Need advice on playing Mass Effect series in 3D Please help a latecomer
  1 / 2    
I realize I'm coming to the party extremely late, but I've finally been intrigued enough by the Mass Effect series to want to play it. I would like to start with the first one and then move on to the sequel if I end up liking it.

I've been on these forums long enough to know that they can be problematic playing in S3D.

Can anyone give me some consolidated information on what problems to expect and what the workarounds are?

I've searched "Mass Effect" but there are just too many threads and I couldn't locate any pertinent info.

Many thanks!
I realize I'm coming to the party extremely late, but I've finally been intrigued enough by the Mass Effect series to want to play it. I would like to start with the first one and then move on to the sequel if I end up liking it.



I've been on these forums long enough to know that they can be problematic playing in S3D.



Can anyone give me some consolidated information on what problems to expect and what the workarounds are?



I've searched "Mass Effect" but there are just too many threads and I couldn't locate any pertinent info.



Many thanks!

|CPU: i7-2700k @ 4.5Ghz
|Cooler: Zalman 9900 Max
|MB: MSI Military Class II Z68 GD-80
|RAM: Corsair Vengence 16GB DDR3
|SSDs: Seagate 600 240GB; Crucial M4 128GB
|HDDs: Seagate Barracuda 1TB; Seagate Barracuda 500GB
|PS: OCZ ZX Series 1250watt
|Case: Antec 1200 V3
|Monitors: Asus 3D VG278HE; Asus 3D VG236H; Samsung 3D 51" Plasma;
|GPU:MSI 1080GTX "Duke"
|OS: Windows 10 Pro X64

#1
Posted 03/11/2012 02:23 PM   
Use http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/me1.html for me1. Doesn't have too many problems in game I'd probably rate me1 as great. [url="http://social.bioware.com/forum/Mass-Effect/Mass-Effect-1-PC-amp-Xbox-360-Tech-Support/Making-the-most-of-your-ME1-PC-Experience-maximizing-graphics-and-sound-7389137-1.html"]click here[/url] to give your graphics/sound a much needed bump.
Me2 is a different story. It was probably poor or at best okay in 3d vision. I made a kind of ****ty fix for it. http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/mass-effect-2.html . If you can use tridef you might be better off. Since I just remove elements from game with my shader removal fix. If you cant use tridef. Better off with mine. If you can stack tridef and 3d vision. You can use the crosshair removal -> laser sight right click. Thats included on my me2 page. [url="http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/2060374/1"]click here[/url] to give your graphics/sound a much needed bump.
Use http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/me1.html for me1. Doesn't have too many problems in game I'd probably rate me1 as great. click here to give your graphics/sound a much needed bump.

Me2 is a different story. It was probably poor or at best okay in 3d vision. I made a kind of ****ty fix for it. http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/mass-effect-2.html . If you can use tridef you might be better off. Since I just remove elements from game with my shader removal fix. If you cant use tridef. Better off with mine. If you can stack tridef and 3d vision. You can use the crosshair removal -> laser sight right click. Thats included on my me2 page. click here to give your graphics/sound a much needed bump.

Co-founder of helixmod.blog.com

If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#2
Posted 03/11/2012 03:32 PM   
Man I can't thank you enough. I'm gonna buy ME1 on Steam right now then.

In regards to ME2, are you saying that it's not worth trying to play in 3D? Or is the quality enough to make it worth while? -- I can't play a game in 2D anymore though. It's just so ugly and my depth perception is all off. /wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

One more thing... I've been using 3D vision for a while now but as you mentioned, there are other drivers available like Tridef... I haven't messed with them as I haven't had a need until now. How do you use other software like Tridef or IZ3D in conjunction with 3D vision? Sorry, maybe I'm thinking it's more complicated than it is. I can find my way around a computer well enough and have edited a game config on more than one occasion, but I'm a total noob when it comes to stuff like this.
Man I can't thank you enough. I'm gonna buy ME1 on Steam right now then.



