How to tweak the Field Of View to above the maximum game setting.

[Whispering Dave]

This may already be out there somewhere. If it is then I humbly apologize.

I got a little fed up with the default maximum field of view in the game (60 degrees).
So I poked around to see if I could adjust it to a larger angle than the in-game maximum and found the graphic settings file.
I have been using the tweak for a while now with no problems.

As always ... Please, please, please make a backup copy of the file before editing anything just in case it gets buggered up!

Go to the Settings.xml file in C:Users\(Your Folder)\AppData\Local\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous\Options\Graphics\Settings.xml

The location is for Windows 7. I do not know where it would be located in other Windows versions.

To view the AppData folder you may have to set the default folder options to show hidden files and folders (see the 'how to' image below if you are not sure).

Open the Settings.xml file with Notepad (Right click then 'Open with...').

Your file may be slightly different but you should see something like this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<GraphicsOptions>
<Version>1</Version>
<PresetName>Ultra</PresetName>
<StereoscopicMode>0</StereoscopicMode>
<IPDAmount>0.001000</IPDAmount>
<AMDCrashFix>false</AMDCrashFix>
<FOV>60.000000</FOV>
<HighResScreenCapAntiAlias>3</HighResScreenCapAntiAlias>
<HighResScreenCapScale>4</HighResScreenCapScale>
<GammaOffset>0.000000</GammaOffset>
<DisableGuiEffects>false</DisableGuiEffects>
<StereoFocalDistance>25.000000</StereoFocalDistance>
<StencilDump>false</StencilDump>
</GraphicsOptions>

Edit the number in the <FOV> line from what it is set to - <FOV>60.000000</FOV>

To what you want it set to. For example 70 degrees FOV will be - <FOV>70.000000</FOV>

Or 90 degrees FOV will be - <FOV>90.000000</FOV>

60 degrees is the widest default FOV when set using the options while in the game.

Before you go any further. Have you made a backup copy of the file. If not then p-l-e-a-s-e make a copy now.

Save the file as Settings.xml

Go play Elite: Dangerous.

If you adjust the FOV settings while in the game it will reset this tweak.

Keep fiddling with the numbers until you are happy with them. I settled on 75 myself.

You can edit the file while the game launcher is running but not while the full game itself is running. It will not take effect until you restart the game. You do not have to restart the launcher.

The User Interface (UI) resizes with the tweak so if you have set a really wide angle the UI can look a little small and objects towards the edges of the screen can get a bit stretched. At least everything stays in place in the cockpit. See Harpeizanae's posts (links below) for some good examples of the UI with the FOV set at 90 degrees.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=138628&p=2120461&viewfull=1#post2120461

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=138628&p=2120516&viewfull=1#post2120516

Snaps with the FOV set at 60, 70, 80 and 90 degrees in a Cobra. Plus a 'where it is' and a 'how to' and my view of the Asp cockpit at 80 degrees FOV.

View attachment 30287View attachment 30288View attachment 30289View attachment 30290View attachment 30295View attachment 30296View attachment 33549View attachment 33550View attachment 33551View attachment 33552

In case anyone is wondering. The reason the snaps of my windows explorer look like something that has fallen from the nineteen nineties tree is because I turn off all the whistles and bells that come with Windows OS. You would be surprised how much it speeds things up when your PC does not waste its time doing animations, desktop sounds, wallpapers, themes, sidebar gadgets and glass windows. It is still Windows 7 Ultimate ... only a little faster.

 

[starjump]

Neato! I didnt see this before so thanks.

 

[CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE]

+1 rep for the clear instructions.

 

[Harpeizanae]

Excellent work, I was going to try this myself but never got around to it for some reason.
Have some rep, CMDR.
I like to play with a fov around the 120 mark, old Tribes habit, but I think the 90 region might be my limit here. UI elements don't scale, rather they behave like objects ingame, likely something to do with VR support.

