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[RELz/WIPz] Unofficial High Resolution Patch


Arthmoor

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Reference conversation starting here

 

Issue #17715

Summary :

 

Hearthfires.bsa - textures\_byoh\clutter\resources\stonequarry01.dds = 512x512

 

Hi Res Texture Pack 02 includes exactly the same texture which is pixellated

 

( although the Hi Res normal map for the same has been increased in resolution, the diffuse texture has not )

 

 

I am experimenting with upscaling the texture, using various filters and a bit of noise to try and achieve a higher res and better detail texture which closely matches the original without being pixellated at 1024x1024

 

Result so far : ( These images are on my laptop so not the best results for viewing, but I saved them as lossless png's to give a good idea of the difference my attempt has made so far - In game the textures will look better on better computers )

 

All screens taken of the quarry near Pinewatch plot - Right click each of them and open in its own browser tab, then you can flick between and compare differences, its less blurry and will not stretch so much on higher res screens up close ( though if you are playing this on a home cinema with 6 Titan graphics cards welded together I cant help :), just trying to get the texture Hi Res DLC standard here ) ...

 

Screen 1 : 512x512  07:00

FLWKC2k.png

 

Screen 2 : 1024x1024  07:00

dH3RzmX.png

 

Screen 3 : 512x512  10:00

kjVfisW.png

 

Screen 4 : 1024x1024  10:00

4cR7Phe.png

 

 

Files : Here for anyone wishing to have a nosy at the 1024 in closer detail, I am going to see if I can get it a little better - But anyone else having a go dont mind me .. Whoever produces the best should go in the UHRP, and I am no expert with this stuff, just did a fair amount of research ( along with all the things I have learned doing texture mods so far ) and gave it a go.

DXT5, no alpha, mipmaps regenerated - Edit : See post 38 for updated file

I use Sinc Lanczos3 interpolation for the upscale to preserve as much detail as possible.

Then applied a few filters and noise I have been meddling with for years and saving setups for. Never happy with these :).

I also only apply all operations once, from original texture to finished thing ( DDS being lossy you dont want to be re-saving in a lossy format ). If I need to do it again, start with original texture.

 

@ Maboleth - ^ Thats a new file since the one you tried, see what you think

 

Edit : Check me out, I is a Bro :D

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And this one is using Fractal Interpolation ( instead of Sinc Lanczos3 ), then my usual filters in GIMP

 

O3g6Mjk.jpg

 

 

File updated - Edit : See post 38

 

 

 

Edit : Anyone curious about Fractal Interpolation ( and not needing to buy anything :) )

 

Genuine Fractals ( Photographers highly commend its ability to upscale images ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genuine_Fractals

 

 

A little known software uses the same as a plugin :

 

Image Analyzer http://logicnet.dk/Analyzer/

 

And the plugin http://logicnet.dk/Analyzer/plugins/#FractInterpolation

 

 

Method, save a lossless format image from the original texture ( say png with no compression )

 

Use Image Analyzer to upscale the image with Fractal Interpolation

 

Load the image in GIMP or Photoshop and apply whatever filters plus save out in the correct format plus mipmaps.

 

 

I think there is a plugin for photoshop .. But its a paid for product, and no equivalent plugin for GIMP

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New file uploaded :

 

This one also includes Nicos png made into a texture DXT5 with mipmaps generated for comparison in game

 

Edit : See post 38 

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Guys, thank you very much for trying to help! We're getting there! :)

I've made a screenshot with 3 new samples.

 

Even though I was a bit suspicious at what Nico did at first (it looked like the detail was lost), in game it looks absolutely perfect. It's clean and blends great with the environment. See it for yourself. In my opinion Nico's work is a lot better than vanilla texture and should be included in the Patch without any hesitation.

P.S. I too have image analyzer but lack the plugin for Photoshop that reads dds files.

 

skyrimshot.jpg?psid=1

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Initial impression looks like Nicos is better, it would have been better to see the same view position though for comparison in separate images

 

But anyway, objective achieved I think :)

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The feelings are purely subjective IMO. I personally didn't test it ingame, but it is obvious that the already existing normal map has a big influence in the final render.

 

Generally, such huge upscales give rather bad results, whatever filter is used (well, at least on 'classic' photographs). So, I have no opinion on which one is the best. Whatever option you're prefering, enjoy !  :partyhorker:

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P.S. I too have image analyzer but lack the plugin for Photoshop that reads dds files.

 

 

You dont need it, in post 28 the link is for a plugin for Image Analyzer, not Photoshop.

 

You put the .dll in C:\Program files\Meesoft\ImageAnalyzer\ProcessingPlugins\ <- In here

 

Edit : Oops, you need DDS plugin for PS - https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-texture-tools-adobe-photoshop

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Initial impression looks like Nicos is better, it would have been better to see the same view position though for comparison in separate images

 

But anyway, objective achieved I think :). Arthmoor tis over to you. Files in post #29

 

You're right, I uploaded another screenshot with same perspective.

 

The way I judged this is by comparing the vanilla texture. If Unofficial patches are here to fix or enhance obvious glitches and errors, as Bethesda originally intended, but not to further change or alter the feel of the game, then this texture is just like that. It isn't different from the one already in the game, just more clean and less smudgy.

