New fsr mod that enables you to use nvidias new upscaling algorithm

[vonrickenbecker]

Thanks @dgiatr! I plan to try this mod after work tonight, and will use your settings as a starting point. 

[Youtch]

Has anyone experience with using FSR mod in combination with VREM mod?

 

I know that VREM mod is not always compatible allowed on multiplayer server, but i was considering if it brings any benefit to Single Player visuals or not when combining with FSR.

 

Thank you very much in advance.

[R3animate]

I was testing it out the other night. It's pretty cool -- and you can turn on foveated rendering... so you gain some extra frames out of it. f1 toggles between FSR and NIS (I prefer FSR myself), f2 allows you to show the foveated-rendering area. 

[vonrickenbecker]

Tried out this mod out night, and I'm extremely impressed!!

 

I basically left all of my in-game settings as normal, just turned off the post sharpening. Made a test mission with heavy cloud cover and morning mist, which usually kills my frame rate. 

 

Without the mod, steam VR stayed in reprojection mode almost constantly. With the mod, I got smooth frame rates with only the occasional drop to reprojection mode when flying near large clouds or over the city of Arras. Very pleased indeed!

 

Between this mod and the new cloud models with better performance, this is a whole new game for me. I definitely recommend trying it. For settings, I wound up going with 0.77 for quality (0.67 was too shimmery and pixelated), sharpening at 0.5, and fov rendering radius at 0.5. And after playing with both, I think I prefer FSR over NIS, though the difference is slight. Just looks more natural to my eye. 

Edited January 5, 2022 by vonrickenbecker

[TheSNAFU]

I gave this a go and found the results mixed. I am using a G2 headset with most game settings at max or high. It was quite amazing that using the mod I could increase resolution per eye in steam vr to 100%. Without the mod the max I can run steam vr is 70% and get solid 90 fps. I tried both NIS and FSR and thought overall FSR was a little better. 
 

Using the default settings I saw significant shimmering in and out of the cockpit. I tried turning off AA and sharpening in game. Also changed from fxaa to msaa 2 and 4 but couldnt clean up the shimmering. I increased the mod sharpening to 1 which also didn’t help the shimmering. 
 

The increase in fps was undeniable.I was surprised how much performance the mod added. Without the mod I cant come close to a solid 90fps at 100% resolution per eye but with it I could almost run 100%. At 85% using the mod I got consistent 90fps. 
 

However, the visuals using the mod were impacted  mostly by the shimmering. Things are sharper at 70% resolution per eye in steam vr than at 100% using the mod. It was even better at 65% without the mod. 
 

For me unless there is a way to clean up the picture using the mod I won’t be using it. The degradation is just too noticeable to me. If someone knows how to improve the visuals with the mod on I’d love to hear about them.
 

All that said for folks with lower spec pc’s the mod might make a big difference. 

[vonrickenbecker]

@TheSNAFU, I had the same shimmering until I reduced the sharpening value in the mod from 0.9 (default) to 0.5. that largely eliminated the shimmering for me. 

[TheSNAFU]

I didn’t try to reduce the sharpening. I’ll Ty it. Thanks

[Picchio]

@TheSNAFU Definitely reduce or turn off sharpening entirely, as you've been adviced. The amount of shimmering is also largely dependent on the resolution you'll be upscaling from and the quality of antialiasing applied. Also, check the README!

Edited January 6, 2022 by Picchio

[Youtch]

May i ask what is it you call exactly shimmering?

 

Sorry, english is not my native language.

 

Does shimmering contribute to make the other planes more blurry? This is currently my main grip against VR configuration.

[Picchio]

Shimmering per-se won't make other aircraft look more blurry but their outline won't look smooth, simply put.

In VR, I would define shimmering as the sort of grainy (or pixelated) image that results both from the rendering resolution being too low (which also is commonly called a blurry image) and an ineffective or insufficient anti-aliasing method. Currently, the rendering resolution is the main obstacle: when game engines are not built around VR, the performance to quality ratio is particularly problematic. In order to achieve a sharp image in VR you need a very high resolution and good antialiasing (and a very high number of frames per second, but that opens the door to another series of issues).

