TalesinOur own little well of hateJoin Date: 2002-11-08Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
edited July 2004
Actually, he balances it between performance and visual quality.
Personally, I'm a graphics *****, as might be told by using a high res AND an insane AA setting. And so I stick with the official drivers, myself. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
'developer 1' shows 'pseudo fps'. It doesn't actually go over the 100fps limit. That's hard-coded in the engine itself. It's kinda like 'timerefresh', which spins you in a circle as fast as possible and calculates your FPS from that. It's a tool used by developers (surprise surprise) to determine rough performance ranges in given areas of the map. If you wander most of the map at 150 devfps, but have one section that drops to 90 devfps, someone with a lower-end card may end up having problems in that area.
FSAA- Essentially, Full Screen AntiAliasing gets rid of the 'jaggies' on the edges of polygons when they are not displayed true-horizontal or true-vertical. It does this by rendering the image larger, taking 'samples' from that image, and blending it down to your final resolution. However, there can be a problem, as some lines don't 'hit' the sampling pattern 'scatter', which can result in a jaggie here or there.
The higher your FSAA is set, the more samples are taken from the image. Meaning it's less likely for a given polygon-edge to be 'missed' in a particular sample-scatter box.
TFSAA- Having read the above, say that on a given line of pixels, the standard scatter pattern is 1-3-5. Anything that passes through 2, 4, or 6 will be missed. TFSAA sets it so that every alternate frame, a different sampling pattern is used. So frame 1, 1-3-5. Frame 2, 2-4-6. Frame 3, 1-3-5. And so on. If your framerate is high enough (over 60fps, as the ATi guys have decided) your eye won't notice the minute differences between the two patterns, and will in fact 'overlap' the images, much like how a zoetrope works.
The down side to this is, obviously, it only works while in motion. Meaning I can't post screenshots of NS in action with this, much less with TruForm. Leave it to say... it's *beautiful*. And at 1024x768x32, I'm still managing to maintain a solid 100fps, with VSync on. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
(edit) And NO, you HAVE to uninstall the old control panel and display driver (in that order) <b>before</b> installing the new one, or things will get screwed up. Says so on the FAQ webpage, says so on the download page, says so in the installer when you run it. :b I mean, come ON people. READ!! (/edit)
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
Being this seems like the best place to ask this: Why is it that at 85hz, my screen seems more blurry with text? And will ASF or AA do the same thing? I enabled ASF and AA a few minutes ago, then a minute ago turned on 85hz, and everything is blurry with the 85. Do I just have to get used to it?
AbraWould you kindlyJoin Date: 2003-08-17Member: 19870Members
please slap me if iam overworried.
When i download and want to install new drivers for my graphicscard, do i have to uninstall my previous version of the drivers? course that sounds kinda risky to me... somehow.
<!--QuoteBegin-Quaunaut+Jul 9 2004, 04:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Quaunaut @ Jul 9 2004, 04:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Being this seems like the best place to ask this: Why is it that at 85hz, my screen seems more blurry with text? And will ASF or AA do the same thing? I enabled ASF and AA a few minutes ago, then a minute ago turned on 85hz, and everything is blurry with the 85. Do I just have to get used to it? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> exactly what just happened to me. Its either the AA or the ASF. Looks quite odd. Perhaps I should move the slider down to x4 or less.
edit:
and wall. Download the newest driver. Then uninstall the old one via the control panel. Reboot in Safe mode (keep tapping F8 after starting up the PC) and then install the new one. It might come up with an error or two but if the files install then you can just restart in Normal mode after that.
<!--QuoteBegin-wall+Jul 9 2004, 11:15 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (wall @ Jul 9 2004, 11:15 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> please slap me if iam overworried.
When i download and want to install new drivers for my graphicscard, do i have to uninstall my previous version of the drivers? course that sounds kinda risky to me... somehow.