Linking to some screenshots showing a couple of cockpits and menu screens with the fov set at 90.

Clipper

Spoiler

View attachment 30304

Eagle

Spoiler

View attachment 30305

Sidewinder

Spoiler

View attachment 30306

Asp

Spoiler

View attachment 30307

Main menu

Spoiler

View attachment 30308

Station menu

Spoiler

View attachment 30309

Outfitting menu

Spoiler

View attachment 30310

 

[Whispering Dave]

Thanks. Now I've GOT to get me an Asp for exploring, what a view!

 

[Harpeizanae]

Thanks. Now I've GOT to get me an Asp for exploring, what a view!

Making a few runs around the system right now, to you and anyone else; be aware of that text like distance to target and ETA becomes way smaller. At least at fov 90, I have not tried 70 yet.
Like so, 1080p this time. Not sure what it would look like at 720.

Spoiler

View attachment 30312

Edit:
Sense of distance, utterly wrecked. Going to need to go through a bit of adjustment if I want to fly with the fov set to 90. Does make things feel a lot further away and a lot bigger though, so scale feels way off from what I am used to.
Further Edit:
Let us play a game: Spot the sidewinder.

Spoiler

View attachment 30317

 

[TheMarshall]

Using an EDTracker I found that I had to pull the FOV back down a bit for my own comfort/ability to read text. Its trial and error really but handy tip for anyone that hasnt seen this. Thanks for sharing.

 

[DrugaRunda]

I am setting to 75 - it is soooo much nicer. Thanks for the tip!

 

[TheoZ]

Very interesting post indeed,

but hey a question: isn't messing up with the files of the game considered as "hacking"?

 

[Whispering Dave]

Very interesting post indeed,

but hey a question: isn't messing up with the files of the game considered as "hacking"?

I was wondering when someone would ask this. I don't consider this as a 'hack' or 'hacking'. You don't gain any advantage in the game by using it. All you get is a wider view. You may see things to the sides a split second earlier but then so do the Oculus, TrackIR and multi-screen users. Also this will give the look of objects being further away from you than they really are. A disadvantage, especially during combat or close maneovering while mining or landing at a station.

I'm sure that if Frontier have any problem with it they will let us know.

Thanks for asking, good question.

 

[Harpeizanae]

Good question!
Personally I don't see it as modifying game files to gain an advantage over players either. While a higher field of view could be argued is an advantage in some circumstances, so is the ability to turn your head and look at something with the help of trackIR or the Rift.

I have one particular experience to share to describe exactly why I seek higher FoV in games, usually higher than what is possible in the game: Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

Great game, loads of fun, but the FoV was locked to 50. I could not play that game for periods longer than 30-45 minutes, because I would get crushing headaches, nauscea and eye-strain. After editing the configuration files to something I knew I was more comfortable with: 90 degrees, the eye-strain and headaches, along with the nauscea, went the way of the dinosaurs. So in my case, anything below 60/70 is physically uncomfortable.

I've been doing this for a long time, just to avoid feeling ill, and I have not come across anyone who's taken issue with it.
From what I understand, editing the FoV sits in the same ballpark as editing the HUD colorscheme for personal preference or increased visibility.

 

[TheoZ]

I was wondering when someone would ask this. I don't consider this as a 'hack' or 'hacking'. You don't gain any advantage in the game by using it. All you get is a wider view. You may see things to the sides a split second earlier but then so do the Oculus, TrackIR and multi-screen users. Also this will give the look of objects being further away from you than they really are. A disadvantage, especially during combat or close maneovering while mining or landing at a station.

I'm sure that if Frontier have any problem with it they will let us know.

Thanks for asking, good question.

Let me put an example to support it is "kind of cheat".


