Texture pack for increase in FPS

[Moonkitty6]

So I really like the Dragon Age game - i got it kinda recently, but it's pretty awesome already!

 

the only problem is that although the gameplay is fun, sometimes my FPS gets a little lame and even if it's not rendered unplayable, smoothness would be soooo appreciated! even if my settings aren't that high, i sometimes get this problem :(

 

I'm suggesting a kind of texture pack that is of lower quality so that FPS can be boosted. It would be kinda like "Pixelivion" for TES IV: Oblivion (http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=19068)

 

Even though this mod is for REALLY low end computers, a slightly less extreme version of this mod for Dragon Age would be perfect!

I can't really find many mods that help FPS, so even if this mod isn't made, some suggestions for FPS improvement would be great too!

 

-- THanks!! :D

[Thandal]

Not that familiar with the impact of different textures, but how would this be any different from selecting the "Low" graphics settings in-game?

[DarkeWolf]

Not that familiar with the impact of different textures, but how would this be any different from selecting the "Low" graphics settings in-game?

Ok, let me see if I can sum this one up...CORRECTLY. hehehe

 

Alright, regardless of what your settings are, the texture files are all their own given file size. For example texture A might be 2.5 megabytes in size, texture B might be 1.25 megabytes in size, Texture C might be 862 bytes in size.

Texture C is going to be easier on your computer resources, because it is a small file size. By reducing the resolution of the actual texture itself, you are reducing it's file size because it will then be a smaller, less defined image with a lower pixel count.

 

Even by running your graphics settings at the lowest setting, your system still has to process all those texture and mesh files that are included with all the items that are on your screen, and loaded up with the location that you are in.

IF a person was to go thru and reduce the polygon count of the meshes and reduce the resolution of all those models and textures, the computer wouldn't have to work as hard, CONSTANTLY processing all of them, because they would be of a smaller file size.

 

So say that Texture A is a texture for a ground block. (Street, grass, whatever) and I reduce the resolution of it by 15%. On it's own, thats not going to make any noticable difference really. But if ALL the items in the scene are reduced by 15%, your computer is going to work 15% less, rendering and manipulating that scene.

 

That, combined with this game's RAM leak, could make a difference in how long the system is going to run the game before it starts lagging and crashing.

 

So lets say that all of these files, is a Rock, that your computer has to push up a hill. By reducing the file size of the texture files themselves, it makes for a smaller rock to have to push.

 

Did I explain that ok?

 

 

Now... as for the mod itself.... I personally would REALLY like a mod like this. My system would really appreciate a mod like this. Tho tbh, I think it would really require a team of modders working on it.

Not only because of the sheer number of files that it would require converting. But each of those texture files also has I think 2-3 other files along with it, for bump, tint, and maybe hue settings? Those would need to be converted as well. That would be a LOT of work. Along with all the work of extracting all those files from the .erf files that they are packed in.

 

It would be great to see a mod like this for those of us with less than cutting edge systems. But it's gonna be a LOT of work to get it accomplished.

Edited January 30, 2011 by DarkeWolf

[Moonkitty6]

Not that familiar with the impact of different textures, but how would this be any different from selecting the "Low" graphics settings in-game?

 

yeah - i guess you're right about the huge number of textures making it difficult to make this mod :(

but perhaps there is a simpler way of doing that? like an automation that makes the textures more simple? idk i'm not that experienced w/ this stuff :/

[Chiramu]

This mod would be great when I'm running through the mist in the caves to the Urn of Sacred Ashes, my computer doesn't like doing that on top of the other textures very much :/.

 

I tried having the graphics set to the lowest setting and it's TERRIBLE! The colours you get on your clothes are brown, and more brown... yay >.>. Why'd they make a lower texture file that makes everything look shite instead of lowering the graphical textures? (rhetorical question)