OR can i just run the .exe and possible reboot, then its up and running?
thanks in advanche/avalanche <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> you should uninstall the old drivers first. you'll most likely bork yourself if you just install the new ones over the old ones. you also need to uninstall the old ati control panel.
This might help you ininstall... <a href='http://ati.com/support/drivers/misc/catalystutils.html' target='_blank'>http://ati.com/support/drivers/misc/catalystutils.html</a> Download the Cat uninstaller. Run it. Restart. Install new drivers.
Can someone explain how to change the settings in an ULTRA NOOB way plz? When I go to the 3D tabs, I have Direct3D and OpenGL....do I change settings for both?
Now, I go to customize for OpenGL. I see Anisotropic Preference and it is checked. If I uncheck, I can choose 2x 4x 8x and 16x.
Below Anisotropic Preference there is SMOOTHVISION. I can choose 2x 3x 4x 5x and 6x and I can choose from performance or quality for an option.
Below those there is Wait for verticle sync, etc. Now what do I need to do to get <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->...NS at 1600x1200x32 with 12x FSAA and 16x Aniso... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or just to get past my usual 20-30 fps.
BTW: <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'> I have a Gigabyte Radeon 9200.</span>
<!--QuoteBegin-Mullet+Jul 13 2004, 06:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mullet @ Jul 13 2004, 06:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Can someone explain how to change the settings in an ULTRA NOOB way plz? When I go to the 3D tabs, I have Direct3D and OpenGL....do I change settings for both?
Now, I go to customize for OpenGL. I see Anisotropic Preference and it is checked. If I uncheck, I can choose 2x 4x 8x and 16x.
Below Anisotropic Preference there is SMOOTHVISION. I can choose 2x 3x 4x 5x and 6x and I can choose from performance or quality for an option.
Below those there is Wait for verticle sync, etc. Now what do I need to do to get <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->...NS at 1600x1200x32 with 12x FSAA and 16x Aniso... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or just to get past my usual 20-30 fps.
BTW: <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'> I have a Gigabyte Radeon 9200.</span> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> There's no possible way on earth for you to get "NS at 1600x1200x32 with 12x FSAA and 16x Aniso... " Don't even try. Just stop now! DON'T SCREW ANYTHING UP!
TalesinOur own little well of hateJoin Date: 2002-11-08Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
Yes, you HAVE to install the old drivers before installing the new ones, or it'll screw things up. Use the Control Panel 'add/remove programs' tool, uninstall the ATi Control Panel <b>*FIRST*</b>, <i>then</i> the ATi Display Driver. Then reboot.
When it comes up it'll find your hardware.. cancel the attempted installations, and start the new Catalyst installer.
No, with an R9200 you won't come anywhere near the settings I'm using. :b
Comments
Personally, I'm a graphics *****, as might be told by using a high res AND an insane AA setting. And so I stick with the official drivers, myself. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
'developer 1' shows 'pseudo fps'. It doesn't actually go over the 100fps limit. That's hard-coded in the engine itself. It's kinda like 'timerefresh', which spins you in a circle as fast as possible and calculates your FPS from that.
It's a tool used by developers (surprise surprise) to determine rough performance ranges in given areas of the map. If you wander most of the map at 150 devfps, but have one section that drops to 90 devfps, someone with a lower-end card may end up having problems in that area.
FSAA-
Essentially, Full Screen AntiAliasing gets rid of the 'jaggies' on the edges of polygons when they are not displayed true-horizontal or true-vertical. It does this by rendering the image larger, taking 'samples' from that image, and blending it down to your final resolution.
However, there can be a problem, as some lines don't 'hit' the sampling pattern 'scatter', which can result in a jaggie here or there.
The higher your FSAA is set, the more samples are taken from the image. Meaning it's less likely for a given polygon-edge to be 'missed' in a particular sample-scatter box.
TFSAA-
Having read the above, say that on a given line of pixels, the standard scatter pattern is 1-3-5. Anything that passes through 2, 4, or 6 will be missed.
