"HD" skins and server performance

[neo2k76]

Hi there .-)

I'm currently working on a new player skin. Yesterday I installed a directx11 renderer and recognized, that it makes this skin - as well as the preinstalled default epic skins - quite pixelated. So I tried using some bigger graphic dimensions. It worked with 1024x1024 and 2048x2048 pixels, which looks less pixelated.
Blut before reworking all textures, I'd like to know if larger textures have a negative impact on the server performance.
Does anybody have a clue?

Any answer is really appreciated.

Cheers.

[Dr.Flay]

Welcome to the forum neo2k76
The renderer shouldn't make them look more pixellated unless the configuration is wrong or it is bugged.
Renderer defaults are not great and are set for maximum compatibility not quality.
Where did you get the renderer ?
If it is from Kenties site, it is only a proof of concept version, so the DX10 version may be better.
If it is from ModDB I have no idea as I haven't tried it. I stick with the renderers from OldUnreal
(If you use nVidia GFX then you should be using a modern GL renderer)

It shouldn't effect server performance unless you are sat playing on the server.
However anyone connecting with original renderers will not be able to use the textures if they are sent out.
There is a special way to create compatible textures where the compressed HD bitmap is merged with the plain one. I can't advise on that as I haven't done it. However "MergeDXT GUI" will be your tool of choice.

It is worth noting that UEd2.1 for Unreal 227 and UEd3 fro UT200x are better for making DDS/S3TC texture packs
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5370&p=61446#p61446
Also many people miss an important step and the textures get the wrong LOD when rendered
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=3981&hilit=s3tc&start=15#p39193

[EvilGrins]

Do you mean skin for a default model or a new model?

For the most part skins tend to fit within 256x256, that's the normal size. Unless you're working on a larger model there's no need for larger textures.

Larger ones do happen sometimes, I've seen them used... but given most player models are all about the same size a larger texture doesn't necessarily make it more detailed.

[neo2k76]

Hi Dr. Flay,

thx for welcoming me! .-)

The renderer shouldn't make them look more pixellated unless the configuration is wrong or it is bugged.
Renderer defaults are not great and are set for maximum compatibility not quality.
Where did you get the renderer ?
If it is from Kenties site, it is only a proof of concept version, so the DX10 version may be better.
If it is from ModDB I have no idea as I haven't tried it. I stick with the renderers from OldUnreal
(If you use nVidia GFX then you should be using a modern GL renderer)

It's - as you guessed - from the ModDB site:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/unreal-direc ... cbu-and-dx
I also installed the height maps:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/unreal-direc ... une-and-dx

I precisely followed the instructions in the readme. There weren't any modification to be made, other than copying files.
The issue occurs in Windows 10 on my virtual machine und Mac OS - that's the system I'm working with.
Under native Windows 10 (the system I use to play UT) the renderer doesn't work at all.
I tried several Direct X drivers, but sadly I didn't get them to work with the renderer. But that's another story .-(

Are you sure, that this pixelation isn't normal with such a renderer?

Here you can see some sample screenshots. The torso texture is the only one I tested, that's why I darkened the rest.

D3D11 renderer (the pixelation is most visible in the lower chest area in front view and on the shoulder plates in side view):

256x256 dx11

1024x1024 dx11

2048x2048 dx11

256x256 dx11

1024x1024 dx11

2048x2048 dx11

Note: I didn't finish optimizing the camp texture after sizing up, so that's where the bright pixels come from.

---

D3D9 renderer (here the pixelation is less obvious):

256x256 dx9

1024x1024 dx9

2048x2048 dx9

[neo2k76]

Here are two standard skins rendered with D3d9 and D3d11 for comparison.
Note: the images need to be clicked upon to see the difference.

female soldier orig 256x256 with dx11

female soldier orig 256x256 with dx9

female commando orig 256x256 with dx11

female commando orig 256x256 with dx9

[neo2k76]

It shouldn't effect server performance unless you are sat playing on the server.

Just to be sure that I understand you right here:
That is to say, if one would directly play on the machine using the UT installation that is also functioning as the server?

[neo2k76]

However anyone connecting with original renderers will not be able to use the textures if they are sent out.

Which one ist the original renderer? The D3d7?

There is a special way to create compatible textures where the compressed HD bitmap is merged with the plain one. I can't advise on that as I haven't done it. However "MergeDXT GUI" will be your tool of choice.

