Halo 1 & 2 for PC
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Subject: The Halo PC/CE Graphical Enhancement Guide (and other tweaks).


Posted by: n357
I can think of two tips here. One, any optimisation routines for trilinear and anisotropic texture filtering can be turned off for even better quality (and slower performance).

The other thing is that "shiny everything" tweak. For NVIDIA, you can add the line "DisableAlphaRenderTargets" under the one that says:

Vendor = 0x10de "nVidia"

For ATI, or anyone using the "camo fix", it would instead go under this line:

Vendor = 0x1002 "ATI"

This makes the game complain when you start it again, but now everything reflective or bumpy should be shiny all the time, not just when light sources are on them. The other side effect is no blur when you use the pistol scope.


The reason that I didn't include "DisableAlphaRenderTargets" is because that breaks the shiny active cammo fix I posted, and the pistol blur is supposed to be there also :P

I'm interested in the optimization for anisotropic filtering you were talking about. Can you tell me more?

  • 08.07.2011 4:25 AM PDT
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Posted by: Zetren
The reason that I didn't include "DisableAlphaRenderTargets" is because that breaks the shiny active cammo fix I posted, and the pistol blur is supposed to be there also :P


It should be a crime to have a list of tweaks for the game and not include DART; it's probably the most commonly used tweak, especially amongst the more competitive players.

  • 08.07.2011 6:43 AM PDT


Posted by: Btcc22

Posted by: Zetren
The reason that I didn't include "DisableAlphaRenderTargets" is because that breaks the shiny active cammo fix I posted, and the pistol blur is supposed to be there also :P


It should be a crime to have a list of tweaks for the game and not include DART; it's probably the most commonly used tweak, especially amongst the more competitive players.


The reason I don't use/like disablealpharendertargets is because

1: Most objects become unrealistically over shiny, look at the bases in sidewinder for example

2: It breaks the shiny active camo, what's the point in getting good graphics to take away good graphics?

3: It breaks the scope blur, which is meant to be there, added by the developers.

4: It breaks scope night vision, it's spread horribly across the entire screen with it enabled

I hope you understand what I'm getting at here.

  • 08.07.2011 7:07 AM PDT
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It's a multiplayer enhancement so point four is moot. Just point out the downsides and add it. ;)

Just because you don't use it doesn't change the fact that the vast majority of active players do and for good reason.

  • 08.07.2011 7:17 AM PDT
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Well, to be honest, I'd rather not have the blur on the pistol scope. Does anyone actually use the Night Vision on the Sniper? I'd also rather see people with active camo easier... Even though that might be seen as a little cheap.

  • 08.07.2011 7:22 AM PDT

Tell me a good reason for using DART. I can't figure out what the benefits are to be honest.

  • 08.08.2011 12:36 PM PDT
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Posted by: Zetren
Tell me a good reason for using DART. I can't figure out what the benefits are to be honest.
Some people believe it makes the game look better, just like the rest of the tweaks you've mentioned. In the end this could be a list of things you like or a complete guide to all graphical tweaks for Halo PC/CE. DART is just another one of those things some people prefer. :P

  • 08.08.2011 1:14 PM PDT


Posted by: Dr Syx

Posted by: Zetren
Tell me a good reason for using DART. I can't figure out what the benefits are to be honest.
Some people believe it makes the game look better, just like the rest of the tweaks you've mentioned. In the end this could be a list of things you like or a complete guide to all graphical tweaks for Halo PC/CE. DART is just another one of those things some people prefer. :P


Yes, you've got a point. I'll put it up then. by the way, do you like the new layout?

Also, I think I heard you talking about increasing the texture sizes in map files with HMT in a reach forum topic sometime. Well, whats it like?

  • 08.08.2011 2:00 PM PDT
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Posted by: Zetren

Posted by: Dr Syx

Posted by: Zetren
Tell me a good reason for using DART. I can't figure out what the benefits are to be honest.
Some people believe it makes the game look better, just like the rest of the tweaks you've mentioned. In the end this could be a list of things you like or a complete guide to all graphical tweaks for Halo PC/CE. DART is just another one of those things some people prefer. :P


Yes, you've got a point. I'll put it up then. by the way, do you like the new layout?

Also, I think I heard you talking about increasing the texture sizes in map files with HMT in a reach forum topic sometime. Well, whats it like?
OH! Thank you for reminding me! Yeah, there are options in HMT under some tags to increase the texture quality in the maps. It takes some time, but you have to go into each individual map and check the highest quality setting.

(Okay, I've tried to google the thread I read it from, but I can't find it anywhere. I can't remember which tags you're supposed to be looking through, either. Sorry :/)

Oh, and yeah, I do like the new layout. (:

[Edited on 08.08.2011 3:08 PM PDT]

  • 08.08.2011 3:07 PM PDT

Hey I have a Compaq Presario with CPU 2.5 GHz, 504MB RAM, and intel integrated graphics chipset 845G. I know its not great but it works alright I was just wondering if there is anyway to make halo run better on intel integrated graphics. In particular I have a problem where the master chiefs visor is black in the game instead of gold. Any help would be appreciated!

  • 08.08.2011 3:17 PM PDT


Posted by: Dr Syx

Posted by: Zetren

Posted by: Dr Syx

Posted by: Zetren
Tell me a good reason for using DART. I can't figure out what the benefits are to be honest.
Some people believe it makes the game look better, just like the rest of the tweaks you've mentioned. In the end this could be a list of things you like or a complete guide to all graphical tweaks for Halo PC/CE. DART is just another one of those things some people prefer. :P


Yes, you've got a point. I'll put it up then. by the way, do you like the new layout?