TFSAA sets it so that every alternate frame, a different sampling pattern is used.
So frame 1, 1-3-5. Frame 2, 2-4-6. Frame 3, 1-3-5. And so on.
If your framerate is high enough (over 60fps, as the ATi guys have decided) your eye won't notice the minute differences between the two patterns, and will in fact 'overlap' the images, much like how a zoetrope works.
The down side to this is, obviously, it only works while in motion. Meaning I can't post screenshots of NS in action with this, much less with TruForm. Leave it to say... it's *beautiful*. And at 1024x768x32, I'm still managing to maintain a solid 100fps, with VSync on. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
(edit) And NO, you HAVE to uninstall the old control panel and display driver (in that order) <b>before</b> installing the new one, or things will get screwed up. Says so on the FAQ webpage, says so on the download page, says so in the installer when you run it. :b I mean, come ON people. READ!! (/edit)
However I do have Smoothvision and Anisotropic Filtering. Yay.
When i download and want to install new drivers for my graphicscard, do i have to uninstall my previous version of the drivers? course that sounds kinda risky to me... somehow.
<!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo-->
OR
can i just run the .exe and possible reboot, then its up and running?
thanks in advanche/avalanche
exactly what just happened to me. Its either the AA or the ASF. Looks quite odd. Perhaps I should move the slider down to x4 or less.
edit:
and wall. Download the newest driver. Then uninstall the old one via the control panel. Reboot in Safe mode (keep tapping F8 after starting up the PC) and then install the new one. It might come up with an error or two but if the files install then you can just restart in Normal mode after that.
When i download and want to install new drivers for my graphicscard, do i have to uninstall my previous version of the drivers? course that sounds kinda risky to me... somehow.
<!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo-->
OR
can i just run the .exe and possible reboot, then its up and running?
thanks in advanche/avalanche <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
you should uninstall the old drivers first. you'll most likely bork yourself if you just install the new ones over the old ones. you also need to uninstall the old ati control panel.
<a href='http://ati.com/support/drivers/misc/catalystutils.html' target='_blank'>http://ati.com/support/drivers/misc/catalystutils.html</a>
Download the Cat uninstaller. Run it. Restart. Install new drivers.
where do you activate these new features? 3D in the control panel under the advanched?
:EDIT: iam talking the super AA - FSAA <span style='color:red'>****</span>. :EDIT:
<span style='color:red'>*The swear filters are there for a reason. Do not evade them again.* -Talesin</span>
Now, I go to customize for OpenGL. I see Anisotropic Preference and it is checked. If I uncheck, I can choose 2x 4x 8x and 16x.
Below Anisotropic Preference there is SMOOTHVISION. I can choose 2x 3x 4x 5x and 6x and I can choose from performance or quality for an option.
Below those there is Wait for verticle sync, etc. Now what do I need to do to get <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->...NS at 1600x1200x32 with 12x FSAA and 16x Aniso... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or just to get past my usual 20-30 fps.
BTW: <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'> I have a Gigabyte Radeon 9200.</span>
Now, I go to customize for OpenGL. I see Anisotropic Preference and it is checked. If I uncheck, I can choose 2x 4x 8x and 16x.
Below Anisotropic Preference there is SMOOTHVISION. I can choose 2x 3x 4x 5x and 6x and I can choose from performance or quality for an option.
Below those there is Wait for verticle sync, etc. Now what do I need to do to get <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->...NS at 1600x1200x32 with 12x FSAA and 16x Aniso... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or just to get past my usual 20-30 fps.
BTW: <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'> I have a Gigabyte Radeon 9200.</span> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
There's no possible way on earth for you to get "NS at 1600x1200x32 with 12x FSAA and 16x Aniso... " Don't even try. Just stop now! DON'T SCREW ANYTHING UP!
When it comes up it'll find your hardware.. cancel the attempted installations, and start the new Catalyst installer.
No, with an R9200 you won't come anywhere near the settings I'm using. :b