notification when this is complete.

Optimized Vanilla Textures Sse

Skyrim Se Texture Optimizer Pack

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