Jump to content
The Dark Mod Forums

Tweaking TDM for higher quality


Woodsie69

Recommended Posts

Hello I've been searching the wiki for TDM and google etc. for some time now, but I can't find enough information on how to tweak TDM for maximum quality through darkmod.cfg.

 

I'm using Linux Mint 17.3 64 bit (which is Ubuntu 14.04 in "disguise") - so the nvidia control panel is not exactly as advanced as it is in windows.

 

I've found a lot about how to enhance the performance, and I've tried to play around with the different values in the darkmod.cfg. The best result in this I got when I altered the "seta com_videoRam", which I changed to 2048mb.

 

Everything is set to max in the TDM interface, including 16x Anti Aliasing, but it doesn't seem to work, so I forced it through the nvidia control panel.

 

Hardware specifications:

Cpu: i7

Chipset: Intel z77 express

Gpu: Geforce 760

Ram: 16 gb ddr3

Hdd: SSD (Kingston 128gb)

Monitor: Aoc 27" running TDM in 1920 x 1080 (native resolution).

 

What I'm really looking for is an explanation for the different switches in the darkmod.cfg, like for example "cam_ext.cfg" in Thief, were there is a short remark/explanation just above the adjustable switches.

 

I would like to say thank you all,for a first class mod that keeps getting better and better all the time. :smile:

I'm especially impressed by the flames and the heat in the lit torches - and the voice acting. :D

 

My darkmod.cfg:

 

