[3D VISION FIX] Elite Dangerous + EDTracker + 3D Vision = AWESOME!!!

VR andysonofbob · Nov 8, 2015

Hi

MASSIVE UPDATE! It is fixed! Pretty much anyway!

ED with the OR is l33t! But ED with EDTracker + 3D Vision is pretty l33t too!

I have been working on my fix for a short while. I might still need to catch a few more starmaps but I thought I would mention it here because I recon, with my fix, ED is a very decent VR-lite experience.

FIXED:
Depths of nebula and starfields have been pushed back to depth.
Depths of planets and stars in space have been pushed back slightly to better fit the HUD depth.
Loads of dodgy shaders have been fixed!
Object doubling fix
Trails fixed
Lights
Orbit lines

Press "/" to toggle planets when in System Map.

ISSUES:
None - just make sure shadows are off in the menu and you are not in CM!

I think even with the issues the game looks pretty awesome using 3D Vision and even more awesome with the EDTracker / 3D Vision combo!

Have fun and don't forget to follow the instructions like make sure nVidia's pants COMPATIBILITY MODE is OFF.

Instructions and download can be found here (made it modular like for people wanting to upgrade):
http://helixmod.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/elite-dangerous.html

For Horizons 64 bit V11 (works with Elite Dangerous 64bit):
https://s3.amazonaws.com/andysonofbob/Elite+Dangerous+Fix+V11+64bit.zip

Enjoy

drkaii · Nov 8, 2015

Fantastic! Those guys at Helix are unsung heroes.

Shame I don't have TrackIR but I might get some of that DIY TrackIR stuff floating around. Love 3D vision <3

VR andysonofbob · Nov 8, 2015

Cheers mate!

Like buses, where you wait for ages with none showing up and then loads turn up at once, I travelled thousands of ly without needing to fix any starmaps and then I posted the fix and the very next jumping session I found a bunch more. D'oh!!

Updated the fix. V7 Changelog:

Found and fixed two more starfields around 7,000 ly from Sag A*. (I am slowly heading to Sag A*!)
Pushed a couple more in system stars and planet shaders slightly deeper so they better match the HUD

VR andysonofbob · Nov 15, 2015

Updated fix to V8

Changelog:
Pushed deep-space planets back closer to infinite - tried to do it with stars but they loose too much detail.

Tweaked HUD element depths - really subtle but I think it's cool

TheFourteenthDoctor · Nov 21, 2015

andysonofbob said:
Hi

ED with the OR is l33t! But ED with EDTracker + 3D Vision is pretty l33t too!

I have been working on my fix for a short while. Having nearly got to galactic central and having (hopefully) found the last starmap that needed correcting I thought I would mention it here because I recon it is a very decent VR-lite experience.

FIXED:
Depths of nebula and starfields have been pushed back to depth
Depths of planets and stars in space have been pushed back slightly to better fit the HUD depth.
Loads of dodgy shaders have been removed

ISSUES:
When you are close to stars and certain types of planets and stare at them, the top of your cockpit doubles. Also objects between you and aforementioned stars/planets double too.
Inside stations are slightly darker.

I think even with the issues the game looks pretty awesome using 3D Vision and even more awesome with the EDTracker / 3D Vision combo!

Have fun and don't forget to follow the instructions like make sure nVidia's pants COMPATIBILITY MODE is OFF.

Instructions for FIX and download can be found here:
http://helixmod.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/elite-dangerous.html

or direct from here:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/andysonofbob/Elite+Dangerous+Fix+V8.zip

Enjoy

Andy, many thanks for the 3D fix. I’ve been running ED in nVidia 3D Surround (6000 x 1080) for some time now, but there is one major problem for me, and that is the rendering of the suns (system stars). With or without your fix, they look the same, like this:

As you can see, the suns split vertically, with one half black and the other half the correct colour. If you shut alternate eyes, then the halves change sides.

It is possible in the galaxy map (first image above) to reduce this by increasing the convergence and decreasing the depth (to its minimum), but this does not work in space, nor does it work in the galaxy map if you zoom in or out from the distance that you set the convergence at. Normally, I run with minimum convergence and a depth of 4%.

This effect does not seem to be mentioned in your description, which made me wonder if I was the only person seeing it (and therefore doing something wrong). However, it has been mentioned elsewhere.

Does anybody know if there is a way to fix this? Is it something that it is likely you will be able to do in a future update of the patch?

Many thanks for having a look.

John.

VR andysonofbob · Nov 21, 2015

Hello mate

The only person who reported major issues like you describe were in nvidias compatibility mode.

Are you definitely in true 3D and not in the default compatibility mode? I think it is ctrl alt and ins to toggle. You have to do this or the game will be in CM which is really annoying because it looks dreadful and is broken in 3D. Also shadows need to be disabled.