In regards to ME2, are you saying that it's not worth trying to play in 3D? Or is the quality enough to make it worth while? -- I can't play a game in 2D anymore though. It's just so ugly and my depth perception is all off. /wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />



One more thing... I've been using 3D vision for a while now but as you mentioned, there are other drivers available like Tridef... I haven't messed with them as I haven't had a need until now. How do you use other software like Tridef or IZ3D in conjunction with 3D vision? Sorry, maybe I'm thinking it's more complicated than it is. I can find my way around a computer well enough and have edited a game config on more than one occasion, but I'm a total noob when it comes to stuff like this.

|CPU: i7-2700k @ 4.5Ghz
|Cooler: Zalman 9900 Max
|MB: MSI Military Class II Z68 GD-80
|RAM: Corsair Vengence 16GB DDR3
|SSDs: Seagate 600 240GB; Crucial M4 128GB
|HDDs: Seagate Barracuda 1TB; Seagate Barracuda 500GB
|PS: OCZ ZX Series 1250watt
|Case: Antec 1200 V3
|Monitors: Asus 3D VG278HE; Asus 3D VG236H; Samsung 3D 51" Plasma;
|GPU:MSI 1080GTX "Duke"
|OS: Windows 10 Pro X64

#3
Posted 03/11/2012 04:13 PM   
Depends on your display. For "stacking" I havent stacked 3d vision + iz3d and have no idea how/if it works. Basically if you use a 120hz monitor with tridef set it to 120hz display and u can activate 3d vision and tridef at same time with hotkeys. If your gonna try it out WAIT till your ready to play me2 to install. Should be able to beat it in the time alotment of tridef trial.

ME2 I'd rather use my gimmicky fix then go 2d. I even rather play it with 3d vision then 2d to be honest.
However ur comp is fast enough where u can stack tridef and 3d vision. Just grab my crosshair removal->laser fix. Its probably near either good or great (i said great for me1 but i should of said excellent)
Depends on your display. For "stacking" I havent stacked 3d vision + iz3d and have no idea how/if it works. Basically if you use a 120hz monitor with tridef set it to 120hz display and u can activate 3d vision and tridef at same time with hotkeys. If your gonna try it out WAIT till your ready to play me2 to install. Should be able to beat it in the time alotment of tridef trial.



ME2 I'd rather use my gimmicky fix then go 2d. I even rather play it with 3d vision then 2d to be honest.

However ur comp is fast enough where u can stack tridef and 3d vision. Just grab my crosshair removal->laser fix. Its probably near either good or great (i said great for me1 but i should of said excellent)

Co-founder of helixmod.blog.com

If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#4
Posted 03/11/2012 04:36 PM   
There is an older pre-helix fix for ME2. I will try and do a search for it in a minute. It got rid of the problematic lense flare and enabled you to crank up convergence. To get rid of the shadow doubling in the fog you entered floatingpointrender=0 or something in the config.

Although this sorted the fog ghost doubling thing it made the wall textures seem grainy. People and objects were fine.

I think I am quite fussy when it comes to 3D but I found ME2 very playable with this setup. Imagine Deus Ex;HR with depth and less frequent anomolies.
There is an older pre-helix fix for ME2. I will try and do a search for it in a minute. It got rid of the problematic lense flare and enabled you to crank up convergence. To get rid of the shadow doubling in the fog you entered floatingpointrender=0 or something in the config.



Although this sorted the fog ghost doubling thing it made the wall textures seem grainy. People and objects were fine.



I think I am quite fussy when it comes to 3D but I found ME2 very playable with this setup. Imagine Deus Ex;HR with depth and less frequent anomolies.

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
-------------------
Vitals: Windows 7 64bit, i5 2500 @ 4.4ghz, SLI GTX670, 8GB, Viewsonic VX2268WM

Handy Driver Discussion
Helix Mod - community fixes
Bo3b's Shaderhacker School - How to fix 3D in games
3dsolutionsgaming.com - videos, reviews and 3D fixes

#5
Posted 03/11/2012 05:56 PM   
@andysonofbob
Reduce occulence(two occurences) .00 to remove flares but removing fog/flares is done in that removal fix.
I dont recommend the floatingpoint thing though. Had nasty effects.
@andysonofbob

Reduce occulence(two occurences) .00 to remove flares but removing fog/flares is done in that removal fix.

I dont recommend the floatingpoint thing though. Had nasty effects.

