Skyrim HDR/SLI/AO What's working and what isn't...
2 / 2
I just did a quick test, here's a quick and easy methodology for those of you guys who want to check some more:
[list=1]
[*]Turn off 3D Vision, go into the NVCP and enable Ambient Occlusion.
[*]Load Skyrim and find a spot that has a lot of objects that aren't casting direct shadows.
[*]Wait and set the time for daytime, noonish is good. Then save the game.
[*]Take a screenshot as your "Ambient Occlusion On" control.
[*]Exit the game, then turn Ambient Occlusion off in the control panel.
[*]Load up the save game, it will have the last camera position saved as well, take a screenshot. This is your "Ambient Occlusion Off" control.
[*]Turn on 3D Vision (using shortcuts or NVCP).
[*]Load up the save game, and use F10 (this will save 2D image of the screenshot). Also verify by hitting Ctrl-T to match what you are seeing in 3D.
[/list]
From my own results, I can conclude Ambient Occlusion is disabled in 3D, probably via driver ignoring the AO flag in stereo 3D. Also affirms why I disable AO first and foremost if I'm not getting 60FPS as its really the most overrated, performance expensive graphical option there is available to us today.
To compare, it may be easier to copy the URLs in a different browser tab to switch between them quickly, very easy to see the difference with AO on and off to verify its working (at least in 2D).
[b]AO On 2D[/b] http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1prPOibG8b4qI_61HlznIUJnsZFgEv8CUAYInm8xTqaSgL_wuOAgOhISyANFXsDETKwaCMNCnMEElhu06BhoRzvQ/TESV%20AO%20On.jpg
[img]http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1prPOibG8b4qI_61HlznIUJnsZFgEv8CUAYInm8xTqaSgL_wuOAgOhISyANFXsDETKwaCMNCnMEElhu06BhoRzvQ/TESV%20AO%20On.jpg[/img]
[b]AO Off 2D[/b] http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p45RGhnkO24jIfN1EC3lSC2gbz-ZNmKoxuXmKw-WmeR65hFdOe5Eedf7vvVcz_8Gaz1ewmq4m_tNXbGkIVHb-lQ/TESV%20AO%20Off.jpg
[img]http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p45RGhnkO24jIfN1EC3lSC2gbz-ZNmKoxuXmKw-WmeR65hFdOe5Eedf7vvVcz_8Gaz1ewmq4m_tNXbGkIVHb-lQ/TESV%20AO%20Off.jpg[/img]
[b]AO On 3D[/b] http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1psipZN6WDMp4KuguczzZSMKBcmnaoTbecYznGh9fYmpxR-q6JJfVLTY8G7nfTDmfzZXjDwxtkhlBC7XAEkf8AaA/TESV%20AO%20On%203D.jpg
[img]http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1psipZN6WDMp4KuguczzZSMKBcmnaoTbecYznGh9fYmpxR-q6JJfVLTY8G7nfTDmfzZXjDwxtkhlBC7XAEkf8AaA/TESV%20AO%20On%203D.jpg[/img]
I just did a quick test, here's a quick and easy methodology for those of you guys who want to check some more:
[list=1]
Turn off 3D Vision, go into the NVCP and enable Ambient Occlusion.
Load Skyrim and find a spot that has a lot of objects that aren't casting direct shadows.
Wait and set the time for daytime, noonish is good. Then save the game.
Take a screenshot as your "Ambient Occlusion On" control.
Exit the game, then turn Ambient Occlusion off in the control panel.
Load up the save game, it will have the last camera position saved as well, take a screenshot. This is your "Ambient Occlusion Off" control.
Turn on 3D Vision (using shortcuts or NVCP).
Load up the save game, and use F10 (this will save 2D image of the screenshot). Also verify by hitting Ctrl-T to match what you are seeing in 3D.
[/list]
From my own results, I can conclude Ambient Occlusion is disabled in 3D, probably via driver ignoring the AO flag in stereo 3D. Also affirms why I disable AO first and foremost if I'm not getting 60FPS as its really the most overrated, performance expensive graphical option there is available to us today.
To compare, it may be easier to copy the URLs in a different browser tab to switch between them quickly, very easy to see the difference with AO on and off to verify its working (at least in 2D).
AO On 2D http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1prPOibG8b4qI_61HlznIUJnsZFgEv8CUAYInm8xTqaSgL_wuOAgOhISyANFXsDETKwaCMNCnMEElhu06BhoRzvQ/TESV%20AO%20On.jpg
AO Off 2D http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p45RGhnkO24jIfN1EC3lSC2gbz-ZNmKoxuXmKw-WmeR65hFdOe5Eedf7vvVcz_8Gaz1ewmq4m_tNXbGkIVHb-lQ/TESV%20AO%20Off.jpg
AO On 3D http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1psipZN6WDMp4KuguczzZSMKBcmnaoTbecYznGh9fYmpxR-q6JJfVLTY8G7nfTDmfzZXjDwxtkhlBC7XAEkf8AaA/TESV%20AO%20On%203D.jpg
The "gain" when using AO is extremely dependent on the scene. In your example, you don't see much difference, agreed. But I've seen screenshot, especially of Skyrim, where you can see that AO makes a huge difference.
