Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate This Thread
Hop To
#3484798 - 12/31/11 03:50 PM Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit...  
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Bandy Offline
Member
Bandy  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Wishing I was in the La Cloche
If you have a super gaming system, this thread is not for you.

Anti-Aliasing can be a major FPS hit, causing you to lower other graphics settings but is itself almost indispensable.
FXAA is an alternative for lower end systems, or perhaps a synergist for middling systems using modest AA settings (x2 or x4) AND has little to no FPS hit. Credit where credit is due, NVIDIA FXAA 3.11 is created by TIMOTHY LOTTES. It also works with ATI cards, I've tried it.

First saw FXAA mentioned in the Armed Assault Series forum thread LINK HERE, so searched and found it being used by some in IL2-CoD forum, and then also found a thread on RoF forum LINK HERE, though the RoF thread has had no action since August 2011.

Back in August there was no 64 bit version but there is a new version of FXAA released in November that is very moddable and is compatible with Dx9, 10, 11, and OpenGL, as well as 32- and 64-bit OS DOWNLOAD HERE. Make sure you get the correct version for your OS, the download will contain all DirX versions (9-11). RoF is DirX 9.

It is simple to install, but here is a 64-bit JSGME compatible folder 64-bit FXAA and a 32-bit version here 32-bit FXAA
Simply drop the correct unzipped folder into your JSGME mods folder, enable the mod, start up RoF, fly, and hit the Pause key. It works for me in RoF and CoD.

If you want to see screen shot differences it appears that I can't show you because RoF will take a screen shot but FXAA is post processed so it is not reflected in the screenshot, or so it is said in the Read Me.
Quote:
Usage of an external application for screenshots is recommended, a lot of games have Print Screen hardcoded, and that will not deliver a post processed result.


As mentioned, this version is very moddable via the config file for things like gamma, colour correction, etc. The following is quoted from one of the threads linked above, sorry not sure which one or which version of FXAA it refers to, but you get the gist. I'm going to try tweaking some of the settings for RoF in particular (there is a CoD specific version, see the link above), but if you have already optimized RoF for FXAA, please let us know!

Quote:
This is the part that sets the amount of antialiasing with in the config file:

/*------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FXAA SHADER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
// Set values to calculate the amount of Anti Aliasing applied
float fxaaQualitySubpix = 0.85; // Default: 0.75 Raise to increase amount of blur
float fxaaQualityEdgeThreshold = 0.010; // Lower the value for more smoothing
float fxaaQualityEdgeThresholdMin = 0.0233; // Lower the value for more smoothing


Some sharpening is a great improvement, mainly if you´re running at relatively low resolutions; but if it does not fit your taste, simply disable it.(//).These are my setttings (milder than default, I think):

/*------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRE_SHARPEN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
//For higher precision in the calculation of contour, requires slightly more processing power
bool highQualitySharpen = 1; //0 = Disable | 1 = Enable

// Set values to calculate the amount of AA produced blur to consider for the sharpening pass
#define Average 0.8
#define CoefBlur 2

// Set values of the sharpening amount
#define SharpenEdge 0.2
#define Sharpen_val0 1.1


All the rest are alterations in color and tone; That can be lowered or disabled according both to personal tastes and monitors..

So, yes, you only want the AA, maybe some sharpening, but the original colors; disable all the rest and fit the AA amount to your taste. And as an additional remark, I found that, for me, it works even better if you ALSO put the ingame antialiasing active (x2 in my desk).

Last edited by Bandy; 12/31/11 04:02 PM.

4x2.66 GHz Xeons, XFX 4870 1 GB, 11 GB DDR2 RAM, Win7 Pro x64, 120 GB OCZ Vertex2 (MLC, Sandforce)
26" VIZIO 1920x1200, Logitech FF 3D Pro, CH pedals, Track IR4
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#3484905 - 12/31/11 07:12 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 146
Grale Offline
Member
Grale  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 146
NW England
Coincidentally i tried this just a few hours ago. i didn't have any success though!

The version i downloaded had a tool.exe to alter the settings via a gui menu. the JSGME compatible folder version you mention, and actually works for me does not have this menu. Is there anyway to use this menu with the jsgme version.

It would also be usefull if we could alt-tab and change the settings while still running the game.

Looks very interesting, i get alot more detail, but the colours are washed out too much.