Also, I think I heard you talking about increasing the texture sizes in map files with HMT in a reach forum topic sometime. Well, whats it like?
OH! Thank you for reminding me! Yeah, there are options in HMT under some tags to increase the texture quality in the maps. It takes some time, but you have to go into each individual map and check the highest quality setting.

(Okay, I've tried to google the thread I read it from, but I can't find it anywhere. I can't remember which tags you're supposed to be looking through, either. Sorry :/)

Oh, and yeah, I do like the new layout. (:

Please find out! This would probably be the best tweak of them all as it would actually disable texture compression, free steak for you if you do so x)

Posted by: airmanleon59556
Hey I have a Compaq Presario with CPU 2.5 GHz, 504MB RAM, and intel integrated graphics chipset 845G. I know its not great but it works alright I was just wondering if there is anyway to make halo run better on intel integrated graphics. In particular I have a problem where the master chiefs visor is black in the game instead of gold. Any help would be appreciated!

Hi,

Update your graphics card drivers, that has been proven to fix it.

[Edited on 08.10.2011 10:05 AM PDT]

  • 08.10.2011 10:03 AM PDT

Posted by: Phoenix 641
Let's mount our chairs on the wall.

I'd really like a version of this thread for Halo 2. I can't seem to find any texmods, tweak guides, tweak guides, or even launch options of note for graphic modifications. Truly lame.

  • 08.13.2011 11:43 AM PDT
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Posted by: willis936
I'd really like a version of this thread for Halo 2. I can't seem to find any texmods, tweak guides, tweak guides, or even launch options of note for graphic modifications. Truly lame.
I highly doubt there are any texture mods for Halo 2 Vista or even many tweaks at all besides FPS Limiter. I think I remember seeing a guide to fixing most of the problems that you might encounter with h2v somewhere...

  • 08.13.2011 11:53 AM PDT

How do I access the "Manage 3D" tab? I don't know where to find it.

  • 08.13.2011 12:52 PM PDT
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Yes, I am a hypocrite, and I'm sorry. I really do mean well, but I'm not running on all cylinders.

Everytime someone buys a copy of Halo 2 Vista, a puppy dies.

Posted by: Zetren
The reason that I didn't include "DisableAlphaRenderTargets" is because that breaks the shiny active cammo fix I posted, and the pistol blur is supposed to be there also :P

Sorry!
Posted by: Zetren
I'm interested in the optimization for anisotropic filtering you were talking about. Can you tell me more?

I'm not certain how this works. It seems to substitute filters. Trilinear becomes bilinear in some places, and anisotropy becomes trilinear when the higher filtering is "unnecessary". Try a game with bilinear filtering sometime to see how awful looking it is. It looks a lot like the tearing that occurs without vsync. The optimization setting is a trade off. You'll sometimes get a nice image, while other times there is a sort of "sparkle" effect, I guess due to the mixture of filtering methods.

Simple, right?

  • 08.13.2011 2:47 PM PDT

Posted by: Phoenix 641
Let's mount our chairs on the wall.

I wasn't specifically looking for texmods. It's already an incredible jump from the xbox version. I was just hoping for some way of running in dx10 with bloom or AO. The lighting just feels very flat and my CPU and GPU never get above 40% load (save playing around with the scarab gun :p).

I've not once had any stability or framerate issues with the game. Running on 7 x64 with compatibility mode vista SP1 and running as administrator. I would like to override the "revert to non aero desktop scheme" while the game is running. That's very annoying.

  • 08.13.2011 6:07 PM PDT


Posted by: willis936
I wasn't specifically looking for texmods. It's already an incredible jump from the xbox version. I was just hoping for some way of running in dx10 with bloom or AO. The lighting just feels very flat and my CPU and GPU never get above 40% load (save playing around with the scarab gun :p).

I've not once had any stability or framerate issues with the game. Running on 7 x64 with compatibility mode vista SP1 and running as administrator. I would like to override the "revert to non aero desktop scheme" while the game is running. That's very annoying.


Take off compatibility mode , I know what I'm talking about. :)

Go to your halo 2 directory, right click on halo2.exe/startup.exe, go to compatibility tab, and make sure "Disable desktop composition" is unchecked.

There are no graphics mods for Halo 2 Vista, the most you can do is to go to your graphics card control panel and make sure AA x16 is enabled

  • 08.14.2011 3:40 AM PDT


Posted by: DarkSpyda04
How do I access the "Manage 3D" tab? I don't know where to find it.


http://imageshack.us/f/4/bild4k.jpg/

  • 08.14.2011 3:43 AM PDT

Posted by: Phoenix 641
Let's mount our chairs on the wall.

What exactly does compatibility mode do?

  • 08.14.2011 9:37 AM PDT


Posted by: willis936
What exactly does compatibility mode do?


It uses certain files in the system32 folder for certain applications that need it, halo 2 does not. :)

  • 08.14.2011 9:50 AM PDT

Proud member of the Combine since 2004.

The download link for widescreen fixer is down. Is there any other way of getting it? I'm really desperate to fix the FOV.

  • 08.29.2011 12:43 AM PDT

Hi,

if it was down, it's back up now. If you need any help feel free to post here.

  • 08.29.2011 9:17 AM PDT

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