Still, everyone has to decide if it's worth it in the end. If I'm playing I hardly have the time to notice these things, but that goes for almost all those graphical improvements based on shaders (like all the FXAA injectors available as on Skyrim Nexus).
The "gain" when using AO is extremely dependent on the scene. In your example, you don't see much difference, agreed. But I've seen screenshot, especially of Skyrim, where you can see that AO makes a huge difference.
Still, everyone has to decide if it's worth it in the end. If I'm playing I hardly have the time to notice these things, but that goes for almost all those graphical improvements based on shaders (like all the FXAA injectors available as on Skyrim Nexus).
It would be nice if AO would work in 3D though - might have to see if Nvidia can solve this with a driver update. As stated before, if you are playing in 3D you may as well disable AO for this game since whatever processing power is being used for it is being wasted.
Here is another set of examples of SSAO working in 2D but not in 3D. Notice the shadows that are inside the clumps of grass when SSAO is really working.
It would be nice if AO would work in 3D though - might have to see if Nvidia can solve this with a driver update. As stated before, if you are playing in 3D you may as well disable AO for this game since whatever processing power is being used for it is being wasted.
Here is another set of examples of SSAO working in 2D but not in 3D. Notice the shadows that are inside the clumps of grass when SSAO is really working.
[quote name='Grestorn' date='29 December 2011 - 05:04 AM' timestamp='1325153087' post='1348576']
The "gain" when using AO is extremely dependent on the scene. In your example, you don't see much difference, agreed. But I've seen screenshot, especially of Skyrim, where you can see that AO makes a huge difference.
Still, everyone has to decide if it's worth it in the end. If I'm playing I hardly have the time to notice these things, but that goes for almost all those graphical improvements based on shaders (like all the FXAA injectors available as on Skyrim Nexus).
[/quote]
Yeah I've seen some of the comparison screenshots but still don't find the difference very compelling. GeForce.com had a really nice gallery with that nifty little image slider embedded that makes comparison really easy, if you go about 1/4th down the page and click on the individual images:
Direct link to an outdoor scene:
http://international.download.nvidia.com/geforce-com/international/comparisons/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-tweak-guide/Skyrim-Tweak-Guide-AO-Comparison.html
I agree everyone should decide whether its worth it or not for them, but for me personally, it has to be the most overrated feature introduced in the last 3-4 years with the least amount of benefit while carrying one of the most expensive performance penalties. Personally I would rather use that performance budget on more AA or higher base quality shadow map resolutions. Honestly, AO reminds me of the last 30 seconds of Bob Ross' show where he used to goof around with his fingers and charcoal stick giving his happy little trees those AO silhouettes. More often than not he ruined the painting that way, imo. :(
[quote name='Grestorn' date='29 December 2011 - 05:04 AM' timestamp='1325153087' post='1348576']
The "gain" when using AO is extremely dependent on the scene. In your example, you don't see much difference, agreed. But I've seen screenshot, especially of Skyrim, where you can see that AO makes a huge difference.
Still, everyone has to decide if it's worth it in the end. If I'm playing I hardly have the time to notice these things, but that goes for almost all those graphical improvements based on shaders (like all the FXAA injectors available as on Skyrim Nexus).
Yeah I've seen some of the comparison screenshots but still don't find the difference very compelling. GeForce.com had a really nice gallery with that nifty little image slider embedded that makes comparison really easy, if you go about 1/4th down the page and click on the individual images:
I agree everyone should decide whether its worth it or not for them, but for me personally, it has to be the most overrated feature introduced in the last 3-4 years with the least amount of benefit while carrying one of the most expensive performance penalties. Personally I would rather use that performance budget on more AA or higher base quality shadow map resolutions. Honestly, AO reminds me of the last 30 seconds of Bob Ross' show where he used to goof around with his fingers and charcoal stick giving his happy little trees those AO silhouettes. More often than not he ruined the painting that way, imo. :(
[list=1]
[*]Turn off 3D Vision, go into the NVCP and enable Ambient Occlusion.
[*]Load Skyrim and find a spot that has a lot of objects that aren't casting direct shadows.
[*]Wait and set the time for daytime, noonish is good. Then save the game.
[*]Take a screenshot as your "Ambient Occlusion On" control.
[*]Exit the game, then turn Ambient Occlusion off in the control panel.
[*]Load up the save game, it will have the last camera position saved as well, take a screenshot. This is your "Ambient Occlusion Off" control.