 

Vanilla texture - smudged with jagged edges.

Alt3 - better than vanilla but slightly more pronounced edges by upscaling and sharpening.

Nico - cleanest of all but still retains 100% vanilla look.

 

Of course those are my observations, feel free to share your opinions too.

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Hold on a minute - Will edit this post shortly, there is something else I want to try in addition to Gruftlords suggestion ..

 

I am curious if just Fractal Interpolation on its own without me adding any filtering would work well 

 

Back soon - Maboleth I will have 5 files for you to try shortly

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Thanks alt3rn1ty, I have downloaded dds plugin from Nvidia as you provided.

I have made a new save file and tested 4 different textures in exact, pixel-perfect environment, so here they are. Please download the zip file and judge by yourself. I didn't write the names which is which, for unbiased view. Pick one, that you like the most.

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For me judging the textures overall, its a close call. Zoomed in 200% and had a good look ... I think 31 is too harsh ( possibly my filtering applied to Nicos texture ), 34 is possibly vanilla ( or at least the roughest of the bunch ), so after much deliberation considering the objective of the texture out of 33 and 32 I chose .. <dramatic music, pause for waaaaaaay too long :)> ..

 

Screenshot32

 

 

Wish I had the benefit of having the hi res normal map, but your idea here is a good one.

 

 

Edit : I got 31 and 34 mixed up, corrected post

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Personally i think the cat on the red chair is best. Lets go with that one

 

Of the 4 stone texture i see little difference between 34 (the blurriest) and 32. I do like the 31 best actually. But if we want to settle on a sleek medium without any overprocessing visible, i cast my vote for the texture in image 33

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I also made a comment on Issue 17715, added the link to the fix files.

 

Maboleth the outcome of your mid topic poll would be good appended there too if anyone else participates to give a decisive amount of votes. I dont think there will be many though.

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I might be spoiled, as a stock photographer half of my job is to meticulously view and edit large images on the big screen at 100%. So the texture changes you guys did seem very different to me. :D

Yes, if anyone else wants to participate, please download the archive with screenshots on the 2nd page. :)

Anyway, it's true - blurry Screenshot34 is vanilla from high-res DLC. It's just bad and smudgy, isn't it, compared to the other samples.

 

From the other 3, my vote goes to 31 and 33, what Gruftlord said. Actually those two are Nico's, but 31 is Nico+Alt filtering. Even though I like 33 best, I think that in game, from various angles and distances, 31 looks best.
It has slightly more pronounced edges, but that's quite logical considering that it's a quarry deposit and the wall is supposed to have sharp edges.

 

So yeah, 31 has my final vote. :unworthy:  It's a big improvement over vanilla DLC and doesn't look artificial or different from the texture Bethesda intended to use. It's just enhanced and a true 1024px texture.

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Well I think you two would be the better judge of which is best being able to use and see what the Hi Res set looks like actually in game, which can give a different perception of textures when they are moving.

 

@ Arthmoor 31 would be folder :

 

60 1024x1024 for UHRP - Nico Alien Skin Blow Up with Alt Filtering

 

in the uploaded archive on issue 17715

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There is still the UPP teams opinions, none of whom have weighed in here yet.

Whichever is chosen by the team, it will be better than vanilla.

Personally it doesnt really matter for me, I cant use Hi Res.

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Actually, Gruftlord, we both share the same favourites. It's just that I actually tested and played 3 variants (4 if vanilla is counted) and from those Nico+Alt texture looks great. But - whatever Arthmoor picks is way better than vanilla.

 

Curious to know alt, why can't you use high-res DLC in game?

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Off topic but - Laptop, Core 2 Duo @ 2.2ghz, NVidia Geforce 8600M GS 512mb VRAM = Minimum spec machine for Skyrim.

Hi Res DLC requires at least 1024mb VRAM, and although my machine is one of those unusual laptops which can have its graphics card daughterboard upgraded ( already did that upgrading from 256mb to 512mb ) .. You can only upgrade it so far before heat becomes a problem in the limited space a laptop has to get rid of excessive heat build up. For a higher rated graphics card I would also have to tweak voltages which would only amplify the heat dissipation problems. Thats why I made the VRT mod ( See signature ), to give my laptop a longer life expectancy. Its done well considering I was using the same machine to play Oblivion :) ( Skyrim has been a lot better in performance on the same machine ).

 

I can mess with large textures no problem, but playing with them in game is limited. Running the hi res dlc's would burn the machine out quicker.

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This is the problem with something inherently subjective. :P

 

You guys should settle on something that solves the problem, cause really all you're doing is generating confusion as to which one should be used and which one shouldn't.

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They all fit the bill really, if anything I was being very picky .. And agree that the one Maboleth and Gruftlord chose as favourite, would be a good choice also. There is not much in it really.

 

Overall the texture in the fix files ..

 

60 1024x1024 for UHRP - Nico Alien Skin Blow Up with Alt Filtering ..

 

Is the winner out of our judgments. Up to yourself now really.

 

 

Edit : Give me a poke when I can ditch the Dropbox file

 

Edit 2 : I am seriously considering getting Alien Skin Blow Up for my daughters PS, then I can get to borrow it occasionally :), found out its method is based on Fractal Interpolation aswell, and very impressive results by all accounts I have seen.

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