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.

[Kosmos]

Additional Information that May be useful.

[hirebrand]

Very Nice!!

Personal Changes:
1. <include>eq2ui_mainhud_performancepanel.xml</include>
moved from "eq2ui_mainhud_startbutton.xml" to "eq2ui_mainhud.xml". The startbutton window is an inappropriate place for include statements.

2. eq2ui_mainhud_startbutton.xml was deleted, not being used.

3. Moved the following files to the subdirectory "performance/":
eq2ui_custompreset1.xml
eq2ui_custompreset2.xml
eq2ui_custompreset3.xml
eq2ui_muteall.xml
eq2ui_mutemusic.xml
eq2_recent.ini
presets.exe
preset_parser.exe


4. Edited lines 3-12 in "eq2ui_mainhud_performancepanel.xml"

<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset1.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset1.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset2.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset2.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset3.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset3.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_mutemusic.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_mutemusic.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_muteall.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_muteall.xml</include>

[hirebrand]

Bug:
Setting the Clip plane slider to minimum sets o_max_farplane=119.999985 however using o_max_farplane=119.999985 as a command doesn't do anything. It needs to be rounded to at least 120 for it to work.

The presets program could do this.

Dang floating point numbers.

[Quib]

Originally Posted by hirebrand

moved from "eq2ui_mainhud_startbutton.xml" to "eq2ui_mainhud.xml". The startbutton window is an inappropriate place for include statements.

The problem with this is eq2ui_mainhud.xml is like 1000 times more likely to get patched than the startbutton and even if the startbutton is patched you likely won't lose critical functionality.

When SOE next patches eq2ui_mainhud.xml, you'll have to update yours. I imagine that won't be a problem for you, but mod authors need to make stuff that won't break when SOE patches. Using the startbutton XML to load the performance profile stuff means users won't fill up the help forum with a "why can't I see X new window" when SOE updates eq2ui_mainhud.xml.

Just giving you insight on why the author put the <include> in the startbutton. If you realized this already, what would be your argument as to why it's still better in eq2ui_mainhud.xml?

Quib

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by hirebrand

Bug:
Setting the Clip plane slider to minimum sets o_max_farplane=119.999985 however using o_max_farplane=119.999985 as a command doesn't do anything. It needs to be rounded to at least 120 for it to work.

The presets program could do this.

Dang floating point numbers.

I Have not tested this, so I'm not 100% sure this is what you were seeing.

But.. With a couple of the sliders, they do not update continually.
I 'thought' there was only maybe 1 or 2 that do that. Because I get kicks hitting my button and watching the sliders move,
One was driving me crazy one. (I think tri-density).
It would never move, and I though for the longest time that I had been using the wrong command, or something was wrong with the code.
'however' I did discover that the value 'was' actually changing, and it was even taking effect in game, the only thing that 'wasn't happening was the slider wasn't moving. If you I clicked the 'accept' button, and brought up the display panel window again, the slider would be in it's correct posistion.

Drove me BATTY! I think the DEVS just missed that slider with the command to update slider continually.

I will double check this tomorow though.
THANKS for the feedback.
I'm thinking the jury is still out on this one. People are giving it a good test before they descide if they like it maybe?

I didnt' realize you could use subdirectories in the UI Folder, How nice.
I'm a neat freak and that's going to be very lovely to have my folders sorted.

I'll stick to doing that for myself thoug, and leave it out of the mods.

And DITO on what Quib was saying. I wanted to stay away from the mainhud.xml, but as you posted, Those were your personal changes.

So, what are you using your buttons for?
So far it seems popular to have the 'screen shot' button. For EXTREME Quality Settings. lol.
Normal Mode and
laggy mode.

I've got a couple of goodies in mind for that Panel In the Future.
I'm off this week from work, so you can expect at least one more addition to it.

EDIT: Also, after your initial setup. You no longer need the eq2_recent.ini file in your performance directory.

EDIT: Aye! You are correct Sir! Thanks for pointing that out. I had a note in this huge ream of papers from my project about that little issue with 119.99...
It just got shuffled around and didn't make it into the project. I'll point this out to Ger.

Rendering Distance: o_max_fareplane Must be set to a minimum of 120.0, Even though yea ol'e slider goes down to 119.999 etc...
I'll will ask ger if he can do a check for this with the parser.

