OK, something I've recently come to realize through discussions about graphics mods, what works, what doesn't, and why they aren't openly allowed by the Admins is that it's mostly because if someone decides to use a graphics mod, or any mod for that matter that doesn't change the game files other than simply replacing them be they sound or graphics files, is due to the fact that most people are just dumb.
They will take the time to look for something shiny, but will skip the most important part of finding out exactly how to use the shiny object before they royal screw things up thus resulting in qq, confusion, and rage.
I for one take the time to figure out how to do something all the way through before I even attempt doing so and if it's something I know I will screw up, then I avoid it or find someone that can help. This now leads me to the topic at hand. A lot of new player immediately start griping about the graphics of the game, why are they so out dated, why haven't the Devs updated them (Supposedly coming in the next update XD) why doesn't the server and thus, the Admins allow graphics mods on the server, and there are many people that know of this though are misinformed and think most of the graphics mods are incompatible and will cause the anti cheat to go haywire and ban you.
There is one certain Graphics mod that circulates the graphics discussions that most use because it's the most notably used and known about mod. I speak of course of the "Swag Pack". This mod in my opinion is quite good though it leaves something to be desired in the way of a nostalgic feel for the Vanilla game. I personally use the HD Textures 1.2 mod this mod is scheduled for an update soon according to rumors, though as it stands it is already quite good. It gives everything from vanilla Freelancer a more crisp and clean feel while keeping the original look. every texture has been redone to look exactly the same, though in HD. Star Spheres, bloom, ship textures and even the planets look more defined and crisp.
As for the method of installation, well, that's a bit tricky. most people will take the files and simply replace the entire thing, for those of us that know how to properly do this, we will scoff at your attempt then hopefully help you fix your blunder.
The following is a simple tutorial on how this should be done properly that will keep the anti cheat at bay and leave you with a much better looking game. I will warn you that the Admins do not openly indorse this mod.
First download the file. It will be in an FLMM format, do not freak out simply because it looks like a foreign file type. You need to take this file and using a file zip program such as WinZip, WinRar, or 7-zip just to name a few and extract it.
Next, you will need to navigate to your Discovery Freelancer w.87.0 directory in order to add the contained files properly.
now open the freshly downloaded and extracted mod file and navigate to HD_Textures_1.2 / HD_Textures_1.2 / DATA Inside the folder titled Data, you will find the files "FX", "SHIPS", and "SOLAR". Do NOT simply take these folders and replace the current game folders with them, I repeat, DO NOT DO THIS. Doing so will result in the auto cheat kicking your butt.
What you will need to do is open each of these files, highlight files insides contents, drag and drop them into the corresponding file in the game directory. Check the "Do this for the next # conflicts" box, then select "Move and Replace". This will result in the proper files being replaced while keeping the files that were not included in the mod that were already in the game directory. Do this for all files inside each folder.
However, there are 3 files you must not add, 1 is a readme file, don't add this for obvious reasons, 1 of them will cause the auto cheat to gripe at you and 1 has an effect that is completely screwed up and will cause headaches. The first two files are in HD_Textures_1.2 / HD_Textures_1.2 named "readme" and script". The third file in question is in HD_Textures_1.2 / HD_Textures_1.2 / DATA / FX named "jumpeffect" this modified effect will cause blinding white squares to fly circles around the charging jump ship and will cause headaches and possibly seizures in some.
Once you have done all of the following, then simply close the folders, start your game, and enjoy the beauty. if any of you have any issues with this tutorial be it something I've missed, explained in a confusing manner, or you just simply are lost on what to do, then leave a post. for those of you that wish to start an argument about graphics mods, which is better and which is worse and why the Admins don't allow them and whatever you think of that will start issues, then please leave it out. this is a tutorial on a specific mod that I myself thoroughly enjoy and wish to bring to those that are looking for a graphics mod themselves.
Technically this mod is exactly the same as the vanilla FL Files, the only thing it changes is the Vanilla texture files for ship planets, star spheres and such. If you'r looking for a definite change to the textures and graphics then yes, go with the swag Pack. But if you are instead looking to keep the vanilla look of the game though want things to pop when you look at them, edges, and lines and such that are crisp and are better defined, then this Mod is for you. it literally does what its name implies, It makes the game textures HD.
I've copied all the files to C:\<user>\AppData\...\Discovery Freelancer 4.87.0 proper subfolders, but I don't see much difference ingame. I've compared the textures rh_playerships.mat before and after on Wraith ship (in Milkshape 3D, exported and rendered) and also could not see any difference. I noticed, however, that FX on Charon turret has changed and missiles of some NPC's in Kusari are bugged (white squared, bad transparency or whatever). Shouldn't the files be also copied to C:\Program Files\...\Freelancer subfolders?
I recommend against using "/DATA/FX/smoke.txm" as it, in my case, causes the aforementioned missile trail bug. Also affects some engines.
I already have the Swag Pack installed so I checked which files differ.
- The files directly in "/DATA/SOLAR" are already included in the Swag Pack.
- The files in "/DATA/SOLAR/NEBULA" and "/DATA/SOLAR/RINGS" are also included.
- The files in "/DATA/SOLAR/PLANETS" are different. These are planet textures and the Swag Pack includes only a few of them but with higher quality. I merged both folders and in case of concurrent files I used the ones from the Swag Pack (only 4 files or so).
- This pack doesn't include starspheres so no problems with them.
- It does include textures for Bretonian and Civilian ships, that the Swag Pack doesn't include, but I'm not sure if they are better than the original ones.
In short, if you have Swag Pack installed, you only need to use the files from "/DATA/SOLAR/PLANETS" that aren't already overwritten by the Swag Pack. This will update planet textures.
So yeah, after a bit of looking around and such, I found that a LOT of the supposed "HD" textures are either already included in the current mod version or are exactly the same. :/ I've been jipped for the last 2 years. so yeah, I've got the swag Pack installed now and I don't know how I ever did without it.
Guess I'm an idiot. of course, I DID notice that the swag pack already includes most of the files from the HD Textures pack from above. so if your moving from the swag pack to this one, then, yeah, there are a few similarities.
I try to make to help and end up looking like an idiot. Story of my life.... I think Ima go raid a few Traders now and keep away from making tutorials.
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