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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim >  Workshop > Brumbek's Workshop
10,820 ratings
Static Mesh Improvement Mod
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Category: Graphics, Landscape
File Size
Posted
Updated
710.457 MB
Feb 15, 2012 @ 9:02pm
Nov 5, 2016 @ 12:02pm
19 Change Notes ( view )
Created by
Brumbek
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Static Mesh Improvement Mod

Description
[www.nexusmods.com]

IMPORTANT: Load Order Compatibility
The SMIM .esp file (StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp) must be loaded BEFORE (ABOVE) any water mods you are using, otherwise you'll most likely get an ugly water seam at the Riften Docks. To check and change your load order, run the Skyrim Launcher, pick "DATA FILES", and then move your .esp files up and down to ensure the SMIM .esp is BEFORE (ABOVE) any water mod .esp files.

What is SMIM?
SMIM is a massive project to greatly improve the appearance of countless 3D models in Skyrim. SMIM makes Skyrim architecture, clutter, furniture, landscaping, and general visual quality much nicer.

Some mods add a few things here and there. SMIM is a massive graphical upgrade you will benefit from your entire playthrough! The average player will see countless SMIM'd objects every few minutes.

What DLC or mods are required?
None. No Official DLC or mods are required for SMIM. However, SMIM includes fixes and improvements for all the DLCs. Moreover, the Official High-Res Texture DLC is absolutely recommended because it covers many objects not touched by SMIM.

Will this hurt my game or break my save?
No. No. No. SMIM is perfectly safe. SMIM cannot ever harm your save game. You can install or uninstall it as often as you want.

I want some stuff in SMIM but not others. How do?!
If you want to customize the textures and install options, download the Skyrim Nexus version[skyrim.nexusmods.com]. Skyrim Nexus features a very convenient Nexus Mod Manager[skyrim.nexusmods.com] to help you install mods.

What is the performance impact of SMIM?
SMIM increases the polygon count and texture resolution of many objects in the game. Modern computer systems with quad-core processors and discrete AMD/nVidia graphics cards only suffer minimal (1-5) frames per second loss.

Keep in mind Skyrim has engine limitations that cause issues over 60 frames per second. Therefore, on modern hardware, there is a very large headroom where Skyrim could run at 60-100+ FPS, but since physics issues and graphical glitches occur over 60 FPS, SMIM often won't reduce your FPS below 60, assuming you can reach 60 FPS to begin with.

My personal i5 2500k 3.3GHz CPU and nVidia GeForce 680 graphics card doesn't experience any FPS loss at all. Other mods, such as, ENB Series, can be extremely hard on your computer. Both ENB Series and Skyrim 2k HD are not recommended because of their often severe performance impact. Feel free to post questions about performance if you aren't sure your computer can handle SMIM.

What about compatibility with other mods?
As of SMIM 1.95 uploaded October 2016, the SMIM .esp file (StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp) must be loaded BEFORE (ABOVE) any water mods you are using, otherwise you'll most likely get an ugly water seam at the Riften Docks. To check and change your load order, run the Skyrim Launcher, pick "DATA FILES", and then move your .esp files up and down to ensure the SMIM .esp is BEFORE (ABOVE) any water mod .esp files.

As for other mods that edit the same meshes and textures that SMIM edits, all that will happen is the mod lowest in your load order will take priority. Don't worry about it. Feel free to use the big texture replacers along with SMIM.

Credits and Permissions
  • SMIM is 99% my own work based on Bethesda's original game.
  • Thanks to modders NebuLa, raiserfx, Ancient76, Langley, pfaffendrill, tehx3n, and Corepc for letting me modify their stuff or for helping me out in other ways.
  • For the full list of royalty-free and public domain photographs and textures used in SMIM please see the Readme file included in the Skyrim Nexus version of SMIM.