Also. Sliders for Flora do not update continually.
But the settings commands still work. It's just a bug with the sliders.

[Laffs]

All the testing I did was by comparing a backup of my recent.ini with the version that Ger's parser made whilst in and out of game in several profiles and loads of writes to the recent.ini made by clicking <accept> button on option window in game, I didnt look at any sliders just compared and made notes of the "raw" values if you like.

Maybe the reason for me missing the "o_max_farplane=119.999985" one is because the entry was already in my recent.ini (sorry had to keep one bug in there to keep inline with SoE style )


And as a side note, I have put the <include> in the mainhud for one reason only I work / mess with all the other windows and mainhud is a quick and easy place to put it that I know I wont overwrite it,
So as a mod for average users use Kosmos put it in a safe place

[matslin]

Originally Posted by hirebrand

4. Edited lines 3-12 in "eq2ui_mainhud_performancepanel.xml"

<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset1.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset1.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset2.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset2.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset3.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_custompreset3.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_mutemusic.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_mutemusic.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_muteall.xml</include>
<include>performance/eq2ui_muteall.xml</include>

hmm, why do you include every file twice?
does this make any different with include only once?

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by matslin

hmm, why do you include every file twice?
does this make any different with include only once?

The UI Builder does that for some strange reason.

Of the top of my head I would say it's not needed to have them in there twice. I notcied it was doing that, but got tired of deleting the things because every time I loaded up UI Builder and saved it would do that.

It will also 'remove' any listings you have for files that are not found with include lines.

[gaitano]

Is this suppose to diplay on login or do I have to create the macro and hit it everytime i login. I thought by adding the <included> line in the mainhud.start it would launch it automatically. I may be completely off but if it doesn't automatically launch, why do you need to put the <include> line in the mainhud.start.

This mod is probably the most usefull mod I have used to date and I only started using it. Thanks for the great work you guys have done.

Gaitano

[Kosmos]

BUG: (This one was a bear to hunt down!)

It's a game bug, not my Mod.

User Have 2 choices in the UI for Water Interaction Water Interaction On(Foam+Reflection+Refract)
If you load the Extreme Quality Profile you get r_splashes=3.0 (Think of it as an indexed drop down box like the others)On(Foam+Reflection+Refract)
If you load the Very High Quality Profile you get r_splashes=2.0 On(Foam+Reflection)
If you load the High Quality Profile you get r_splashes=1.0 (On+Foam)
Any other lower profile gives you the default r_splashes=0.0 Which is not listed in the eq2_recent.ini

If you have ever changed this box you may have noticed the problem before. The Box is often (empty) as if nothing was actually selected.
If you Select the option you have. On(Foam+Reflection+Refract)
It only gives you r_splashes=1.0 (Sinces its the first choice in the list and there are no other choices)
(It 'SHOULD' give you r_splashes=3.0) if the label were correct.
This is why the ocean is always looking different if you have changed this value manually.
Try setting to Extreme Quality (this gives you r_splashes=3.0), Or High Quality(This gives you r_splashes=2.0), and take a look at the ocean. (Ahh Pretty!)
Now.. go to your Water Section and look at Water Interaction. (It's Blank Right?? This is beacuse the pre-defined profile gave you r_splashes=3.0 Which isn't listed.)
Select On(Foam+Reflection+Refract) and see what your ocean looks like now?
You have just manually turned off Reflcetions and Refract.
Because that choice gives you r_splashes=1.0 instead of r_splashes=3.0 as it should according to the label.

How this effects my MOD.

If you set your Water Interfaction to On(Foam+Reflection+Refract)
It will cause multiple entries in the Water Section to not update properly.

For now, you will have to manually adjust this in your .XML file.
Or eq2.recent.ini file before parsing it.

The 'easiest' alternative is when setting up your buttons.

Select a pre-defined profile similar to what you want, then click accept.
Then make your adjustments and click accept again.
Then parset the eq2_recent.ini file.

WaterInteraction: r_splahes.

Works like this.
r_splashes 0.0 = off
r_splashes 1.0 = On+Foam
r_splashes 2.0 = On+Foam+Reflections
r_splashes 3.0 = On+Foam+Reflection+Refract


I'll ask ger to have the parser kick r_splashes up to 3.0 if it detects an entry for 1.0.
That will fix the problem. Untill SOE fixes the issuew with this drop-down box.