The game should look good especially at 100% depth. There are some situational anomalies like objects doubling if between you and certain planets but you sort of have to get into those scenarios.

Also is it defo in the right directory? It is in a funny sounding one buried deep in the game.

Let me know how you get on!

TheFourteenthDoctor · Nov 21, 2015

Thank you for your quick reply!

Yes, definitely NOT in compatibility mode (ctrl+alt+f11 toggle, compatibility mode off confirmed with ctrl+alt+ins). In compatibility mode, as many have said, the 3D is flat and uninteresting. Also, in compatibility mode, the suns don't have this problem, and look fine (well, being compatibility mode, just like 2D!).

Increasing the depth to 100% without your fix was disastrous (split HUD etc). With your fix, I get double images and blurring - it is almost unwatchable and a strain on the eyes. Perhaps I am applying your fix wrong. I copied your files into the EDLaunch\Products\FORC-FDEV-D-1002 folder (my version is not the Steam one), but did nothing else (I didn't apply the nebula tweak). Is this correct?

SoulRFlair · Nov 21, 2015

Andy

I have been messing around with the nebulae fix and I may not be doing it properly. I don't see where the bin files have repopulated and I am confused on how you explain the DXini file copy paste. Also do you have to relaunch the game every time you want to adjust it? I am also wondering do you think the starfield should be behind the nebulae or in front? I've tried it both ways. When I adjust convergence the stars seem to shallow, when I push them back I loose a lot of the 3D fix. I guess I am suggesting could maybe make your nebulae tweak instructions more clear? No offense - great work and highly appreciate it.

VR andysonofbob · Nov 21, 2015

@TheFourteenthDoctor

I don't think you should have to tweak the nebula. I have tried it on two different monitors with different resolutions and didn't need to.

Could you post a stereo screeny of the issues?

Push come to shove, do you know if I can download the non-steam version of ED? That way I can compare.

edit
On the elitestore on my dashboard it says I own ED and Horizons and seeing as that is external to steam I don't see why I can't download the non-steam version. Numpty here just cant find the download grrrrrr!

edit
Sussed it. I just copies and pasted the launcher file from steam. Syncing files....
I noticed your FORC-FDEV-D-1002 folder is named differently to mine: C:\Steam\SteamApps\common\Elite Dangerous\Products\FORC-FDEV-D-1010
Are there any differences do you know?

@ SoulRFlair
None taken. Could you also post a screenie? That way I could help with suggesting numbers for the tweaks.

VR andysonofbob · Nov 21, 2015

Hmmm

I downloaded it outside of steam so it is now:
C:\Games\Elite dangerous\Products\FORC-FDEV-D-1010

It still works for me. :/

Could you try it non-surround and use the last training mission please - that way we can be like for like?

I have attached a bunch of images. To view them in stereo, just remove the .jpg
These were all taken from non-steam one.

'Normal' issues with stars

Star in space

Star in space further out

System map

@ SoulRFlair

Normal Convergence = neb about right

Normal Convergence = neb about right #2

High Convergence = neb too far

Low Convergence = neb too near

VR andysonofbob · Nov 21, 2015

So sorry for all the spams! But I have disabled a shader I had fixed which looks 'similar' to yours. They are not exactly the same though: your shadow looked funky but mine looks plain in comparison.

If it does looks like mine, it might be that the shader didn't compile properly. You will need to remove all the .bin files so they can be regenerated on the next launch. There will be one bin file generated for each .txt file. BUT you will only get the .bin file generated if it the shader has been used.

The 417a29af0cffb56d-vs_replace file is the shader controlling the shadow and it should have disabled it. As you can see in the screenshot my non-steam version hasn't generated all of the .bin files yet. As I play more, and more shaders are used, more of the .bin files will be generated. Delete all the bin files and relaunch. If it was a dodgy compile it should be fixed. You should only need to do this once.

TheFourteenthDoctor · Nov 22, 2015

andysonofbob said:
If it does looks like mine, it might be that the shader didn't compile properly. You will need to remove all the .bin files so they can be regenerated on the next launch. There will be one bin file generated for each .txt file. BUT you will only get the .bin file generated if it the shader has been use.

Sorry for the delay in getting back, I've had other commitments.

I am beginning to wonder if your fix is being activated, as there are no .bin files being generated at all that I can find. Can you tell me (briefly) how ED hooks into your software (as your patch does not replace any original ED files) - that way I might be able to work out what is going wrong (you can be technical - I am a programmer).

Here are the SBS shots you wanted. I've taken these with nVidia surround off, as I assume SBS is a separate process, so please let me know if you want me to take them with surround on.