Version History:
  • Updated 11/05/2016 to use SMIM version 2.03. Fixed a critical unknown error causing game freezing in many locations. Apologies!!
  • Updated 11/04/2016 to use SMIM version 2.02. Shack roof improvements, USSEP fixes, pull chain fixes.
  • Updated 11/02/2016 to use the non-Dragonborn version of SMIM (no hawk fixes but they're minor). I apologize for this oversight that caused people's games to crash if they didn't have Dragonborn!
  • Updated 11/01/2016 to use SMIM version 2.01. Adds various improvements, notably real physics for barrel lids (see video above). The hanging rabbits had their hind legs stretched out to look more realistic. Many meshes had minor technical issues corrected.
  • Updated 10/23/2016 to use SMIM version 1.95. Adds various improvements, notably 3D ropes in Solitude and Riften and bumpy cobblestone roads to all SMIM bridges. All meshes run through the NifScan utility and I corrected minor errors in about 66 meshes.
  • Updated 10/31/2015 to use SMIM version 1.89. Adds various improvements, notably better sarcophagus meshes, doorbars, stone pillars, and wood pyres.
  • Updated 07/20/2015 to use SMIM version 1.84. Adds much awesome stuff.
  • Updated 04/28/2015 to change Part 1 to full SMIM version 1.75 since SW now allows large mods. Consider donating if you enjoy SMIM. In fact, consider donating even if you hate SMIM! Generosity is good for the soul or whatever.
  • Updated 06/21/2014 to use SMIM version 1.72. Now six separate parts.
  • Updated 01/31/2014 to include the missing Dwemer Ingot mesh.
  • Updated 01/19/2014 to use SMIM version 1.61. Now five separate parts.
  • Updated 08/09/2013 to use SMIM version 1.49. Now three separate parts.
  • Updated 02/09/2013 to use SMIM version 1.34.
  • Updated 02/04/2013 to use SMIM version 1.33. Now two separate parts.
  • Updated 05/29/2012 to use SMIM version 1.21.
  • Updated 03/17/2012 to use SMIM version 1.18.
  • Updated 02/28/2012 to use SMIM version 1.12.
Popular Discussions View All (1)
5
Jan 3, 2021 @ 2:50am
how to download?
^3Ghandi
1,369 Comments
< >
Brumbek  [author] Jan 20 @ 12:42pm 
@Robin, glad you got it downloaded on Skyrim Nexus. Actually, I misspoke about Skyrim Legendary Edition. This Workshop version of SMIM works on Original Skyrim (2011) and the Legendary Edition (2013). It's the Special Edition (2016) and Anniversary Edition (2021) that are a product on Steam and don't use the Steam Workshop. For people using those two versions, you can download SMIM from the in-game mod browser or Skyrim Nexus Special Edition page. Confusing, I know!
rbn Jan 19 @ 8:43pm 
@Brumbek

I AM playing on LE! No wonder it showed an error on LOOT 😅 I went to Nexus and got it there, and I have 0 problems now ^^ thanks!
rbn Jan 13 @ 6:34am 
I downloaded this, why does it say that it's meant for Oblivion and not skyrim :blastshot:
Toothless Nov 30, 2023 @ 8:50pm 
this mod became so natural to me i forgot its not part of the base game. feels wrong without it. i randomly find myself going "damn this wood/rope/iron/stone looks good"
Brumbek  [author] Nov 16, 2023 @ 9:12pm 
@J-P: thanks much for the nice comment! I'm very grateful that so many people are still using SMIM after so many years. All the best to you!
J-P Nov 13, 2023 @ 1:55am 
Still one of the best mods ever created. Gives a great improvement to Skyrim outlook.
Brumbek  [author] Jul 11, 2023 @ 9:46pm 
@salleatlet: the Nexus version is more up-to-date, but the differences are small. But if you want everything, you can unsubscribe on Steam and then download the Nexus version, like you said. Thanks for using SMIM.
salleatlet Jul 9, 2023 @ 1:10pm 
Just a question. I'm subscribing this version, which I guess is 2.03? According to LOOT I have a old version and I should update. On Nexus it say's that the latest version is 2.08. So should I unsubscribe here and download the on from Nexus instead? Or are they the same versions?
Brumbek  [author] Oct 9, 2022 @ 1:43pm 
@jayaitch: thanks! It's wonderful to see SMIM still being downloaded by so many people year after year. Best wishes to all SMIM users!
jayaitch Oct 9, 2022 @ 4:44am 
Excellent mod. Makes Skyrim look a lot better. Thanks.