Graphics settings

[SgtHetfield]

I have dabbled with graphics in UT, Gritog has suggested some interesting things with regards D3DDrv.

I have stuck with Directdraw for a one key reason - I could see what I was doing.

I use a CRT (I like them), I have two, the smaller of the two I found the gamma was poor - no matter how I tweaked any game, it was simply too dark.

Watching online stuff was again too dark.

My girlfriend is using that in light of her TFT dying, again too dark watching films.

I resolved that - but I will get onto that in a minute.

My second monitor is better, but in OpenGL it was still too dark and I couldn't tweak it as it buggered up Windows.

I have tried OpenGL and it looks nice, and I suppose it takes getting used to.

Direct Draw I have the res a bit lower and I have found that I can see people/bots better from a distance, OpenGL I can't see anything as sharp - however I'm sure Gritog will have ideas on this.

I have tried OpenGL and have persisted with it. The main reason I have not used OpenGL is that if I tweaked the gamma when I dropped back to Windows, or indeed if the game crashed, the gamma was way too high in in Windows itself, and the alarm bells started ringing with regards the brightness of the screen and "is it damaging it?".

Rebooting fixes this, but hardly practical.

A colleague at work was preaching the virtues of something called Powerstrip. After fitting an AGP in my girlfriends box (no sniggering at the back), I still had the gamma problem with it being too dark.

Powerstrip allows you to configure the gamma and other settings on top of the graphic card utils. This fixed the problem.

The major plus is though you can configure apps to have specific gamma settings and other stuff.

On my PC I set up UT with its own settings, I run the game direct from Powerstrip (I don't think it matters if you don't), and now UT is brighter (I need to tweak to my liking), but when I exit, Windows is not affected.

I will be working on tweaking OpenGL to what I want (everyone has their preferences), but means I may...... be a OpenGL convert.

If you use a CRT and have gamma issues, then Powerstrip may be useful to you.

Hope this helps or interests you.

[Draco]

People always seem to have an issue with seeing things in OpenGL. It takes time to get it setup correctly but, when it's done, Direct anything can't compete in quality and frame-rate. I guess maybe my hardware is just ideally suited to run it.

~Johnny Jones

[SgtHetfield]

I'll spend some time testing. Those maps Pie posted look like something I could use as an excuse to test it with.

I tried the Hi-def textures before, and there are a few that are duff, but I may be tempted to swap and put the ones that are good on my system if OpenGL is a goer - which is likely.

I know a lot of gamers (UT) swear by OpenGL and think that Directdraw is pointless, but has served me okay, I didn't use OpenGL for a reason, and as I seem to have sorted (getting there) that problem, then it is looking up.

Nice picture by the way - Clown fetish?

[Badmotor]

Wow. I haven't heard of anyone using DirectDraw in some time. Makes me want to get out my Voodoo5 and play with Slide again.

Have you looked at using one of the updated drivers for UT. I believe D3D8 or D3D9 could make a worlds of difference or possible the latest OpenGL driver for UT99.

[[FuN]Bl17zZ]

I use direct draw. i think. not shure. might be the booze talking:s

[Draco]

I'll spend some time testing. Those maps Pie posted look like something I could use as an excuse to test it with.

I tried the Hi-def textures before, and there are a few that are duff, but I may be tempted to swap and put the ones that are good on my system if OpenGL is a goer - which is likely.

I know a lot of gamers (UT) swear by OpenGL and think that Directdraw is pointless, but has served me okay, I didn't use OpenGL for a reason, and as I seem to have sorted (getting there) that problem, then it is looking up.

Nice picture by the way - Clown fetish?


[FuN] Clan originally had the psycho clown as it's mascot hence the jester-bots on the server. Just kind of got forgotten, I guess. I just tried some settings on D3D9 on my system. Pic was nice looking even at the lowest settings but frame-rate dropped to noticeable levels less than 30 in even mid sized maps. I like high frame-rates of 150+ and then limiting the game to 80-90fps to match my refresh rate. Very rarely does my fps drop below that.

~Johnny Jones

[THE_PHIL]

my only problem with d3d9 is that my mouse would studder when i wanted to turn right real fast. I had to go back to d3d8 to get rid of it. but really i cant tell the difference with what i got running now.
i have had no luck with open GL. I always get MAD tearing issues on alot of my favorite maps so i went away from it. also when i get a new computer with a real vid card I will try open GL again. or what ever 2020 may have at that time.....hehehehe

[Ironface_NL]

I tried OpenGL but still prefer D3D8.

[SgtHetfield]

Wow. I haven't heard of anyone using DirectDraw in some time. Makes me want to get out my Voodoo5 and play with Slide again.

Have you looked at using one of the updated drivers for UT. I believe D3D8 or D3D9 could make a worlds of difference or possible the latest OpenGL driver for UT99.

I have been using D2D8 then D3D9 when it came out. It was the only reason I used it as opposed to OpenGL at the time.

[SgtHetfield]

my only problem with d3d9 is that my mouse would studder when i wanted to turn right real fast. I had to go back to d3d8 to get rid of it. but really i cant tell the difference with what i got running now.
i have had no luck with open GL. I always get MAD tearing issues on alot of my favorite maps so i went away from it. also when i get a new computer with a real vid card I will try open GL again. or what ever 2020 may have at that time.....hehehehe

I get very bad tearing on a lot of maps with D3D9 - the original game maps are fine, it is the custom ones that are bad. I still get some tearing with OpenGL, but not as bad. The mouse thing I thought was a PC setting (I don't suggest reg hacks here!). But the juddering happens in CoD so I don't blame UT for that.

OpenGL is looking promising.

[Brummel]

Here's another OpenGL user, takes some time to set it up to your preferences, but there's tips and tricks out there to help you in the process...