[X3TC] RES.DAT file - How do we use it - Solved with examples.

[alt3rn1ty]

From the X3TC changelog for 3.2 ..

X3: Terran Conflict - Changelog

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2 - January 2012
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Features and Improvements:

- CIG push effect now uses falloff
- Improved missile friendly fire behaviour
- Player missiles now immune to bullet damage for 2 seconds after launch
- Added new windowed mode resolutions and support for res.dat file
- Improved target rectangle scaling at high screen resolutions
- Several performance optimisations

Fixes:

- Fixed ships never docking at docking clamps unless SETA is engaged
- Fixed hitting Boost sending you back through the gate you have just come through
- Fixed some dialogue choice lines in the Buy Sector Information service
- Fixed rare broken handling of right mini-monitor
- Fixed rare crash when Game Over is shown
- Fixed rare Alt-Tab problem during startup

My bold in orange

I cannot find anything on how to use this feature

Is it a text file saved as a .dat file ?

Is it stored in My Documents Egosoft ( if so in the root of that folder or in Profiles ) or should it be in the games installation location

What entries need to be in it ( any particular order / format )

What resolutions are supported ( I would like to go window mode lower than 1024 x 768 if possible, something like 800 x 600 )

[X2-Illuminatus]

See the Graphics Settings -> Windowed Mode section of the Albion Prelude Survial Guide for an explanation on the res.dat file.

[alt3rn1ty]

Found a little more information ( not surprisingly in the AP stickies which is not frequented by us X3TC users ) Edit: ninja'd by x2-Illuminatus

http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=311327

Windowed Mode

Two popular sizes, 1280x720 and 1366x768, have been added to the default list of available windowed mode resolutions. However it is now also possible to modify this list. The new "res.dat" file in the game's root folder contains the standard list in the form of pairs of numbers representing the window width and height in pixels. This file can be amended using a standard text editor, to add to or otherwise modify the available windowed mode resolutions. The game will ignore resolutions with a width value of less than 1024 and/or a height of less than 600 (though note that a height of less than about 640 will result in some menus overlapping the info panels at the bottom of the screen). If the file is missing or corrupted then the game will revert to its built-in list of windowed mode resolutions.

Note: Valid resolutions for full screen mode are defined by the graphics driver and cannot be amended using this file. However, most drivers do provide a similar means to add or amend the available full screen resolutions.

So according to that I need to make a RES.DAT file in the root of the game installation ( where X3TC.exe resides )

I can go as low as 1024 x 640

So I made the file which includes a pair of values as described

1024 640

Thats all it contains ( there was not a res.dat file made by the game )

And it does not work

I still get window mode @ 1024 x 768 as chosen in the game launcher.

[ external image ]

[Alan Phipps]

This is what my existing vanilla X3TC 3.2c res.dat file (created 15 12 2011) looks like and I have never used or created this file before as I had no need to. I guess you need to add your custom resolution to the existing file if you have one rather than replace the current file entirely, or use the exact syntax shown and also include the 'standard' ones if you don't already have one.

Code: Select all

// windowed mode resolutions
1024;768;
1152;768;
1280;720;
1280;768;
1280;800;
1280;960;
1280;1024;
1366;768;
1400;1050;
1440;900;
1440;960;
1600;1200;
1680;1050;
1920;1080;
1920;1200;
2560;1600;

[alt3rn1ty]

Excellent - Thanks Alan, that was the information I needed

[ external image ]

Just edited my Res.dat file to read :

// windowed mode resolutions
1024;640;
1024;768;
1152;640;
1152;768;

And here it is working ..

http://s1.bild.me/bilder/150113/6642743Untitled.jpg

http://s1.bild.me/bilder/150113/8239589Untitled.jpg



{Images posted directly to the forums should not be greater than 640x480 or 100kb, oversized images now linked - Terre}

[alt3rn1ty]

X3TC 3.2c res.dat file

Also noticed you must be using Steam version ( having 3.2c patch ) - Maybe steam sets that file up but just having the DVD retail X3TC with the 3.2 patch does not get the res.dat file made by the exe.

Oh well, problem solved anyway, I think CBJ needs to clarify the advice post a little with more detail ( and possible make it more visible for us Non AP users unlikely to read the topic.

Edit: Sent CBJ a PM reference this.

[Alan Phipps]

Good to hear - I expect CBJ will task 'someone' to whistle up some clearer instructions and maybe an FAQ on this - (runs away and hides).