Co-founder of helixmod.blog.com

If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#6
Posted 03/11/2012 06:23 PM   
Going with ME1 is a good plan IMO, great game, good story. I'd also try the Tridef trial if it works on your setup and you have trouble with the Helix fixes. If you end up using Tridef, consider making an easy to get to shortcut to "auto focus", like on the mouse to fix cutscenes if they're a problem for you.
Going with ME1 is a good plan IMO, great game, good story. I'd also try the Tridef trial if it works on your setup and you have trouble with the Helix fixes. If you end up using Tridef, consider making an easy to get to shortcut to "auto focus", like on the mouse to fix cutscenes if they're a problem for you.

46" Samsung ES7500 3DTV (checkerboard, high FOV as desktop monitor, highly recommend!) - Metro 2033 3D PNG screens - Metro LL filter realism mod - Flugan's Deus Ex:HR Depth changers - Nvidia tech support online form - Nvidia support: 1-800-797-6530

#7
Posted 03/11/2012 08:00 PM   
Thanks again for the info. In regards to using Tridef, I doubt I could beat ME2 within the 14 day trial period, as I only have time for around 3-5 gaming hours per week. Playing all three of these games could very well take me the rest of the year! If I need to buy Tridef to get the best experience with ME2 I can, that's not a problem. ME2 is only $20 on steam now and Tridef is another $50, but I'd be willing to pay that for a great experience. But just so I understand correctly, what is the general consensus? That I try Helix's fix for ME2 first? Or is there a better fix that predates Helix's? Or IF I can stack Tridef on top of 3D Vision, will that result in a good 3D experience on it's own without other fixes?
... Sorry for my confusion, it sounds like I got several good answers each with different information so I got a little lost.
Thanks again for the info. In regards to using Tridef, I doubt I could beat ME2 within the 14 day trial period, as I only have time for around 3-5 gaming hours per week. Playing all three of these games could very well take me the rest of the year! If I need to buy Tridef to get the best experience with ME2 I can, that's not a problem. ME2 is only $20 on steam now and Tridef is another $50, but I'd be willing to pay that for a great experience. But just so I understand correctly, what is the general consensus? That I try Helix's fix for ME2 first? Or is there a better fix that predates Helix's? Or IF I can stack Tridef on top of 3D Vision, will that result in a good 3D experience on it's own without other fixes?

... Sorry for my confusion, it sounds like I got several good answers each with different information so I got a little lost.

|CPU: i7-2700k @ 4.5Ghz
|Cooler: Zalman 9900 Max
|MB: MSI Military Class II Z68 GD-80
|RAM: Corsair Vengence 16GB DDR3
|SSDs: Seagate 600 240GB; Crucial M4 128GB
|HDDs: Seagate Barracuda 1TB; Seagate Barracuda 500GB
|PS: OCZ ZX Series 1250watt
|Case: Antec 1200 V3
|Monitors: Asus 3D VG278HE; Asus 3D VG236H; Samsung 3D 51" Plasma;
|GPU:MSI 1080GTX "Duke"
|OS: Windows 10 Pro X64

#8
Posted 03/11/2012 08:57 PM   
Their is no helix fix for me2. I did a lame fix using helix's debug program.
Play me1 without tridef using mana84's fix(using helix's method) http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/me1.html. Play tridef demo period mass effect 2 with the crosshair fix included on my mass effect 2 page. When time runs out use my lame fix for me2 http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/mass-effect-2.html. If its good enough just keep using it or decide if you want to buy tridef. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

Long story short:
Mana84's me1 helix fix is better then tridef.
My mass effect is not better then tridef. Just use crosshair fix on my me2 page (stack nvidia+tridef).
Decide when trial is over what you want to do.

I played through each game at least 6-7 times. I know what I am talking about :P
Their is no helix fix for me2. I did a lame fix using helix's debug program.

Play me1 without tridef using mana84's fix(using helix's method) http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/me1.html. Play tridef demo period mass effect 2 with the crosshair fix included on my mass effect 2 page. When time runs out use my lame fix for me2 http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/mass-effect-2.html. If its good enough just keep using it or decide if you want to buy tridef. Cross that bridge when you get to it.



Long story short:

Mana84's me1 helix fix is better then tridef.

My mass effect is not better then tridef. Just use crosshair fix on my me2 page (stack nvidia+tridef).

Decide when trial is over what you want to do.



