DK1 modern graphics problem

[theleo_ua]

Hi, keeper fans

One of my current goals is to play DK1 with the most pretty graphics, which is possible (i'm using windows XP btw).
I need, for example, opengl-like graphics (direct3d, hq4x or similar)

If you dont know, what is hq4x, please visit this page:

http://www.hiend3d.com/hq4x.html

So - there are next ways to implemend my idea:

1) Direct3d patch

Nice graphics, but nice problems:)

If I trying to run it without shortcut properties - it crashed.
If I trying to run it with shortcut properties "windows 95 compatibility" - it does not crashed, but the game lagged too much.

2) Dosbox with hq3x or 2xsai render

I tried it - the result was a little bit better graphics (in comparison to original), but worse than direct3d patch (and it is not very pleasant to play in dosbox - I prefer ro play from windows directly:) )

3) HQ4x windows driver

Imagine, that there is some software (for example - video driver), which can apply hq4x to ALL your screen (so if you run vanilla DK1 in this case - it will be smoothed with hq4x algorithm).

Does anyone already implemented this? Is it hard to implement this?

4) Remakes

I downloaded keeperFX (I thought it has integrated hq4x algorithm for graphics improvement), but is has the same graphics as original


So - the questions are next:

How I can solve my problems and play DK1 with hq4x-like direct3d\opengl graphics? Which remakes\open source projects are support this and which of them are playable now?

Thanks

[dotted]

None

[Airandius]

I don´t care about those fancy graphics.

I like to play the game on my laptop and with all those additions that KeeperFX doesn´t need I most likely wont be able to play it.
WftO is going to get fancy graphics and that´s cool.

[Mothrayas]

Should be noted that HQX doesn't make that much of a difference. If it does and I missed it, then comparison pic plz.

[theleo_ua]

I agree with commentators, but let me show you my comparison pics:

This is original keeper:

http://i15.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0221/...c4e40b437d.png

http://i15.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0221/...734d3d7d11.png

This is keeper with direct 3d patch (same sprites, same textures):

http://i15.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0221/...fdff270212.png

http://i15.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0221/...f860fde01f.png

Please pay special attention to keeper's hand, horned reaper in keeper's hand and user interface (for eample - "rooms tab" icon). I think "modern" versions looks much better.


This is original Strife in 1600x1200:

http://i15.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0221/...35d5372d0b.png

This is Strife with HQ4x in opengl in 1600x1200:

http://i15.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0221/...76aa6dd75b.png


So - what we have now:

1) Direct 3d patch uses same sprites and textures, as original keeper95.exe do.
2) "Strife" hq4x version uses same sprites and textures, as original version do.
3) Imho Strife and DK looks much better with direct3d\hq4x renders
4) Hi res sprites is good idea too.


Questions:

1) Can KeeperFX handle direct 3d patch and fix "mouse lags" and other artifacts in it?
2) If no - can KeeperFX use own opengl or direct 3d algorithms for best usage with future hi res sprites\textures and high basic screen resolutions?

I think (judging on my screenshots) that better graphics is possible even without hi res sprites. Also, this scaling algorithms can be applied directly to sprites\textures.


And for those who already uploaded screenshots in this topic:

Please reupload them in scaled 1600x1200 mode for example
(because when I see this 640x480 images in my 1600x1200 desktop - they are too small, and it is hard to see the difference, but when I play DK in 1600x1200 in fullscreen - there are much larger "squares" in sprites\textures\user interface\keeper's hand).


Anyway, big thanks to KeeperFX creators and keeper community - you did a lot of hard and efficient work

[Mothrayas]

So - what we have now:

3) Imho Strife and DK looks much better with direct3d\hq4x renders

*facepalm*

Show me HQ4x DK, please?

Strife doesn't seem to have the same advanced lighting as DK has. You need to try HQ4x on DK, not something else, because otherwise we still don't know if it works on DK.

[Airandius]

It is a technique that blurs images. DK has very very small textures so aside from looking like crap it simply wont help much. I like the sharp pixel quality better then blurred out goo quality.

[theleo_ua]

*facepalm*

Show me HQ4x DK, please?

Strife doesn't seem to have the same advanced lighting as DK has. You need to try HQ4x on DK, not something else, because otherwise we still don't know if it works on DK.

You already tried it on Dragon's sprite

Did you like the result on this sprite?