[*]Turn on 3D Vision (using shortcuts or NVCP).
[*]Load up the save game, and use F10 (this will save 2D image of the screenshot). Also verify by hitting Ctrl-T to match what you are seeing in 3D.
[/list]
From my own results, I can conclude Ambient Occlusion is disabled in 3D, probably via driver ignoring the AO flag in stereo 3D. Also affirms why I disable AO first and foremost if I'm not getting 60FPS as its really the most overrated, performance expensive graphical option there is available to us today.
To compare, it may be easier to copy the URLs in a different browser tab to switch between them quickly, very easy to see the difference with AO on and off to verify its working (at least in 2D).
[b]AO On 2D[/b] http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1prPOibG8b4qI_61HlznIUJnsZFgEv8CUAYInm8xTqaSgL_wuOAgOhISyANFXsDETKwaCMNCnMEElhu06BhoRzvQ/TESV%20AO%20On.jpg
[img]http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1prPOibG8b4qI_61HlznIUJnsZFgEv8CUAYInm8xTqaSgL_wuOAgOhISyANFXsDETKwaCMNCnMEElhu06BhoRzvQ/TESV%20AO%20On.jpg[/img]
[b]AO Off 2D[/b] http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p45RGhnkO24jIfN1EC3lSC2gbz-ZNmKoxuXmKw-WmeR65hFdOe5Eedf7vvVcz_8Gaz1ewmq4m_tNXbGkIVHb-lQ/TESV%20AO%20Off.jpg
[img]http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p45RGhnkO24jIfN1EC3lSC2gbz-ZNmKoxuXmKw-WmeR65hFdOe5Eedf7vvVcz_8Gaz1ewmq4m_tNXbGkIVHb-lQ/TESV%20AO%20Off.jpg[/img]
[b]AO On 3D[/b] http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1psipZN6WDMp4KuguczzZSMKBcmnaoTbecYznGh9fYmpxR-q6JJfVLTY8G7nfTDmfzZXjDwxtkhlBC7XAEkf8AaA/TESV%20AO%20On%203D.jpg
[img]http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1psipZN6WDMp4KuguczzZSMKBcmnaoTbecYznGh9fYmpxR-q6JJfVLTY8G7nfTDmfzZXjDwxtkhlBC7XAEkf8AaA/TESV%20AO%20On%203D.jpg[/img]
[list=1]
From my own results, I can conclude Ambient Occlusion is disabled in 3D, probably via driver ignoring the AO flag in stereo 3D. Also affirms why I disable AO first and foremost if I'm not getting 60FPS as its really the most overrated, performance expensive graphical option there is available to us today.
To compare, it may be easier to copy the URLs in a different browser tab to switch between them quickly, very easy to see the difference with AO on and off to verify its working (at least in 2D).
AO On 2D http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1prPOibG8b4qI_61HlznIUJnsZFgEv8CUAYInm8xTqaSgL_wuOAgOhISyANFXsDETKwaCMNCnMEElhu06BhoRzvQ/TESV%20AO%20On.jpg
AO Off 2D http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p45RGhnkO24jIfN1EC3lSC2gbz-ZNmKoxuXmKw-WmeR65hFdOe5Eedf7vvVcz_8Gaz1ewmq4m_tNXbGkIVHb-lQ/TESV%20AO%20Off.jpg
AO On 3D http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1psipZN6WDMp4KuguczzZSMKBcmnaoTbecYznGh9fYmpxR-q6JJfVLTY8G7nfTDmfzZXjDwxtkhlBC7XAEkf8AaA/TESV%20AO%20On%203D.jpg
-=HeliX=- Mod 3DV Game Fixes
My 3D Vision Games List Ratings
Intel Core i7 5930K @4.5GHz | Gigabyte X99 Gaming 5 | Win10 x64 Pro | Corsair H105
Nvidia GeForce Titan X SLI Hybrid | ROG Swift PG278Q 144Hz + 3D Vision/G-Sync | 32GB Adata DDR4 2666
Intel Samsung 950Pro SSD | Samsung EVO 4x1 RAID 0 |
Yamaha VX-677 A/V Receiver | Polk Audio RM6880 7.1 | LG Blu-Ray
Auzen X-Fi HT HD | Logitech G710/G502/G27 | Corsair Air 540 | EVGA P2-1200W
Still, everyone has to decide if it's worth it in the end. If I'm playing I hardly have the time to notice these things, but that goes for almost all those graphical improvements based on shaders (like all the FXAA injectors available as on Skyrim Nexus).
Still, everyone has to decide if it's worth it in the end. If I'm playing I hardly have the time to notice these things, but that goes for almost all those graphical improvements based on shaders (like all the FXAA injectors available as on Skyrim Nexus).