I played through each game at least 6-7 times. I know what I am talking about :P

Co-founder of helixmod.blog.com

If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#9
Posted 03/11/2012 09:53 PM   
mispost
mispost

46" Samsung ES7500 3DTV (checkerboard, high FOV as desktop monitor, highly recommend!) - Metro 2033 3D PNG screens - Metro LL filter realism mod - Flugan's Deus Ex:HR Depth changers - Nvidia tech support online form - Nvidia support: 1-800-797-6530

#10
Posted 03/11/2012 10:29 PM   
[quote name='eqzitara' date='11 March 2012 - 03:53 PM' timestamp='1331502816' post='1381455']
Their is no helix fix for me2. I did a lame fix using helix's debug program.
Play me1 without tridef using mana84's fix(using helix's method) http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/me1.html. Play tridef demo period mass effect 2 with the crosshair fix included on my mass effect 2 page. When time runs out use my lame fix for me2 http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/mass-effect-2.html. If its good enough just keep using it or decide if you want to buy tridef. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

Long story short:
Mana84's me1 helix fix is better then tridef.
My mass effect is not better then tridef. Just use crosshair fix on my me2 page (stack nvidia+tridef).
Decide when trial is over what you want to do.

I played through each game at least 6-7 times. I know what I am talking about :P
[/quote]

Alright. That's what I needed! Thanks for your help.

Another 1.5 hrs on the download for ME1. ARRRGGH I'm tired of waiting!
[quote name='eqzitara' date='11 March 2012 - 03:53 PM' timestamp='1331502816' post='1381455']

Their is no helix fix for me2. I did a lame fix using helix's debug program.

Play me1 without tridef using mana84's fix(using helix's method) http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/me1.html. Play tridef demo period mass effect 2 with the crosshair fix included on my mass effect 2 page. When time runs out use my lame fix for me2 http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/02/mass-effect-2.html. If its good enough just keep using it or decide if you want to buy tridef. Cross that bridge when you get to it.



Long story short:

Mana84's me1 helix fix is better then tridef.

My mass effect is not better then tridef. Just use crosshair fix on my me2 page (stack nvidia+tridef).

Decide when trial is over what you want to do.



I played through each game at least 6-7 times. I know what I am talking about :P





Alright. That's what I needed! Thanks for your help.



Another 1.5 hrs on the download for ME1. ARRRGGH I'm tired of waiting!

|CPU: i7-2700k @ 4.5Ghz
|Cooler: Zalman 9900 Max
|MB: MSI Military Class II Z68 GD-80
|RAM: Corsair Vengence 16GB DDR3
|SSDs: Seagate 600 240GB; Crucial M4 128GB
|HDDs: Seagate Barracuda 1TB; Seagate Barracuda 500GB
|PS: OCZ ZX Series 1250watt
|Case: Antec 1200 V3
|Monitors: Asus 3D VG278HE; Asus 3D VG236H; Samsung 3D 51" Plasma;
|GPU:MSI 1080GTX "Duke"
|OS: Windows 10 Pro X64

#11
Posted 03/12/2012 02:50 AM   
Okay, so got a chance to start up ME1 last night. I can already tell I'm going to like this game. I'm having a problem with the Shader Override folder though. -- Where does it go? I've tried putting it in the "Engine" folder, then the "Main" folder (where the .exe is), and finally I now have it in the "Shader" folder, but so far I've yet to see any difference in-game.

I apologize if I missed it somewhere but I couldn't find any directions on where to extract the thing. -- Aiming was more than a little tough with 3 crosshairs (counting the Nvidia one)!

One more thing,... does the shader override fix the issues with Dynamic Shadows? I have them disabled now, but it would be really nice if they worked.
Okay, so got a chance to start up ME1 last night. I can already tell I'm going to like this game. I'm having a problem with the Shader Override folder though. -- Where does it go? I've tried putting it in the "Engine" folder, then the "Main" folder (where the .exe is), and finally I now have it in the "Shader" folder, but so far I've yet to see any difference in-game.



I apologize if I missed it somewhere but I couldn't find any directions on where to extract the thing. -- Aiming was more than a little tough with 3 crosshairs (counting the Nvidia one)!



