The Secret Word - Some tweaks to remove issues with S3D
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TSW is one of the best looking MMORPGs to mee. It also works quite good with 3D Vision but has some issues. As Dx 11 offers far better S3D than Dx 9 I prefer the Dx 11 option. But this also means that You can't use Helixmod to turn off disturbing effects. So I had a look at the configuration files to see if there is another way to get rid of them.
Changing the file PrefsMap.xml offers some possibilites. You can find the file in ..\Program Files\The Secret World\Data\Gui\Default. Please make a backup of this file before You chnage it!
In TSW You will have some issues with messed up shadows in the far distant background.
To remove/reduce this issues You have to change the values for RenderSetting_GroundLODRanges.
You will find something like this:
[code] <RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_GroundLODRanges">
<Setting value = "48"/>
<Setting value = "64"/>
<Setting value = "64"/>
<Setting value = "72"/>
<Setting value = "96"/>
</RenderSetting>[/code]
Every line represents a slider position (left to right) for world details in the enhanced graphic options. So depending on the slider position You have choosen You have to change the relevant line in PrefsMap.xml. Let`s assume the slider was in the middle position (value 2). So You have to change the line
[code]<Setting value = "64"/>[/code]
The more You increase this value the more distant is the line between correct and messed up shadows. So if You use
[code]<Setting value = "500"/>[/code]
You won't have any issues with the distant shadows.
See:
But be aware that this high value can singificantly hit the performance. So I have used
[code]<Setting value = "250"/>[/code]
It offers a good compromise between performance and optics.
I even made presets for <RenderGroup name = "RenderControl_WorldDetail"> that only are different regarding the values for GroundLODRanges (150, 250, 500) but have the same values for the other settings ((e.g. RenderSetting_HighQualityNPCRange, RenderSetting_SkeletonLODRange, RenderSetting_AnimationLODRange, etc.). So depending on the environment I can change the slider for world details and this only changes the value for GroundLODRanges but remains the values for the other world detail settings.
PrefsMap.xml also allows to switch off disturbing rain effects:
Under
[code]<RenderGroup name = "RenderControl_EffectsDetail">[/code]
search for
[code]<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_RainSplashes">[/code]
and change in every line for this setting
[code]<Setting value = "true"/>[/code]
to
[code]<Setting value = "false"/>[/code]
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_RainStreaks"> and <RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_RainShading"> don't cause issues and can be set or remain "true".
Regarding water quality I couln't find a way to turn off the reflections completely.
[code]<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_WaterReflectionQuality">
<Setting value = "0"/>[/code]
didn't help to remove all the reflections. So on some water surfaces there are still issues with reflections.
I also couldn't remove the lighting issues with grass. It doesn't matter which grass quality (1, 2 or 3) is used in
[code]<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_GrassQualityPreset">[/code]
The issues remain. But I prefer quality 3 and also increased it's range (<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_HighQualityGrassRange">).
Which leads to another aspect regarding PrefsMap.xml.
I have to confess that I still use 32 bit Win 7. As TSW limits the quality sliders for enhanced graphic settings to the middle position (value 2) I couldn't enable certain effects although my PC could handle it without (significantly) loss of performance.
So I enabled for the middle slider position (3rd line in the presets) the following effects:
Better grass:
[code]<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_GrassQualityPreset">
...
<Setting value = "3"/>
...
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_HighQualityGrassRange">
...
<Setting value = "20"/>[/code]
Animated foliage:
[code]<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_FoliageWind">
...
<Setting value = "true"/>[/code]
Godrays:
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_Godrays">
...
<Setting value = "true"/>
ATTENTION:
Every game update will overwrite the changes You have made in PrefsMap.xml!
So make a copy of Your own PrefsMap.xml and replace with it the PrefsMap.xml after an update.
TSW is one of the best looking MMORPGs to mee. It also works quite good with 3D Vision but has some issues. As Dx 11 offers far better S3D than Dx 9 I prefer the Dx 11 option. But this also means that You can't use Helixmod to turn off disturbing effects. So I had a look at the configuration files to see if there is another way to get rid of them.
Changing the file PrefsMap.xml offers some possibilites. You can find the file in ..\Program Files\The Secret World\Data\Gui\Default. Please make a backup of this file before You chnage it!
In TSW You will have some issues with messed up shadows in the far distant background.
To remove/reduce this issues You have to change the values for RenderSetting_GroundLODRanges.
