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[Sethos]

Here's some 2.1 environment shots, click for native resolution. The SMAA in 2.1 either isn't working or really weak, another one of 2.1s many problems but his timecycle settings are good. The AA in his older releases were much better.

Yea, you can play old PC games with pristine image quality but not GTAIV, the game ran like ass...I refuse to believe anyone can play GTAIV with that iq at playable frame rates.

GTA Runs fine.

Oh yeah, secondary question - Can you actually run SMAA and FXAA on top of each other?

Not with the way ENB implemented it, as you basically pick which .dll you want to activate.

 

[SniperHunter]

what kind of graphics card you got sethos?

GTA Runs fine.

No, it doesn't.

I played the game on two different rigs...it runs better than Saint's Row 3 though

 

[scitek]

Yea, you can play old PC games with pristine image quality but not GTAIV, the game ran like ass...I refuse to believe anyone can play GTAIV with that iq at playable frame rates.

Unless you have a nice PC, which Sethos does.

 

[Sethos]

No, it doesn't.

Your right, I've been able to play GTA IV at 60FPS going way back to my 8800 Ultra days, it must run like shit because you say so.

Yes some people have problems with it, no that doesn't call for blanket statements.

 

[SniperHunter]

Your right, I've been able to play GTA IV at 60FPS going way back to my 8800 Ultra days, it must run like shit because you say so.

Yes some people have problems with it, no that doesn't call for blanket statements.

ahhh 60 FPS locked on two 8800 ultras? What kind of CPU?

 

[Sethos]

ahhh 60 FPS locked on two 8800 ultras? What kind of CPU?

No, one. Had some AMD processor back then.

I know your trying to find the smoking gun where you can scream OMG BUT U HAD AND OMG, fact is the game runs fine on lots of hardware and even older hardware. Yes it had problems back then and some hardware configurations still have problems but all these retarded blanket statements are just annoying.

 

[jwhit28]

What car pack is used in the icehancer videos?

 

[SniperHunter]

No, one. Had some AMD processor back then.

I know your trying to find the smoking gun where you can scream OMG BUT U HAD AND OMG, fact is the game runs fine on lots of hardware and even older hardware. Yes it had problems back then and some hardware configurations still have problems but all these retarded blanket statements are just annoying.

All right sorry, I didn't mean to piss you off. Your shots look great! I will reinstall the game once I get a get a new GPU.

 

[Sethos]

What car pack is used in the icehancer videos?

They rarely use packs, most people replace each car manually as packs tend to screw up quick and have a bunch of poor models. Think Ice does the same.

All right sorry, I didn't mean to piss you off. Your shots look great! I will reinstall the game once I get a get a new GPU.

Sorry to come off extremely hostile but blanket statements just irk my funny bone.


We're almost at a point where this all deserves a new thread, with guides for everything, Steam, retail, car replacement, explanations etc.

 

[DeFiBkIlLeR]

So after screwing around with it for a couple of days now, I've finally settled on about as good as I'm going to get on my rig...it'll do for me, I'm not much of gamer these days, just like to dabble every now and then..

 

[SniperHunter]

Sorry to come off extremely hostile but blanket statements just irk my funny bone.

I played GTAIV in summer of 2009 then the expansion whenever it launched. I just remember the PC community saying, how it was "one of the worst ports ever" and how unoptimized it was. I think you needed a quad core to run the game at a decent frame rate (yea we are long past those days). Well I played the game on a hex core 4.2 Ghz CPU and still didn't run well, that probably irked my "funny bone." But I guess the newer DX11 cards by ATI and Nvidia run circles around GTAIV, so it's good to hear. Looking forward to playing it again.

Edit: i played it with a dual core first then switched to a hex core once episodes of liberty city launched.

 

[TheExecutive]

So Sethos-

Since you seem to know your stuff when it comes to modding GTAIV what are you personally using for mods, versions of mods and tweaking? I bought the steam version after NOT doing my research but would like to begin modding off of the shoulders of the experienced. Any insight is always appreciated.

 

[Sethos]

So Sethos-

Since you seem to know your stuff when it comes to modding GTAIV what are you personally using for mods, versions of mods and tweaking? I bought the steam version after NOT doing my research but would like to begin modding off of the shoulders of the experienced. Any insight is always appreciated.

Not using that many mods.

For ENB I'm currently bouncing between 1.25 and 2.1 trying to combine the looks into a custom ENB, with little luck.