unbindall
bind "TAB" "_impulse0"
bind "ESCAPE" "togglemenu"
bind "SPACE" "_moveup"
bind "APOSTROPHE" "_mlook"
bind "+" "_impulse50"
bind "0" "_impulse10"
bind "1" "_impulse2"
bind "2" "_impulse1"
bind "3" "_impulse3"
bind "4" "_impulse4"
bind "5" "_impulse5"
bind "6" "_impulse9"
bind "7" "_impulse7"
bind "8" "_impulse6"
bind "9" "_impulse8"
bind "^" "_impulse0"
bind "a" "_moveleft"
bind "c" "_impulse23"
bind "d" "_moveright"
bind "e" "_impulse46"
bind "f" "_impulse51"
bind "g" "inventory_use '#str_02396'"
bind "i" "inventory_cycle_group '#str_02391'"
bind "k" "inventory_cycle_group '#str_02392'"
bind "l" "inventory_use '#str_02395'"
bind "m" "inventory_cycle_maps"
bind "o" "_impulse19"
bind "p" "inventory_cycle_group '#str_02389'"
bind "q" "_impulse45"
bind "r" "_impulse52"
bind "s" "_back"
bind "v" "inventory_hotkey '#str_02397'"
bind "w" "_forward"
bind "x" "_impulse24"
bind "y" "clientMessageMode 1"
bind "z" "_zoom"
bind "BACKSPACE" "_impulse52"
bind "PAUSE" "pause"
bind "UPARROW" "_forward"
bind "DOWNARROW" "_back"
bind "LEFTARROW" "_left"
bind "RIGHTARROW" "_right"
bind "ALT" "_button5"
bind "CTRL" "_impulse44"
bind "SHIFT" "_speed"
bind "DEL" "_lookdown"
bind "PGDN" "_lookup"
bind "END" "_impulse18"
bind "F1" "inventory_hotkey '#str_02398'"
bind "F2" "inventory_hotkey '#str_02399'"
bind "F3" "inventory_hotkey '#str_02400'"
bind "F4" "inventory_cycle_group '#str_02389'"
bind "F5" "inventory_cycle_group '#str_02392'"
bind "F6" "inventory_hotkey '#str_02438'"
bind "F7" "savegame quick"
bind "F9" "loadgame quick"
bind "F10" "inventory_hotkey '#str_02202'"
bind "F11" "inventory_hotkey '#str_02439'"
bind "F12" "screenshot"
bind "KP_LEFTARROW" "_impulse47"
bind "0xb4" "_impulse49"
bind "MOUSE1" "_attack"
bind "MOUSE2" "_impulse41"
bind "MOUSE3" "inventory_hotkey ''"
bind "MWHEELDOWN" "_impulse47"
bind "MWHEELUP" "_impulse48"
bind "JOY32" "_impulse48"
seta com_product_lang_ext "1"
seta com_videoRam "2048"
seta com_showFPS "0"
seta com_purgeAll "0"
seta com_machineSpec "-1"
seta com_preloadDemos "0"
seta com_compressDemos "1"
seta m_strafeSmooth "4"
seta m_smooth "1"
seta m_strafeScale "6.25"
seta m_yaw "0.022"
seta m_pitch "0.022"
seta sensitivity "11.587301"
seta in_toggleZoom "0"
seta in_toggleCrouch "0"
seta in_toggleRun "0"
seta in_alwaysRun "1"
seta in_freeLook "1"
seta in_anglespeedkey "1.5"
seta in_pitchspeed "140"
seta in_yawspeed "140"
seta gui_configServerRate "0"
seta com_guid ""
seta net_clientDownload "1"
seta net_master4 ""
seta net_master3 ""
seta net_master2 ""
seta net_master1 ""
seta net_clientMaxRate "16000"
seta net_serverMaxClientRate "16000"
seta gui_filter_game "0"
seta gui_filter_idle "0"
seta gui_filter_gameType "0"
seta gui_filter_players "0"
seta gui_filter_password "0"
seta image_downSizeLimit "256"
seta image_ignoreHighQuality "0"
seta image_downSizeBumpLimit "128"
seta image_downSizeSpecularLimit "64"
seta image_downSizeBump "0"
seta image_downSizeSpecular "0"
seta image_useCache "0"
seta image_cacheMegs "20"
seta image_cacheMinK "200"
seta image_usePrecompressedTextures "1"
seta image_useNormalCompression "2"
seta image_useAllFormats "1"
seta image_useCompression "1"
seta image_preload "1"
seta image_roundDown "1"
seta image_forceDownSize "0"
seta image_downSize "0"
seta image_lodbias "0"
seta image_anisotropy "16"
seta image_filter "GL_LINEAR_MIPMAP_LINEAR"
seta r_screenshot_format "jpg"
seta r_debugArrowStep "120"
seta r_debugLineWidth "1"
seta r_debugLineDepthTest "0"
seta r_cgFragmentProfile "best"
seta r_cgVertexProfile "best"
seta r_forceLoadImages "0"
seta r_shadows "1"
seta r_skipBump "0"
seta r_skipSpecular "0"
seta r_skipNewAmbient "0"
seta r_renderer "best"
seta r_brightness "1"
seta r_gamma "1"
seta r_swapInterval "1"
seta r_useIndexBuffers "1"
