• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 01:34
CEST 07:34
KST 14:34
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
RSL Season 1 - Final Week6[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall12HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0
Community News
Esports World Cup 2025 - Brackets Revealed10Weekly Cups (July 7-13): Classic continues to roll4Team TLMC #5 - Submission extension3Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation17$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced7
StarCraft 2
General
Who will win EWC 2025? RSL Revival patreon money discussion thread The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings Weekly Cups (July 7-13): Classic continues to roll Esports World Cup 2025 - Brackets Revealed
Tourneys
FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series $5,100+ SEL Season 2 Championship (SC: Evo) WardiTV Mondays Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 482 Wheel of Misfortune Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome
Brood War
General
Flash Announces (and Retracts) Hiatus From ASL BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Starcraft in widescreen A cwal.gg Extension - Easily keep track of anyone
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Cosmonarchy Pro Showmatches CSL Xiamen International Invitational [BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile CCLP - Command & Conquer League Project The PlayStation 5
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative Summer Games Done Quick 2025! Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 2024 - 2025 Football Thread NBA General Discussion NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Men Take Risks, Women Win Ga…
TrAiDoS
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 689 users

A closer look at models and shaders

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
Evire
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Norway198 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-03-31 23:32:09
March 31 2013 23:25 GMT
#1
I've always wondered why Blizzard did the changes that they have done when it comes to the SCII graphics. I was crushed when one day enabling simplified shaders in the variable.txt didn't work anymore, and I wonder why.

So basically in this thread I have compered different graphics settings and their result. Contrast and brightness stayed the same on all pictures.

First off High models vs Low models
With the release of the new graphics for HOTS the option to enable high models while having shaders on low has not been possible. The only way to enable high models now is by going into the variables.txt. With what I am about to show you, setting models to high does not give any glitches or erros, which means it should be an option in the starcraft UI. Please click the bracket for pictures and info
+ Show Spoiler +

With having everything set to low Protoss users will see their pylon powerfield as a dotted line. The only way to enable the full powerfield "image" you have to set GraphicsOptionModelQuality=1 in the variables.txt which results in this
[image loading]

Note that it is only the powerfield that has changed. If you look at the preview of the pylon it looks dark (equal to the way of models on low)

To get the same models as if you would have shaders on medium you have to set useLowqualitymodels=0 while keeping GraphicsOptionModelQuality=1 resulting in this:
[image loading]
Note that the preview of the pylon is now brighter (not due to different map) and it looks like as if you were playing with shaders on medium. In my opinion this is a better look.

Now why would you set your models to high? I think most Protoss players will have the most out of it because it changes a very basic animation, warp in.

Having models on low does not give you a clear idea of what is warping in, whether it is a stalker or a zealot can be a big deal in pvp.

Which one of these is a stalker, which one is a zealot?
[image loading]
The only thing telling you it is a stalker warping in is a little bit bigger animation, and a bigger HP bar. But this is not easily seen in the middle of a battle. And it is even harder when you cant compare them.

When having models on high (same config as first and second picture) warp ins gives you way more information on the unit warping in.
[image loading]
Note that it is way easier telling if it is a stalker or a zealot because you can see the shape of the unit.



Low shaders vs medium shaders
Previously you could set simplifiedshaders=0 and get medium shaders while keeping the look of having low on, this does not work anymore. Please see bracket for pictures and info
+ Show Spoiler +

When having shaders set to low a forcefield looses most of its color and looks dull
[image loading]

When having shaders on medium or higher a forcefield is much clearer
[image loading]

To actually get this kind of forcefield you have to set the shaders on medium, ruining people who want the feature and play on low graphics. As mentioned, earlier it was possible to have the forcefield look this way and keeping the look of the game as if it was on low. Look up hybrid graphics settings on TL for proof.



What I am trying to accomplish with this post is hopefully having Blizzard revert back some settings. I want to be able to set models on high in the UI, not having to go through the variables.txt. And I want the option to have a forcefield which I can actually see.
I hope this helped some of you in re-enabling high models.
Jasiwel
Profile Joined June 2012
United States146 Posts
April 01 2013 00:12 GMT
#2
Very good comparisons. The Force Field one especially is why I have to spend quite a bit to figure out my graphics settings whenever I decide to go for lower graphics for better performance. I think some graphic shaders should be forced in order to make sure gameplay is not jeopardized. Another example of how it's kind of lame is when looking at low graphic pylon fields and how there really isn't much of a middle ground aside from the dotted borders.
Existor
Profile Joined July 2010
Russian Federation4295 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-04-01 00:19:37
April 01 2013 00:17 GMT
#3
Sadly no one cares and no one, who play on low settings, will especially not care about that. It's easy for them to go to options, click everything on low and just play without looking at some details like more visible force fields or better cloaked units.

Blizzards are disabled many user-made options, like Hybridic options, normal shaders for Force Fields on low settings, and probably in future they will fix high models on low settings.