[Skuall]

thx 4 all the work , the mod is hehehe =) grats =) and thx !!!!

[ger]

I'm in the middle of rewriting the parser entirely in C# so that it doesn't have to do any command-line variable passing/reading, should make it a lot cleaner and a bit faster. I'll see what I can do about fixing the two borked values while I'm at it.

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by Skuall

thx 4 all the work , the mod is hehehe =) grats =) and thx !!!!

Thank you for the feedback.

[Kosmos]

I've need to upload this file, but I'm getting an error in the 'dowloads' section. It won't let me update it.

[Laffs]

Kosmos, would you like to take a look at these 2 files please the "old" is from the last version of Ger's parser and the new is from the latest.

(apart from some minor changes in settings, ignore them)

The problem being when I parsed the recent.ini again with the new version, the settings were not the same in the custom file as they were in the recent.ini

See the attached files please

Mainly the line that starts with "r_flora_density_scale=0.089200" (near the bottom of the file) and <Checkbox BackgroundColor="#FFFFFF" (near top of the file)

The code seems to be mixed up...


basicly what I am saying is,

I log in make a profile, parse it, copy the file over , camp etc , log back in and the settings in the profile are not the same as the ones in the recent.ini that just got saved..

This make any sense lol ?

[ger]

That OLD file is seriously messed up. It has all of the performance settings listed as arguments to the check box, and that's not right at all. NEW one looks right to me at first glance. What exactly was the problem you were running into?

[Laffs]

Performance problem's mainly not matching the recent.ini

All was well prior to last release.. I wonder if some of the new "default / missing" values are too high?

Only other change has been the decimal part with some it..

Somthing just aint right, and cant put my finger on it..

Example:

I am doing this on an alt char in the sewers in freeprort,

Set the options how I want them... run about a bit .. kill a few mobs all is fine

Accept, etc, etc

Log back in ... still all good...

Click on the profile I just made.... All seems the same but !! , Its got a bit lag all of a sudden...

Oks lag can be either connection, how many players in zone and settings too high, That much I do know

But this has been consistant,

3 players in zone inc me, done the wash rinse and repeat 5 times now, with and without those other guys around.. And it still dont work the same as how I set it up to start with..

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by Laffs

Kosmos, would you like to take a look at these 2 files please the "old" is from the last version of Ger's parser and the new is from the latest.

(apart from some minor changes in settings, ignore them)

The problem being when I parsed the recent.ini again with the new version, the settings were not the same in the custom file as they were in the recent.ini

See the attached files please

Mainly the line that starts with "r_flora_density_scale=0.089200" (near the bottom of the file) and <Checkbox BackgroundColor="#FFFFFF" (near top of the file)

The code seems to be mixed up...


basicly what I am saying is,

I log in make a profile, parse it, copy the file over , camp etc , log back in and the settings in the profile are not the same as the ones in the recent.ini that just got saved..

This make any sense lol ?

The 'OLD' File is VERY messed up. I've had this happen before because of the UIBuilder. If one of the eq2ui_custompresets.xml file is loaded into the UIBuilder it will take all the values and turn them into seperate command lines. Then, when you save, it does THAT to your file. The reason it does this is because of the invisible carriag return character that exist in the file. Since we have the commands on seperate lines each than a return character than a command etc.. It works fine in real life, but UI Builder messes is up badly.

Which I don't need to point out the issues with UI Builder.
You need to stay constantly aware of what it's doing to each file!
Because it will screw things up badly if you don't pay attention.
As far as I can tell thew new parser works perfectly..
Also check the updated instructions. You no longer have to copy the eq2_recent.ini file over to another directory. It automatically looks in the correct directory if you have eq2 installed on
C:\ProgramFiles\SONY\EverQuestII\

If you want to work with these files in the UI builder than you will need to have each of the commands on the same line. without the invisible return characters. If you can download a program like a text editior and set it to show 'invisible non-printed' characters it will show up the problem.

Also. Another thing I discovered about the UI Builder. It will move the include line from the startbutton document and then put it on the mainhud document. Which I know you have it there already, and thats all fine and good, but I don't like that it does that at all.

