[GUIDE] How to Improve Elite's Graphics with Mods and Tweaks...

Lasse B. · Nov 6, 2015

Insomnia said:
Can someone confirm that changing these variables actually do something in-game, please.
I don't see any difference and I don't experience any impact on fps as well.

I tried to put these changes into my GraphicsConfigurationOverride.xml, but when doing so the game reverts to the lowest settings, no matter which numbers I use. I'll try the original GraphicsConfiguration.xml (without the "Override") next.

spameroo · Nov 8, 2015

Insomnia said:
Can someone confirm that changing these variables actually do something in-game, please.
I don't see any difference and I don't experience any impact on fps as well.

Numbers correspond to the different levels (aka "quality settings" or "presets") defined in the main GraphicsConfiguration.xml file. First setting definition is always 0, next one down is 1, and so on. The LocalizationName variable (SETTING_LOW, or similar) at the start of each defined setting seem to only affect what a block is called in the in-game dropdown menu; the numbers are literally just telling it to use the Nth option for that particular setting (indexed beginning from 0).

So if you set something to 4 and there are less than 5 options defined for it, it doesn't find one and reverts to default, which is 0.

EDIT: just to clarify, all that was referring to the main xml file. I don't know if you can or can't define a new setting option in the override file that isn't in the main, but I strongly suspect not. I would guess the name in the parent xml tags are used for is matching overrides to the proper section of the main xml.

EDIT #2: Wasn't at my home computer when I wrote the above, but I just checked the actual files and am making a few corrections, mainly to terminology.

EDIT#3: Derp, disregard the second sentence of the first edit... I did know the answer, and it was the exact opposite of what I "strongly suspected." Didn't remember that when I added a setting to the SSAO options, I did it in the Override, not the main file. Looking at it now, it seems like the Quality Setting numbers go through the options in the main config as I described in the post itself, and then goes through the Override and appends any options not previously defined to the end of the list (any that match with sections in the main file will just behave normally as overrides).

DazzyB · Dec 15, 2015

Granite said:
If you want to improve the graphics in Elite, there are a number of ways you can do this. Some of these tweaks (especially the planet and galaxy textures, go quite a long way to restoring the game to what it once looked like). Most of this information has been pulled from other threads, and I have now collected it all together into a single video along with a short example of the visual improvements.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIosivU9uVw

Here are the additional required instructions:

--------------------

SweetFX, ReShade and GemFX
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=87727

Default Game Installation Locations:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Frontier\EDLaunch\Products\FORC-FDEV-D-1001 - The number at the end will vary from game to game.

C:\Program Files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\Frontier\EDLaunch\Products\FORC-FDEV-D-1001

--------------------

UI Colour Change Website:
http://arkku.com/elite/hud_editor/

Edit this file to change UI: GraphicsConfigurationOverride.xml

Graphic UI Override location
C:\users\name\AppData\Local\Frontier Developments\Options\Graphics

Place your code between the GraphicsConfig and GraphicsConfigbrackets:

http://arkku.com/elite/hud_editor/#theme_0_0.2_0.8_0_0.6_0_1_0.3_0.18

Replace the sections for MatrixRed MatrixGreen and MatrixBlue with the code you generated on the above website (or just copy my code to get the same blue UI I use)

My UI code is already in the box on the above website.

--------------------

If you want to use a 21:9 aspect ratio on a standard 16:9 monitor, you can follow this guide:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=49654

http://i.imgur.com/hoYBpJq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0FlyXaj.jpg

Just to make you all aware - the FORC-FDEV-D-1001 folder has now been renamed to elite-dangerous-64 in Horizons. You will find the GraphicsConfiguration.xml file in there after upgrading to Horizons.

Dazzy.

ShadowWolf Kell · Dec 19, 2015

Anyone happen to have info on what the various entries in GraphicsConfiguration.xml do? I'd like to tweak things and avoid injectors all together. Not that injectors are bad, it's just not as efficient using them while doing video. Game capture's a lot better than window or monitor capture and Horizons can be pretty intensive.

