How to make beautiful character SE version

[Dexter]

Tried plenty of ENBs and plenty of skin mods but my character(and NPCs) still look like plastic dolls. I've read what seems to be the issue but and I was messing around with SSAO, specular maps and other things, nothing worked.

Anyone got any tips for it?

[Southpawe]

I got plastic looking people in Skyrim SE for a long time. I think it's because the early versions of ENBs don't have any/good subsurface scatering and don't have the specular fix.

My recommendation for good looking characters:

Racemenu

Viseral ENB (make sure to have latest ENB binaries)

A detailed skin like Real Girls, or Women of Skyrim.

A racemenu overlay that adds freckles


I found the key to good looking characters is first a good ENB, then work on the overall shape and features, and then add shading detail with different cheek, chin, nose ect. tones.

Then add very faint scars or freckles via racemenu overlay. Making them just barely visable lessens facial semetry wich lessens the Barbie doll look.

[Dexter]

Thanks for answer!
The main problem is not only face but whole body, more like skin. I've read and all answers/discussions where from october 2018 or something like that.

ENB looks interesting, gonna give it a go and then play around all the settings.

Adding faint freakles or small scars on character face for sure add little character, even if they are barely visible.

[Southpawe]

Originally posted by dexter411:

Thanks for answer!
The main problem is not only face but whole body, more like skin. I've read and all answers/discussions where from october 2018 or something like that.

ENB looks interesting, gonna give it a go and then play around all the settings.

Adding faint freakles or small scars on character face for sure add little character, even if they are barely visible.

I found Viseral ENBs default settings we're very realistic already, I wouldn't change them. I would try different skin textures if dissatisfied with the look with Viseral ENB.


Also keep in mind that the lighting in the Helgen intro is real bad for creating a character. Might want to fine tune your character after that in better lighting.

[Dexter]

The very first mod after bug fixes anyone should ever get is Alternate Start my new best friend.
Get mod to change weather or change it via console command to some clear skies.

Quickly checked the Viseral ENB and it looks great. Even with Bijin skin it make it look better, gonna do some quality research later on.

From what I read on, turning on/off SSAO, TAA and FXAA can make difference, so I was refering to those settings. I can not calibrate ENBs myself, I suck at it.

[Southpawe]

Originally posted by dexter411:

The very first mod after bug fixes anyone should ever get is Alternate Start my new best friend.
Get mod to change weather or change it via console command to some clear skies.

Quickly checked the Viseral ENB and it looks great. Even with Bijin skin it make it look better, gonna do some quality research later on.

From what I read on, turning on/off SSAO, TAA and FXAA can make difference, so I was refering to those settings. I can not calibrate ENBs myself, I suck at it.

I actually like the vanilla opening, I just don't ever do my final character edits there.


As for the launcher settings you were talking about, I believe most ENB authors recommend turning off the SSAO as the ENB is already taking over that effect.

As for TAA and FXAA, I have experimented extensively and came to the conclusion that TAA is just too blurry even with sharpening. I've found the best settings to be FXAA combined with SMAA from the ENB menu.

[Dexter]

Originally posted by Mojo_Sev:

Originally posted by dexter411:

The very first mod after bug fixes anyone should ever get is Alternate Start my new best friend.
Get mod to change weather or change it via console command to some clear skies.

Quickly checked the Viseral ENB and it looks great. Even with Bijin skin it make it look better, gonna do some quality research later on.

From what I read on, turning on/off SSAO, TAA and FXAA can make difference, so I was refering to those settings. I can not calibrate ENBs myself, I suck at it.

I actually like the vanilla opening, I just don't ever do my final character edits there.


As for the launcher settings you were talking about, I believe most ENB authors recommend turning off the SSAO as the ENB is already taking over that effect.

As for TAA and FXAA, I have experimented extensively and came to the conclusion that TAA is just too blurry even with sharpening. I've found the best settings to be FXAA combined with SMAA from the ENB menu.

Good to know.

Thanks for help!