So in some words, no one cares. Everyone is ok with low textures (when High or Extreme textures don't eat memory too much but are nicer and sharper), when low textures make SC2 looking more like WC3 and more horrible, than BroodWar with sharper ground and building/unit textures.
Evire
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Norway198 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-04-01 00:27:33
April 01 2013 00:26 GMT
#4
On April 01 2013 09:17 Existor wrote:
So in some words, no one cares. Everyone is ok with low textures (when High or Extreme textures don't eat memory too much but are nicer and sharper), when low textures make SC2 looking more like WC3 and more horrible, than BroodWar with sharper ground and building/unit textures.


I like how you missed my whole point and then talk about a graphics option I haven't even mentioned
eviltomahawk
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States11135 Posts
April 01 2013 00:34 GMT
#5
I personally liked using high models on low settings since I find the dead unit debris to occasionally be useful information. I didn't know about the differences in warp-in graphics, but that is good to know. I've already gone into the variables.txt to change my settings after 2.0 patch.
ㅇㅅㅌㅅ
Existor
Profile Joined July 2010
Russian Federation4295 Posts
April 01 2013 00:39 GMT
#6
I like how you missed my whole point and then talk about a graphics option I haven't even mentioned


I understand your point because I did hybridic settings and did many other things which were blocked by Blizzards from patch to patch. Hybridic settings allowed to have some shader effects without shiny and glossy effect and average game graphic was more matt and serious.

Nothing wrong was with those hybridic settings because they were just compromisse between low and mediums. And blizzards blocked them.

So it was very long time ago, and I understand your point. I've tried to create some petition threads around bringing back variables.txt customization, but... thread just went down and never had any popularity, because no one cares, everyone is ok with current ugly low force fields and even with low model quality.
andeh
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States904 Posts
April 01 2013 00:40 GMT
#7
Thank you for this thread. I never really thought about how different some stuff looks from low to high.
flankstaek
Profile Joined January 2011
United States120 Posts
April 01 2013 00:45 GMT
#8
It's only a visual effect, so while this is very useful and there is no reason for it not to be in the game, it's also something that doesn't affect anything directly. There are other ways to tell what unit is warping in ie the health bar. And forcefields are still the same size, and you can still see the outline of where they are, it's not like you can't tell where it's been placed.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention, but at the same time I doubt Blizzard will acknowledge it as it just simply isn't particularly important.
we are electric
Tosster
Profile Joined August 2011
Poland299 Posts
April 01 2013 00:53 GMT
#9
I want exactly same things! I was fucking mad when i couldnt set models/shaders the way i set them in wol.
Arghmyliver
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
United States1077 Posts
April 01 2013 01:14 GMT
#10
On April 01 2013 09:39 Existor wrote:
Show nested quote +
I like how you missed my whole point and then talk about a graphics option I haven't even mentioned


I understand your point because I did hybridic settings and did many other things which were blocked by Blizzards from patch to patch. Hybridic settings allowed to have some shader effects without shiny and glossy effect and average game graphic was more matt and serious.

Nothing wrong was with those hybridic settings because they were just compromisse between low and mediums. And blizzards blocked them.

So it was very long time ago, and I understand your point. I've tried to create some petition threads around bringing back variables.txt customization, but... thread just went down and never had any popularity, because no one cares, everyone is ok with current ugly low force fields and even with low model quality.



I used hybridic graphics when it was a thing. I loved the clarity I could get without impacting performance. I have yet to see any explanation for why it was removed. People mention "hacking" but I don't think you can effectively cheat using any options found in variables.txt - or am I wrong? This was a really dumb patch in my opinion - even if most don't care it's kind of a huge "fuck you" to anyone who preferred hybrid graphics. I don't see how it's at all helpful to Blizzard - at least from a customer satisfaction standpoint - but I suppose once we've bought the game they could care less if we are satisfied.
Now witness their attempts to fly from tree to tree. Notice they do not so much fly as plummet.
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19230 Posts
April 01 2013 01:39 GMT
#11
Why couldn't the thread title just be "A closer look at models"!!!!! I was really excited for more of this: [image loading]
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
Lysergic
Profile Joined December 2010
United States355 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-04-07 10:18:22
April 01 2013 01:53 GMT
#12
You can use High Models with Low Shaders by changing a couple things in variables.txt

