Anisotropic filtering

[greybeard1]

I see that a "built-in" anisotropic filtering is internal to IL-2, set by Video Tab of its Setup utility.

So I wonder: does this mean that adding a further AF by vidcard control panel is useless? Or does it sum its effects to IL-2 internal one?

Thank you,
GB

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

It is suggested, that you use the internal AF only and set the AF in the driver panel to 'off' or 'managed by application'. This was said by Oleg back then, if I remember correctly.

I can - however -imagine, that additional driver AF is changing the effect in any way, but I don't know how. Much probably its just increasing framerate drop. This needs to be tested.

[greybeard1]

Thanks a lot for your fast reply.

Actually, if I set an "external" AF, I can measure an in-game fps drop, so that's sure, while I'm unsure about any visual improvement: edges and images in general look to me somewhat more "blurred", but "saw-toothing" of far edges is still there...

Regards,
GB

[Fafnir_6]

Originally Posted by greybeard1

Thanks a lot for your fast reply.

Actually, if I set an "external" AF, I can measure an in-game fps drop, so that's sure, while I'm unsure about any visual improvement: edges and images in general look to me somewhat more "blurred", but "saw-toothing" of far edges is still there...

Regards,
GB

Isn't the "sawtooth" due to lack of anti-aliasing rather than anistropic filtering? I use force anti-aliasing using the ATI control panel when running IL-2 with no problems (HD5870 GFX card).

I hope this helps,

Fafnir_6

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

And with 'far edges' you don't mean the river edges perhaps? It very hard to get rid of them in fact, even if everything else is smooth.

[greybeard1]

Originally Posted by Fafnir_6

Isn't the "sawtooth" due to lack of anti-aliasing rather than anistropic filtering?

Sorry, I got confused. You're right.

GB

[greybeard1]

Originally Posted by EJGr.Ost_Caspar

And with 'far edges' you don't mean the river edges perhaps?

Yes, indeed.

Meanwhile, I tried to do the inverse of what previously suggested, removing IL-2 anisotropic filtering, setting "bilinear", since there's no "none" option. Of course, I removed related extensions as well.

Surprisingly, I got an awesome increase both in framerate and image quality. I was allowed to following improvements:

res. from 1152x864 to 1280x1024
AA from 4x to 16Q
AF from 4x to 16x
Forest from 1 to 3

only water=4 could hit framerate. Curiously, fps measurement in-game (shift+TAB - fps START SHOW) gives lower values while they actually are better (visual improvement is so evident that I can't believe to those numbers!). Also, some minor artifact I saw mainly on canopy frame in internal view disppeared.

I think instruction for current IL-2 should be updated: old Oleg's dicta seem no more suited.

Best regards,
GB

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

What are your specs? NVidia or ATI?

[greybeard1]

Originally Posted by EJGr.Ost_Caspar

What are your specs? NVidia or ATI?

NVidia GeForce 9400 GT - Driver v.6.14.12.6099

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (runs actually at 2000 MHz)
RAM: 2GB DDR 200 Mhz
Audio: NVidia nForce onboard chipset

It's an old one, assembled in late 2005 and later revamped with a new vidcard.

Cheers
GB

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

Let me suggest you following:
Considering, you are running the game in OpenGL, you can choose a different kind of Antialiasing: FXAA

You need the Nvidia Inspector, a powerfull tool, which can enhance the poor default driver settings by unhiding hidden features. You can also overclock there, but thats not my suggestion.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/NVIDIA-I...load-2612.html

Once started, you need to push the 'Profile Driver Settings' button.


I suggest to choose the IL-2 FB/PF profile (or else it will be used on any 3D application). You can disable any of the normal Antialiasing modes and then scroll down and find the FXAA entry very below. Set it to '0x00000001'.


Start the game and see, if you like it.
This AA mode can also smooth the river edges.