EDIT: fixed it, just had wrong files in wrong directory! alt-tabing works perfectly so i can now change all settings without exiting rof :¬)

Last edited by Grale; 12/31/11 07:48 PM.
#3484917 - 12/31/11 07:36 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,263
elephant Offline
Member
elephant  Offline
Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,263
Patras-Greece
Thanks, Bandy!
I'll give it a try tommorow, along with the St Michiel Campaign, I just bought... WinkNGrin


WOFF UE, BOC member, Albatros pilot.

#3484925 - 12/31/11 08:01 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Bandy Offline
Member
Bandy  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Wishing I was in the La Cloche
@Grale, I did not try the 'tool'. I'm familiar with editing config.ini from flying the 3rd Wire series, but please post a screenshot of the GUI, and I might give it a try as well.

Good stuff! I think this has great potential, much more than ENB series bloom...


4x2.66 GHz Xeons, XFX 4870 1 GB, 11 GB DDR2 RAM, Win7 Pro x64, 120 GB OCZ Vertex2 (MLC, Sandforce)
26" VIZIO 1920x1200, Logitech FF 3D Pro, CH pedals, Track IR4
#3484954 - 12/31/11 08:37 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 146
Grale Offline
Member
Grale  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 146
NW England
@Bandy

Just download the latest version LINK

Run the FXAA_Tool.exe and change settings from there. leave it running and start ROF and just alt-tab between programs.

#3485287 - 01/01/12 05:54 AM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 509
Feathered_IV Offline
Member
Feathered_IV  Offline
Member

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 509
Australia
I get an immediate crash to desktop with this program. Are you putting the whole lot in the bin_game folder and running it or putting it elsewhere?

#3485338 - 01/01/12 09:20 AM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Feathered_IV]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 146
Grale Offline
Member
Grale  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 146
NW England
Originally Posted By: Feathered_IV
I get an immediate crash to desktop with this program. Are you putting the whole lot in the bin_game folder and running it or putting it elsewhere?


This is what works for me:

d3d9.dll into bin_game/release folder

all other files into riseofflight/data folder. make sure to keep injFX_Shaders as a folder inside data.

Run the FXAA_tool.exe from the data folder and edit the changes you want. you can leave the tool running whiule you run ROF, but once you have made the changes and are happy with the results, there is no need to run the tool program before starting ROF.

I would stay in the lobby with the rotating plane to see the changes, it's a subtle change but an improvement imo..

I just use the AA settings as active and disable everything else.

My AA settings are:

FXAA Quality 9 max
Blur Amount 5
Contrast 4
Darkness 4

#3485340 - 01/01/12 09:31 AM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,263
elephant Offline
Member
elephant  Offline
Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,263
Patras-Greece
Hey Bandy, can you give installation and operating instructions for the JSGME version?
I'm using the 32 bit one.
In the zip there were two folders.
One gets in the MODS folder, I guess...the other, where?


WOFF UE, BOC member, Albatros pilot.

#3485360 - 01/01/12 11:59 AM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Bandy Offline
Member
Bandy  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Wishing I was in the La Cloche
Apologies elephant if it wasn't straightforward. Those JSGME folders I prepared go straight into your very own JSGME folder, whatever you have called it. Rename the folder if you like, but the unzipped folder from the download is already prepared with the necessary folder hierarchy. You need the FXAA folder and the two folders within.

Quote:
Simply drop the correct unzipped folder into your JSGME mods folder, enable the mod, start up RoF, fly, and hit the Pause key. ...


I think I also zipped and uploaded those files from my Mac, so there might be a useless folder management file in there (invisible while booted on MacOSX), but it won't do any harm to Windoze. WinkNGrin

Last edited by Bandy; 01/01/12 12:01 PM.

4x2.66 GHz Xeons, XFX 4870 1 GB, 11 GB DDR2 RAM, Win7 Pro x64, 120 GB OCZ Vertex2 (MLC, Sandforce)
26" VIZIO 1920x1200, Logitech FF 3D Pro, CH pedals, Track IR4
#3485886 - 01/02/12 01:10 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,263
elephant Offline
Member
elephant  Offline
Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,263
Patras-Greece
Thanks, Bandy!
By the time of your response, I had already successfully installed it,
even fiddled a bit with the settings.
There is a ReadMe file in the data folder...not so obvious admittedly!
I like the moody looks that gave to my graphics and guess what...
No more tree stuttering! thumbsup


WOFF UE, BOC member, Albatros pilot.