And one other thing about the UI Builder.
If you use the 'run' button or command with the UI Builder and click on checkboxes, it will remember these settings when you save the file.
So for example. I was testing the mute button, and didn't relize I had left it in the checked position. Saved the UIBuilder file. Moved it over to my directory for test, loaded the game and the button was activitated, even though the sound was still on. So first time I clicked the button it did nothing, Second time, it worked fine. So pay attention to what states you save your checkboxes in with the UI Builder.

You just need to dump that old file.
Also no need to camp between making the profiles.
Clicking the accept button updates the eq2_recent.ini file.
I rebuilt all mine in about 5 minutes, then created new ones for girlfriends computer in about the same about of time.
do settings.
click accept.
go windowed
run custompreset.exe
exit custompreset.exe
go back to game,
set up new settings.
click accept
go windowed
run custompresets.

so thats the order.

Just don't let that UI Builder touch the files.

[Kosmos]

Can't get the freaking v1.1 file to upload.

The problem is with the top update file button.

The I clicked the bottom one to see if it would work.
Which it DID! But alas, I didn't have the flie set that time, because the browser had not saved the setting after the error from the first button.

So, now I can't even edit the post because it's in the submission queue for dolby.

EDIT:

Ok, I've got the package uploaded finally. With the new NightVision addition and the updated parser, along with updated instructions.

[ger]

Originally Posted by Kosmos

Can't get the freaking v1.1 file to upload.

The problem is with the top update file button.

The I clicked the bottom one to see if it would work.
Which it DID! But alas, I didn't have the flie set that time, because the browser had not saved the setting after the error from the first button.

So, now I can't even edit the post because it's in the submission queue for dolby.

Go to your interface list, you'll find an edit button image as the only one of the 4 images that are normally listed for an interface. I'm forever goofing an update and editting while it's still pending.

[Laffs]

Thanks Kosmos,

All of that I know already lol

Apart from this

Then, when you save, it does THAT to your file. The reason it does this is because of the invisible carriag return character that exist in the file.

So basicly keep a back up of the 3 profiles and when done with UI builder overwite them 3 origional one's its screwed up lol

I work with a copy of my current ui with the UI builder and copy the edited files over to the working custom ui when done.... But I do remember opening up the ui I use in game with the builder once to edit somthing lastnight, Thats when it must have screwed then up

Have to remember that,

Sorry for doubting your paraser Ger

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by Laffs

Thanks Kosmos,

All of that I know already lol

Apart from this

So basicly keep a back up of the 3 profiles and when done with UI builder overwite them 3 origional one's its screwed up lol

I work with a copy of my current ui with the UI builder and copy the edited files over to the working custom ui when done.... But I do remember opening up the ui I use in game with the builder once to edit somthing lastnight, Thats when it must have screwed then up

Have to remember that,

Sorry for doubting your paraser Ger

Laff, there is another alternative.
have all the commands on the same line.

like instead of
this.

r_frame_buffer_scale=1.000
r_frame_buffer_scale=1.000
r_light_buffer_scale=1.000
r_light_buffer_scale=1.000
o_max_farplane=800.000000
o_max_farplane=800.000000

Use THIS.

r_frame_buffer_scale=1.000 r_frame_buffer_scale=1.00 r_light_buffer_scale=1.000 r_light_buffer_scale=1.000 o_max_farplane=800.000000 o_max_farplane=800.000000

The UIBuild should not corrup the file then.
You 'might' also be able to write protect the files, but I've no idea how that would affect UI Builder.

When it does what it did to you. I'ts really hard to fix it, because it puts the values in alphabbetical order I think, so they wind up all over the dang place in your files. Makes a real mess of things.

I keep backups of the eq2_recent.ini files, and the XML files for the profiles.

[Kosmos]

Ok, I think we can let this thread die and use the new v1.1 thread.
Thanks for the help and feedback!

[Eloora]

Downloaded this today, seems to be working ok. I am getting error spam in my chat window when i switch from one profile to another, as pictured in the attachment.
Also when I press "Go" for one of the more customized profiles I get a bunch of text in the output window saying it is ignoring dozens of settings due to not recognizing them or something.
Any idea what's up with these issues?