MainHUD Performance Profile.

[Kosmos]

PLEASE READ!

IMPORTANT! Version 1.1 is now out! It fixes issues with this version. Please download the new v1.1 version from the downloads section!


Thanks,
Kosmos
Lucan D'lere Ranger

v1.0 Sumitted for Release.

EQ2_MainHUD_PerformancePanel

The User Interface Modification provides EverQuest II players the ability to:

Create and Save multiple Performance Profiles.
Quickly switch between 3 of these custom performance profiles during gameplay.
Provide on screen buttons for Mute On/Off and Music On/Off

Files Included:
eq2ui_custompreset1.xml
eq2ui_custompreset2.xml
eq2ui_custompreset3.xml
eq2ui_mainhud_performancepanel.xml
eq2ui_mainhud_startbutton.xml
eq2ui_muteall.xml
eq2ui_mutemusic.xml
preset_parser.exe (Provided by Ger)
presets.exe (Provided by Ger)
Instructions.pdf
PanelWithFrames.jpg
PanelWithOutFrames.jpg
readme.txt


How to Install a Custom User Interface Piece. (General)

1. Download the interface you wish to use.

2. Inside the UI Folder;
The one that is inside your EverQuest II directory.
Create a new folder with any name BUT with no spaces or special charaters.
(Example: Custom)

3. Unzip the User Interface Mod .zip file into your newly created folder.
Please make sure you dont have a folder inside of a folder when you do this.
Example: %\Everquest II\UI\Custom\*.xml (correct)
Example: %\Everquest II\UI\Custom\Mods\*.xml (incorrect)

4. Open Windows NotePad.
[StartButton], [Programs], [Accessories], [NotePad]
Type:
cl_ui_subdir UI/
cl_ui_skinname Custom
(The directory name 'Custom' may be different for you)

Choose [File], [Save As], Navigate to your main EverQuest II directory
In [File Name] Type: “eq2.ini” (WITH QUATATION MARKS, Click [SAVE].

6. Load up Everquest II and your new interface should be working.

Note: Some User Interface Pieces will not show up automatically.
Check the specfici information for the User Interface.


How to Install and Use EQ2_MainHUD_PerformancePanel: (Specific)

After following the above directions
Your directory structure should look something like this.
Assuming that you have EverQuest II installed on your C:\

C:Program Files/Sony/EverQuest II/UI/Custom/

eq2ui_custompreset1.xml
eq2ui_custompreset2.xml
eq2ui_custompreset3.xml
eq2ui_mainhud_performancepanel.xml
eq2ui_mainhud_startbutton.xml
eq2ui_muteall.xml
eq2ui_mutemusic.xml
preset_parser.exe
presets.exe
readme.txt

1. Start EverQuest II, Once you are in game type:

/show_window MainHUD.PerformancePanel

This should bring up the new Performance Panel.
The Mod comes with three Profiles already.
They are set to:
#1 Very High Quality
#2 Balanced
#3 Very High Performance

2. Test the buttons,
Make sure the game is switching between the profiles
Make Sure the Mute On/Off and Music On/Off Buttons are working properly.
Note: Users with more RAM will switch between the profiles much faster.
If you have an older system, the changes will take longer.

3. If all seems fine;
Now is a good time to creat a macro command to show the performance panel.


For now, just create a macro with the following command,
or type the command when you want to see the Performance Panel.

/show_window MainHUD.PerformancePanel - Shows the Performance Panel
/hide_window MainHUD.PerformancePanel - Hides the Performance Panel

Note: I have not included code to have this window automatically show up.
If the panel proves useful and users want it to show all the time.
I will add this feature later.


Now for the fun part!

Creating Custom Performance Profiles

1. In the game click the EQ2 (StartButton), Select [Options], Select [Display].

2. Go down the list setting each option of the display options to your
custom preference.

HINT: You may find it useful to load one of the Pre-Defined profiles.
Then tweak specific settings up or down for your preferences.

Eample: Load the Pre-Defined Balanced Profile,
Under Display:Shadows: Un-Check [Shadows]
Under Display:Water: Environmental Cub Map Updates: Choose [Fastest (One Time)].

3. Click the [ACCEPT] Button.
This is an important step!
Clicking the [ACCEPT] Button creates/updates the “eq2.recent.ini” file.

4. Press [ALT+ENTER] to go into Windowed Mode; Minimize the EQII Game Window.

5. Navigate to the EverQuest II Directory.

Example: If EverQuest II is installed on the C:\ drive;
Double-Click [My Computer], [C:], [Program Files], [Sony], [EverQuest II]

6. Now that you are in the EverQuest II directory.
Locate the file "eq2ui_recent.ini"
This is the file where your display preferences are saved.

7. Select the "eq2.recent.ini" file by clicking on it one time.
Press [CTRL + C] to copy the file.

8. Double-Click on the EverQuest II/UI/ Directory.

9. Double-Click on the 'Custom' Directory.
Note: You may have named this directory something other than 'Custom'

10. Press [CTRL + V ] To Paste the 'eq2_recent.ini' file in this directory.

11. Double-Click on the program 'presets.exe' to run the program.

12. In the right side window pane of the new Preset Parser Window,
Select 'eq2_recent.ini'

13. In the [Profile Number] Drop-Down Box;
Select the button you want this profile to be saved to.
Button #1 is the Top Button.
Button #2 is the Middle Button
Button #3 is the Bottom Button.

14. Click 'GO'.
This will Copy your Display Settings from the 'eq2_recent.ini' file
and create a new .XML file called 'eq2ui_custompreset*.xml'.
The * will be the number associated with the button you have chosen.

15. Exit the Preset Parser Window.

16. If you wish to create two additional profiles, return to the game window
and Continue from Step #1.


17. Once you have completed the creation of each of your profiles associated
with the buttons. You will need to exit and restart the game.

The Next time you run the game, the new .XML files associated with the buttons will be loaded. You will now have your 3 custom profiles available to swtich between at any time you prefer.


Enjoy!

Kosmos
Lucan D'lere Ranger

Special thanks to Ger for providing the Preset Parser.
His Preset Parser saves a huge amount of time from typing the values manually into the eq2ui.custompreset*.xml files.

Additional thanks to Laffs for testing, encouragement/feedback and fixing those darn frames.

Thanks to all of the others that have had a hand in the developement of this mod. Without the Eq2Interface Forums and Insomniac's post for
'THE /LIST', this little project would have never been possible.