For vehicles I'm using http://www.gta4-mods.com and picking random vehicles, weeks highest rated, highest rated in vehicle section and I'm installing them with GTA IV Vehicle Mod Installer, which is like a 3 click process, super easy.

I have these 3 things installed for the in-game trainer http://www.gta4-mods.com/tutorials to control time, weather, disable stuff, spawn cars etc.

And using this first person mod http://www.gta4-mods.com/script/first-person-mod-v11-f2635 you drop the files into your folder once the stuff above is installed from the tutorials page - Then you double tab V or whatever your view key is to get into first person.

That's what I have running.

 

[gatisimo]

For ENB I'm currently bouncing between 1.25 and 2.1 trying to combine the looks into a custom ENB, with little luck.

Total noob here, so can you tell me what the simplest way to jump between versions of ICE is? I just installed 2.1 and was blown away by it, but can see why people think it's too cartoony. Would love to give 1.25 a shot and 1.35.

 

[Sethos]

Total noob here, so can you tell me what the simplest way to jump between versions of ICE is? I just installed 2.1 and was blown away by it, but can see why people think it's too cartoony. Would love to give 1.25 a shot and 1.35.

Unfortunately there's no magic method.

I installed the game, installed all the stuff above like trainers, hooks and first person mod. Then I made a copy of it. I just drop in the ENBs, mess around and when I want to try something else I delete the primary folder, rename the copy and make another copy of that, drop the new ENB in there.

I'm on an SSD too, so it takes 20-30 seconds copying. On a normal HDD this method is quite slow but still faster than re-installing.

HOWEVER, many / all of the files in the Ice releases are identical so you could mess around with just copying over old / new versions and replacing the files.

 

[Karak]

How did you manage to sort out the bloom?

Also, post some screenshots!

I will. Sorry I have been deep into messing with them.
I adjust the contrast in the bloom and lowered the radius of both by the same percent. Which was like 15% or something.

Though looking at Sethos version I think I might try a couple tricks with that version of ice. I was not aware you could just grap the timecycle from any release and throw it into your files. Thats very cool.
So 2.1 cycles are the best?

For me 1.25 pics above are a game I want to PLAY. While some of the pics before that from some posters would be great for some colored pics. But 1.25 is the color and style I want. Switching when I go home.
Sethos: Can you paste your settings from post 2506?? Is that cool?

 

[Woorloog]

Currently tweaking 1.25 to my liking. Removed the awful glare / ray explosions, also from vehicle lights. Will be changing the trees to 2.1 settings, will see if I can import some of the improved lens flare, will also add the timecycles from 2.1 and perhaps look at the bloom, however it isn't too bad in 1.25.

Few more screenshots

Damn... had to look these over twice before i realized they were not real. The taxi is way too clean and shiny.

 

[LabouredSubterfuge]

I'm using high-end config on 1.35 and it's looking good. Bit too overall much blur on the DoF though. Any way to tone it down?

 

[Gareth Bale]

I'm using high-end config on 1.35 and it's looking good. Bit too overall much blur on the DoF though. Any way to tone it down?

edit: nevermind

 

[Sethos]

Sethos: Can you paste your settings from post 2506?? Is that cool?

They were pure vanilla settings basically, except in iceconfig.ini I went down to LIGHTSPRITE and changed "UseRays" to False. Means you won't get all these insane rays coming off lights that don't even match up to the light and weird light bleeding.

I also copied the SSAO settings ( Further down in the iceconfig ) from 2.1 over, as the 2.1 settings are less aggressive.

I'm using high-end config on 1.35 and it's looking good. Bit too overall much blur on the DoF though. Any way to tone it down?

In the 1.35 RAR you downloaded there should be a folder called "3. Motion Blur & Depth of Field" with lots of different effects. DoF for pictures is the heaviest one, HQ is a performance hog but looks good etc.

 

[LabouredSubterfuge]

They were pure vanilla settings basically, except in iceconfig.ini I went down to LIGHTSPRITE and changed "UseRays" to False. Means you won't get all these insane rays coming off lights that don't even match up to the light and weird light bleeding.

I also copied the SSAO settings ( Further down in the iceconfig ) from 2.1 over, as the 2.1 settings are less aggressive.




In the 1.35 RAR you downloaded there should be a folder called "3. Motion Blur & Depth of Field" with lots of different effects. DoF for pictures is the heaviest one, HQ is a performance hog but looks good etc.

