BVE 4 in new display resolutions

[reschanger]

This is version 1.0.0.15 of the Resolution Changer for BVE Trainsim 4.2.1947.25355.
This version comes in English, Italiano (Italian), Deutsch (German), 日本語 (Japanese), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese) and 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) languages.

This tool allows you to change the display resolution in BVE 4 for both window mode and fullscreen mode to anything you want, not just the default 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768. Also, you can enable a new effect: Normally BVE 4 will introduce new parts of the scenery in blocks of 25m, but you can now enable BVE to make the scenery smoothly appear at the horizon.

This is how BVE 4 can look like in mackoy's Keisei Chiba line:


This program is to be distributed in a decentralized fashion. If you want to host it on your website, I would be glad if you did. If you want to modifiy the tool to your needs, the source code is included.

In the attachment you can find the current version to download. Please make sure you read the readme before using the program. Have fun, and please respond.

 

[Dave A]

An excellent tool for both players and developers. Thank you very much.

 

[devon_metro]

Brilliant
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Note: You must 'Run as Administrator' in Windows Vista

 

[5872]

Brilliant
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Note: You must 'Run as Administrator' in Windows Vista

I dont get it , it looks the samead:.

 

[class 313]

I think what Liam says is also the same in XP and Linux.

 

[reschanger]

I dont get it , it looks the samead:.

OK, a little check list for you:

1. Place the tool in the BVE 4 folder
2. Enter the resolutions you want:

Remember that when you run BVE in fullscreen mode, the resolution you enter here must be supported by your graphics card and monitor, so be sure you for example enter 1600 x 1200 and not accidentally 1601 x 1201 or something. In window mode, there seem to be no restrictions.

And also be aware that you specify the resolutions for window and fullscreen mode seperately. So if you run fullscreen mode but changed the settings for window mode, it would of course look the same for you.

3. Click on 'Patch BVE.exe'
4. Run the game
5. For fullscreen mode, go to Display Mode Configuration and select Custom from the list

If you switch resolutions in the Display Mode Configuration, you still have to restart BVE once.

And also be sure you use the latest BVE 4 version. The tool should be angry if you try to patch a different version.

I hope that helped.

 

[The Snap]

Interesting. Well done mate!

Could this be the tool that get's Mr. Bowden started on the Watford Jcn to Rugby route again...? Afterall, the reason he stopped was because of the limitations of BVE4...perhaps better resolutions will allow for better graphics?

 

[Tom]

Better resolutions would force more pressure on the system - so if anything, worse graphics.

 

[reschanger]

Better resolutions would force more pressure on the system - so if anything, worse graphics.

Not untrue, but from my experience, increasing the resolution does not affect the framerate too much, say switching from 640x480 (307200 pixels) to 1024x768 (786432 pixels) does not reduce the framerate to 39% (compare the pixels), but just very slightly.

Of course depends on the system, but as PC's get more powerful over the years and route developers choose to carefully place objects, use backdrops instead, etc., many would benefit from higher resolutions without a drop in framerate. It really depends on the route, too. For example Birmingham New Street in the X-City South route is still a nightmare for me, but other route that share the same level of detail and use more tricks like static images for some objects etc. run perfectly smooth. Careful development required.

Also, the tool was partly created for displays with aspect ratios other than 4:3 (I have a 1680x1050 widescreen myself) and for users who do not want to have their pictures horizontally stretched, as most monitors and graphic cards sadly enough still do, despite newer driver releases.

 

[richa2002]

What a great tool, just what I want for my 1680x1050 screen.

 

[5872]

Its a good tool , although cant see the differnce too much.

 

[richa2002]

Its a good tool , although cant see the differnce too much.

What resolution do you run at?
Here's what I get with 1680x1050:


It looks really impressive and is a great improvement.

I was wondering, could this sort of patch be done for MSTS? I understand that the cabs would look stretched or be in the centre with scenary running either way but would be great for external views.

 

[tubenutter]

Its a good tool , although cant see the differnce too much.

Fred, if you can't notice the difference then you clearly aren't using the tool correctly.

However, thanks to reschanger for making it -- it is very easy to use and works well!

 

[reschanger]

I successfully created a copy of the Class 323 cab with a 2048 x 2048 cab image and repositioned the cab controls accordingly. BVE does not seem to have a problem with the hi-definition cab. So I exchanged some textures of the X-City South and a background image too to give an "artistic impression" of how more detailed textures and cabs can enhance graphics. View the image in its original size and compare with the "Original" strip in the cab. I don't know what some of the texts in the cab should have been, so I "guessed" a bit. Higher definition cabs mean that you could read the texts and not look at a blurry mess. (The attachment jpg is a little blurry too, sadly.)

Hopefully, the era of "High Definition BVE" (lets call it HD BVE) is on the verge of being developed...

Seriously, I encourage developers to experiment with the new possibilities. Of course with having a good framerate in mind. But still, a real cab in 2048x2048, not my fake one, would probably look awsome!

 

[Tom]

Thanks to reschanger.... BVE is now

 

[reschanger]

Thanks to reschanger.... BVE is now
HD ready

Now I'm seriously and happily laughing. Because that's what I though:

The era of HD BVE is coming! Developers, get started!

By the way, to further encourage users to download the tool, feel free to make it available to anyone by hosting it on your websites.

 

[Dennis]

I'm impressed; round signs and a definite improvement in the appearance of objects that use larger textures and no reduction of frame rates. Thanks for that.

