Unlock ultra high settings in TF2 (+possibly more Valve games)

[oli_ramsay]

If you don't care much for how the command works and my comparisons, just skip to the bottom.

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Currently, the highest settings that texture resolution can can be set to is "Very High". The command in the console that controls this setting is "mat_picmip". Looking at mat_picmip, the values go from 4 to -10. The higher the number, the more compression the texture is under.

Low settings: mat_picmip 2
Medium settings: mat_picmip 1
High settings: mat_picmip 0
Very High settings: mat_picmip -1

Here is the Very High settings compared to my own settings while looking at an object.
As you can see, there is a lot more detail in -3 than there is in Very High's -1 setting.

Here is another comparison:
Look at the circled spot on the left-side. This shows a bit of texture artifacting/blurring that follows the floor pattern. This mark doesn't show in mat_picmip -3.
You can also compare the seams in the Spy's gloves. On the left side, they are a bit blurry. On the right, the seams are much easier to see and even have more depth to them.

This image shows -1, -3, and the maximum value, -10 all together.
The leap between each of them is very noticeable, but there's a point before you won't really notice the detail, especially in a heated game. Other things such as in-game resolution will effect how well you will notice the higher settings, too.

I understand Valve's reasoning for not having any higher settings, as many of the people who play this game run it at medium-ish settings. I just thought I'd put this out there, for those like me who want every little graphical upgrade they can.

One final comparison, showing the difference in normal mapping.

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To enable this and see the differences yourself, type into the console (or preferably, in an autoexec):

mat_picmip #

In place of the #, put in a negative number from -2 to -10 (-10 being the highest quality). If your system is a bit slow on these settings, just keep decreasing the number until you're somewhere you like.

Source

Other console commands to improve quality:

mat_picmip -10
mp_usehwmmodels 1
mp_usehwmvcds 1
mat_picmip -10
mat_parallaxmap 1
mat_aaquality 8
r_threaded_particles 1
r_threaded_client_shadow_manager 1
cl_threaded_bone_setup 1
cl_threaded_client_leaf_system 1
mat_antialinis 16

Enjoy!

 

[MadClown]

omg cool beans

 

[Mr.Amateur]

I believe this was on the internet somewhere, but thanks for bringing it up in TPU

Too bad you have to type it in EVERY SINGLE TIME you play

 

[DarkMatter]

I believe this was on the internet somewhere, but thanks for bringing it up in TPU

Too bad you have to type it in EVERY SINGLE TIME you play

(or preferably, in an autoexec)

If you put it in an autoexec the settings will be applied everytime the game starts.

 

[wolf]

If you put it in an autoexec the settings will be applied everytime the game starts.

please include how this is performed

 

[DarkMatter]

please include how this is performed

Yeah, sorry. You are right :

http://www.tweakguides.com/HL2_7.html

^^ That is a complete guide to the source engine. I reccommend to follow it, but basically:

- Enter the game folder and inside it the cfg folder, typically:

\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\[username]\[game name]\[game name]\cfg\

- Right click -> New -> Text Document

- Write down as many commands you'd like to add, each in a different line.

- Save the document as autoexec.cfg

- You're done!

* You can also directly edit the config.cfg file, but the method above is highly recommended, if anything just so you can delete/move the autoexec if the game has problems (unlikely). You'll rapidly know if any of the changes you made is guilty or not. Also you may want to cancel the changes in the future and is not easy to remember all the changes.

 

[kyle2020]

very nice find. /subscribed so I can try this as soon as I get home.

 

[Darknova]

Once I get home I'll have to try this on the links of Counter-strike Source as well. See if it works

 

[crtecha]

im all over this when I get home.

 

[kyle2020]

deffinately makes an improvement. Just created a server on TF:2 and dropped the code in - very impressive. Going to try it with CS:S now.

*edit*

Does nothing on CS:S. Shame

 

[Darknova]

deffinately makes an improvement. Just created a server on TF:2 and dropped the code in - very impressive. Going to try it with CS:S now.

*edit*

Does nothing on CS:S. Shame

Nope. I don't think the older Source engine-based games will see any quality increase.

 

[ShadowFold]

I'm going to try this in Left 4 Dead now. I will post some screens if it works.

 

[ShadowFold]

Ah poo l4d doesn't have any of those commands. I am gonna try TF2 and CSS now.

 

[kyle2020]

TF2 100% works - even added all those lines of tweaks to my config file - it does have a noticeable improvement.

 

[oli_ramsay]

Just tried the mat_picmip command in CSS and the lowest it goes to is 0.

 

[ShadowFold]

TF2 100% works - even added all those lines of tweaks to my config file - it does have a noticeable improvement.

Sweet. I gotta install it first.

 

[red268]

So, does this work with Half Life 2 then?

 

[ShadowFold]

EP2 probably since TF2 and EP2 use the Orange Box engine, but not Ep1 or HL2. I will test those later as I just got done installing tf2!

 

[D007]

wow look at that..
L4D just got better..lol..

this work in L4D?
I hope so. XD

EDIT: crap.. you said it doesn't shadow..
dangit..
maybe the commands are different in L4D..
hope they exist..

 

[red268]

EP2 probably since TF2 and EP2 use the Orange Box engine, but not Ep1 or HL2. I will test those later as I just got done installing tf2!

Thanks! Let us know how you get on and which ones work for deffinate!

 

[TheMailMan78]

I'm going to try this in Left 4 Dead now. I will post some screens if it works.

Are you 100% sure man?

 

[h3llb3nd4]

Darn! I don't have the orange box!!

 

[MoonPig]

So this only really works on TF2 and EP2? Might have to start playing them.

 

[ShadowFold]

Yea it doesn't work on EP1 or HL2. EP2, Portal and TF2 work tho. HL2/CSS use a different engine compared to L4D and Orange Box games.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Yea it doesn't work on EP1 or HL2. EP2, Portal and TF2 work tho. HL2/CSS use a different engine compared to L4D and Orange Box games.

I thought they were all Source based?