seta r_customHeight "1080"
seta r_customWidth "1920"
seta r_fullscreen "1"
seta r_mode "-1"
seta r_multiSamples "16"
seta gui_mediumFontLimit "0.30"
seta gui_smallFontLimit "0.15"
seta s_libOpenAL "openal32.dll"
seta s_numberOfSpeakers "2"
seta s_doorDistanceAdd "450"
seta s_globalFraction "0.8"
seta s_subFraction "0.75"
seta s_playDefaultSound "1"
seta s_volume_dB "-6.349206"
seta s_meterTopTime "2000"
seta s_reverse "0"
seta s_spatializationDecay "2"
seta s_maxSoundsPerShader "0"
seta sys_lang "danish"
seta sys_videoRam "0"
seta in_dgamouse "0"
seta in_mouse "1"
seta s_dsp "/dev/dsp"
seta s_driver "best"
seta s_alsa_lib "libasound.so.2"
seta s_alsa_pcm "sysdefault"
seta net_clientLagOMeter "1"
seta g_spectatorChat "0"
seta r_postprocess_bloomKernelSize "2"
seta r_postprocess_bloomIntensity "0"
seta r_postprocess "0"
seta net_serverDlTable ""
seta net_serverDlBaseURL ""
seta net_serverDownload "0"
seta mod_validSkins "skins/characters/player/marine_mp;skins/characters/player/marine_mp_green;skins/characters/player/marine_mp_blue;skins/characters/player/marine_mp_red;skins/characters/player/marine_mp_yellow"
seta g_mapCycle "mapcycle"
seta g_voteFlags "0"
seta g_gameReviewPause "10"
seta g_countDown "10"
seta g_password ""
seta g_testModelHeadJoint "Spine2"
seta g_testModelHead "atdm:ai_head_citywatch"
seta g_showBrass "1"
seta g_showProjectilePct "0"
seta g_showHud "1"
seta g_showPlayerShadow "0"
seta pm_walkspeed "70"
seta g_showcamerainfo "0"
seta g_damageScale "1"
seta g_decals "1"
seta g_doubleVision "1"
seta g_bloodEffects "1"
seta g_projectileLights "1"
seta g_muzzleFlash "1"
seta gui_CenterY "0.5"
seta gui_CenterX "0.5"
seta gui_Height "1.0"
seta gui_Width "1.0"
seta r_fovRatio "0"
seta r_aspectRatio "1"
seta ui_showGun "1"
seta ui_autoSwitch "1"
seta ui_team "Red"
seta ui_skin "skins/characters/player/marine_mp"
seta ui_name "Player"
seta si_serverURL ""
seta si_spectators "1"
seta si_usePass "0"
seta si_warmup "0"
seta si_teamDamage "0"
seta si_timeLimit "10"
seta si_fragLimit "10"
seta si_maxPlayers "4"
seta si_map "game/mp/d3dm1"
seta si_gameType "singleplayer"
seta si_name "DOOM Server"
seta tdm_lod_bias "3.0"
seta tdm_voice_from_off_volume "0"
seta tdm_voice_player_volume "0"
seta tdm_music_volume "-22.857143"
seta tdm_ambient_method "0"
seta tdm_door_auto_open_on_unlock "1"
seta tdm_bow_aimer "1"
seta tdm_lp_debug_hud "0"
seta tdm_lp_pawlow "0"
seta tdm_lp_randomize "1"
seta tdm_lp_auto_pick "0"
seta tdm_lp_autopick_attempts "3"
seta tdm_lp_pick_timeout "500"
seta tdm_lp_sample_delay "10"
seta tdm_lp_base_count "5"
seta tdm_empty_model "models/darkmod/misc/system/empty.lwo"
seta tdm_lg_split "0"
seta tdm_lg_model "models/darkmod/misc/system/lightgem.lwo"
seta tdm_lg_weak "0"
seta tdm_lg_interleave "1"
seta pm_rope_snd_rep_dist "32"
seta pm_min_stepsound_interval "200"
seta pm_stepvol_crouch_creep "-7"
seta pm_stepvol_crouch_run "4"
seta pm_stepvol_crouch_walk "-2"
seta pm_stepvol_creep "-5"
seta pm_stepvol_run "8"
seta pm_stepvol_walk "0"
seta tdm_underwater_blur "3"
seta tdm_rope_pull_force_factor "140"
seta tdm_inv_use_visual_feedback "1"
seta tdm_door_control "0"
seta tdm_inv_use_on_frob "1"
seta tdm_inv_loot_sound "frob_loot"
seta tdm_inv_hud_pickupmessages "1"
seta tdm_hud_hide_lightgem "0"
seta tdm_hud_opacity "0.7"
seta tdm_grabber_reverse_control "0"
seta tdm_bounce_sound_min_vel "80"
seta tdm_bounce_sound_max_vel "400"
seta tdm_throw_max_vel "900"
seta tdm_throw_time "1200"
seta tdm_throw_max "3500"
seta tdm_throw_min "600"
seta tdm_phys_show_momentum "0"
seta tdm_ai_hearing_hardcore "1.5"
seta tdm_ai_hearing_challenging "1.0"
seta tdm_ai_hearing_forgiving "0.6"
seta tdm_ai_hearing_nearly_deaf "0.2"
seta tdm_ai_hearing "2"
seta tdm_ai_vision_hardcore "1.5"