Thx for the information. Sounds interesting. I'll have to check this. .-)

It is worth noting that UEd2.1 for Unreal 227 and UEd3 fro UT200x are better for making DDS/S3TC texture packs
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5370&p=61446#p61446
Also many people miss an important step and the textures get the wrong LOD when rendered
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=3981&hilit=s3tc&start=15#p39193

What are DDS texture packs?

[neo2k76]

Do you mean skin for a default model or a new model?

For the most part skins tend to fit within 256x256, that's the normal size. Unless you're working on a larger model there's no need for larger textures.

Larger ones do happen sometimes, I've seen them used... but given most player models are all about the same size a larger texture doesn't necessarily make it more detailed.

Hi EvilGrins,

thx for answering. .-)
I'm a bit familiar with making skins for UT99. Just somehow rusty. ,-)
I released some skins to utskins.com back in the years 2000-2001. The first skin I made and at the same time the highest rated skin on utskins.com was "Battlesuit" for the Boss model.

battlesuit skin for UT99

Perhaps I'll release an update someday. Not sure right now.

Here's the corresponding rating on utskins.com in the web.archive:
http://web.archive.org/web/200103040354 ... s/bo13.htm

You can download it here:
https://unrealarchive.org/skins/unreal- ... 1ad2a.html

I saw you mentioned it here: viewtopic.php?t=4571



Another skin of mine is the "Bloodreaper" skin.
Even though I didn't put too much effort in it, it was one of my favs.

bloodreaper skin for UT99

Here's the corresponding site on utskins.com in the web.archive:
http://web.archive.org/web/200103031312 ... d/sh09.htm

You can download it here:
https://unrealarchive.org/skins/unreal- ... 21a16.html




But enough of that. I just tried the "HD Texture Pack for Unreal Tournament" released by AHaigh01 and made a screenshot of the female soldier skin. Here you can see the difference to the standard skin I posted above:

Default female soldier with HD texture

HD texture source:
https://sites.google.com/view/unrealhdtextures/home

[fudgonaut]

I remember the Battlesuit and Bloodreaper skins when you first put them out. Some of my favorite work - and part of what inspired me to make (and eventually remake) my Diesel skin, and Octane skin. Thanks for your great work!

[neo2k76]

Hey fudgonaut! .-))

your answer really made my day! .-)
It's great to hear that someone out there is really remembering some of my stuff! And even more that it inspired you to make some custom skins! .-)

Am I right in assuming, that today no one is anymore interested in custom skins? Since it seems to be all about performing as a player these days!? What do you think?

Cheers, neo

[EvilGrins]

I released some skins to utskins.com back in the years 2000-2001. The first skin I made and at the same time the highest rated skin on utskins.com was "Battlesuit" for the Boss model.

Nice to see someone else remembers UTskins.com, and I'm familiar with that skin.

Although, now that I know you made it I gotta ask... the team color for blue on that boss skin is great but not so much red, green, and yellow. Why'd you not do the same for them?

[OjitroC]

Am I right in assuming, that today no one is anymore interested in custom skins?

Some people on here are interested in custom skins - EG posts his fairly frequently for example.

I use what I can but there are so many and only so many bots (320) one can put them on - I've probably got around 2K custom skins I haven't used yet or even looked at. It's always nice to see new ones though.

The battlesuit skin looks really cool - I don't have that so will get it and try it out.

[EvilGrins]

Am I right in assuming, that today no one is anymore interested in custom skins? Since it seems to be all about performing as a player these days!? What do you think?

I still make them, though it may explain why my skinning contest this year · viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13996 · didn't yield more results.

Going to do another one of those next year, cross your fingers and be sure to come back for it.

[neo2k76]

Although, now that I know you made it I gotta ask... the team color for blue on that boss skin is great but not so much red, green, and yellow. Why'd you not do the same for them?

The time I made that skin I didn't I play team games with more than two teams. So I thought blue vs black & red would be distinguishable enough for me. ,-)
But since I really like the CTF4 mod I'm considering updating the colors.
The skin I'm currently working on will have a more striking appearance regarding the team colors.

[neo2k76]

The battlesuit skin looks really cool - I don't have that so will get it and try it out.

Hey OjitroC,

I'm glad you like it. .-)