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Thread: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

  1. #1
    MarkP's Avatar Foederatus
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    Default Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

    EmFaR 1.5.b
    Empire Fast Reconfigure
    for v1.5.0 (Build 1330.21557)



    Through the use of dark powers I manufactured a tool which lets you increase the distance at which the combat game engine switches from 3D-models to sprites (i.e. ugly blobs).

    EmFaR runs in the background and uses keyboard shortcuts that can be activated during a battle.

    Things which will be affected:
    • Distance-to-sprites for infantry
    • Separate distance-to-sprites for non-infantry (mounted troops, artillery, ..)
    • Distance for hand-held weapons (muskets, ..) being visible
    • Distance to which high-quality animations are used
    • (New in 1.5.b) Distance for ship rigging being visible
    • (New in 1.5.b) Distance to which high-quality ship masts are rendered

    It does so by modifying the game's memory while the game is running. This is a total hack because the game likely wasn't designed for this to happen, and it more than likely only works with one specific version of the game.

    Screenshots
    Blobs.
    Be gone!



    (Before asking any questions) Refer to the readme for complete instructions.

    The tool has been tested on WinXP 32bit and Win7 64bit (thanks Kavryelh). I expect it to work on anything inbetween. Running as administrator may be required.

    Currently EmFaR was made for Empire v1.5.0 (Build 1330.21557), no more, no less.

    Version History
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    v1.5.a (February 23, 2010):

    - First version
    - For Empire v1.5.0 Build 1330.21557


    v1.5.b (March 06, 2010):

    - Added distance for ship rigging (permanent between battles)
    - Added distance for high-quality ship masts (permanent between battles)
    Disclaimer This tool comes, naturally, without any warranty whatsoever.
    Use entirely at your own risk!

    Most recent: EmFaR15b.zip (adds improved ship graphics)
    Last edited by MarkP; March 12, 2010 at 11:33 AM.

  2. #2
    MarkP's Avatar Foederatus
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    Q & A

    24/02/2010


    Q: Can you do the same for Napoleon:TW?

    A: I'm not rushing to get Napoleon. In fact I waited one year before even looking at Empire because I didn't expect it to be sufficiently patched and modded before that. If I do get my hands on Napoleon and this is still an issue (I'd hope it isn't!), I'll see what can be done.


    Q: What about trees, buildings, etc..?

    A: Maybe later, but don't hold your breath. I didn't investigate what affects those because it doesn't bother me and the quality of effort and skill required is considerable.


    Q: Whoa, that's some serious Voodoo! Wasn't there a config file or something for doing this?

    A: No (as far as I can tell). The values I change are hardcoded into the game. I tried the obvious suspects (warscape_animated_lod_tables, changing LOD meshes) but they're not the solution to this sprite issue, or if they are only the CA programmers know how.


    Q: So there's no way of making the changes permanent?

    A: Yes and no. The game crashes shortly after combat starts if you increase certain hardcoded values (seems to be slightly bugged). Only during combat more specific changes can be made. Also being able to switch between sprite-distances on-the-fly seems like the way to go as the game becomes unplayable fast with an increasing number of units.


    Q: Can I include your tool with my mod?

    A: This tool does highly 'experimental' stuff, isn't really widely tested for now, will instantly stop working if there's a patch, doesn't really fit into the concept of a mod, could be in a legal gray area, explaining all those specifics so even technically challenged people understand them will be much more trouble than just directing them here which you'll have to do anyway in case any given version is out-of-date *inhale* and personally I wouldn't do it myself. Having said so, "I won't stop you", knock yourself out.
    Last edited by MarkP; March 05, 2010 at 11:37 AM.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    very nice. will def give a try
    Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet.

    - Napoleon Bonaparte

  4. #4

    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    this needs to be stickied!!! this is IT gents works 100% this is the most phenomenal mod ever thank you mark p!

  5. #5

    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    Amazing work MarkP.Finally ship cannons and other can be see from distance...Great addon!

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    PS

    One question...Why this don't effect on ships masts and rigings?