It would be nice if AO would work in 3D though - might have to see if Nvidia can solve this with a driver update. As stated before, if you are playing in 3D you may as well disable AO for this game since whatever processing power is being used for it is being wasted.
Here is another set of examples of SSAO working in 2D but not in 3D. Notice the shadows that are inside the clumps of grass when SSAO is really working.
SSAO On, 2D - 3D disabled in control panel:
[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/861/tesv2011122907293525.jpg/][IMG]http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/194/tesv2011122907293525.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
SSAO On, 3D toggled on:
[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/tesv2011122907275901.jpg/][IMG]http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/625/tesv2011122907275901.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
SSAO On, 3D toggled off with hotkey:
[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/tesv2011122907281087.jpg/][IMG]http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5407/tesv2011122907281087.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
It would be nice if AO would work in 3D though - might have to see if Nvidia can solve this with a driver update. As stated before, if you are playing in 3D you may as well disable AO for this game since whatever processing power is being used for it is being wasted.
Here is another set of examples of SSAO working in 2D but not in 3D. Notice the shadows that are inside the clumps of grass when SSAO is really working.
SSAO On, 2D - 3D disabled in control panel:
SSAO On, 3D toggled on:
SSAO On, 3D toggled off with hotkey:
The "gain" when using AO is extremely dependent on the scene. In your example, you don't see much difference, agreed. But I've seen screenshot, especially of Skyrim, where you can see that AO makes a huge difference.
Still, everyone has to decide if it's worth it in the end. If I'm playing I hardly have the time to notice these things, but that goes for almost all those graphical improvements based on shaders (like all the FXAA injectors available as on Skyrim Nexus).
[/quote]
Yeah I've seen some of the comparison screenshots but still don't find the difference very compelling. GeForce.com had a really nice gallery with that nifty little image slider embedded that makes comparison really easy, if you go about 1/4th down the page and click on the individual images:
http://www.geforce.com/Optimize/Guides/five-fast-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-tweaks-guaranteed-to-make-your-game-look-even-better
Direct link to an outdoor scene:
http://international.download.nvidia.com/geforce-com/international/comparisons/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-tweak-guide/Skyrim-Tweak-Guide-AO-Comparison.html
I agree everyone should decide whether its worth it or not for them, but for me personally, it has to be the most overrated feature introduced in the last 3-4 years with the least amount of benefit while carrying one of the most expensive performance penalties. Personally I would rather use that performance budget on more AA or higher base quality shadow map resolutions. Honestly, AO reminds me of the last 30 seconds of Bob Ross' show where he used to goof around with his fingers and charcoal stick giving his happy little trees those AO silhouettes. More often than not he ruined the painting that way, imo. :(
The "gain" when using AO is extremely dependent on the scene. In your example, you don't see much difference, agreed. But I've seen screenshot, especially of Skyrim, where you can see that AO makes a huge difference.
Still, everyone has to decide if it's worth it in the end. If I'm playing I hardly have the time to notice these things, but that goes for almost all those graphical improvements based on shaders (like all the FXAA injectors available as on Skyrim Nexus).
Yeah I've seen some of the comparison screenshots but still don't find the difference very compelling. GeForce.com had a really nice gallery with that nifty little image slider embedded that makes comparison really easy, if you go about 1/4th down the page and click on the individual images:
http://www.geforce.com/Optimize/Guides/five-fast-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-tweaks-guaranteed-to-make-your-game-look-even-better
Direct link to an outdoor scene:
http://international.download.nvidia.com/geforce-com/international/comparisons/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-tweak-guide/Skyrim-Tweak-Guide-AO-Comparison.html
I agree everyone should decide whether its worth it or not for them, but for me personally, it has to be the most overrated feature introduced in the last 3-4 years with the least amount of benefit while carrying one of the most expensive performance penalties. Personally I would rather use that performance budget on more AA or higher base quality shadow map resolutions. Honestly, AO reminds me of the last 30 seconds of Bob Ross' show where he used to goof around with his fingers and charcoal stick giving his happy little trees those AO silhouettes. More often than not he ruined the painting that way, imo. :(
-=HeliX=- Mod 3DV Game Fixes
My 3D Vision Games List Ratings
Intel Core i7 5930K @4.5GHz | Gigabyte X99 Gaming 5 | Win10 x64 Pro | Corsair H105
Nvidia GeForce Titan X SLI Hybrid | ROG Swift PG278Q 144Hz + 3D Vision/G-Sync | 32GB Adata DDR4 2666
Intel Samsung 950Pro SSD | Samsung EVO 4x1 RAID 0 |
Yamaha VX-677 A/V Receiver | Polk Audio RM6880 7.1 | LG Blu-Ray
Auzen X-Fi HT HD | Logitech G710/G502/G27 | Corsair Air 540 | EVGA P2-1200W