Edited January 6, 2022 by Picchio

[[CPT]Crunch]

Don't use both methods of sharpening, the mod and in game at the same time, the result will be shimmer fest.  Make it one or the other.  You can get away with the in game Sharpen on with level .1 mod on however, for me it helps with spotting and tracking aircraft, they darken up quite nice enhancing long range spotting and close in tracking is easier.  With both filters on at level .2 a white halo appears around trees, planes, and objects, looks weird and unsightly, anything above that starts to induce progressively bad shimmer.

Edited January 6, 2022 by [CPT]Crunch

[Youtch]

Thank you very much for the explanation!

[Sausage69]

I'm using a ryzen 5600x with 32gb ram and an nvidia 1060. Would this benefit me, or is my card too low end compared to my cpu?

[vonrickenbecker]

1 hour ago, Sausage69 said:

I'm using a ryzen 5600x with 32gb ram and an nvidia 1060. Would this benefit me, or is my card too low end compared to my cpu?

I have an Nvidia 1060 as well (and my CPU is not as good as yours), and this mod definitely helped me quite a lot, so I would absolutely give it a go. Think of this mod as a way to reduce GPU load with minimal impact to visual quality. The 1060 is probably about the lowest spec card capable of running IL2 in VR.

 

Basically what this mod does is allow the game to render at a lower resolution (thus reducing the GPU requirements), and then it upscales a portion of the image (centered on your field of view) back to the original resolution of your VR glasses. While this upscaling does use some GPU resources, it doesn't use nearly as many as having the game render at its original full resolution. The net effect is that you can keep the same visual quality (or almost) that you had before, but get higher/smoother framerates. Or, you can trade some of that increased framerate for even more visual quality

 

For me, prior to using this mod I was getting terrible framerates any time there was significant cloud cover (more than just some scattered clouds) or mist in the weather settings for the mission. With this mod, I can now fly with full overcast clouds and mist and frames are nice and smooth!

 

[ITAF_Airone1989]

Since the last update FSR is not working for me anymore. Seems that it can't read the config file.
I tried to delate the files and re-download them, but nothing.
This is the log report:

Spoiler

Initializing hooks...
Requested interface IVRSystem_015
Injecting GetRecommendedRenderTargetSize into IVRSystem_015
Requested interface IVRCompositor_020
Injecting Submit into IVRCompositor_020
Requested interface IVRChaperone_003
Could not read config file.
Shutting down hooks...

Here my openvr_mod settings:
 

Spoiler

{
  "fsr": {
    // enable image upscaling through AMD's FSR or NVIDIA's NIS
    "enabled": true,

    // if enabled, uses NVIDIA's Image Scaling instead of the default
    // AMD FidelityFX SuperResolution. Both algorithms work similarly, but produce
    // somewhat different results. You may want to experiment switching between the
    // two to determine which one you like better for a particular game.
    "useNIS": enable,

    // Per-dimension render scale. If <1, will lower the game's render resolution
    // accordingly and afterwards upscale to the "native" resolution set in SteamVR.
    // If >1, the game will render at its "native" resolution, and afterwards the
    // image is upscaled to a higher resolution as per the given value.
    // If =1, effectively disables upsampling, but you'll still get the sharpening stage.
    // AMD presets:
    //   Ultra Quality => 0.77
    //   Quality       => 0.67
    //   Balanced      => 0.59
    //   Performance   => 0.50
    "renderScale": 0.7,

    // tune sharpness, values range from 0 to 1
    "sharpness": 0.68,
    
    // Only apply FSR/NIS to the given radius around the center of the image.
    // Anything outside this radius is upscaled by simple bilinear filtering,
    // which is cheaper and thus saves a bit of performance. Due to the design
    // of current HMD lenses, you can experiment with fairly small radii and may
    // still not see a noticeable difference.
    // Sensible values probably lie somewhere between [0.2, 1.0]. However, note
    // that, since the image is not spheric, even a value of 1.0 technically still
    // skips some pixels in the corner of the image, so if you want to completely
    // disable this optimization, you can choose a value of 2.
    // IMPORTANT: if you face issues like the view appearing offset or mismatched
    // between the eyes, turn this optimization off by setting the value to 2.0
    "radius": 0.4,

    // if enabled, applies a negative LOD bias to texture MIP levels
    // should theoretically improve texture detail in the upscaled image
    // IMPORTANT: if you experience issues with rendering like disappearing
    // textures or strange patterns in the rendering, try turning this off
    // by setting the value to false.
    "applyMIPBias": false,
    