I've played around with a few that have serious edits to the galaxy map and star background. They're way over the top for me and I'd like to be able to do my own edits and make a far more realistic looking setup for Ultra.

Lasse B. · Dec 19, 2015

I tried to figure it out recently, but quite a lot of parameters don't show any change in the image even if changed to extremely high or low values, which leads me to believe that some settings and entries aren't used at all.

The Game Colonel · Jan 5, 2016

Can anyone update me on the impact the graphics mods have on the current version of ED/Horizons, given the changes by Frontier towards optimization?
Is anyone seeing increased frame rate hits now?

Thanks!

The Game Colonel · Jan 6, 2016

Buler, Buler...Anyone?

CharlusMagnus · Jan 14, 2016

Hey folks,

First, thank you so much for this guide It's really awesome!

I've tried to modify the planet texture size + galactic background in the graphicconfiguration.xml file but nothing has changed so far. My game is installed with steam so maybe that's the issue.

Or has this guide become obsolete since a recent update?

Thanks folks!

Drdeathmerchant · Jan 17, 2016

Re-installed E

after clean OS install. This time I only installed Horizons from steam. The graphicsconfigurationoverride.xml is no longer present. I've dug around for a while to no avail. Anybody know where it got moved to?

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE · Jan 17, 2016

Drdeathmerchant said:
Re-installed E after clean OS install. This time I only installed Horizons from steam. The graphicsconfigurationoverride.xml is no longer present. I've dug around for a while to no avail. Anybody know where it got moved to?

It should be in C:\Users\<name>\AppData\Local\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous\Options\Graphics\GraphicsConfigurationOverride.xml (there is actually an error in the OP) but perhaps it does not get created by default anymore. Try creating it in Notepad and see what happens. p.s. not sure if the filename is case sensitive or not.

Drdeathmerchant · Jan 18, 2016

Thanks I'll give that a shot and let you know.

Drdeathmerchant · Jan 18, 2016

Went to go create the file and low and behold it was there all of a sudden. Anywho I copy pasted the values and while I was doing so I had this post up

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=109576&p=1704550&viewfull=1#post1704550

I noticed there was a small difference in the structure, specifically where it says <GraphicsConfig> above the input values. In the .xml I had there was a space and a forward slash so <GraphicsConfig />. I tried it with the default(space + /) and it didn't work. Went back in, deleted the space and foward slash and we're good to go.

CharlusMagnus · Jan 20, 2016

Hey dudes,

DId anyone try to modify the planet textures with this guide recently?

Obsidian Ant · Jan 20, 2016

From what I have heard, there are a lot of changes in the graphics file - and I don't know what works and doesn't work any longer. I will try and get some time to have a look at some point...

CharlusMagnus · Jan 20, 2016

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Granite. Thanks for taking the time to answer a poor lost fella like me

I'll try on my side as well and post in this discussion if I find some information/results.

Take care!

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE · Jan 20, 2016

I made the changes noted in the video a couple of days ago but I can't say I've noticed any difference in the planet textures (and they still look slightly blurry when viewed at certain angles and distances). The galaxy background seemed sharper though. I've taken some screenshots today and will revert back to the default texture sizes tomorrow and compare.