Yeah I'm using HQ it's just not very discriminatory and blurs a lot. It kinda looks good but I just wondered if you could tone it down any. Guess not.

 

[PowerK]

The latest ICEnhancer 2.1 seems to be a step backward in terms of graphics fidelity.
I used 1.25 last year. Although it wan't perfect, I liked it. Haven't used 1.35 yet. Is 1.35 worth a try ?

 

[Karak]

They were pure vanilla settings basically, except in iceconfig.ini I went down to LIGHTSPRITE and changed "UseRays" to False. Means you won't get all these insane rays coming off lights that don't even match up to the light and weird light bleeding.

I also copied the SSAO settings ( Further down in the iceconfig ) from 2.1 over, as the 2.1 settings are less aggressive.

Thanks thats exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Karak]

The latest ICEnhancer 2.1 seems to be a step backward in terms of graphics fidelity.
I used 1.25 last year. Although it wan't perfect, I liked it. Haven't used 1.35 yet. Is 1.35 worth a try ?

I think, for me, 1.25 seems to be the realistic sweet spot compared to 1.35 which I did mess with a great deal and could never get right. However Seth posted how to change the one thing that was bothering me so 1.35 might be fine.

 

[DeFiBkIlLeR]

Okay...think I've found the ideal combo, 2.1 with the Depth Of Field iCEshader from 1.35..

 

[Sethos]

2.1 Just needs a native DoF ( Implemented into the Iceshader, not replaced ) and improved reflections ( Can just replace them all with 1.25 / 1.35 settings ) and obviously the optional lower saturation shader he included and it'd be alright. We just need someone to take the time to work out where the DoF fields are in the iceshaders and replace them

 

[jwhit28]

I guess it wasn't meant to be. I have a Phenom II x4 at 3.6ghz and a Radeon 7850 but can't even break 20fps in the benchmark with the settings and sliders on low at 1080p.

I reinstalled my Amazon digital copy and then patched to 1.0.4 and used icehancer 2.1 (which is nice but almost Banjo Kazooie style colorful).

 

[DeFiBkIlLeR]

Think I'm going to stop tinkering with it now, otherwise i get so confused with what settings from which version I've used, I completely lose track and normally end up with a game that starts to crash when loading..

 

[Enco]

Okay...think I've found the ideal combo, 2.1 with the Depth Of Field iCEshader from 1.35..

Brilliant.

Is this the steam compatible version?

 

[DeFiBkIlLeR]

Brilliant.

Is this the steam compatible version?

It's my Steam version 'downgraded' to 1.0.4 with a High Res City Textures Pack installed.

 

[Enco]

It's my Steam version 'downgraded' to 1.0.4 with a High Res City Textures Pack installed.

Thanks. Not a fan of downgrading though. This breaks multiplayer right? MP is the only thing I do.

 

[DeFiBkIlLeR]

Thanks. Not a fan of downgrading though. This breaks multiplayer right? MP is the only thing I do.

Yeah, you can kiss MP goodbye when you start Modding GTA IV with this stuff.

 

[DryvBy]

Is there a good editor where I can change like the posters and ads around the city? I have some great ads I'd like to through in my game for realism, including a DKR.

 

[TheExecutive]

Not using that many mods.

For ENB I'm currently bouncing between 1.25 and 2.1 trying to combine the looks into a custom ENB, with little luck.

For vehicles I'm using http://www.gta4-mods.com and picking random vehicles, weeks highest rated, highest rated in vehicle section and I'm installing them with GTA IV Vehicle Mod Installer, which is like a 3 click process, super easy.

I have these 3 things installed for the in-game trainer http://www.gta4-mods.com/tutorials to control time, weather, disable stuff, spawn cars etc.

And using this first person mod http://www.gta4-mods.com/script/first-person-mod-v11-f2635 you drop the files into your folder once the stuff above is installed from the tutorials page - Then you double tab V or whatever your view key is to get into first person.

That's what I have running.

Thank you sir!

 

[Karak]

I think I am done. Going to lower the intensity a bit to return some sidewalk color and return things like the building to a bit more color but enough is enough. I have to play the thing hahahaha

Will adjust the trees back to the way I like them and then done.

Ok went back to 1.25 and adjusted it a bit. Not sure I like the bluish look but this is what I go-

 

[PowerK]

Replaying GTA4 1.0.4.0 with ICEnhancer 1.25 these days. Loving every moment of it.

