[MOD] Lower Poly Asteroids v2.04: Less Fat, More FPS [UPDATED 03.05.07]

[halo112358]

Lower Poly Asteroids: Less Fat, More FPS (v2.04)

Important! Please update to at least version 2.03 - there are collision errors in prior packages

This mod reduces the FPS hit in asteroid heavy sectors. The bulk of triangles on screen in these sectors comes from the extremely large quantity of small asteroids, I reduced the complexity of these models aggressively

There are two versions - Medium Quality, with a ~35% poly reduction to all asteroids - and Low Quality, which takes the most complex rocks a step further and reduces them by ~50% overall.

Compatibility

The mod installs as a false patch and should be compatible with just about everything out there.
(only stock egosoft asteroid body files are modified)

Before
[ external image ]

After
[ external image ]

Alternative link
[ external image ]


outdated link
Low Poly Asteroids (spk package)

[ external image ]


Install: Install .spk package with the script installer or install the .cat/.dat pair manually as a false patch.

Uninstall: Remove any installed script packages or manually installed cat/dat pairs. There is no need to go to asteroid free sectors.


As always, let me know if anything is broken or if there are improvements I can make.

edit: added .zip archive (new link from xdownloads here)
---
v2.04: updated texture definitions to better match stock ES asteroids, updated low quality package, added one extra LOD to the medium asteroids.

v2.03: fixed collision issues, mea culpa

v2: Fixed LOD issues

v1: Imported all of the standard asteroid bodies (excepting the pleasure complex) and reduced the poly count of the mesh - then re-exported and tweaked the mat6 definitions.


Edit: Added alternative xdownloads download links. X2-Illuminatus

[halo112358]

An even lower poly version for even better performance (.zip) (.spk) (Alternative links from xdownloads: .zip and .spk).

This pack includes all of the improvements from the original and also removes the highest level of detail from the biggest asteroids, it should make Ore Belt and Seizewell much more tolerable


Edit: Added alternative xdownloads download links. X2-Illuminatus

[laux]

Looks good so far. But any chance to get a rar-file?

[halo112358]

Sure, how would you like the body files?

Right now they're compressed to .bob and packed inside a .cat/.dat for use as a false patch.

[laux]

No matter what, the main thing is not as a spk.

[bob hope]

so what is the problem with using spk files? its not as if its rocket science at all lol

[SymTec ltd.]

If you only want to view the code, or keep full control of always having the most current files (libraries...) installed, .spk can have some disadvantage.

[Cycrow]

actually spk files should be able o handle having the most update librairy files better than rar files.

[JBL]

when I click on the link it takes me to rapinshare with no file to be found.

What am I doing wrong?

[max274bm]

Thanks Halo
Will give this a spin right now
Let you know

[BlackRazor]

when I click on the link it takes me to rapinshare with no file to be found.

What am I doing wrong?

The link to the "even lower poly" spk version in indeed broken, all the others should work.

[halo112358]

Sorry about that, when I built that file I forgot to bob all the bodies, when I re-uploaded the new copy I forgot to update that link

it is live again now... ...no wonder there were 0 downloads on that file all day

[max274bm]

Halo
I used the medium poly count version and it does make a small difference to my fps. Want to try your low version. Do I have to un-install the medium version first ?
If so any tips on un-installaing?

[Squelch]

I just tried both download links and got "File not Found on the Server" errors for both.

I'm looking forward to this 'cos my rig really struggles in high asteroid count sectors.

[Edit] @17:12 BST

Just got a successful connection. Both links up now.

[/Edit]

[halo112358]

Halo
I used the medium poly count version and it does make a small difference to my fps. Want to try your low version. Do I have to un-install the medium version first ?
If so any tips on un-installaing?

Both versions function as false patches so whichever one you install last is active. I'd install only one at a time to avoid confusion, but installing both shouldn't break anything.

I had no trouble swapping versions back and forth or even uninstalling completely when I was testing.

[max274bm]

Thanks Halo

I can very succesfully just deactivate the .spk through the xscript installer (as I found out) so your mod seems very stable. You could use both and activate or deactivate as you wish. That is if use xscript installer! Very simple and very well done Halo and Cy (xscript I belive)

[SLeeZeCoRe]

Someone need to write a little app that'll pull out the textures (all of them, and replace them with low detailed ones like in gaming days gone by.

I wonder how many fps you could improve it if you get rid of the rubbish eyecandy that 90% of us don't even look at

[Schabernack]

@SLeeZeCoRe true

i've seen vids with awsome grafics and music with a codesize
of only about 20kb, where others with theire tools and gadgets need 200mb.
If i only could remember the names/links. There is every year a conntest with the task to put as much as possible in a few kbs.

But you know as long as nobody wants cars as long-living as pyramide, the car industrie gets a long with sth like a predetermined breaking point

...

k i'm off topic, solong

[Teh_Gerbil]

Sweet, going to get this!

[Achatos]

I don't want to be a spoilsport but there has been a script out there for ages that lets you get rid of ALL the small asteroids at once. Or just in the sector of your preference. Wouldn't that be more effective than just getting them out of sight? It certainly improves your FPS, I guarantee (tried it myself).

The script is made by Bunny, and can be found here:
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=148622