VF FPS Saver (VFFPSS)

[VictorFarbau]

Download link: http://dev-heaven.net/projects/list_files/vffpss

Victor Farbau's FPS Saver

== Revision History ==
Build 64 (Bugfix release)
- Removed L2 debug message in non-debug mode
- Corrected L2 handling and execution

Build 60
- Introduced usage of parameter file \Userconfig\VF\VFFPSS.hpp to pre-set some values
- Introduced Level 2 measures (default OFF, only activated through VFFPSS.hpp)

Build 48
- New config as suggested by Armatech -> Control Panel now can be called from the ESC menu screen instead of action menu
- Control Panel will show up quicker now

Build 46
- Lowered TerrainGrid Value @ low settings
- Added more latency to increasing TerrainGrid
- Added exit option to control panel - will terminate VFFPSS until control panel is called again
- Added error handling in user control panel

Build 043
- Increased reaction time, addon version
- Addon version
- Built in control panel to set custom values

Build 032
- Added airborne detection; when in airborne (plane, chopper, chute) script is paused and viewdistance is fixed
- Changed terraindetail to just LO and HI setting. Gradual stepping caused too much stuttering
- Added vehicle function; when in vehicle and engine is running LO terraindetail will be assumed

WHAT IS IT?
VFFPSS is an addon that automatically reduces the visual quality during gameplay to gain more FPS. The adjustment happens dynamically and will be reversed once sufficient FPS are being detected. It is yourself who sets the appropriate threshholds for these adjustments. Press ESC during the game and call the VFPSS Dialog by pressing the related button top left.
Also, you need to place the provided "VFFPSS.hpp" configuation file into a "Userconfig\VF" directory structure in your Arma II root directory.
It should look like this (example path):

+---Games
|..... \Armed Assault II (This is your game "root" folder, the name may vary)
|.......... \Userconfig
|............... \VF
|.................... VFFPSS.hpp

The file contains the default settings used by VFFPSS. If the addon does not find the file for any reason you will see an error message; however you can continue to play. VFFPSS will configure itself with some default values which you can still change in the control panel. But using the config file method is a hell lot more convenient obviously.

There are two levels of quality:
Level 1: Decrease viewdistance and terrain quality
Level 2: Decrease terrain quality further so that all grass will disappear; delete all nearby dead bodies

Level 2 is disabled by default. You can only enable it through the config file. The options in that file are documented and should be self-explanatory.

TRY YOUR OWN SETTINGS.
You can try your own settings through the control panel and later add the desired values to the VFFPSS.hpp file for automatic use. Advice: don't set minFPS and maxFPS too close; if you do you will witness constant switching of viewdistance and terrain quality. That can get very annoying. So make sure you really only decrease when FPS reach an unacceptable limit and increase when you don't really need this rate to play.

Have fun,
VictorFarbau

[Manzilla]

Definitely an interesting concept. I look forward to seeing this evolve. A2 runs beautifully on my machine but I'm always a whore for more FPS.

Thanks.

[VictorFarbau]

A2 runs beautifully on my machine

Yeah, that's what I thought, too And then I played a mission with lots of people and vehicles in Elektrozavodsk and it started raining and I looked through my scope... there went my fps (down to 12 at times).
My machines is a 4gb Q6600@2.6ghz + ATI 4850 all running under Win7rc. Not exactly a killer machine. But hey, why run to the store when I can write my own script to adapt quality More money left for the family.
Edit: Also, what doesn't add to performance is my 24" Full HD panel; playing in 1920x1080 is a bit more demanding compared to the many 17" and 19" out there still.

BTW - I read about this "Dynamic Viewdistance" addon the other day which made me look at the options in Arma 2. Looks like the author pulled it from all sites and disappeared. Shame, I really wanted to check out his fps measurement.

Anyway, I think it's awesome that BIS added this function to the script commands. Based on this your missions could decide to send / not send more units into the battle while maintaining performance and much more.

Back to playing now; since I got my copy I am somehow stuck in the Editor. Haven't touched the campaign yet.

Cheers,
VictorFarbau

[DMarkwick]

Hey Victor, that dynamic viewdistance thingy, I think I got it somewhere. Let me know via PM if you wish me to email it to you or something.

[Imutep]

Sounds very interesting. Give him a try

Put it on our addon section at Assault Mission Studio

VF FPS Saver (VFFPSS) [0.5 beta]

[Dead3yez]

Armaholic mirror available here

[MarkJ112]

Interesting, downloading

[killerwhale]

Definitely an interesting concept. I look forward to seeing this evolve. A2 runs beautifully on my machine but I'm always a whore for more FPS.

Thanks.

what's your PC specs

[Rommel]

Great idea, but the lag spike from view distance changes is too high to have true FPS dependant dynamic view distance, been playing with it myself last few days as well.
Again the same for terrain grid.

[VictorFarbau]

@Rommel, I agree with the terraingrid switches, those cause a ~1sec lag which is annoying. I was refining the code to be less agressive there and only switch between 2 (lo-hi) levels and not incremental anymore.
The viewdistance didn't cause much trouble here so far. But as said, refining the code now. Since I need this myself I am not yet letting go of the concept Just need to implement some smart ideas here.

VictorFarbau