View attachment 192259
Hi CMDRs,
As you know, Elite has a default orange HUD. Over the years, CMDRs found a way to alter their HUD via an XML modification.
However, the XML method has widespread unintended effects on many other important elements, such as the colour of friends/foes on the radar, and pilot portraits.
The
Elite Dangerous HUD Mod (EDHM) enables precise colour changes to almost any element on the HUD without the annoying side-effects of the XML method. It also functions to change the cabin lighting to any colour, or even bi-colour if you prefer. We've also dimmed some of the dashboard lights that shine directly in your face, to reduce eye fatigue.
The mod is an application of the shader modding software 3Dmigoto, and is therefore only available on PC (sorry consoles, I wish there was a way..).
EDHM Download link
EDHM was launched on reddit about 6 weeks ago and has undergone several major revisions based on CMDR feedback.
Features include:
- Relaxing blue lines
- 15 cabin lighting colours
- 10 shield colours
- 6 ship hologram colours
- 3 target reticles
- 3 distributor combos
But is best demonstrated by the following video:
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Can I configure all the colours myself?
Soon! Not Soon™, but actually soon (see the EDHM-UI post below). In a few weeks I'll post all the code and colour tables so you can change the colours yourself, and u/BlueMystical from reddit has already started work on a UI. If you're a software dev/eng and would like to contribute to this community project then please leave a comment or get in touch, there's still lots to do
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Does it work in VR?
Yes!
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Is FDev ok with this? Will I get banned for using the mod?
I'm very grateful to
CMDR Exigeous who contacted FDev on our behalf. FDev are fine with the mod so long as it doesn't provide an advantage over other players, or mod their ARX-related assets.
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The mod isn't working for me, all my colours are messed up
This means you have probably changed your HUD XML in the past. The XML needs to be reset back to default, and please see the instructions at the pastebin link or the Readme file in the zip
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Why do I have orange distributor bars?
There is one particular shader, affectionately known as the 'PITA shader' that changes its address (hash) with every resolution and supersampling level. I've tried to cover most of the popular res and SS combinations, and the mod should work out-of-the-box for most 2D/pancake resolutions.
But for VR you'll likely see this issue (as the shader hash also changes with HMD resolution and Oculus/Steam supersampling level).
The good news is there's an easy permanent fix, found in the Shader-Repair folder (in the zip file). It has step-by-step instructions and you only need to do it once (unless you change your VR resolution or SS level).
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Does the mod impact FPS?
If you've ever modded Skyrim to the hilt you'll know there is a cost to making a game look better. With over 50 on-screen modded elements being drawn simultaneously, the GPU has to perform 1000s of extra instructions per second. On average, most players see a 10% drop in FPS at their usual settings.
If you have supersampling activated I recommend bringing it down by a notch .. for example, I run unmodded Elite with SS 2.0, but reduce the SS to 1.75 with the mod. Shadows and ambient occlusion also have major impacts on FPS, and I recommend watching
CMDR Exigeous' video on Elite gfx settings.
Every system is different however, so you'll need to experiment.
A few CMDRs have informed me of large FPS drops in particular situations, such as flying through stations or in combat. I only have a gtx1070 and don't experience these FPS drops, so it's hard for me to replicate and find the reason. Please see the troubleshooting section in the pastebin or Readme file in the zip.
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How do I load the mod on linux?
CMDR breach_candy has kindly shared these instructions:
Linux users may need to add overrides for the dlls in winecfg.
1. run wine64 winecfg
2. select the Elite executable 'EliteDangerous64.exe' by clicking 'Add Application' and pointing it towards the directory where the executable is located.
3. Click on 'Libraries'
4. In the 'New override ofr library:' section, type in d3d11, then click 'Add'. Do this for d3dcompiler_46 and nvapi64 as well.
5. Select d3d11 and click 'Edit...'. Select 'native, builtin'. Repeat for nvapi64.
6. Select d3dcompiler_46 and click 'Edit...'. Select native.
7. Click apply, then ok. Launch the game.
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Do you realise Odyssey might change the shader structure?
Yes of course. I predict there are four scenarios:
i. The devs see this mod and realise HUD customisation should be incorporated into the game. This is the best case scenario [and I'll break out the french champagne if this happens]
ii. Second best case scenario - none of the shader files are affected, CMDRs can continue to mod with their preferences [local champagne]
iii. The shaders change their hashes and require many hours of updating [scotch and dry]
iv. The shaders change so much the mod is irrecoverable [half a bottle of vodka]
Hopefully it's scenario i or ii
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How did EDHM happen?
Back in January I noticed
Old Duck's Immersion mod and started to play around with shaders in 3Dmigoto. When the virus lockdown started in April I began work on the
Wild Goose Chase project with CMDR Drspod .. these are the CMDRs who scout 100s of systems every day to provide the community with the highest mineral prices (they upload their data to EDDB/Inara via EDMC). A seriously good bunch of pilots. If you ever sold LTDs for 1.6 mil/cr during the egg boom then you can thank these guys for finding the sell stations.
Once that project was complete, me and my buddy CMDR Xiba2k4 decided to learn shader theory from scratch, with the intention of modding the HUD. And very slowly (literally 100s of hours) we developed the techniques you see in the mod today. We're still novices but know enough to do what we need to do.
We are deeply grateful to CMDR DarkStarSword (creator of 3Dmigoto), as none of this would be possible without him.
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More info
If you're interested, here's some older videos of the mod in action
EDHM V1.0
EDHM introduction
Reddit posts:
V1.31
V1.0
And if you have any questions, suggestions or feedback then please leave a comment below.
I hope you enjoy the mod!
o7
