Can my PC run Space Engine?

01 Apr 2017 11:32

is there any way to return to default settings after experimenting with these (and other settings)?

Delete the file 'main-user.cfg' from the 'config' directory.
You may also want to delete the file 'save-user.cfg'.

SpaceEngine will then re-create these files from 'main-def.cfg' and 'user-def.cfg'

A-L-E-X · 01 Apr 2017 11:36

Harbinger, is there any way to return to default settings after experimenting with these (and other settings)? I can't find a way to go back to default.
There isn't any "default" button except in the controls settings, so you have to use your memory.

Thanks, is the default button in the controls settings a universal default button (will it set it everything to default- including the graphics settings?)

A-L-E-X · 01 Apr 2017 11:37

is there any way to return to default settings after experimenting with these (and other settings)?
Delete the file 'main-user.cfg' from the 'config' directory.
You may also want to delete the file 'save-user.cfg'.

SpaceEngine will then re-create these files from 'main-def.cfg' and 'user-def.cfg'

Thanks, so that will reset the entire program to "factory default" settings?

Xoran · 01 Apr 2017 11:46

Thanks, is the default button in the controls settings a universal default button (will it set it everything to default- including the graphics settings?)

No, only the controls.

A-L-E-X · 01 Apr 2017 11:59

Thanks, is the default button in the controls settings a universal default button (will it set it everything to default- including the graphics settings?)
No, only the controls.

Thanks. I forgot to ask this earlier- is there a way to throttle down frame rates? When I have high usage on a program like Stellarium, there is a way to throttle down frame rates by editing the .CFG file and that lowers the usage rate, I'm hoping that can be done here also.

Xoran · 01 Apr 2017 12:04

Thanks, is the default button in the controls settings a universal default button (will it set it everything to default- including the graphics settings?)
No, only the controls.
Thanks. I forgot to ask this earlier- is there a way to throttle down frame rates? When I have high usage on a program like Stellarium, there is a way to throttle down frame rates by editing the .CFG file and that lowers the usage rate, I'm hoping that can be done here also.

There is a parameter called loading speed in the graphics settings, higher numbers will load faster but with less fps, and lower numbers will load slower but more fps, if that was what you meant

And post suggestions in the suggestions thread!

A-L-E-X · 01 Apr 2017 13:34

No, only the controls.
Thanks. I forgot to ask this earlier- is there a way to throttle down frame rates? When I have high usage on a program like Stellarium, there is a way to throttle down frame rates by editing the .CFG file and that lowers the usage rate, I'm hoping that can be done here also.
There is a parameter called loading speed in the graphics settings, higher numbers will load faster but with less fps, and lower numbers will load slower but more fps, if that was what you meant

And post suggestions in the suggestions thread!

Oh, so a lower loading speed means lower GPU usage? I don't recall making a suggestion lol.

01 Apr 2017 14:07

so that will reset the entire program to "factory default" settings?

Yes.
If you delete 'main-user.cfg' and 'save-user.cfg', then SpaceEngine will be reset to the factory settings.

Of course, your last discoveries are preserved, which are stored in the file 'journal.cfg'. If you have made changes to the keyboard commands, they also will be preserved.
[hr]
Addons which you have stored in the 'addons' directory, of course, are also preserved.

A-L-E-X · 01 Apr 2017 19:57

Now I'm reading that 98% GPU Usage isn't so bad- that it's actually better to have full GPU usage then to offload that work to the CPU. It's so hard getting definitive answers about this stuff......

Xoran · 02 Apr 2017 01:18

I don't recall making a suggestion lol.

Post questions in the questions thread, if you have questions

A-L-E-X · 02 Apr 2017 21:02

Hi my computer is low budget, so i don't have very high specs. I just wanted to know, what was the lowest graphics settings possible?
Change the following settings in the Graphics menu:

Anisotropy level: off

MSAA antialiasing: off

FXAA antialiasing: off

Dithering: off

Aurora quality: low

Black hole quality: low

Ship warp quality: off

Diffraction spikes: off

Lens flares: off

Landscape LOD: -2

Loading speed: (higher numbers will load faster, but will lower framerate while loading terrain)

Eclipse shadows: off

Ring shadows on sky: off

Planet shine: off

Night side lights: off
Those are the least demanding graphics settings possible in SE. If those aren't good enough, you can try disabling some objects or layers from rendering (like galaxies, nebulae, aurora, comet tails, clouds, water, etc.)

If that still doesn't work, then there's not much you can do. SE is a fairly demanding 3D program, and generally requires dedicated graphics hardware to run well.

Okay so I used some of these settings, hoping to keep my GPU temps and usage down.

Anisotropy level: off
MSAA antialiasing: off
FXAA antialiasing: off
Dithering: off
Aurora quality: low

Diffraction spikes: off
Lens flares: off
Landscape LOD: -2
Loading speed: (higher numbers will load faster, but will lower framerate while loading terrain)
The reason I used those is I don't find AA or AF useful (can't tell the difference whether it is on or off). I don't see aurorae anywhere and dithering just creates false colors. Diffraction spikes and lens flares are just optical defects so not necessary. Can't tell the difference between LOD -1 and LOD -2 so I kept -2 and set Loading speed to 1 since I don't mind waiting and want to throttle frame rates.

A-L-E-X · 03 Apr 2017 01:59

I just wanted to add that after hours of usage at the above mixed settings, my GPU temp is down by a full 25C! at 60C. GPU usage is between 80-98% but as long as the temps are this low it's fine.

Xoran · 03 Apr 2017 10:44

I don't see aurorae anywhere

A-L-E-X · 04 Apr 2017 00:35

I have never seen anything like that in my entire life lol- where is that? interstellar space?

Xoran · 04 Apr 2017 06:59

I have never seen anything like that in my entire life lol- where is that? interstellar space?

Just a relatively normal cold desert.

Try setting aurorae brightness to 100 and try looking at planets. Aurorae is not uncommon in SE.

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