You will find something like this:
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_GroundLODRanges">
<Setting value = "48"/>
<Setting value = "64"/>
<Setting value = "64"/>
<Setting value = "72"/>
<Setting value = "96"/>
</RenderSetting>
Every line represents a slider position (left to right) for world details in the enhanced graphic options. So depending on the slider position You have choosen You have to change the relevant line in PrefsMap.xml. Let`s assume the slider was in the middle position (value 2). So You have to change the line
<Setting value = "64"/>
The more You increase this value the more distant is the line between correct and messed up shadows. So if You use
<Setting value = "500"/>
You won't have any issues with the distant shadows.
See:
But be aware that this high value can singificantly hit the performance. So I have used
<Setting value = "250"/>
It offers a good compromise between performance and optics.
I even made presets for <RenderGroup name = "RenderControl_WorldDetail"> that only are different regarding the values for GroundLODRanges (150, 250, 500) but have the same values for the other settings ((e.g. RenderSetting_HighQualityNPCRange, RenderSetting_SkeletonLODRange, RenderSetting_AnimationLODRange, etc.). So depending on the environment I can change the slider for world details and this only changes the value for GroundLODRanges but remains the values for the other world detail settings.
PrefsMap.xml also allows to switch off disturbing rain effects:
Under
<RenderGroup name = "RenderControl_EffectsDetail">
search for
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_RainSplashes">
and change in every line for this setting
<Setting value = "true"/>
to
<Setting value = "false"/>
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_RainStreaks"> and <RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_RainShading"> don't cause issues and can be set or remain "true".
Regarding water quality I couln't find a way to turn off the reflections completely.
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_WaterReflectionQuality">
<Setting value = "0"/>
didn't help to remove all the reflections. So on some water surfaces there are still issues with reflections.
I also couldn't remove the lighting issues with grass. It doesn't matter which grass quality (1, 2 or 3) is used in
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_GrassQualityPreset">
The issues remain. But I prefer quality 3 and also increased it's range (<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_HighQualityGrassRange">).
Which leads to another aspect regarding PrefsMap.xml.
I have to confess that I still use 32 bit Win 7. As TSW limits the quality sliders for enhanced graphic settings to the middle position (value 2) I couldn't enable certain effects although my PC could handle it without (significantly) loss of performance.
So I enabled for the middle slider position (3rd line in the presets) the following effects:
Better grass:
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_GrassQualityPreset">
...
<Setting value = "3"/>
...
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_HighQualityGrassRange">
...
<Setting value = "20"/>
Animated foliage:
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_FoliageWind">
...
<Setting value = "true"/>
Godrays:
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_Godrays">
...
<Setting value = "true"/>
ATTENTION:
Every game update will overwrite the changes You have made in PrefsMap.xml!
So make a copy of Your own PrefsMap.xml and replace with it the PrefsMap.xml after an update.
My original display name is 3d4dd - for some reason Nvidia changed it..?!
What I want fixed more than anything is the quest giver interaction buttons that get screwed up if you change your convergence. But since they are code monkey starved I doubt it will be.
What I want fixed more than anything is the quest giver interaction buttons that get screwed up if you change your convergence. But since they are code monkey starved I doubt it will be.
?!?! Why can't I edit my post? "Save changes" doesn't work :( So I'm sorry for my typing errors...
With "See:" I wanted to link to these two images:
Before the shadow tweak:
http://photos.3dvisionlive.com/3d4dd/image/513f2a7e5ec346ee370000bb/
After the shadow tweak:
http://photos.3dvisionlive.com/3d4dd/image/513f2ab85ec34632620000ac/
What would be TSW without the amazing godrays ;)
http://photos.3dvisionlive.com/3d4dd/image/513f2bc95ec346136800000c/
[quote="3d4dd"]?!?! Why can't I edit my post? "Save changes" doesn't work :( So I'm sorry for my typing errors...[/quote]
This seems to be a problem with longer posts. There is a trick to get your edits to save, but its more by luck then judgement.
Just keep hitting 'save edit' or whatever it says when you save your text edit. Open up another browser and look to check if the new edit has gone through. Eventually it will go (after pressing it 10 or so times. Sometimes though it seems to needs pressing around ten times and then for the window to be closed to send. Weird bug, but maybe useful for future reference.
3d4dd said:?!?! Why can't I edit my post? "Save changes" doesn't work :( So I'm sorry for my typing errors...
This seems to be a problem with longer posts. There is a trick to get your edits to save, but its more by luck then judgement.
