Some findings about model's level of detail

[Kurisu Paifuaa]

Great post.

The selective method described in the OP could be really useful for eliminating or reducing the harsh LOD changes for rigid models like trees and such. Time to experiment... thanks

[alQamar]

Great stuff if anyone ever would make a mod for adjusting the LOD I VERY interested into it. PM appreciated.

[.Mitch.]

Well I got around to doing this. The difference is noticeable especially for buildings, for units I find it almost impossible to tell the difference unless using something like the "N" zoom.

The performance hit is large as well, and I was only testing on small scale battles.

Worth it for general play? No.
Worth it if you're big into taking screenshots? Probably, the FPS hit becomes unimportant and the quality improvement in some cases does make things look better..

[KingOfBabylon]

Why does it look like nothing changed in both the pictures?

[alQamar]

can anyone test if the issue with pikes are invisible from distance can be solved and the shadows issue I posted as well the tree issue zaript posted?

[ysl]

can anyone test if the issue with pikes are invisible from distance can be solved and the shadows issue I posted as well the tree issue zaript posted?

2D sprite soldiers don't carry pikes. I think the only thing you can do is increasing the 3D soldier model range, so that pikes can be rendered even at a distance.

[craziii]

damn, was hoping this would be usable good try op.

[alQamar]

Can I have a how-to I would like to test it my own, honestly I did not understand the postings enough when it came to details how to make it happen.

[ysl]

Can I have a how-to I would like to test it my own, honestly I did not understand the postings enough when it came to details how to make it happen.

I will introduce how to do it using CheatEngine
1.run the game and then use CheatEngine to attach to its process. Like in picture 1.
2.search for the hex number array: F3 0F 10 4D EC F3 0F 10 55 E8 F3 0F 10 5D E4 F3 0F 10 65 E0 F3 0F 10 6D DC
you should get one single result.
3. right-click on the result address and choose "Disassemble this memory region".
4. You will see something like picture 2. I will use address in that picture as examples.(address changes in different versions of Rome2)
5. edit the value in address "rome2.dll+1E374F8" to 1, and the following values will take effect.
6. the value in address "rome2.dll+1E3A398" is 100.0, which is the 3D model range for soldiers.

[alQamar]

Thanks for the instruction ysl.



Installation source:
http://www.cheatengine.org/downloads.php
Cheat Engine 6.3

I have an addition to that:


Installation instructions:
Next
accept license > next
choose install path > next
choose shortcut > next
create desktop icon > next
userdefined > untick their adware > next
userdefined > untick the second adware > next
Install
Launch


Cheat Engine 6.3
set value type (from 4 byte) to "array of byte"

However he does not find anything (also tried CE 6.2). Will he only list a result when in a battle or also on the main screen?

My version is 8.1 final (1.8.1 b9066.483605)

[ysl]

However he does not find anything (also tried CE 6.2). Will he only list a result when in a battle or also on the main screen?

My version is 8.1 final (1.8.1 b9066.483605)

In the first picture of my last reply, you can see three check box "writable", "executable", "copyonwrite".
Click on them so that they look like in the picture, and then I believe you can find that address.

[alQamar]

yep I used exactly those settings. no find

[ysl]

yep I used exactly those settings. no find

I get those address from the lastest version of Rome2.dll. If they don't work, I am afraid there is nothing more I can do.
Change the value in memory address "Rome2.dll+1E3F590" to 1, and 3D soldier model range is stored in "Rome2.dll+1E459E8".

[DarrenTotalWar]

Seems like a dangerous game putting all units on high detail at all times. You'd need a beefy rig to do that ok. Your basically putting 2 full armies, bunched up on eachother with the camera zoomed right in looking at them all. For me with my rig that gets me about 20fps at best. I wouldnt wanna play with that framerate all the time.

[alQamar]

If it just would work So it works out for you Darren? I am really interested into having a look on the results to get an idea some texture problems. What card do you use?

[A Barbarian]

@ysl
Genius! I would love that info for especially for Empire & Napoleon. Using only 3D models there should have a much smaller performance impact and would make look the games much better.

[A Barbarian]

Damn I need to try out to set the LOD to display only 2D sprites instead of 3D models. According to my theories about the CPU bottleneck, the performance in big battles should skyrocket (finally only limited by the GPU power).

It will look like but for testing the theory I can endure some more Rome 2 eye sores, lol.

[Tr0tskY]

Damn I need to try out to set the LOD to display only 2D sprites instead of 3D models. According to my theories about the CPU bottleneck, the performance in big battles should skyrocket (finally only limited by the GPU power).

It will look like but for testing the theory I can endure some more Rome 2 eye sores, lol.

This will look so bad to be honest, the sprite models are really awful in this game, even compared to older games. The sprites in Rome 1 are probably better than the sprites in Rome 2 xD

My main issue with the sprites is that they don't actually have a consistent colour scheme with their fully-fleshed out 3D equivalents. It's so ugly when you are panning the battlefield and a unit of naked swordsmen changes from full details to a bright pink/white blob..I also don't like the way the sprite will change colour completely depending on the viewed angle.

I really feel like they didn't take much care with the sprites and the LOD changes and so on. They are probably the worst in the series so far....

[A Barbarian]

I really feel like they didn't take much care with the sprites and the LOD changes and so on. They are probably the worst in the series so far....

True, the transition often looks really ugly. Also, when u adjust the unit height, as some mods do, only the 3D models will be adjusted (since the bitmaps can't be stretched without looking even more horrible) not the 2D sprites, making the 'pop' even more obvious. Same is true when mods change the colors. Again only 3D models are affected making the 3D <-> 2D switch very visible.

Better might be to use a 'snapshot' of the 3D model as the 2D sprite when the battle is loaded. Can't look much worse and would at least always match the 3D model in color, height and outline.

[alQamar]

This will look so bad to be honest, the sprite models are really awful in this game, even compared to older games. The sprites in Rome 1 are probably better than the sprites in Rome 2 xD

My main issue with the sprites is that they don't actually have a consistent colour scheme with their fully-fleshed out 3D equivalents. It's so ugly when you are panning the battlefield and a unit of naked swordsmen changes from full details to a bright pink/white blob..I also don't like the way the sprite will change colour completely depending on the viewed angle.

I really feel like they didn't take much care with the sprites and the LOD changes and so on. They are probably the worst in the series so far....

Oh yes. I pissed my pants when I noticed the crap quality on high preset or lower in the benchmark. The sprites are indeed completely ridicilous and their colors look like we are watching a negative of a picture.