seta tdm_ai_vision_challenging "1.2"
seta tdm_ai_vision_forgiving "0.6"
seta tdm_ai_vision_nearly_blind "0.2"
seta tdm_ai_vision "1"
seta tdm_melee_difficulty "normal"
seta tdm_melee_max_particles "10"
seta tdm_melee_forbid_auto_parry "0"
seta tdm_melee_auto_parry "0"
seta tdm_melee_invert_parry "0"
seta tdm_melee_invert_attack "0"
seta tdm_melee_mouse_thresh_ "0"
seta tdm_dragged_item_highlight "1"
seta tdm_drag_encumber_max "0.4"
seta tdm_drag_encumber_maxmass "55"
seta tdm_drag_encumber_minmass "10"
seta tdm_drag_jump_masslimit "20"
seta tdm_drag_af_free "0"
seta tdm_drag_af_ground_timer "800"
seta tdm_drag_damping_af "0.4"
seta tdm_drag_damping "0.0"
seta tdm_drag_stuck_dist "38.0"
seta tdm_drag_force_max "100000"
seta tdm_drag_limit_force "1"
seta tdm_collision_damage_scale_horiz "0.5"
seta tdm_collision_damage_scale_vert "1"
seta tdm_frob_fadetime "100"
seta tdm_frob_width "10.0"
seta tdm_frob_distance_default "63"
seta pm_lean_toggle "0"
seta pm_lean_door_bounds_exp "8.0"
seta pm_lean_door_max "40"
seta pm_lean_door_increments "10"
seta pm_lean_to_valid_increments "25"
seta pm_lean_forward_stretch "15"
seta pm_lean_forward_height "0.4"
seta pm_lean_forward_time "400.0"
seta pm_lean_forward_angle "2"
seta pm_lean_stretch "2"
seta pm_lean_height "0.4"
seta pm_lean_time "400.0"
seta pm_lean_angle "15.0"
seta tdm_reattach_delay "100"
seta tdm_crouch_toggle_hold_time "400"
seta tdm_toggle_crouch "1"
seta tdm_footfall_sounds_movetype_specific "1"
seta pm_mantle_minflatness "0.707"
seta pm_mantle_height "0.2"
seta pm_mantle_reach "0.5"
seta pm_weightmod "1"
seta pm_push_max_mass "200"
seta pm_push_heavy_threshold "0.15"
seta pm_push_accel_time "1000"
seta pm_push_start_delay "1000"
seta pm_push_maximpulse "300"
seta pm_pushmod "0.15"
seta pm_max_swimspeed_mod "1.4"
seta pm_crouchmod "0.54"
seta pm_creepmod "0.44"
seta pm_runmod "2.12"
seta tdm_savegame_compress "1"
seta tdm_force_savegame_load "0"
seta tdm_mainmenu_confirmquit "0"
seta tdm_debug_aastype "aas32"
seta tdm_allow_http_access "1"
seta tdm_proxy_pass ""
seta tdm_proxy_user ""
seta tdm_proxy ""
seta tdm_fm_restart_delay "0"
seta tdm_default_relations_def "atdm:team_relations_default"
seta tdm_show_trainer_messages "1"
seta tdm_menu_music "0"
seta tdm_wideScreenMode "7"
seta tdm_interaction_vfp_type "1"
seta tdm_ai_show_aasfuncobstacle_state "0"
seta tdm_show_health "0"
seta tdm_ai_debug_greetings "0"
seta tdm_ai_debug_transition_barks "0"
seta tdm_ai_opt_update_enemypos_interleave "48"
seta tdm_ai_opt_interleavethinkframes "0"
seta tdm_ai_opt_interleavethinkskipPVS "0"
seta tdm_ai_opt_interleavethinkmaxdist "0"
seta tdm_ai_opt_interleavethinkmindist "0"
seta tdm_ai_visdist_show "0.0"
seta tdm_ai_search_show "0.0"
seta tdm_showko "0"
seta tdm_showsprop_radius "0"
seta tdm_showsprop "0"
seta tdm_spr_debug "0"
seta tdm_sndprop_disable "0"
seta tdm_ai_acuity_susp "1.2"
seta tdm_ai_acuity_L5 "1.5"
seta tdm_ai_acuity_L4 "1.3"
seta tdm_ai_acuity_L3 "1.1"
seta tdm_ai_show_conversationstate "0"
seta tdm_ai_show_enemy_visibility "0"
seta tdm_ai_sight_scale "1000.0"
seta tdm_ai_sight_thresh "1.0"
seta tdm_ai_showelevator "0"
seta tdm_ai_showdoor "0"
seta tdm_ai_debug_blocked "0"
seta tdm_ai_showAASarea "0"
seta tdm_ai_showgoalpos "0"
seta tdm_ai_showdest "0"
seta tdm_ai_showalert "0"
seta tdm_ai_showtasks "0"
seta tdm_ai_showanimstate "0"
seta tdm_ai_showko "0"
seta tdm_ai_showfov "0"
seta tdm_ai_debug "0"
seta tdm_ai_bumpobject_impulse "250"
seta tdm_ai_tact "20.0"
seta tdm_ai_sight_combat_cutoff "20.0"
seta tdm_ai_sightmin "15.0"
seta tdm_ai_sightmax "40.0"
seta tdm_ai_sight_mag "1.0"
seta tdm_ai_sight_prob "0.7"
seta tdm_ai_showname "0"
seta tdm_ai_showbark "0"
seta tdm_ai_sndvol "0.0"
seta tdm_player_wait_until_ready "1"