Just keep hitting 'save edit' or whatever it says when you save your text edit. Open up another browser and look to check if the new edit has gone through. Eventually it will go (after pressing it 10 or so times. Sometimes though it seems to needs pressing around ten times and then for the window to be closed to send. Weird bug, but maybe useful for future reference.
Thanks for this, I have a huge backlog of games waiting to play on 3d so I don't get to play MMORPGs much, but I've always wanted to check TSW, and the screens on 3dvisionlive you posted look good, I'll check it out again sooner or later.
Thanks for this, I have a huge backlog of games waiting to play on 3d so I don't get to play MMORPGs much, but I've always wanted to check TSW, and the screens on 3dvisionlive you posted look good, I'll check it out again sooner or later.
All hail 3d modders DHR, MasterOtaku, Losti, Necropants, Helifax, bo3b, mike_ar69, Flugan, DarkStarSword, 4everAwake, 3d4dd and so many more helping to keep the 3d dream alive, find their 3d fixes at http://helixmod.blogspot.com/ Also check my site for spanish VR and mobile gaming news: www.gamermovil.com
@Kolreth: As it is a common issue with 2D mouse pointer in S3D games I have learned to live with it...
@foreverseeking: Thank You for the hint. Unfortunately it didn't work in this case...
@birthright: TSW is the first MMORPG I really play for weeks and not only tried out for some hours. Usually I prefer single player RPGs but TSW offers an unique scenario I couldn't find in other RPGs. Besides from that it allows You to play a lot of the content solo. I really can recommend it especially as it switched from subscription to buy-to-play.
@Kolreth: As it is a common issue with 2D mouse pointer in S3D games I have learned to live with it...
@foreverseeking: Thank You for the hint. Unfortunately it didn't work in this case...
@birthright: TSW is the first MMORPG I really play for weeks and not only tried out for some hours. Usually I prefer single player RPGs but TSW offers an unique scenario I couldn't find in other RPGs. Besides from that it allows You to play a lot of the content solo. I really can recommend it especially as it switched from subscription to buy-to-play.
My original display name is 3d4dd - for some reason Nvidia changed it..?!
Much like Guildwars2 and any single player game, this is a 'buy once and play'.
Nice story, a bit dark graphically and story wise. I hope to get back to it soon.
I know they used to charge a monthly fee, they may have given the game out for free then too not sure, but then they dropped the monthly fee and they're charging for the game. It's $30 on their website right now. Then again it also says "subscription no longer required" but also says "*includes 30 days of membership". :D
I know they used to charge a monthly fee, they may have given the game out for free then too not sure, but then they dropped the monthly fee and they're charging for the game. It's $30 on their website right now. Then again it also says "subscription no longer required" but also says "*includes 30 days of membership". :D
It's a damn fine game except for the robotic mob combat animations, which they are in the process of fixing. I've spent hours trying on clothes in the london clothes shops, and I NEVER do that.
It's a damn fine game except for the robotic mob combat animations, which they are in the process of fixing. I've spent hours trying on clothes in the london clothes shops, and I NEVER do that.
It's really worth $30 regarding the rich and interesting content and in contrary to MMORPGs that are originally designed for f2p You don't feel urged to spend money in their item shop (unless You have a passion for collecting pets like me...).
But I should mention that even after my tweaks there are still some issues like 2D fog or lighting issues with the grass under certain conditions. Also the sky is a little bit too close (not as bad as in other games). I soon got used to it and they seem minor to me but if You want an excellent or "Helix ready" game You should be aware that TSW is only good.
And You should turn on tesselation in this game! It's awesome how it improves the graphics. Never have seen this in other games (much better than in TR 2013). In London every brick and cobblestone becomes three-dimensional! It's especially obvious in S3D whereas in 2D You will hardly recognize it.
I will try to make some more screenshots :)
@Kolreth: Yes, it's really a blessing (or a curse?!) that the character's stats aren't connected to the clothings ;) Spent more than 500.000 only to get the demonic skin for my rocket launcher...
Regarding animations what bothers me most is the fact that pets can't walk but only run :(
@mbloof: What do You expect from a game with the slogan "dark days are coming"? :lol: But indeed I have the impression that it is always night when I play although there is a 50/50 day-night cycle - BTW with gorgeous dust and dawn atmosphere.