 

[5872]

I successfully created a copy of the Class 323 cab with a 2048 x 2048 cab image and repositioned the cab controls accordingly. BVE does not seem to have a problem with the hi-definition cab. So I exchanged some textures of the X-City South and a background image too to give an "artistic impression" of how more detailed textures and cabs can enhance graphics. View the image in its original size and compare with the "Original" strip in the cab. I don't know what some of the texts in the cab should have been, so I "guessed" a bit. Higher definition cabs mean that you could read the texts and not look at a blurry mess. (The attachment jpg is a little blurry too, sadly.)

Hopefully, the era of "High Definition BVE" (lets call it HD BVE) is on the verge of being developed...

Seriously, I encourage developers to experiment with the new possibilities. Of course with having a good framerate in mind. But still, a real cab in 2048x2048, not my fake one, would probably look awsome!

That looks so much better , thanks mate for the download ive fixed the problem and it works faster now.

 

[Dennis]

Out of interest and drifting off-topic, I need to upgrade my telly soon (the current one being non digital and CRT) and I'm really looking forward to running BVE on a big screen with decent sound rather than on a laptop; anyone else do this?

 

[Tom]

I've done it in the past - looks amazing with big TVs.

 

[dennis63uk]

I've downloaded that file and noticed a great difference in BVE 4.2 As using a TFT monitor here running in DVI and also got another TFT monitor connected to same graphics card running in VGA.. Don't know why. Everytime i come out of playing with BVE 4.2 it re boots my PC now

 

[The Snap]

BVE4 "Reschanger" has now been made available for download at BVE Routes & Trains, with kind permission from the author.

www.bveroutes-trains.co.uk , press F5 on the homepage if nothing has changed.

Enjoy!

 

[Bill EWS]

Hi Richard,
I have downloaded recharger and also the Windows Framework v2 and everything appears to be working alright. In window mode I now have a BVE image virtually filling the 17" TFT monitor screen. Not having a widecreen monitor I don't require other resolutions but this proves that the programme works.

However I do get lower frame rates and the window image 'blinks' every now and again, i.e. the screen goes blank for a split second. Anyone know what's happening and how to correct this problem, that is, the 'blink' problem?

Cheers.

BillEWS.

 

[reschanger]

New version 1.0.0.9

So, here is a new version of the resolution changing tool, which now allows widescreen and narrowscreen users to properly adjust the aspect ratio.

Changes:
- no occlusion/transparency in widescreen/narrowscreen resolutions anymore
- fixed version checking of the BVE.exe to ensure you have the correct version

Previously, when using widescreen resolutions like 1680x1050, the top and bottom parts of the cab were occluded, and when using narrowscreen resolutions like 1280x1024, there was an additional transparent area above and below the cab.

Now, you can set up the resolutions and additionally specifiy the aspect ratio you want to use. This is separated, because the tool still allows you to change window and fullscreen resolutions separately, so if they did not share the same aspect ratio, there would be ambiguity.

Remember that you do only have to use the tool when changing resolutions. You do not have to run it any time you start BVE.

Download the new version from the attachment or look somewhere else. The tool is freely available and redistributable without asking for permission.

I'm done editing my posts by the way. Unless I come up something new, for example greater viewing distance, that will be it for a while. Comments/screenshots are still appreciated.

Go to the first post in this thread to download. We don't need to have the same attachment twice.

 

[Tom B]

Hi

An excellent tool! This is a huge improvement to BVE.

And yes BVE on a large screen looks great!

 

[The Snap]

v1.0.0.9 now uploaded to BRT.

This will also improve the displays on the Acton open day too...

Thanks,

 

[Bill EWS]

Played BVE4 on my computer projector this evening. The screen is 6ft with the actual picture being approx. 5 and a half feet wide. BVE looks pretty good but it does show up the lower resolution object graphics but the Cab graphic is fine. I should be able to set any resolution as for a widescreen TV but haven't tried that as yet but will do so another time.

I'm not sure if anyone noticed my comments about getting 'flicker' when running BVE4 in 'window' mode. I will repeat that here and hope that someone can come up with an answer, thanks.

"However I do get lower frame rates and the window image 'blinks' every now and again, i.e. the screen goes blank for a split second. Anyone know what's happening and how to correct this problem, that is, the 'blink' problem?".

Cheers.

BillEWS.

 

[Muppet]

Played BVE4 on my computer projector this evening. The screen is 6ft with the actual picture being approx. 5 and a half feet wide. BVE looks pretty good but it does show up the lower resolution object graphics but the Cab graphic is fine. I should be able to set any resolution as for a widescreen TV but haven't tried that as yet but will do so another time.

I'm not sure if anyone noticed my comments about getting 'flicker' when running BVE4 in 'window' mode. I will repeat that here and hope that someone can come up with an answer, thanks.

"However I do get lower frame rates and the window image 'blinks' every now and again, i.e. the screen goes blank for a split second. Anyone know what's happening and how to correct this problem, that is, the 'blink' problem?".

Cheers.

BillEWS.

I got this when running msn in the background.

Turning it off sovled my problem

 

[Bill EWS]

I got this when running msn in the background.

Turning it off sovled my problem

Thanks Muppet. I don't have MSN running on my computer. Perhaps another programme is causing the same problem!

Cheers.

BilllEWS.

 

[reschanger]

"However I do get lower frame rates and the window image 'blinks' every now and again, i.e. the screen goes blank for a split second. Anyone know what's happening and how to correct this problem, that is, the 'blink' problem?".

I myself noticed a little "blinking" only when browsing the open dialog, and in-game only when the window was covered by some other window or the taskbar. Make sure that isn't the case, and I guess, it already isn't.

Maybe it's an effect of how .NET managed forms get rendered. I noticed that myself when programming games in .NET. On lower resolutions, the image might get updated fast enough, so you don't see (probably the form's background color) showing up, but in higher resolutions, it obviously can become visible.