Question on texture size and ships

danlisa · 04-22-09, 03:51 AM

Which version of the Game?

If you're talking about Stock SH3 then yes there nearly 2 sizes of every texture in the game. This allows the options for High & Low Quality Textures in the main menu to work.

As for resizing. I wish it was that easy.

Resizing a 512 x 512 texture to 1024 x 1024, will actually give in a poorer quality result. A graphics suite, during resize/upscale will need to add pixel information, based on it's neighbors colour, this usually results in a blurry final image. It can't just make that stuff up.

The only way to successfully improve an existing 512 x 512 image is to use the upscale as a base in a gfx suite and then design/overlay your new creation which by default will be at the higher res.

Here's an exmaple. Sorry in advance, I just googled something.

256 x 256 Icon:

Upscaled to 512 x 512:

You try to gain quality but you actually loose it.

Dowly · 04-22-09, 05:23 AM

I've heard about programs that minimises the loss of quality when upscaling a picture, but have never tried one.

danlisa · 04-22-09, 05:52 AM

Yep!

Extensis Pxl Smartscale Plugin for Photoshop. Have it.

The results are very good but it still gives a blurry output (dependent on upscale ratio), the only solution is to sharpen the edges but then artifacts start to appear.

Actually, Photoshop does a pretty good job itself. The trick is not to try to make a huge 200% jump in scale but rather resample in 10% increments.

04-22-09, 03:51 AM	#1
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	Which version of the Game? If you're talking about Stock SH3 then yes there nearly 2 sizes of every texture in the game. This allows the options for High & Low Quality Textures in the main menu to work. As for resizing. I wish it was that easy. Resizing a 512 x 512 texture to 1024 x 1024, will actually give in a poorer quality result. A graphics suite, during resize/upscale will need to add pixel information, based on it's neighbors colour, this usually results in a blurry final image. It can't just make that stuff up. The only way to successfully improve an existing 512 x 512 image is to use the upscale as a base in a gfx suite and then design/overlay your new creation which by default will be at the higher res. Here's an exmaple. Sorry in advance, I just googled something. 256 x 256 Icon: Upscaled to 512 x 512: You try to gain quality but you actually loose it. __________________

04-22-09, 05:52 AM	#3
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	Yep! Extensis Pxl Smartscale Plugin for Photoshop. Have it. The results are very good but it still gives a blurry output (dependent on upscale ratio), the only solution is to sharpen the edges but then artifacts start to appear. Actually, Photoshop does a pretty good job itself. The trick is not to try to make a huge 200% jump in scale but rather resample in 10% increments. __________________ Last edited by danlisa; 04-22-09 at 06:54 AM.

04-22-09, 05:23 AM	#2
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,054 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	I've heard about programs that minimises the loss of quality when upscaling a picture, but have never tried one.