A lot of time in this game I spend just with looking at the nice scenery. That's also a reason why I play solo - I always loose contact to a group because of sightseeing instead of rushing to the next quest marker;)
It's really worth $30 regarding the rich and interesting content and in contrary to MMORPGs that are originally designed for f2p You don't feel urged to spend money in their item shop (unless You have a passion for collecting pets like me...).
But I should mention that even after my tweaks there are still some issues like 2D fog or lighting issues with the grass under certain conditions. Also the sky is a little bit too close (not as bad as in other games). I soon got used to it and they seem minor to me but if You want an excellent or "Helix ready" game You should be aware that TSW is only good.
And You should turn on tesselation in this game! It's awesome how it improves the graphics. Never have seen this in other games (much better than in TR 2013). In London every brick and cobblestone becomes three-dimensional! It's especially obvious in S3D whereas in 2D You will hardly recognize it.
I will try to make some more screenshots :)
@Kolreth: Yes, it's really a blessing (or a curse?!) that the character's stats aren't connected to the clothings ;) Spent more than 500.000 only to get the demonic skin for my rocket launcher...
Regarding animations what bothers me most is the fact that pets can't walk but only run :(
@mbloof: What do You expect from a game with the slogan "dark days are coming"? :lol: But indeed I have the impression that it is always night when I play although there is a 50/50 day-night cycle - BTW with gorgeous dust and dawn atmosphere.
A lot of time in this game I spend just with looking at the nice scenery. That's also a reason why I play solo - I always loose contact to a group because of sightseeing instead of rushing to the next quest marker;)
My original display name is 3d4dd - for some reason Nvidia changed it..?!
While pets don't run, they will interact sometimes if you summon a new one with another one out, I pulled out my jade mouser and the temple cat and it started spitting at each other. I thought that was nice. I was thinking of getting the horror pet, have you got it, and if so is it worth it? I got a pile of coins to spend.
While pets don't run, they will interact sometimes if you summon a new one with another one out, I pulled out my jade mouser and the temple cat and it started spitting at each other. I thought that was nice. I was thinking of getting the horror pet, have you got it, and if so is it worth it? I got a pile of coins to spend.
Currently on sale on Amazon, 3/14 - 3/17 for $20 comes with $10 worth of in-game currency, which from what I hear is enough to buy the newest expansion.
[url]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B007VTVKG6/ref=nosim/cheapassgam08-20[/url]
This doesn't by any chance work with a 360 controller does it?
Currently on sale on Amazon, 3/14 - 3/17 for $20 comes with $10 worth of in-game currency, which from what I hear is enough to buy the newest expansion.
Changing the file PrefsMap.xml offers some possibilites. You can find the file in ..\Program Files\The Secret World\Data\Gui\Default. Please make a backup of this file before You chnage it!
In TSW You will have some issues with messed up shadows in the far distant background.
To remove/reduce this issues You have to change the values for RenderSetting_GroundLODRanges.
You will find something like this:
Every line represents a slider position (left to right) for world details in the enhanced graphic options. So depending on the slider position You have choosen You have to change the relevant line in PrefsMap.xml. Let`s assume the slider was in the middle position (value 2). So You have to change the line
The more You increase this value the more distant is the line between correct and messed up shadows. So if You use
You won't have any issues with the distant shadows.
See:
But be aware that this high value can singificantly hit the performance. So I have used
It offers a good compromise between performance and optics.
I even made presets for <RenderGroup name = "RenderControl_WorldDetail"> that only are different regarding the values for GroundLODRanges (150, 250, 500) but have the same values for the other settings ((e.g. RenderSetting_HighQualityNPCRange, RenderSetting_SkeletonLODRange, RenderSetting_AnimationLODRange, etc.). So depending on the environment I can change the slider for world details and this only changes the value for GroundLODRanges but remains the values for the other world detail settings.
PrefsMap.xml also allows to switch off disturbing rain effects:
Under
search for
and change in every line for this setting
to
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_RainStreaks"> and <RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_RainShading"> don't cause issues and can be set or remain "true".
Regarding water quality I couln't find a way to turn off the reflections completely.
didn't help to remove all the reflections. So on some water surfaces there are still issues with reflections.
I also couldn't remove the lighting issues with grass. It doesn't matter which grass quality (1, 2 or 3) is used in
The issues remain. But I prefer quality 3 and also increased it's range (<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_HighQualityGrassRange">).
Which leads to another aspect regarding PrefsMap.xml.
