Railworks America

What's this reshade.fx that's being talked about? Sounds really interesting?

It's a beautiful thing. I can't drive TS without it now.

I posted a thread about it and if you read down through it I give directions on setting it up. It's VERY simple to do, 10 min at the most. It looks worse than it is.

http://steamcommunity.com/app/24010/dis ... 408205683/

Reshade version 3 is used with a config file called MasterEffect.h, and they can both be downloaded at the Reshade website. The Reshade program looks to the MasterEffect config file to tell it what to do, which effects to activate, etc...

I run just 3 effects, and they have no loss in framerate at all. I don't overdo things, I just want TS to actually look like daylight when its supposed to be daylight. A little extra bloom here and a little more color there to green up the vegetation. A little goes a long way with reshade, and most people tend to overdo it.

From the few comparison shots I've seen on the Steam forum I don't like it. The greens definitely look more vibrant but real life is more dull. All I've seen is a green tint over everything. A grey roof turned to moss covered and an orange BNSF loco with a lime green stripe. Maybe guys don't know how to work it yet but I don't see what all the raves are about.

Edit: I see there are more shots here, I reserve my judgement until I check them all out.

You can't "not like it" because you control the effects and the intensity of the effects. Reshade will make the game look even more dull and lifelike if you want, or not. It's entirely up to you. It's got a considerable number of effects available and you can either try them on or off, as well as adjust their variables. If you use the graphics setting in the TS settings menu, then you are using effects. Reshade just gives you the ability to do more.

TS has a horrible horizon and distant view effect. Reshade can let you manipulate the horizon and create the natural fading that occurs due to atmospheric conditions, especially noticeable on a humid day. TS also has a lack of reflective sunlight effect, nonexistent. Reshade can simulate that as well. The limit is the horsepower of your computer.

Most people that use Reshade the first time use it to create dreamy movie scenes. Not realistic at all. Looks pretty, but impractical and inaccurate to real life. Reshade is best when used sparingly.

Thanks for the explanation fscotte55. I'm going to check it out.

If anyone wants the reshade installer, and the Mastereffect installer, with my config file, i can send upload it somewhere like dropbox. I use 4 effects sparingly and the framerate hit is minor. Its a simple install.

- run Reshade installer, point it to your Railworks.exe file, then select DirectX9. After you select Directx9 it installs.

-unzip the Mastereffect files to your Railworks folder.

Run Train Simulator and hit Shift-F2 to open the Reshade GUI. Within the Reshade GUI there is an option to choose the toggle key to turn the Reshade effects on/off. I chose the Spacebar.

And thats all there is to it. If you want to change the effects I have setup, you can simply edit he MasterEffect.h config file which will be found in your Railworks folder. And thats where I can help further.

I use the following effects:

Vibrance - adds a touch of color, slightly more green and a touch of yellow to make the game look less drab. TS is too blue.

Colormood - further enhances the overall color of the look.

Bloom - different than the bloom in the game settings. This bloom creates a realistic sense of haze and sunlight, especially on the horizon.

Sharpen - does what you think.

The overall look is exceptional for me. I've tried other presets, but they either do too much or screw upn he shadows.