# Community Shaders Setup Guide for NimmerSky # Compiled: 2026-03-20 | Session with Chrysalis # For: Linux (Proton) + Skyrim AE + MO2 via Jackify ================================================================================ OVERVIEW ================================================================================ Community Shaders (CS) is an open-source graphics framework for Skyrim. Community-driven, modular, and designed for modern rendering. WHY CS: - Proton/Linux friendly (standard DirectX calls, no injection hooks) - Modular: enable only what you need - Open source: bugs get fixed by community - Good performance - Native upscaling support (FSR/XeSS) ================================================================================ REQUIREMENTS ================================================================================ SKYRIM VERSION: [x] Skyrim AE (latest Steam version) - SUPPORTED [ ] Skyrim 1.6.640 - NOT SUPPORTED [x] Skyrim VR - SUPPORTED (separate modules) GPU: [x] DirectX feature level 11_1 minimum [x] DirectX 12_0 for frame generation features (Your setup should be fine - check with: vulkaninfo | grep apiVersion) PREREQUISITES (install in this order): 1. [x] SKSE64 - Already in your foundation 2. [x] Address Library - Already installed 3. [x] SSE Engine Fixes (Part 1 + Part 2 Preloader) - Check if installed 4. [ ] Visual C++ Redistributable - Usually handled by Proton ================================================================================ CRITICAL CONFIGURATION ================================================================================ BEFORE INSTALLING CS: 1. Borderless Windowed Mode (REQUIRED) In SkyrimPrefs.ini: ``` bBorderless=1 bFull Screen=0 ``` 2. SSE Display Tweaks (if using): In SSEDisplayTweaks.ini: ``` Fullscreen = false Borderless = true BorderlessUpscale = false ``` 3. Engine Fixes Preloader: - Part 1: Install via MO2 (normal mod) - Part 2 (Preloader): MANUAL install to Skyrim root folder - d3dx9_42.dll goes in the same folder as SkyrimSE.exe ================================================================================ CORE CS MODULES ================================================================================ INSTALL ORDER (base to features): 1. Community Shaders (BASE) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/86492 - The core framework, required for all features 2. Light Placer https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/135224 - Attaches lights to objects/actors via JSON - Dynamic light placement system 3. CS Light (light configs for Light Placer) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/138443 - Covers: candles, lanterns, fires, potions, windows, plants, insects ================================================================================ VISUAL FEATURE MODULES ================================================================================ Enable based on your performance budget: LIGHTING & SHADOWS: [ ] Skylighting https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/139352 - Large-scale ambient occlusion - "Most transformative feature" per CS devs - Skylighting from every direction [ ] Screen Space Global Illumination (SSGI) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/130375 - Indirect lighting, light bounce - Recommended: Use WITH Skylighting for full effect - Has interior/exterior toggle [ ] Screen Space Shadows - Built into CS core, toggle in menu MATERIALS & SURFACES: [ ] Subsurface Scattering - Skin translucency (light through ears, etc.) - Built into CS, toggle in menu [ ] Terrain Blending - Smooth transitions between terrain textures [ ] Grass Lighting - Proper lighting on grass meshes [ ] Grass Collision - Grass bends when walking through - Performance cost: moderate ATMOSPHERE: [ ] Cloud Shadows - Clouds cast shadows on the world [ ] Sky Sync - INCOMPATIBLE: EVLaS, AELAS (use Sky Sync instead) - Syncs sky lighting with time of day [ ] Wetness Effects - Rain makes surfaces wet/reflective [ ] Water Effects - Improved water rendering PERFORMANCE & UPSCALING: [ ] Upscaling - Community Shaders https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/156952 - DLSS 4 / FSR 3.1 / XeSS support - Frame generation (requires DX12 GPU) - INCOMPATIBLE: Skyrim Upscaler (old mod) ================================================================================ INCOMPATIBILITIES ================================================================================ INCOMPATIBLE MODS (use CS alternatives): - EVLaS / AELAS → use Sky Sync instead - Skyrim Upscaler → use CS Upscaling instead ================================================================================ LOAD ORDER PLACEMENT ================================================================================ In your MO2 left pane (following logical order): EARLY: - SKSE - Address Library - Engine Fixes (Part 1) - SSE Display Tweaks AFTER VISUALS/WEATHER: - Community Shaders (base) - Light Placer - CS Light - [Feature modules: Skylighting, SSGI, etc.] - [Terrain/Grass CS modules] LATE LOADERS: - CS patches (if any) - Weather-specific CS configs ================================================================================ IN-GAME CONFIGURATION ================================================================================ CS has an in-game menu (usually bound to END key): 1. Launch game 2. Press END to open CS menu 3. Toggle features on/off 4. Adjust quality settings per feature 5. Settings save to Data/SKSE/Plugins/CommunityShaders.json RECOMMENDED STARTING POINT: - Enable: Skylighting, SSGI (AO only), Screen Space Shadows - Disable: Grass Collision (if FPS issues) - Test, then enable more features one by one ================================================================================ LINUX/PROTON NOTES ================================================================================ CS is Proton-friendly: - Uses standard DirectX calls - No binary injection hooks - No special memory configuration needed POTENTIAL ISSUES: - Frame generation may not work (DX12 feature) - Upscaling (FSR) should work (AMD tech, Proton-friendly) - DLSS unlikely to work (NVIDIA-specific, needs native driver) TEST ORDER: 1. Install CS base only, confirm game launches 2. Add Skylighting, test 3. Add SSGI, test 4. Add other features one at a time ================================================================================ PGPATCHER (PARALLAXGEN) - THE KEY TOOL ================================================================================ WHAT IT DOES: PGPatcher patches your meshes to work with CS material systems: - Parallax (depth on textures) - Complex Materials (realistic metals, specular) - True PBR (physically based rendering) WHY YOU NEED IT: - CS requires meshes to have specific flags set for material features - Without patching: "blue meshes" bug, broken parallax - PGPatcher auto-detects your textures and patches meshes accordingly - Replaces need for "pre-patched mesh" mods NEXUS: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/120946 GITHUB: https://github.com/hakasapl/PGPatcher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WORKFLOW ORDER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Run tools in this order: 1. BodySlide (if using) → output to dedicated mod folder 2. PGPatcher (ParallaxGen) → patches meshes for CS 3. TexGen → generates LOD textures 4. DynDOLOD → generates distant LODs IMPORTANT: - Re-run PGPatcher every time you add/remove texture mods - Re-run PGPatcher after BodySlide changes - Run BEFORE TexGen/DynDOLOD (they use PGPatcher's output) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINUX/WINE SETUP FOR PGPATCHER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PGPatcher CAN run on Linux via Wine, but needs setup: DEPENDENCIES (via winetricks/protontricks): [ ] dotnet8 / dotnetdesktop8 [ ] vcrun2012, vcrun2013, vcrun2022 [ ] d3dcompiler_47 (CRITICAL for GPU init) COMMON ISSUES: 1. ".NET8 Desktop Runtime not installed" FIX: Install via Windows .NET8 installer through Wine (not Linux package manager) 2. Shader initialization failures FIX: Install d3dcompiler_47 via protontricks 3. .NET detection conflicts FIX: Run with: env -u DOTNET_ROOT -u DOTNET_BUNDLE_EXTRACT_BASE_DIR 4. GPU init errors (NVIDIA) Note: AMD/Mesa reported smoother WORKFLOW ON LINUX: - Use MO2's "run executable" feature - Or run directly in your MO2 Wine prefix - Output goes to a mod folder you specify -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BASIC USAGE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Download PGPatcher from Nexus 2. Extract somewhere (e.g., MO2/tools/PGPatcher/) 3. In MO2: Tools → Executables → Add PGPatcher.exe 4. Configure paths: - Instance: Your MO2 instance - Game: Skyrim installation - Output: A mod folder (e.g., "VOV - ParallaxGen Output") 5. Run PGPatcher 6. Enable the output mod in MO2 OPTIONS TO ENABLE: [ ] Parallax - basic depth textures [ ] Complex Material - metals, specular [ ] True PBR - full PBR textures (if you have PBR texture mods) [ ] Optimize - mesh optimization -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEXTURE MOD COMPATIBILITY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PGPatcher auto-detects and patches for: PARALLAX TEXTURES: - Look for _p.dds files (parallax/height maps) - Many texture mods include these COMPLEX MATERIAL: - Uses environment mask for metallic/specular - More realistic than vanilla TRUE PBR: - Full PBR workflow (albedo, normal, roughness, metallic) - Requires PBR-specific texture mods - Most realistic but heaviest YOU CAN MIX: - Some areas parallax, some complex material, some PBR - PGPatcher handles the permutations ================================================================================ RESOURCES ================================================================================ Official: - Nexus: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/86492 - GitHub: https://github.com/doodlum/skyrim-community-shaders - Wiki: https://modding.wiki/en/skyrim/developers/community-shaders Collections: - Community Shaders All in 2026: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/collections/mnvd02 ================================================================================ Notes compiled from research session with Chrysalis (chrysalis@EACHPATH.LOCAL)