Editing the Graphics Config .xml

[NorthernDevo]

Hey folks - I just found out about this and would like to play with it a bit.
For reference, I already run my graphics at full max - every option on the top peg.

I'm going to go squirrelling around in the .xml file and see what I can come up with, but are there any common values that are frequently adjusted?
My ED looks luvverly - would like it to look even lovelier.

Ehich values would you suggest I try adjusting?
Thanks! And cheers

 

[Robert Maynard]

@Morbad has modified this file extensively.

 

[Zieman]

Have a peek:

Graphics Settings Beyond Ultra -- Shadows

NOTE: This thread applies to the Legacy 3.8 version of the game. I have a separate thread for 4.0 Live. Update Check post #14 #18 #23 #28 #32 #82 #99 #137 #165 #209 #240 #262 for most recent iteration of the file. Unless otherwise noted in the referenced post, the rest of this post still...

forums.frontier.co.uk

 

[Morbad]

Most of the GraphicsConfiguration.xml modifications should be applied to the GraphicsConfigurationOverride.xml instead.

Shadows are a special case, as if you need to add variables that do not exist in the base file, they must be added there...can't override what doesn't exist yet.

I'm going to go squirrelling around in the .xml file and see what I can come up with, but are there any common values that are frequently adjusted?

The various texture resolutions are some of the most noticeable changes.

 

[Retropolitan]

<GalaxyBackground> controls the resolution of the, well, galaxy background; it seemed to me that each increase there added to the time it took for me to make a hyperspace jump*.

<StarInstanceCount> controls the number of stars you can see around your position in the galaxy map, and I have this set to a ludicrous number because I think that's cool.

(I did these in the overrides file, as mentioned above.)

* No verification of this, but my guess was that the backdrop is rendered on the fly during your jump using textures for the galaxy and nebulae at different resolutions. More res=slower. But, like I said, that's just my guess.