How to see the Airfields and Vehicle bases more clear from higher Altitudes?

[HamrDown]

I find it more difficult to see the airfields and VH's in AH3. Is there a display setting to enable me to see them better from higher altitudes?

<S>
HamrDown

[bustr]

What! You don't like the realism real pilots go through? And this is just a 9x16 mile island from about 25k. And I'm not even running any cloud fronts at lower alts. One thing that does happen is ports seem to not be viewable at all past a few miles away from them. There is one in each bay on the ends of the island.

Can you identify the bomber hanger on the Small Airfield?

[ghostdancer]

Well I can tell there are ports there because of the right angle coastlines of water where the port ground should be but if I work on terrains. I definitely think that is an issue though in case of ports that the whole thing is disappearing to view instead of just some objects.

[Chilli]

Hamrdwn,

Yes, there is a setting to enable you to see ground details better.  I forget which one, as there are object details and ground details sliders.  I would try the latter first.  I have also experimented with other settings, and will try and get back with you with some comparisons later on.

Bustr,

That is a nice view!  I notice that you are not zoomed or full zoom at least.  I think that I remember bombing structures from @ 17k and having no problem finding the targets, other than recognizing which structures were what, due to the absence of clipboard maps or fields.

[HamrDown]

Hamrdwn,

Yes, there is a setting to enable you to see ground details better.  I forget which one, as there are object details and ground details sliders.  I would try the latter first.  I have also experimented with other settings, and will try and get back with you with some comparisons later on.

Bustr,

That is a nice view!  I notice that you are not zoomed or full zoom at least.  I think that I remember bombing structures from @ 17k and having no problem finding the targets, other than recognizing which structures were what, due to the absence of clipboard maps or fields.

OK, I will look for the detail settings and get to 20k alt and see what I can see and report back.

<S>
HamrDown

[Chilli]

Well, first of all, like Bustr pointed out, you are not imagining the difference.  The visibility of fields, strats and towns are "faint" in comparison to AH2.  I do like it though, because it adds another realistic dimension to difficulty that I enjoy. 

Having said that, I do also see some settings that go too far.  So yes, if you are not setup properly, you might have a problem, but not one that zoom and clipboard map won't compensate for.

If you haven't heard of it yet, the .sliders command, has sliders that will allow you to play with the terrain brightness.  I find that playing with terrain and shapestd sliders I am able to make different objects pop.  Then the total dweeb in me, adjusts my monitor settings, usually adding color.   

[bustr]

Well I can tell there are ports there because of the right angle coastlines of water where the port ground should be but if I work on terrains. I definitely think that is an issue though in case of ports that the whole thing is disappearing to view instead of just some objects.

It's been doing that since I can remember. I've been testing since August 2014. Hitech should be able to shed some light on specifically why the port structures disappear while other bases and towns don't.

Just checked, port comes into view at about 5k yards away.

[DarkHawk]

Nice update bustr, set gamma to 1.3 from 20 k able to see field at the radar ring (12 miles)

DHawk

[HamrDown]

Well, first of all, like Bustr pointed out, you are not imagining the difference.  The visibility of fields, strats and towns are "faint" in comparison to AH2.  I do like it though, because it adds another realistic dimension to difficulty that I enjoy. 

Having said that, I do also see some settings that go too far.  So yes, if you are not setup properly, you might have a problem, but not one that zoom and clipboard map won't compensate for.

If you haven't heard of it yet, the .sliders command, has sliders that will allow you to play with the terrain brightness.  I find that playing with terrain and shapestd sliders I am able to make different objects pop.  Then the total dweeb in me, adjusts my monitor settings, usually adding color.   

Chilli,

Can you tell me more please about the .sliders command, how to use it, more details?

Thanks!
HamrDown

[Chilli]

First, pull up the clipboard onto your screen, and then type .sliders in the text buffer and hit enter.  The clipboard will now show you several sliders, but only concern yourself with the bottom 3, (ShapeStd, terrain, and trees).  F3 external view from the tower  will allow you to see how the adjustments of sliders appear. 

Once you have the sliders where you like them, take a screen shot of the slider location or jot it down somewhere.  These settings reset every time that you leave one arena IIRC.

[Toad]

Realism?

This was taken at 35,000 feet. Note how well you can see roads and built up city areas.

Cuba Matanzas Caribbean Sea Bahia de Matanzas bay harbor aerial 35000 feet land clouds water geography



This one is from about 25,000 feet through heavy haze; Matthews, Indiana. Note how easy it is to see barns/buildings even in heavy haze.

[HamrDown]

First, pull up the clipboard onto your screen, and then type .sliders in the text buffer and hit enter.  The clipboard will now show you several sliders, but only concern yourself with the bottom 3, (ShapeStd, terrain, and trees).  F3 external view from the tower  will allow you to see how the adjustments of sliders appear. 

Once you have the sliders where you like them, take a screen shot of the slider location or jot it down somewhere.  These settings reset every time that you leave one arena IIRC.

Cool!  Thanks Chilli. <S>

HamrDown

[WpnX]

Bustr,
I agree with Toad on this one, seeing airfields and ground objects is much more clear in the real world. I think AH3 needs to improve clarity from long distance on these things.

[bustr]

Pull up the clipboard.

.sliders

Top slider all the way to the right. But, I suspect there is only so much you can ask out of monitors and pixels for a few real years to come. Pushing that slider to the right will give you what you ask for along with unintended consequences to other visual things because of the nature of pixels. Who knows, maybe if Hitech updates the game to DX11 which he made some comments about. After all, the beta is only DX9.

[HamrDown]

Pull up the clipboard.

.sliders

Top slider all the way to the right. But, I suspect there is only so much you can ask out of monitors and pixels for a few real years to come. Pushing that slider to the right will give you what you ask for along with unintended consequences to other visual things because of the nature of pixels. Who knows, maybe if Hitech updates the game to DX11 which he made some comments about. After all, the beta is only DX9.

I adjusted the Sliders and went into F3 mode in a plane and on the ground and have it set to what I like. Yes, Direct X 11 or 12 support would really help.

<S>
HamrDown