For multi-GPU/SLI users, nVIDIA's original SLI compatibility bits is "0x03400405". New SLI bits "0x42500045" seems to improve SLI scaling. Still not as good as I hope to be.. with everything maxed at 2560x1600, GPU utilization hovers around 20~30% (GTX690 Quad-SLI). However, with SSAA enabled (through iceconfig.ini), I can see good utilization (90%) across 4 GPUs. Graphics fidelity is superb.

 

[Sethos]

Currently using the Lower Saturation optional configuration, I've added 1.35 Window reflection and now working on incorporating his 1.35 DoF settings into the Iceshader itself. Still having trouble with the AA solution, may need to look at the 2.0n SMAA solution which was much better for some reason than the current.

Downsampled of course, to detract from the horrible jaggies.

 

[spidye]

damn. that looks so good.
how does it run?

 

[Wazzim]

2.1 runs much better than the old one I used.

 

[Sethos]

2.1 runs much better than the old one I used.

Because it has barely any AA, no DoF, MB is turned down, reflections are turned down. Barely has any sweet ENB effects, it's all colours and light work.

damn. that looks so good.
how does it run?

Runs great now, 50FPS average, 35-40 minimum and tops out at 80. However I am using an SLI setup and without decent AA and no DoF it's not such a performance hog. When I add that in eventually I'll probably see 25-30 Average.

 

[TheExecutive]

so i got it working but my menus are missing :/ any ideas?

Also not being able to use MSIAfterburner feel so naked. any suggestions for fan control?

 

[Gareth Bale]

so i got it working but my menus are missing :/ any ideas?

Also not being able to use MSIAfterburner feel so naked. any suggestions for fan control?

Read here:

http://pc.mmgn.com/Articles/GTA-IV-iCEnhancer-Mod-Install-Guide

It's at the bottom of stage 2

 

[Sethos]

so i got it working but my menus are missing :/ any ideas?

Also not being able to use MSIAfterburner feel so naked. any suggestions for fan control?

You can still use Afterburner, you just need to turn off any overlay or anything else that hooks into the games.

 

[TheExecutive]

You can still use Afterburner, you just need to turn off any overlay or anything else that hooks into the games.

how the heck do I do that?

 

[Sethos]

how the heck do I do that?

No idea, don't use afterburner any more, using Precision X. Should be some place in the option menus to disable game overlays, recordings etc.

 

[TheExecutive]

No idea, don't use afterburner any more, using Precision X. Should be some place in the option menus to disable game overlays, recordings etc.

found it in the tuner

Thanks!

 

[TheExecutive]

Read here:

http://pc.mmgn.com/Articles/GTA-IV-iCEnhancer-Mod-Install-Guide

It's at the bottom of stage 2

Awesome. thanks

 

[Afrikan]

No release is "better", they each have a unique look that is entirely a personal taste. 1.25 is more matte bright, fairly realistic look with all the ENB effects. 1.35 is more grungy, slight yellow tint and film grain, 2.0n is very bright and can look good, however much of the experience is just a feeling of overbrightness, 2.1 is extremely cartoony, no DoF but with a nice timecycle and lens effects, great on performance too. And stick to whatever is in the ENB releases for textures. Some of them has updated road textures, the newer ones don't.

I know 2.0 is not your favorite favorite..but I'm still in awe of this video...you said it looks toooo bright when you actually play, so I just want to try it for myself...and I play on my Plasma TV which darkens my PC games alittle bit anyway.

so my question is, I got 2.1 to work with Steam...but will the 2.0 work with the steam version as well?

and how would installation go...delete GTA4 folder, copy over my clean backup one...and start the process over using 2.0 instead?

Or is there any settings in 2.1 I could change that made it less cartoony, and make it more like 2.0.

edit-I guess this ones is actually called 2.0N

 

[Gareth Bale]

This is where I'm at right now. Couldn't sort out the bloom so I just turned if off. The DoF confuses the hell out of me as well.

 

[PowerK]

Been toying around with GTA4 and ENB.

I've tried iCEnhancer 1.2, 1.25, 1.35 and 2.1 I think the author of iCEnahncer doesn't want to tweak GTA4 + ENB anymore. It's obvious that visual quality is going backward since 1.25 (2.1 being the worst, IMO).

Out of many ENB series mod I've tried, I like iCEnhancer 1.25 (with userays=false) and L3EVO (2012 NY) v1.2 NVidia.