#3485916 - 01/02/12 02:46 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Bandy Offline
Member
Bandy  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Wishing I was in the La Cloche
With some flying time and FXAA enabled, I see that it overlays a sepia tone, which makes the terrain hue look a little more normal at altitude (not so verdant green). This is mimicking aerial perspective, where colours get more washed out with increasing distance.

However the 'bloom' is a little too strong around the sun, and it flattens out the clouds a bit. Hopefully there is a compromise with the bloom... Disabling it may remove some of the anti-aliasing properties.

Good stuff elephant, I'll have to look at the trees now. But yes, I've found that the 'sparkle' on the bracing wires is much improved. I hope others give this a try.



4x2.66 GHz Xeons, XFX 4870 1 GB, 11 GB DDR2 RAM, Win7 Pro x64, 120 GB OCZ Vertex2 (MLC, Sandforce)
26" VIZIO 1920x1200, Logitech FF 3D Pro, CH pedals, Track IR4
#3486126 - 01/02/12 09:12 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,126
MedinaES Offline
Member
MedinaES  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,126
Destination Unknown...
Not only Rise of Flight looks way better but there is almost no performance hit AA maxed out.
Can it be installed for IL2 1946?

#3486147 - 01/02/12 09:49 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Bandy Offline
Member
Bandy  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Wishing I was in the La Cloche
I'm using FXAA in IL2 Cliffs of Dover, and it helps out immensely in that sim. However, the folder structure is different; I believe all the FXAA files and folders go into the main game directory, the one with the game executable.exe, but double check the IL2-CoD thread I linked to in 1st post.

If flying IL2-CoD on a 64 bit OS use the DirX 10 version, DirX 9 for 32 bit OS, and for regular IL2...


4x2.66 GHz Xeons, XFX 4870 1 GB, 11 GB DDR2 RAM, Win7 Pro x64, 120 GB OCZ Vertex2 (MLC, Sandforce)
26" VIZIO 1920x1200, Logitech FF 3D Pro, CH pedals, Track IR4
#3487578 - 01/04/12 11:41 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,674
Barkhorn1x Offline
Senior Member
Barkhorn1x  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,674
Davie, FL
Good find. I like the look and NO FPS hit on my ATI 5670. You do have to play around w/ the settings tho'


"It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion."--- William Ralph Inge

"The ORIGINAL Barkhorn"
#3487791 - 01/05/12 07:30 AM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,263
elephant Offline
Member
elephant  Offline
Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,263
Patras-Greece
I couldn't play whithout constant stutter in heavy clouds...
Yesterday I had the most fluid multi aircraft dogfight in heavy sky ever!


WOFF UE, BOC member, Albatros pilot.

#3490754 - 01/09/12 05:57 PM Re: Alternative to Anti-Aliasing --FXAA with no FPS hit... [Re: Bandy]  
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Bandy Offline
Member
Bandy  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,256
Wishing I was in the La Cloche
New post on FXAA and other 'injectable' AA over at CoD forum: LINK


4x2.66 GHz Xeons, XFX 4870 1 GB, 11 GB DDR2 RAM, Win7 Pro x64, 120 GB OCZ Vertex2 (MLC, Sandforce)
26" VIZIO 1920x1200, Logitech FF 3D Pro, CH pedals, Track IR4

Moderated by  RacerGT, Wklink 

Quick Search
Recent Articles
Support SimHQ

If you shop on Amazon use this Amazon link to support SimHQ
.
Social


Recent Topics
Carnival Cruise Ship Fire....... Again
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:58 PM
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:51 PM
The Oldest WWII Veterans
by F4UDash4. 03/24/24 09:21 PM
They got fired after this.
by Wigean. 03/20/24 08:19 PM
Grown ups joke time
by NoFlyBoy. 03/18/24 10:34 PM
Anyone Heard from Nimits?
by F4UDash4. 03/18/24 10:01 PM
RIP Gemini/Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford
by semmern. 03/18/24 02:14 PM
10 years after 3/8/2014
by NoFlyBoy. 03/17/24 10:25 AM
Copyright 1997-2016, SimHQ Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.0