I go pvp vs you, that you have a wider view. I see narrow view, I lose you from my sight, but you still see where I am located since you have a wider view. In other words, you see my ship where it is located, making it easier for you to adjust your location so that you attack me, while I don't see you, forcing me to use the radar instead (which is kind of more difficult to "read")

 

[Whispering Dave]

Let me put an example to support it is "kind of cheat".


I go pvp vs you, that you have a wider view. I see narrow view, I lose you from my sight, but you still see where I am located since you have a wider view. In other words, you see my ship where it is located, making it easier for you to adjust your location so that you attack me, while I don't see you, forcing me to use the radar instead (which is kind of more difficult to "read")

You are trying to argue and make a point with the wrong person. Use it or not. I am not really bothered about what you think about the tweak. I posted it because some people might not know about it and may find it useful. If you think it is a cheat and not a tweak then do not use it. Apparently this tweak has been around for a while and Frontier has not banned it. I am not going to get into an argument or long winded discussion about it. Please stop trying to make a point by (virtually) slapping me in the face with it.

Thank You.

 

[khaitom]

Let me put an example to support it is "kind of cheat".


I go pvp vs you, that you have a wider view. I see narrow view, I lose you from my sight, but you still see where I am located since you have a wider view. In other words, you see my ship where it is located, making it easier for you to adjust your location so that you attack me, while I don't see you, forcing me to use the radar instead (which is kind of more difficult to "read")

Not when the devs told us it was okay, at least it was months ago. It's the same process as changing HUD colours.

 

[Bostlabs]

Let me put an example to support it is "kind of cheat".


I go pvp vs you, that you have a wider view. I see narrow view, I lose you from my sight, but you still see where I am located since you have a wider view. In other words, you see my ship where it is located, making it easier for you to adjust your location so that you attack me, while I don't see you, forcing me to use the radar instead (which is kind of more difficult to "read")

You face the same thing when you go up against players using the Rift, TrackIR or EDTracker. Heck you face the same issue when anyone uses just a Hat switch to head look. IT can't be a cheat if you are not using the tools that are in the game.

 

[Mr_Blastman]

But it makes everything so small! There's no zoom module when aiming.

 

[Tihor]

Not just a great post - but also a great sig

 

[Whispering Dave]

Using an EDTracker I found that I had to pull the FOV back down a bit for my own comfort/ability to read text. Its trial and error really but handy tip for anyone that hasnt seen this. Thanks for sharing.

Completely off at a tangent but I like your Radio Sidewinder link. Good in-game music. Listening to it at this very moment. Kitten Brand Coffee HAHA!.
It's a pity we can't put links like this into our UI in-game so with just a click of a button you are listening to your favourite music. Thanks.

 

[TheoZ]

You are trying to argue and make a point with the wrong person. Use it or not. I am not really bothered about what you think about the tweak. I posted it because some people might not know about it and may find it useful. If you think it is a cheat and not a tweak then do not use it. Apparently this tweak has been around for a while and Frontier has not banned it. I am not going to get into an argument or long winded discussion about it. Please stop trying to make a point by (virtually) slapping me in the face with it.

Thank You.

nah, I don't needs tweaks like that.

I win my battles straight, without any "tweaks".


btw, you didn't answer when I brought the example because simply you couldn't.

Wrong person indeed, maybe rank up a bit, and then you might be the "right" person.

Forums are the place were commanders state our opinions, like it or not.

Now bring me some coffee, soldier.

P.S. +1 rep btw.. I might not choose to use it, but I still find it a useful post.

 

[Whispering Dave]

Not just a great post - but also a great sig

Alas. Cmdr Stoke Me A Clipper is no more. He was destroyed by a nasty little mugger, erm, I mean a pirate of course. I promised myself that if any of my commanders are destroyed I won't resurrect them. I've done a 'clear save' and I am now Cmdr Miscellaneous. Anyone who wants to use 'Stoke Me A Clipper' as a commander name is welcome. I won't be using it again. For those who are confused as to what Tihor is on about here's my old 'Stoke Me A Clipper' signature.
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