Is UT supposed to be played in D3D or Open GL?

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
For as long as I've been playing this game, you'd think I'd know. I don't. I've always played in Direct 3D, but I've seen some info on the 'net lately that people play it in open GL. Which is it supposed to be? I get about 15 FPS higher in D3D w/my rig. Thanks!


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DN

Senior member
Nov 19, 2001
552
0
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I think you answered your own question (higher FPS), but D3D is probably the preferred method for UT as their OpenGL implementation comes with a warning.. When it comes to Counterstrike, the opposite is true, OpenGL is the preferred method.. There are no etched in stone rules for either, but I think you'll find that these are the most common methods for each game above..
 

PliotronX

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 1999
8,883
107
106
It used to be that D3D was the preferred API to use with UT on a video card that does not support Glide (3Dfx's proprietary API). Now, with the latest OpenGL driver for UT (I think it's available at technology.unreal.com or similar, the link is in the shortcut folder for UT), OpenGL performs better with NVidia cards.
 

Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
2
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<< Neither, its supposed to be played in Glide. heh. >>

Heh, that's what I was going to say. :)
 

BD231

Lifer
Feb 26, 2001
10,568
138
106
D3D gives the overall best gameplay in UT. I personaly think UT looks pretty poor under open GL rendering
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
0
0
It is BEST played on OpenGL with the high res textures. It will be faster and will look much better. To set it up, follow the below instructions:

Get the "LOKI" patch HERE and install it.

There are ut.ini settings on that same page that must also be used.

Install the high res textures off UT CD #2

Change to OpenGL and enjoy!
 

Soccerman

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,378
0
0
UT is sortof being 'patched' to get OpenGL running properly. the reason they're running OpenGL is cause it allows you to use the S3TC textures that were intended solely for S3 cards (and their Metal API or something like that).

basically, if you have an old 3dfx card, it's best to run UT in Glide (like say a Voodoo Banshee, or Voodoo 2). A Voodoo 3 can run either Direct3D or Glide without much performance difference at all from what I can tell, but I personally recommend running all newer cards (Voodoo 4, TNT2, or ATi Radeon or newer) in OpenGL becuase they support large textures and S3TC. UT was meant to look alot better than what you get with Direct3D and Glide (due to Glides texture size limitations, and simply that no-one has bothered getting the S3TC textures in Direct3D AFAIK).. you might loose a few FPS going to OpenGL, but it looks better, and typically with todays cards you can stand to lose a few FPS :)
 

agnitrate

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
3,761
1
0
Go with whatever you think looks best. Unless you have a really slow graphics card or slow cpu, ( I thought you had a KT133A or something and were looking to upgrade to KT266A like because of your performance quest :) ) it won't matter at all. UT is more cpu intensive than graphics these days, but then again, I am not sure what CPU you have.

Anything over 100 FPS in either and it won't matter because you won't be able to see the difference anyways, so just go with what looks better!

silver
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
0
0
Take a look at This Article and This one. They have screenshots of UT in D3D and OpenGL with high res textures. A bit out of date, but the screenies speak for themselves. I could never go back to D3D.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Wow, great replies! Thanks guys. I have a KT133 board (100 FSB = :(), 1GHz TBird and a GF3. I play at 1024 x 768 x 32 (I can tell the diff b/t 16 and 32-bit textures) and I get an 70FPS average in the Rev Thunder Demo. (Defacto UT b-mark) I will try your suggestions. Thanks again. :)
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
E3Art, on the initial screen with the menus across the top, go to TOOLS and Timedemo Stats. It shows a FPS counter on the right-hand side of the screen while you play.

OK, without any hacks or patches, I went into Open GL. I get about 7FPS less in the RevThunder demo in GL than in D3D. I played a few maps...I think it looks slightly better. More detail in the walls and stuff, BUT I see a bit more "jaggies". With 512mb of system memory and a GF3 I shouldn't be seeing any jaggies, darnit. :p I'll keep messing w/it. Thanks guys.
 

human2k

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2001
3,563
0
0
MAN, how can you guys play that game? I get headaches and start to vomit with all those first person shooters. :D
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
0
0
MichaelD, if you want to run OpenGL, you MUST install the new OpenGL driver I linked above and use the config settings on the site. To get the better visuals, you have to install the high res S3TC textures from UT CD # 2. This will give a nice boost in framerates and increased visuals. Using the standard OpenGL driver will not provide any benefit.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Oldfart,

I only have one UT CD. It came with my Creative Labs GF2 Videocard. I have the latest updates (4.36) installed. Is there somewhere that I can get these high res textures? Thanks.
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
0
0
Yeah, thats a pain. I have both CD's. Got UT free with my Voodoo 3 card back in the day. The high res textures are over 500 Meg!

YGPM
 

GoldenTiger

Banned
Jan 14, 2001
2,594
0
0
Where can I find the Loki patch? I looked on the website with no luck on a Win9x/XP version :(. Also, anyone know where the old Creative Labs EAX patches are? I lost them when I reformatted recently :(. Also, can someone post exactly what I need to change my config files to for this to work??
 

Raincity

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2000
4,477
12
81


<< Is there somewhere that I can get these high res textures? Thanks. >>

Go bargain bin hunting. I picked up a Unreal Package with Unreal + Return to where ever ? + Unreal T GOTY edition for 10$.

Rain
 

GoldenTiger

Banned
Jan 14, 2001
2,594
0
0
The links to the updated opengl file are broken in the articles... if anyone has them, can they please fire me an email with them attatched to zeobuzz@msn.com ?? Thanks a lot!
 

BFG10K

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
22,709
3,005
126
I prefer to use Direct3D. Even though OpenGL + S3TC looks better I can't stand the banding on the coronas.