One more thing,... does the shader override fix the issues with Dynamic Shadows? I have them disabled now, but it would be really nice if they worked.

|CPU: i7-2700k @ 4.5Ghz
|Cooler: Zalman 9900 Max
|MB: MSI Military Class II Z68 GD-80
|RAM: Corsair Vengence 16GB DDR3
|SSDs: Seagate 600 240GB; Crucial M4 128GB
|HDDs: Seagate Barracuda 1TB; Seagate Barracuda 500GB
|PS: OCZ ZX Series 1250watt
|Case: Antec 1200 V3
|Monitors: Asus 3D VG278HE; Asus 3D VG236H; Samsung 3D 51" Plasma;
|GPU:MSI 1080GTX "Duke"
|OS: Windows 10 Pro X64

#12
Posted 03/13/2012 12:31 PM   
Hi

Don't know if you have done this or not. You also need to download the dxd9.dll (or something similar) file. It is found on the Helix link in my sig. This also needs to go in the folder with the game's exe and the shader folder you mentioned.

Hope that helped.

edit
See the "How to install" tab on the link
Hi



Don't know if you have done this or not. You also need to download the dxd9.dll (or something similar) file. It is found on the Helix link in my sig. This also needs to go in the folder with the game's exe and the shader folder you mentioned.



Hope that helped.



edit

See the "How to install" tab on the link

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
-------------------
Vitals: Windows 7 64bit, i5 2500 @ 4.4ghz, SLI GTX670, 8GB, Viewsonic VX2268WM

Handy Driver Discussion
Helix Mod - community fixes
Bo3b's Shaderhacker School - How to fix 3D in games
3dsolutionsgaming.com - videos, reviews and 3D fixes

#13
Posted 03/13/2012 01:17 PM   
Make sure its the main .exe and not the one that shortcuts. many games its binaries folder or win32
Make sure its the main .exe and not the one that shortcuts. many games its binaries folder or win32

Co-founder of helixmod.blog.com

If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#14
Posted 03/13/2012 03:04 PM   
[quote name='andysonofbob' date='13 March 2012 - 07:17 AM' timestamp='1331644641' post='1382110']
Hi

Don't know if you have done this or not. You also need to download the dxd9.dll (or something similar) file. It is found on the Helix link in my sig. This also needs to go in the folder with the game's exe and the shader folder you mentioned.

Hope that helped.

edit
See the "How to install" tab on the link
[/quote]

Well, I had downloaded the correct files, but missed the "Installation" link. Thanks! I ended up putting them in the wrong spot though, and eqzitara addressed that very thing:


[quote name='eqzitara' date='13 March 2012 - 09:04 AM' timestamp='1331651081' post='1382167']
Make sure its the main .exe and not the one that shortcuts. many games its binaries folder or win32
[/quote]

Yeah, that's exactly what I was doing wrong :facepalm:
I was putting them in the "main" folder, which just has shortcuts, instead of the "binaries" folder. I moved them over and now it's working perfectly.

Thanks a million fellas!
[quote name='andysonofbob' date='13 March 2012 - 07:17 AM' timestamp='1331644641' post='1382110']

Hi



Don't know if you have done this or not. You also need to download the dxd9.dll (or something similar) file. It is found on the Helix link in my sig. This also needs to go in the folder with the game's exe and the shader folder you mentioned.



Hope that helped.



edit

See the "How to install" tab on the link





Well, I had downloaded the correct files, but missed the "Installation" link. Thanks! I ended up putting them in the wrong spot though, and eqzitara addressed that very thing:





[quote name='eqzitara' date='13 March 2012 - 09:04 AM' timestamp='1331651081' post='1382167']

Make sure its the main .exe and not the one that shortcuts. many games its binaries folder or win32





Yeah, that's exactly what I was doing wrong :facepalm:

I was putting them in the "main" folder, which just has shortcuts, instead of the "binaries" folder. I moved them over and now it's working perfectly.



Thanks a million fellas!

|CPU: i7-2700k @ 4.5Ghz
|Cooler: Zalman 9900 Max
|MB: MSI Military Class II Z68 GD-80
|RAM: Corsair Vengence 16GB DDR3
|SSDs: Seagate 600 240GB; Crucial M4 128GB
|HDDs: Seagate Barracuda 1TB; Seagate Barracuda 500GB
|PS: OCZ ZX Series 1250watt
|Case: Antec 1200 V3
|Monitors: Asus 3D VG278HE; Asus 3D VG236H; Samsung 3D 51" Plasma;
|GPU:MSI 1080GTX "Duke"
|OS: Windows 10 Pro X64

#15
Posted 03/14/2012 12:27 AM   
  1 / 2    
Scroll To Top