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Which object in tdm you want to improve the quality?

 

At the following site you get a list with graphic settings and descriptions, for the config file: http://www.tweakguides.com/Doom3_8.html

To improve (making more beautiful) graphics, follow the tdm performance tweaks Wiki page, but change some values to the oppossite.

And get a custom doom3.cfg from here: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/getting-back-into-doom-3-cfg-file-recommendation-for-modern-vga.198838/#post-3079478

But you need to know which setting exsists in tdm.

 

Its also possible to improve objects, besides changeing values in the config file.

For example, to improve the torches in missions, use darkradiant.

You can change: the model, textures, particles, lens flare, brightness, the distortion, etc.

Edited by freyk

Info: My portfolio and darkmod graphical installer
Amnesty for Bikerdude!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your reply, freyk.

 

Which object in tdm you want to improve the quality?

None specific - I'm not an expert, but I know what I think looks good. :wacko::D

 

The doom3 link is a pretty good start I think, because as you mention freyk, there is an official TDM performance wiki, and all one has to do in order to change settings for better quality, is to play around with opposite values...

 

Which I did, and got pretty tired of starting TDM up with a black screen. ;)

 

So I think that I will give it a go, and search for switches/values that will tell TDM not to hold anything back.

 

And maybe later I will try out Darkradiant.

 

Thanks. :smile:

Edited by Woodsie69
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Boy do I remember spending hours tweaking cvars in the Crysis console... Yeah it's fun but I dunno how much you can get out of the .cfg file alone, besides AA and AF. The current version of the mod doesn't have too many fancy features implemented like parallax, AO or soft shadows. For AO, I know it can be forced through nVidia Inspector and I've done it before, but never really bothered with doom3/TDM. Worth looking into that.

 

The way I see it, besides post-process stuff one can always mod in higher res textures and higher poly models if they had the technical know-how. A fan mission author can also lock additional detail behind the "Object Detail" option in the menu, so the higher you set it, the more detail you see. I don't think anyone's heavily done this in their missions, though, since it's probably too much work for little gain, if only a fraction of the players would get to see their work.

My FMs: The King of Diamonds (2016) | Visit my Mapbook thread sometimes! | Read my tutorial on Image-Based Lighting Workflows for TDM!

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your reply Spooks. :smile:

 

I'm not an expert in things like parallax, AO, but I do know what soft shadows is though.

 

I also bear in mind that the mod is based on a 2003 3d shooter, so any visual improvement, or visual and performance like improvement, is an advancement in it self, in my opinion at least.

 

(The above statement is not supposed to be meant as TDM is not good looking in any possible way, but my way of emphasizing the fact, that TDM keeps getting better looking and more interesting all the time, despite it is originally a 2003 shooter)

 

Another thing is also the fact that I'm running the mod on a Linux pc, and Darkradiant is available, but I don't think that nvidia-inspektor is though.

 

And the Linux version of the nvidia control panel is not exactly what you would call a masterpiece of programming, neither visually.

 

post-4417-0-43315800-1459075308_thumb.png post-4417-0-07435300-1459075316_thumb.png

 

But enough ranting about the nvidia control panel, Linux Mint is my choice of operating system, and I'm definitely sticking with it. :smile:

 

I have successfully changed some settings in the darkmod.cfg, that creates a rather big impact both quality and performance like on my system.

 

And when I've done enough testing with the current altered setting, I will post my findings.

Edited by Woodsie69
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So I've altered some settings in darkmod.cfg, including seta com_videoRam "2048".

 

Then in theory tdm should now think that my gfx has 2gb of videoram, right?

 

But when I start tdm up and pull down the console it says that I've only got 512mb of video ram.

It says: "15920 mb system memory" and "512 mb video memory" and the first time it also said something like "+set sys_videoRam" just afterwards the above memory entry. I don't understand the difference in video ram.

