[FF7PC] Reactor 1 BGs resized(fractals)(2010-03-19)(Incomplete, use Omzy's pack)

[darkken]

I've seen people mention fractals as a good method to resize the FF7 backgrounds, but I haven't seen many (any?) in-game attempts, so I thought I'd experiment with the Reactor 1 backgrounds at 2x the original size.

Screens:
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/6591/20683163.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8052/75339917.jpg
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/3008/55738137.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5571/66567703.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5352/85212237.jpg
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/5271/48136460.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4558/21791854.jpg

If you want to give it a try: Download
- Requires Aali's custom graphics driver
- Replace the appropriate field files in flevel.lgp with the ones in the zip
- Place the 'field' folder in the 'textures' folder

[sl1982]

Yeah i experimented with fractals a while back. Looks too blotchy, backgrounds need to be redone from scratch.

[secondadvent]

those look pretty much like the backgrounds after smartbloom is used, though slightly more smoothed. wouldn't be too bad with fractals until they are redone correctly for those who can't/don't like to use smartbloom (or any bloom for that matter ).

still, redone backgrounds would end up 100x better than just the originals with fractals, just saying it wouldn't be too bad for a simple little side mod just for the originals enhanced with fractals.

[Timber]

those look pretty much like the backgrounds after smartbloom is used, though slightly more smoothed. wouldn't be too bad with fractals until they are redone correctly for those who can't/don't like to use smartbloom (or any bloom for that matter ).

still, redone backgrounds would end up 100x better than just the originals with fractals, just saying it wouldn't be too bad for a simple little side mod just for the originals enhanced with fractals.

I agree having a full fractal mod would be great in the mean time.

Any side by side comparisons? Looks pretty good to me.

[darkken]

I agree with all points, obviously this isn't supposed to be in competition against remade backgrounds.

Here are some comparisons, Timber (compare to the 1st and 4th links in the first post):
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1267/image2r.jpg
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/348/image3ic.jpg

[Kudistos Megistos]

A while ago, Seifer tried using fractals and whatnot in order to remake all the backgrounds. There were problems actually getting everything to work in the game and the general consensus is to remake them from scratch.

[Hellbringer616]

he got them to actually work from what i can see.

Could be a decent temp solution until TA finishes.

Or for those who wish to play at only 2x the resolution/default resolution

[Dzin]

If you explain me how it is done darkken, I'd be happy to help
I'd like to have this kind of small mod finished.

[Timber]

I agree with all points, obviously this isn't supposed to be in competition against remade backgrounds.

Here are some comparisons, Timber (compare to the 1st and 4th links in the first post):
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1267/image2r.jpg
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/348/image3ic.jpg

Wow they really is quite noticeably better!
Looks a little darker, but I think that's normal, coz when you look at the originals in native res instead of in-game, they look darker too. It looks better imo.
I do see the 'blotchy', but that's really nothing compared to the 'big squares everywhere' of the native game zoom.

I think it was that Seifer was using an older version of Palmer when he tried.

[Timber]

Also darkken, you may like to try doing more than 2x original, and seeing if it still works ok in-game, and comparing 2x to 3x etc.

[Kudistos Megistos]

he got them to actually work from what i can see.

Maybe I deserved that quick rebuttal for not paying attention

I think it was that Seifer was using an older version of Palmer when he tried.

Mebee

This could make a good temporary solution, but I hope it won't extinguish any enthusiasm for the long-term goal of completely remaking the backgrounds. Temporary solutions can quickly become permanent solutions when the former permanent solution involves a lot of work. Damn, I must be coming across as awfully negative ITT

[titeguy3]

This times two would be cool

If you could get the upscaling to be 4 or 5x the original size then it'd be worth putting in game, however, with just a 2x fractal upscaling, at any common resolution (I don't believe anyone here runs ff7 at 640x480 unless they need to), ff7 would just end up stretching it out still.

[Timber]

Ok so I just started messing with Palmer, and it works ok, except for the separate layers not exactly matching up due to resizing them separately.
This leads to bright green or red colours that are underneath slightly showing through. on the layer edges.

But darkken yours don't do that, so I had a look, and it seems that you have the full image underneath the layers too.
So is it that your layer edges arn't matching, but it is just less obvious coz you got rid of the bright colors? Dunno if that's a good solution.

Unless you did this some other way?

[sl1982]

You have to merge all layers and then resize with fractals. Then split all the layers back out of it.

[darkken]

Yes, merge the layers before applying fractals. No need to split it back out (except maybe to reduce file size) since you can paste the merged image over the original files and use their alpha channels to line up the edges.

For the color issue, check if you're using the cache with Aali's driver. It compresses external textures and it isn't lossless.

[willis936]

I would like to try this method if you make a release to compare for myself.
Someone posted some originals and it works WONDERS on edges on trusses and ladders but the consoles and detailed areas get muddied.
Has anyone tried going into photoshop and using different techniques on different parts of the background?

[willis936]

I don't mean to bump but could you upload to another site?  Mediafire stays on the "processing request" screen for me.

[Timber]

Yes, merge the layers before applying fractals. No need to split it back out (except maybe to reduce file size) since you can paste the merged image over the original files and use their alpha channels to line up the edges.

For the color issue, check if you're using the cache with Aali's driver. It compresses external textures and it isn't lossless.

Could you post a tutorial on how to do this?