GraphicsOptionModelQuality=2
lowqualitymodels=0
useLowqualitymodels=0

It is really stupid that they restricted certain graphics settings for no reason in HotS.
MCXD
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
Australia2738 Posts
April 01 2013 02:08 GMT
#13
Can someone who actually knows what they're talking about suggest why Blizzard restricted it in the first place? They obviously did it for a reason, even if it's an incredibly stupid one. A reason which should be speculated at a minimum if not discovered/asked-of.
dala
Profile Joined August 2010
Sweden477 Posts
April 01 2013 18:52 GMT
#14
Could someone make this side-by-side picture comparison for cloaked units as well? Pretty, please!
Nimix
Profile Joined October 2011
France1809 Posts
April 01 2013 19:00 GMT
#15
They probably did it to make troubleshooting easier on Bnet forums, like when someone comes and complains about graphic bugs they can tell exactly what settings he's using, compared as before when you couldn't really tell if he installed a variable.txt or not. Maybe settings combinations via variable.txt was creating bugs for some people.
Evire
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Norway198 Posts
April 01 2013 19:05 GMT
#16
On April 02 2013 03:52 dala wrote:
Could someone make this side-by-side picture comparison for cloaked units as well? Pretty, please!


I don't think cloaked units change
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland25085 Posts
April 01 2013 19:09 GMT
#17
It's just a pain in the ass in certain ways. I for one miss both this and MPQ editing. I can understand why they cracked down on the latter, even to the detriment of many user's experiences, but not the former.

It's fine for example, disabling the third-party mods i.e Stronger Colours if you replace them with something that has much the same functionality. Was really helpful for people like myself who are colourblind, and Blizzard are on the record acknowledging this.

Tbh I just hate the moves games are making to limit user-side customisation that doesn't impact on the game experience, and arbitrarily disabling certain things for no reason. There may BE a reason, but if there is, I'd love to actually hear what they are instead of logging in to find yet another little tweak is gone.

I run as much as I can at low, maybe the WC3 nostalgia, but there are things I'd prefer bumped up, as in the Op but yet I am not sure how I'd even go about it at this point.
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
Mooneyes
Profile Joined March 2011
Sweden72 Posts
April 01 2013 19:11 GMT
#18
Someone on battle net claimed that messing with the file could Corrupt the entire game.
For the record i dont believe it, thought i should mention it though.
Blatantly stolen: The Zerg: Protoss is soooo imbalanced. The Protoss: Zerg is soooo imbalanced. The Terran: I would like to thank all my friends and family for another GSL win. -GSL 2011
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland25085 Posts
April 01 2013 19:14 GMT
#19
Surely the kind of people who are tech-savvy enough to tweak variables.txt files are surely the kind of people who, for the most part know what they are doing?

Judging from my experience the 'makes tech support easier' might make sense, the guys who've responded to my tickets knew less than me, who has been using a Windows-based PC for less than 6 months lol.

The most frustrating part about such things are that we are never actually told for the most part why decisions were made, and thus it is left to forum conjecture and the likes. If there's a good reason behind it I would quite enjoy hearing it.
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
DeCoup
Profile Joined September 2006
Australia1933 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-04-01 19:17:18
April 01 2013 19:16 GMT
#20
From your Low vs Medium shaders... Does the shaders setting also effect the brightness of the HUD? I can't work out why the HUD is so much brighter in the second picture.
"Poor guy. I really did not deserve that win. So this is what it's like to play Protoss..." - IdrA
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 10h 26m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Nina 268
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 26982
Sea 15707
Backho 175
Mind 56
Sacsri 30
Noble 25
Bale 15
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm127
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K1416
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King88
Other Games
summit1g11593
hungrybox395
RuFF_SC250
CosmosSc2 31
Trikslyr29
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick3072
BasetradeTV18
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 17 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH365
• Light_VIP 63
• practicex 50
• OhrlRock 4
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• sooper7s
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• iopq 1
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
League of Legends
• Lourlo1303
• Stunt413
Upcoming Events
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
10h 26m
Replay Cast
18h 26m
The PondCast
1d 4h
OSC
1d 7h
WardiTV European League
1d 10h
Replay Cast
1d 18h
Epic.LAN
2 days
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
Epic.LAN
3 days
CSO Contender
3 days
[ Show More ]
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
3 days
Bonyth vs Sziky
Dewalt vs Hawk
Hawk vs QiaoGege
Sziky vs Dewalt
Mihu vs Bonyth
Zhanhun vs QiaoGege
QiaoGege vs Fengzi
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
Online Event
4 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
4 days
Bonyth vs Zhanhun
Dewalt vs Mihu
Hawk vs Sziky
Sziky vs QiaoGege
Mihu vs Hawk
Zhanhun vs Dewalt
Fengzi vs Bonyth
Esports World Cup
6 days
ByuN vs Astrea
Lambo vs HeRoMaRinE
Clem vs TBD
Solar vs Zoun
SHIN vs Reynor
Maru vs TriGGeR
herO vs Lancer
Cure vs ShoWTimE
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
BSL20 Non-Korean Championship
Championship of Russia 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters

Upcoming

CSL Xiamen Invitational
CSL Xiamen Invitational: ShowMatche
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
BSL Season 21
K-Championship
RSL Revival: Season 2
SEL Season 2 Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
Underdog Cup #2
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.