 

If I put in "sys_videoram 2048" in the console (or "com_videoram 2048", just after start up, then it apparently accepts it. Does one of these commands mean that tdm now is utilizing the 2048mb of video ram?

 

I have also tried to append "+set sys_videoram 2048" in the short cut on my desktop, but still the same data regarding videoram = 512mb, in the console at start up of tdm.

 

Please bear in mind that operating the console is not something that I'm used to do, so to speak. It's a bit trial and error, at noob level for me. In plain English, I don't know exactly what I'm doing.

Edited by Woodsie69
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've played around with "+set sys_videoram 2048", in the darkmod.cfg file, appending it to a short cut and running a cmd like this: "~/darkmod/thedarkmod.x86 +set sys_videoram 2048".

 

"~/" means the current logged in users home folder.

 

All with the same result when tdm starts up and console is pulled down: "512 mb video memory"

 

And when I alter the sys_videoram 512 to 2048 in darkmod.cfg and then launches tdm, it reverts my changes to 512.

 

So it looks like this switch doesn't work in Linux Mint either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Found a tdm-topic about video ram in linux: http://forums.thedarkmod.com/topic/11478-solved-videoram-size-always-to-64-mb-linux/

And there are many topics about this on the net: https://www.google.com/search?q=doom+3+set+video+ram

Edited by freyk

Info: My portfolio and darkmod graphical installer
Amnesty for Bikerdude!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello freyk. I do appreciate you're trying to help. :)

 

Regarding the first link you posted, I've all ready tried that:

 

I've played around with "+set sys_videoram 2048", in the darkmod.cfg file, appending it to a short cut and running a cmd like this: "~/darkmod/thedarkmod.x86 +set sys_videoram 2048".

 

"~/" means the current logged in users home folder.

 

 

But not very common to know the difference between Red-Hat based Linux like fedora in the posted link, and Debian based Linux Mint like I use. :smile:

 

"~/darkmod/thedarkmod.x86 +set sys_videoram" and "./tdmlauncher.linux +set sys_videoRam" are the same commands. :smile:

 

And the link posted is dated july 2010 when the dark mod needed doom3 to be installed, and doomconfig.cfg to be present.(was that the name of the cfg in doom3?).

 

Regarding the links to google, you all ready gave me the link to tweakguides in your first post, but alas like the above they (and other googled links) refer to doomconfig cfg, which is partly obsolete.

 

I have a hunch and I'm just fishing now, but some of the googled links refer to the fact that doom3 now utilizes 512mb of video ram,

 

and this has got me thinking, that maybe TDM can't use more than 512mb of video ram (at least not in Linux mode). :huh:

 

 

And when I alter the sys_videoram 512 to 2048 in darkmod.cfg and then launches tdm, it reverts my changes to 512.

 

In darkmod.cfg there are two switches regarding video ram; seta sys_videoRam and seta com_videoRam. What is the difference, and why does seta sys_videoRam

 

revert to 512 mb after tdm start up even though I've altered both the above switches to 2048 mb?

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My conclusion is as follows:

 

There are some guides available for tweaking Doom3, and though some settings are the same as in TDM I have not found any huge improvements apart from the video ram switch/entry.

 

The following are kindly copy/pasted from tweakguides - the link provided by "freyk":

 

image_usePrecompressedTextures [0,1] - When set to 1, all textures will be precompressed, resulting in less video memory being used and hence smoother performance on most machines. There may be some minor compression artifacts on textures, but these are hardly noticeable. If set to 0, this setting will force realtime compression on textures which results in reduced image quality and performance. Note that if this setting is set to 0 and the image_useCompression setting is also set to 0, uncompressed textures will be used for highest image quality, but performance will suffer and you will get more small pauses depending on the amount of Video RAM on your graphics card, so on balance this should be set to 1.

image_useNormalCompression [0,1,2] - Specifies the compression method used for textures. 0 disables normal map compression for the highest image quality for textures, 1 is 256 color compression (if available), which gives the best performance but provides the most compression artifacts, while 2 is rxgb compression. When combined with the setting above and below, setting this to 0 provides optimal image quality for minimal performance hit.