WizzyThing · Jan 20, 2016

I use this atm:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>


<GraphicsConfig>
    <GUIColour>
        <Default>
            <LocalisationName>Standard</LocalisationName>
            <MatrixRed> 0, 0.17, 0.75 </MatrixRed>
            <MatrixGreen> 0.37, 1, 0 </MatrixGreen>
            <MatrixBlue> 1, 0, 0 </MatrixBlue>
        </Default>
    </GUIColour>
    <GalaxyBackground>
        <High>
            <LocalisationName>$QUALITY_HIGH;</LocalisationName>
            <TextureSize>4096</TextureSize>
        </High>
    </GalaxyBackground>
    <GalaxyMap>
        <High>
            <LocalisationName>$QUALITY_HIGH;</LocalisationName>
            <NebulasCount>30</NebulasCount>
            <NebulasInBackgroundCount>40</NebulasInBackgroundCount>
            <LowResNebulasCount>16</LowResNebulasCount>
            <HighResNebulasCount>1</HighResNebulasCount>
            <LowResNebulaDimensions>64</LowResNebulaDimensions>
            <HighResNebulaDimensions>256</HighResNebulaDimensions>
            <LowResSamplesCount>35</LowResSamplesCount>
            <HighResSamplesCount>138</HighResSamplesCount>
            <MilkyWayInstancesCount>16000</MilkyWayInstancesCount>
            <LocalDustBrightness>0.0</LocalDustBrightness>
            <MilkywayInstancesBrightness>1.0</MilkywayInstancesBrightness>
            <MilkywayInstancesSize>1.0</MilkywayInstancesSize>
            <MilkyWayInstancesOffscreenRTEnabled>false</MilkyWayInstancesOffscreenRTEnabled>
            <StarInstanceCount>10000</StarInstanceCount>
        </High>
    </GalaxyMap>
    <Planets>
        <Ultra>
            <LocalisationName>$QUALITY_ULTRA;</LocalisationName>
            <TextureSize>4096</TextureSize>
            <AtmosphereSteps>6</AtmosphereSteps>
            <CloudsEnabled>true</CloudsEnabled>
            <WorkPerFrame>256</WorkPerFrame>
            <TexturePoolBudget>100</TexturePoolBudget>
        </Ultra>
    </Planets>
    <Envmap>
        <High>
            <LocalisationName>$QUALITY_HIGH;</LocalisationName>
            <TextureSize>512</TextureSize>
            <NumMips>8</NumMips>
        </High>
    </Envmap>
    <DamageDecals>
        <High>
            <LocalisationName>$QUALITY_HIGH;</LocalisationName>
            <SingleDecalReceiversCount>6</SingleDecalReceiversCount>
            <TrailDecalReceiversCount>6</TrailDecalReceiversCount>
            <Enabled>true</Enabled>
        </High>
    </DamageDecals>
    <Trails>
        <High>
            <LocalisationName>$QUALITY_ULTRA;</LocalisationName>
            <EnableStarTrails>1</EnableStarTrails>
            <EnableEngineTrails>1</EnableEngineTrails>
            <EnableWeaponTrails>1</EnableWeaponTrails>
            <EnableHyperspaceTrails>1</EnableHyperspaceTrails>
            <LifetimeMultiplier>1.5</LifetimeMultiplier>
            <RayMarchSteps>8</RayMarchSteps>
            <Level_0>
                <Distance>2500.0</Distance>
                <UpdateRateRcp>2</UpdateRateRcp>
            </Level_0>
            <Level_1>
                <Distance>3500.0</Distance>
                <UpdateRateRcp>4</UpdateRateRcp>
            </Level_1>
            <Level_2>
                <Distance>4500.0</Distance>
                <UpdateRateRcp>8</UpdateRateRcp>
            </Level_2>
        </High>
    </Trails>
</GraphicsConfig>

CharlusMagnus · Jan 21, 2016

Hey dudes!

I've noticed changes in the galaxy background as well but the planets textures look the same as before, exactly as you said, Main Sequence.

And you Wizzi thing, do you notice anything different? And which file are you modifying exactly?

Wasp0 · Jan 21, 2016

Hi Guys,

tried to implement the SweetFX install last night, but the path to the files are not the same as shown. I am running Version 2.0 Horizons 64bit. Has the install path changed from the one Granite gave on the first page of this thread? I do have a Frontier folder in the programfiles(x86) folder, but it certainly does not have the rest of the path suggested on page one?

Can anyone advise where best to look?

Thanks Cmdrs

WizzyThing · Jan 21, 2016

GraphicsConfigurationOverride.xml