I have to confess that I still use 32 bit Win 7. As TSW limits the quality sliders for enhanced graphic settings to the middle position (value 2) I couldn't enable certain effects although my PC could handle it without (significantly) loss of performance.
So I enabled for the middle slider position (3rd line in the presets) the following effects:
Better grass:
Animated foliage:
Godrays:
<RenderSetting name = "RenderSetting_Godrays">
...
<Setting value = "true"/>
ATTENTION:
Every game update will overwrite the changes You have made in PrefsMap.xml!
So make a copy of Your own PrefsMap.xml and replace with it the PrefsMap.xml after an update.
My original display name is 3d4dd - for some reason Nvidia changed it..?!
With "See:" I wanted to link to these two images:
Before the shadow tweak:
http://photos.3dvisionlive.com/3d4dd/image/513f2a7e5ec346ee370000bb/
After the shadow tweak:
http://photos.3dvisionlive.com/3d4dd/image/513f2ab85ec34632620000ac/
What would be TSW without the amazing godrays ;)
http://photos.3dvisionlive.com/3d4dd/image/513f2bc95ec346136800000c/
My original display name is 3d4dd - for some reason Nvidia changed it..?!
This seems to be a problem with longer posts. There is a trick to get your edits to save, but its more by luck then judgement.
Just keep hitting 'save edit' or whatever it says when you save your text edit. Open up another browser and look to check if the new edit has gone through. Eventually it will go (after pressing it 10 or so times. Sometimes though it seems to needs pressing around ten times and then for the window to be closed to send. Weird bug, but maybe useful for future reference.
OS: Win 8 CPU: I7 4770k 3.5GZ GPU: GTX 780ti
All hail 3d modders DHR, MasterOtaku, Losti, Necropants, Helifax, bo3b, mike_ar69, Flugan, DarkStarSword, 4everAwake, 3d4dd and so many more helping to keep the 3d dream alive, find their 3d fixes at http://helixmod.blogspot.com/ Also check my site for spanish VR and mobile gaming news: www.gamermovil.com
@foreverseeking: Thank You for the hint. Unfortunately it didn't work in this case...
@birthright: TSW is the first MMORPG I really play for weeks and not only tried out for some hours. Usually I prefer single player RPGs but TSW offers an unique scenario I couldn't find in other RPGs. Besides from that it allows You to play a lot of the content solo. I really can recommend it especially as it switched from subscription to buy-to-play.
My original display name is 3d4dd - for some reason Nvidia changed it..?!
[MonitorSizeOverride][Global/Base Profile Tweaks][Depth=IPD]
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
Nice story, a bit dark graphically and story wise. I hope to get back to it soon.
i7-2600K-4.5Ghz/Corsair H100i/8GB/GTX780SC-SLI/Win7-64/1200W-PSU/Samsung 840-500GB SSD/Coolermaster-Tower/Benq 1080ST @ 100"
[MonitorSizeOverride][Global/Base Profile Tweaks][Depth=IPD]
[MonitorSizeOverride][Global/Base Profile Tweaks][Depth=IPD]
But I should mention that even after my tweaks there are still some issues like 2D fog or lighting issues with the grass under certain conditions. Also the sky is a little bit too close (not as bad as in other games). I soon got used to it and they seem minor to me but if You want an excellent or "Helix ready" game You should be aware that TSW is only good.
And You should turn on tesselation in this game! It's awesome how it improves the graphics. Never have seen this in other games (much better than in TR 2013). In London every brick and cobblestone becomes three-dimensional! It's especially obvious in S3D whereas in 2D You will hardly recognize it.
I will try to make some more screenshots :)
@Kolreth: Yes, it's really a blessing (or a curse?!) that the character's stats aren't connected to the clothings ;) Spent more than 500.000 only to get the demonic skin for my rocket launcher...
Regarding animations what bothers me most is the fact that pets can't walk but only run :(
@mbloof: What do You expect from a game with the slogan "dark days are coming"? :lol: But indeed I have the impression that it is always night when I play although there is a 50/50 day-night cycle - BTW with gorgeous dust and dawn atmosphere.
A lot of time in this game I spend just with looking at the nice scenery. That's also a reason why I play solo - I always loose contact to a group because of sightseeing instead of rushing to the next quest marker;)
My original display name is 3d4dd - for some reason Nvidia changed it..?!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B007VTVKG6/ref=nosim/cheapassgam08-20
This doesn't by any chance work with a 360 controller does it?
[MonitorSizeOverride][Global/Base Profile Tweaks][Depth=IPD]