The fact that my FORC folder is named differently to the one you have identified is also making me wonder. I know of no reason for the different names.

The final point of course is that my 3D sun issues were present before I applied your fix, so really your fix does not seem to be the issue - so there may be some other problem. I've got a few things I want to try, then I will get back to you again (it may be a day or so).

Thank you so much for all your attention to this.

TheFourteenthDoctor · Nov 22, 2015

Non-Steam ED3D Fixed

OK, it's fixed.

I noticed that the PUBLIC_TEST_SERVER folder residing along side my FORC-FDEV-D-1002 folder contained similar files. It turns out that this is the folder that you need to extract the patch files into. Eureka

it all works. The sun problem for me is fixed and, boy, the patch works like a dream - the 3D is spectacular (so much better than the 3D I was getting before - suns apart!). And, of course, now I have shader .bin files generated.

So, an immense thank you to andysonofbob for the patch. Fantastic work, brilliant! THANK YOU!

P.S. I would still like to know how it works, i.e how does ED know to access your files?:S

P.P.S. Sudden realisation - all this is my fault

. The reason the patch works in the PUBLIC_TEST_SERVER folder and doesn't (didn't) work in the FORC-FDEV-D-1002 folder is because I was testing it with the ED Ships 1.5 beta (I'm a backer). What an idiot (me, that is)! So when I tried ED proper, of course, same problem. Solved by putting the patch back in both folders so that beta and release both work. So, Andy, sincere apologies for causing you extra work!

VR andysonofbob · Nov 22, 2015

Woot! Woot! Really pleased you are enjoying the fix.

Handy to know ED's Beta Backers may need to install the fix elsewhere; all good info!

NEW RELEASE / UPDATE.

V9 changelog

Restored target icon depth - when I made the last version I was in deep space exploring and this looked sweet. Once I returned to populated space and started farming rats I noticed it caused clipping on the weapon indicators so they looked like they were going through the enemy ships. Not good.

Either uninstall the fix and then install the new version (link in OP)
Or
Simply delete the following two files from within ShaderFixes:
1a42961783ddfd1c-vs_replace.txt
1a42961783ddfd1c-vs_replace.bin (There is a super slim chance, this .bin file might not be there and therefore won't need to be removed!)

Sorry about that! Ho hum… :/

G'ah!!! The link on the OP to ED's page on the Helix site now works too! Soz!

VR andysonofbob · Nov 28, 2015

Update

I have updated to V10. Purely tweaks. For instance I have better aligned the deep space planets (when they look more like stars) closer to the depth they become when the 'normal' planet shaders load; this prevented the 'doubling' of the starlike planets. Much more comfortable.

I have also tweaked the nebula depth, by a teeny amount because I felt the convergence required to align the star-field with the nebula was a wee bit low.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/andysonofbob/Elite+Dangerous+Fix+V10.zip

pocketmoon · Dec 7, 2015

Holly Heck! This epic!

Picked up an ASUS VH278 off ebay which has the Nvidia 3D vision sensor build in.

The stations are HUGE in 3D... and I don't have a box strapped to my face

Background stars are a bit close though. Is there a particular 'adjustment' that can be made to those ?

VR andysonofbob · Dec 8, 2015

Hello mate!

PMed you. Just a thought: are you running the new 64bit ED or the current 32bit? The fix won't work with 64bit atm because the patch is for the 32bit. Hopefully the shaders are untouch for the 64bit and it is just a matter of swapping out the 32bit patch files for the 64bit ones!

VR andysonofbob · Dec 12, 2015

Update

Added toggle, press: "/" to turn on planets/stars on system map. This has allowed me to push back all the planets and stars. Unsure about this one. I would appreciate feedback...

Changlelog:
Added toggle
Found multiple star and planet shaders and have pushed them back slightly.

Link in OP

TheFourteenthDoctor · Dec 13, 2015

andysonofbob said:
Hello mate!

PMed you. Just a thought: are you running the new 64bit ED or the current 32bit? The fix won't work with 64bit atm because the patch is for the 32bit. Hopefully the shaders are untouch for the 64bit and it is just a matter of swapping out the 32bit patch files for the 64bit ones!

I've just tried V11 of the fix with the ED Horizons beta. As you say, the fix does not work currently because Horizons is 64bit. I've tried copying the .bin files from the 32bit version into the 64bit one, but this does not work. Can you please explain what you mean by "just a matter of swapping out the 32bit patch files for the 64bit ones!", as I am unsure what else to try.

Many thanks.

VR andysonofbob · Dec 13, 2015

Try this...

https://s3.amazonaws.com/andysonofbob/Elite+Dangerous+Fix+V11+64bit+UNTESTED.rar

Completely untested. Obviously the planet surfaces won't have been looked at...