image_useCompression [0,1] - When set to 1, compression is used - with the method of compression specified in the image_useNormalCompression variable. Compression provides the fastest performance by reducing the size of all textures and light maps, but there are some (minor) compression artifacts. When set to 0, precompressed textures are still used, but realtime compression is not used if image_useNormalCompression and image_usePrecompressedTexures are activated. This results in better image quality, but slower performance particularly during periods when precompressed textures are not used.

com_machineSpec [-1,0,1,2,3] - Shows the currently detected machine specification level, with the choices being -1 - Not detected, 0 - Low quality, 1 - Medium quality, 2 - High quality, and 3 - Ultra quality.

com_videoRam [MB] - Shows the detected amount of video memory on your graphics card in MB. If this value is incorrect, set it to the correct value to improve performance.

 

 

I have tested the switches "seta image_useNormalCompression" and "seta image_useCompression" by turning them off, but if I also turned off the switch "seta image_usePrecompressedTextures" - the screen would go black when TDM starts. So I left this at default "1"

This first two may have made an improvement in performance, but not visually.

 

I changed "com_machineSpec " to "3" = Ultra quality , and again I'm not totally sure if it has made any improvement, but it didn't hurt either.

 

And off course "com_videoRam" which I set to "2048" , and this has definitely made a huge improvement - not visually but in performance.

(Please learn from my mistake and leave "sys_videoRam" at it's default value "0" = autodetect)

 

So the conclusion is that users are unlike to make any visually improvements through tweaking the darkmod.cfg but it is possible to alter some values in order to make a given system run better on either older or newer hardware.

And why not?! Because the development team at Broken Glass Studios has made such a good job with the GUI graphic settings (not only the graphic settings that is...)

 

I used the fan mission "Crucible of Omens:Behind closed doors" for most of the testing, because of the size of the map.

 

I hope that this can maybe help other users who seek the information I did. :smile:

 

Btw if anybody using either Linux Ubuntu 14.04 or Linux Mint 17.x are struggling with correct sound the following may be applied:

 

seta s_alsa_pcm "default" may be changed to seta s_alsa_pcm "plughw:0" in order to get TDM to use "alsa" sound.

Edited by Woodsie69
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If i would like to tdm-graphics more realistic (imho), i would change the following video settings in tdm.

(after i created a backup of darkmod.cfg)

 

Video > general:

Texture anisotropy = 16

 

Video > advanced:

ambient rendering = enhanced
Interaction shader = enhanced

Post processing = enabled

bloom intensity = highest

Object details (lod) = very high

 

Or In darkmod.cfg
seta r_postprocess "1"
seta r_postprocess_bloomIntensity "2"
seta image_anisotropy "16"

Tip: I created my settings by switching back/forth from settings to playerview, using a windowed screen and alt-tabbing,

 

After this i enabled the shadow of the player: seta g_showPlayerShadow "1"

 

You can ask the community to create a hq texturepack.

Edited by freyk

Info: My portfolio and darkmod graphical installer
Amnesty for Bikerdude!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recent Status Updates

    • nbohr1more

      TDM 15th Anniversary Contest is now active! Please declare your participation: https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/22413-the-dark-mod-15th-anniversary-contest-entry-thread/
       
      · 0 replies
    • JackFarmer

      @TheUnbeholden
      You cannot receive PMs. Could you please be so kind and check your mailbox if it is full (or maybe you switched off the function)?
      · 1 reply
    • OrbWeaver

      I like the new frob highlight but it would nice if it was less "flickery" while moving over objects (especially barred metal doors).
      · 4 replies
    • nbohr1more

      Please vote in the 15th Anniversary Contest Theme Poll
       
      · 0 replies
    • Ansome

      Well then, it's been about a week since I released my first FM and I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised by its reception. I had expected half as much interest in my short little FM as I received and even less when it came to positive feedback, but I am glad that the aspects of my mission that I put the most heart into were often the most appreciated. It was also delightful to read plenty of honest criticism and helpful feedback, as I've already been given plenty of useful pointers on improving my brushwork, level design, and gameplay difficulty.
      I've gotten back into the groove of chipping away at my reading and game list, as well as the endless FM catalogue here, but I may very well try my hand at the 15th anniversary contest should it materialize. That is assuming my eyes are ready for a few more months of Dark Radiant's bright interface while burning the midnight oil, of course!
      · 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...