  6. #6
    XxGREAT-BRITAINx's Avatar Centenarius
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    Anyway of applying this to NTW? assuming you have the game that is, if not do you think it would be possible.
    Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, ADC, PC (24 June 1850 – 5 June 1916), was an Irish-born British Field Marshal and proconsul who won fame for his imperial campaigns and later played a central role in the early part of the First World War, although he died halfway through it.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    I love you and want to have your babies

    I was really hoping for a solution that would involve tweaking a config file or perhaps a pack file as this would allow greater control and repeatability (as well as maybe cross version compatibility). Sounds like you did a lot of research to get this far - did you find that a config file solution was impossible?

    Best regards,
    Moopere

  8. #8
    intrepid's Avatar Civis
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    Can you also mod the level of detail of the terrain, the grass and the trees?

  9. #9
    hip63's Avatar Give me some BASS!
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    Pretty freaking awesome tool, mind if I add it to DarthMod Ultimate Commander?

    hip63

  10. #10

    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    Is there any FPS sacrifice?

  11. #11
    hip63's Avatar Give me some BASS!
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    Quote Originally Posted by ♔Dignan♔ View Post
    Is there any FPS sacrifice?
    Oh yes, but that is to be expected, so much more to render

    hip63

  12. #12
    Johan217's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    MarkP,

    You don't happen to be the same person who made this mod for SH4? Regardless, this looks awesome!
    Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down

  13. #13
    MarkP's Avatar Foederatus
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. change sprite distance)

    Nope, I'd say DLL injection is rather different from this.

    If anyone only checks the last post, there's now a Q & A at the top, which I just updated for hip63.

  14. #14
    hip63's Avatar Give me some BASS!
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

    Thanks!

    hip63

  15. #15

    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

    VIPRE reports a trojan...


    'not making any accusations here, just fyi.
    any thoughts on why it might be triggering the trojan bad file alert/block?

  16. #16
    MarkP's Avatar Foederatus
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

    I actually read there was this possibility because of the tool doing things no conventional program would (modifying another process' memory) but malicious progs might. Just scanned it myself with some multi-online scanner, with two scanners I've never heard of out of 40 finding something, which is just as well for a random obscure program. Can't really help ya beyond that.. no risk no fun I guess.

  17. #17
    plissken3's Avatar Decanus
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

    downloading now thanks for this - have some +REP too mate, thank you
    WHY NOT TRY MY MODS BELOW - FOR EMPIRE & NAPOLEON
    here:BetterMusicMod& here:SharpeThemeMod
    & here:WarpathPictureMod

  18. #18
    Libertus
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

    So far it works very well.

    Never had any problem.

    Maybe it would be cool to have an other option like 1.75 betwen 1.5 and 2

  19. #19
    MarkP's Avatar Foederatus
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    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

    Good to know, looks like it's working 100%.

    I briefly thought about having more options and keys but picked them soon based on not wanting to move my hand (I also have the in-game keys mapped so I never have to lift my hand). ALT-T was already too much bother. But since you helped me with testing I'll make a single custom version for you. Send me a PM with the specifics you'd like.


    New Version: 1.5.b

    After playing more naval battles the ship rigging disappearing rather soon did start to bug me too, so I investigated it. I also came uppon something that affects when ship masts switch between a high-quality and low-quality version. It's probably nothing you'd notice if you aren't looking for it, but why not have that too.

    Note that the ship settings carry over between naval battles because they are completely hardcoded. It seems CA never got around to making the Ship Detail option actually do anything.

    Units turn into sprites?Units don't turn into sprites.

  20. #20

    Default Re: Empire:TW Fast Reconfigure (i.e. removing the sprites)

    Quote Originally Posted by MarkP View Post
    After playing more naval battles the ship rigging disappearing rather soon did start to bug me too, so I investigated it. I also came uppon something that affects when ship masts switch between a high-quality and low-quality version. It's probably nothing you'd notice if you aren't looking for it, but why not have that too.

    Note that the ship settings carry over between naval battles because they are completely hardcoded. It seems CA never got around to making the Ship Detail option actually do anything.

    I was hoping on someone from experts that will repair this glich since I bought that game.Thank's for that,man.Outstanding job.

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