EQ2 UI questions

[Zuuljin]

I was messing around with EQ2 trying to get better FPS out of my system, and one thing I noticed is that when run in full screen mode, with no UI (by hitting F10 or whatever) I get an extra 5-15 fps. So the first question is, is it normal for the UI to be using up that many of my FPS? Is it the same in WoW?

After that I tried messing around with the windows when the UI is present, and found that every window that I have open uses about 1-2 fps. By turning off, or making invisible most of my windows, I can get my FPS pretty close to the non UI number.

My next question, for any UI modders, is it possible to set parameters for when a window will show given certain conditions? For instance the chat windows. If set for a normal opacity of 0, when something happens in the chat window, it will fade in for a bit, then fade out. Or the target window. When nothing is targeted, there is no window, and when you target something, the window pops up. So I was wondering if it would be possible to have the combat buttons and effects window do the same. Be invisible while im running around, but when I'm in attack mode, they show up.

If so, that would seem like a great way to squeeze an extra 5-10 fps out of your system. So while combat might not show much improvement, just running around will.

[Kendricke]

Probably a good place to echo this post would be over at eq2interface.com.

[The Edge]

I've noticed this too, and have seen some posts about it on the Tech forums. I've tested it on my computer and my girlfriends computer. I use a GeForce card and she uses a ATI card. For my GeForce card I lose 10-20 fps, but on the ATI card it's hardly affected at all. So different cards might have something to do with it.

[leane]

Have to be a card issue, my guess is its drawing the scene, then drawing in the UI and that slows it down, turn off the UI and it doesn't have to do the extra step.

[antha124]

I had gotten the same thing in eq1 and in wow.

[Kasonic]

I noticed no change whatsoever in WoW.

You could create effects pretty similar to that with Flexbar, but I don't know of any way to do so for the minimap/chat.

[Zuuljin]

http://www.eq2interface.com/forums/s...5016#post45016

Post on the same thing on the eq2interface forum. One thing I got from there, if your to lazy to read it, is to take off smooth fonts. You'll gain an extra 5-10 fps just from doing that. Have to fiddle with the font size, and it takes a little getting used to depending on your resolution, but i'd say its well worth it.

[Abalieno]

The point here is that EQ2's UI sucks. I don't know any other game where the UI uses up so many resources.

They should really rewrite radically this part of the engine, the whole game has already its performance issues and surely doesn't need more problems/slowdowns.

[WarderX]

Anyone who's ever developed things in flash can tell you that the biggest framerate hog is the transparency (alpha) setting. Maybe check that?

Although, i've never played eq2

[leane]

Originally Posted by Abalieno

The point here is that EQ2's UI sucks. I don't know any other game where the UI uses up so many resources.

They should really rewrite radically this part of the engine, the whole game has already its performance issues and surely doesn't need more problems/slowdowns.

Haven't been seeing much in the line of performance issues at all. Its more a problem if your running a weaker computer or are having bottlenecks, They did say they were focusing towards what whould be higher end years down the road.

[Kendricke]

They're constantly working on tweaking this or that in the engine already. I don't know of any real changes coming to the UI, (but I bet I could ask around and see if I can find anything out from any of the other Summit attendees, like Dolby perhaps). I do know at least one relatively major revamp which was raised at the Atlanta Summit was a character model revamp is coming.

Now, don't start grabbing torches or pitchforks yet. The biggest concern was whether or not it would alter faces. The answer to that was that the revamp would only be affecting character skeletons and bodies. Some races would alter slightly (I know dwarves were mentioned), but the basic goals of this revamp would be to allow for slightly increased framerates in areas where multiple race models were present (i.e. raids, cities, etc.) and to allow for faster design/testing of new armor models (since you wouldn't have to design it for as many different character model body types).

I'm really, really short on details beyond that, and it wasn't a topic we spent a great deal of time on. I think pretty much everyone agreed this was a "good thing" (TM) and we moved on to other subjects.

[Zuuljin]

Originally Posted by Kendricke

They're constantly working on tweaking this or that in the engine already. I don't know of any real changes coming to the UI, (but I bet I could ask around and see if I can find anything out from any of the other Summit attendees, like Dolby perhaps). I do know at least one relatively major revamp which was raised at the Atlanta Summit was a character model revamp is coming.

Now, don't start grabbing torches or pitchforks yet. The biggest concern was whether or not it would alter faces. The answer to that was that the revamp would only be affecting character skeletons and bodies. Some races would alter slightly (I know dwarves were mentioned), but the basic goals of this revamp would be to allow for slightly increased framerates in areas where multiple race models were present (i.e. raids, cities, etc.) and to allow for faster design/testing of new armor models (since you wouldn't have to design it for as many different character model body types).

I'm really, really short on details beyond that, and it wasn't a topic we spent a great deal of time on. I think pretty much everyone agreed this was a "good thing" (TM) and we moved on to other subjects.

I know Gallenite is lurking around here somewhere, maybe he can fill us in. =)

[Cuppycake]

I agree, the UI hogs way too many resources. Not only that, but its my least favorite thing about EQ2 in terms of being polished. Its still so clunky to me, and not very attractive =( I've done the UI mod thing, but I don't like any that I have tried either. =x

[Angry Amadeus]

There aren't a lot of great UI mods out there for EQ2, either. I've tried maybe six or so (TKing, extremeUI) and it just bogs everything down.

I'll second the shoddy UI sentiment. And the immature ass-clown players. But you get those in any game, I guess.

(They just suspend you in EQ2 for harassing them)

[holymight]

Im perfectly happy with Profit UI. Only thing I wish for is the ability to click through windows. The setting is not working for me.

edit: Screenshot of my UI. Click and drag url to your address bar to view.