blaydes99 on 28/5/2009 at 19:45
Using the older ddfix (1.1.1 since it uses DX9) and enbseries (dx9 special effects layer?) I was able to have some fun and get SS2 up and running with bloom/HDR effects. ENBSeries supports Depth of Field effects as well, but I don't know enough about the program to set up the .ini correctly so I really couldn't see the effect.
EDIT: Currently, "GTA San Andreas beta v0.074g shaders 1.4" on the ENB page gives the most promonent effect, but needs to be tweaked (gamma/brightness is too high - the Van Braun looks like the Enterprise in the new Star Trek)
To try this yourself, install DDfix 1.1.1 on your SS2 install, widescreen patch if you want, and then extract an ENBSeries ((
http://boris-vorontsov.narod.ru/download_en.htm) http://boris-vorontsov.narod.ru/download_en.htm)version in the SS2 folder. Fire it up, then remember to press Shift+F12 to enable/disable it.
Inline Image:
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5796/enb00.jpgHere are some examples:
Power cell (without ENB)
Inline Image:
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/4040/enb04c.jpgPower cell (with ENB)
Inline Image:
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6272/enb04as.jpgSome more fun pics:
Before:
Inline Image:
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/7359/enb01ac.jpgAfter:
Inline Image:
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9957/enb01.jpg(Check out the Attention tech panel/texture on the wall)
Before:
Inline Image:
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/6980/enb03ae.jpgAfter:
Inline Image:
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9099/enb03a.jpgSo, if people are interested, there are a few obstacles to overcome:
-Latest supported version of DDfix (1.1.1) has odd clipping/depth issues with the weapon (weapon goes INTO walls, etc.) - we need to re-enable DX9 support in the latest DDfix or beg Timeslip for help/ideas.
-Need help finding the best version of ENBSeries (all of them give different effects) - this is maybe best managed by customizing the .ini file. (Some versions of ENB run SS2 just fine at 60 fps, others kill the framerate)
Tested with ADAOB 0.3.0, SHTUP, Rebirth Complimented, DDfix 1.1.1, SS2 widescreen mod, WinXP SP2, nVidia 8600GT (driver 181.22).
Enchantermon on 28/5/2009 at 20:18
Awesome find! Well done!
Eldron on 28/5/2009 at 20:19
oh yeah!
btw, does it do SSAO?
blaydes99 on 28/5/2009 at 20:35
The later versions of ENB have SSAO support (SSAO section in the .ini also) but I'm still clueless on a lot of this stuff. I'd be happy for some help setting up the .ini and experimenting around, but I feel that getting an updated ddfix under DX9 is the most important step in getting this off the ground. And yes, this would then work in Thief/Thief II. Fun!
Muzman on 29/5/2009 at 05:00
That's so cool. This would be great in Thief. That's a game that could really use a gamma curve.
I'm no help at all though, sorry.
TF on 29/5/2009 at 10:36
I would help experiment with this but I can't get ddfix 1.1.1 to work without crashing, could you like give a step by step of how you installed it? I can't find anything and what little I could find didn't help.
blaydes99 on 29/5/2009 at 14:14
I also originally had some issues getting the game to launch, but first:
-I had to get the shock2.exe from Koyla's SS2tool (it has a bunch of other stuff, just download the source files and grab it from there). If you already have a ddfix patched .exe, theoretically you could just replace the ddfix.dll and .ini with the 1.1.1 version. But if this doesn't work, start from scratch like I did.
-Patch this .exe with DDfix 1.1.1 from Timeslip's site. I also ran the latest widescreen patch at this point. If you're trying this in Vista, at least set your compatibility mode to XP SP2 to avoid crashes when playing videos.
-At this point, grab a version of the ENBSeries download and extract the d3d9.dll and enbseries.ini into the same folder as your .exe
-Launch SS2 - mine launches in a small window, and you'll know ENB is running if you see some text in the upper-lefthand corner that wasn't there before. Once you launch/load a game, it should go full-screen.
-Shift+F12 to toggle the ENB effect on/off.
Notes:
-I just realized that this version of DDfix crashes whenever you FROB anything (SS2) as well as rendering the weapon inside walls. Getting the latest version to work under DX9 is top priority.
-Some versions of ENBseries come with with effects files, some do not. Just overwrite you're current files each time you want to test more effects. the RE4 and Vampire effects are way too dark, but the GTA3 and Deus Ex work pretty well.
-Turn occlusion off in the .ini, this kills the framerate. Motion blur and advanced shadows can murder it too, so if it's slow with ENB on, CHECK YOUR INI!
-Please share any findings you can, such as settings that look great or not so great so we know what to use and what to avoid.
Using the GTA3 effects (too much brightness/oversaturation with this config):
Without:
Inline Image:
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9664/shock204a.jpgWith (exaggerated brightness):
Inline Image:
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9854/shock204.jpgRocketMan on 29/5/2009 at 16:11
I'm sure I speak mostly out of ignorance but despite the subtle effects that I do notice, overall it just looks like someone cranked up the brightness. Does this need to be balanced still?
TF on 29/5/2009 at 17:22
It took a reinstall but it's working, thanks for the guide.
Though I can't really get motion blur, depth of field or SSAO to work no matter what values I put in the .ini.
And the bloom looks good in dark areas but bad in bright ones, I doubt this can be tweaked too much without new effect files.
blaydes99 on 29/5/2009 at 18:58
Quote Posted by RocketMan
I'm sure I speak mostly out of ignorance but despite the subtle effects that I do notice, overall it just looks like someone cranked up the brightness. Does this need to be balanced still?
Yes, it needs a lot of tweaking, althought the screens in the first post show a good effect that is not overbright like the lower screens (that's just some test shaders that I was using). Notice for example in the power cell pics - the brightness of the walls and door are about the same between them, yet the power cell is nice and shiny.
TF, try using the latest version, 76a. I got DOF and occlusion to work on this release (just copy only the d3d9.dll and enbseries.ini, the other files cause some crazy effects that don't look good in SS2). I try to not use the effects files since they are made for certain games and make SS2 look odd. The d3d9.dll and .ini is all you need to have a nice touch of the effects.
The problem with Occlusion is that it kills framerate, just like in every other game that officially supports it.
DOF works when you turn it on, but it seems to apply to the whole screen, then it comes into focus. I've been messing with the ranges, but this may just be data that may need to be passed from ddfix.dll to the d3d9.dll.
SS2 has a new renderer in ddfix, and so did Deus Ex, which sports a bunch of cool new features now by using the ENBSeries. I think we just need more tweaking and a DX9 version of ddfix that isn't buggy. Potentially, we could even get bump-mapped textures going in-game. Deus Ex has already done it...