    // If enabled, will visualize the radius to which FSR/NIS is applied.
    // Will also periodically log the GPU cost for applying FSR/NIS in the
    // current configuration.
    "debugMode": false,

    "hotkeys": {
      // If enabled, you can change certain settings of the mod on the fly by
      // pressing certain hotkeys. Good to see the visual difference. But you
      // may want to turn off hotkeys during regular play to prevent them from
      // interfering with game hotkeys.
      "enabled": false,

      // if enabled, must also be holding CTRL key to use hotkeys
      "requireCtrl": false,

      // if enabled, must also be holding ALT key to use hotkeys
      "requireAlt": false,

      // if enabled, must also be holding SHIFT key to use hotkeys
      "requireShift": false,

      // Below, you can see what hotkey functions are available and also configure
      // the hotkey for it. To configure the hotkey, you need to use the corresponding
      // virtual key code, which you can look up on this page:
      // https://cherrytree.at/misc/vk.htm

      // switch between FSR and NIS (default key: F1 - 112)
      "toggleUseNIS": 112,

      // toggle debug mode on or off (default key: F2 - 113)
      "toggleDebugMode": 113,

      // decrease sharpness by 0.05 (default key: F3 - 114)
      "decreaseSharpness": 114,

      // increase sharpness by 0.05 (default key: F4 - 115)
      "increaseSharpness": 115,

      // decrease sharpening radius by 0.05 (default key: F5 - 116)
      "decreaseRadius": 116,

      // increase sharpening radius by 0.05 (default key: F6 - 117)
      "increaseRadius": 117,

      // take a screenshot of the final output sent to the HMD (default key: F7 - 118)
      "captureOutput": 118
    }
  }
}

Am I missing something?

Edited January 16, 2022 by ITAF_Airone1989

[JimmySolarium_VR]

try  "useNIS": true,

instead of "useNIS": enable,

[ITAF_Airone1989]

16 minutes ago, JimmySolarium_VR said:

try  "useNIS": true,

instead of "useNIS": enable,

So simple! Thanks!

[ITAF_Airone1989]

Ok, weird. Now that is back to work I have tons of shimmering.
Was not like that before and I changed nothing.

Edited January 16, 2022 by ITAF_Airone1989

[Youtch]

I had the same experience, I thought it might be due to last nvidia driver which came this week.

[[CPT]Crunch]

Been unable to resolve this, the more MSAA or sharpen applied, the worse the shimmer gets.  Shadows are badly messed too, they quiver and shake.  Some combinations of settings create a blur surrounding your plane like an afterburner haze and heat shimmer.  Menus get wobbly and distorted on loading phases. 

[firdimigdi]

15 minutes ago, [CPT]Crunch said:

Menus get wobbly and distorted on loading phases.

 

That's pretty much a classic issue amongst several games in OpenVR. I'm sure the API provides a loading page handler that devs don't use.

 

Regarding your issues: do you play with reprojection enabled?

[ITAF_Airone1989]

1 hour ago, [CPT]Crunch said:

Been unable to resolve this, the more MSAA or sharpen applied, the worse the shimmer gets.  Shadows are badly messed too, they quiver and shake. 

 

Exactly the same. Damn.

[ITAF_Airone1989]

I tried to rollback the drivers, but the issue is still there.
Both on AMD's FSR or NVIDIA's NIS.
Damn, I found a really good compromise between quality and perfomance and now everthing is gone.
Had to disable openVr...
 

[dgiatr]

I dont know if it can help, but for me the old version of fsr ( that one without the nis choice) with its corresponding  .dll file works better for me

 

[vangel]

Anyone tried the follow up project to openvr_fsr, "VR performance toolkit"?

https://github.com/fholger/vrperfkit#readme

 

fholger won't develop openvr_fsr anymore this is the new baby.

[SvAF/F16_Goblin]

I've tried it but IL-2 didn't start with it. Have to figure out why.

[[CPT]Crunch]

It won't recognize and fire up if you have a single eye view.  I can get into the cockpit on an instant mission occasionally, but even if you fly a sortie as soon as you hit the escape key the game crashes.  Also it won't run in 3D with Necksafer, they don't like each other.  Really buggy, needs refinement, not practically usable as of yet.

Also it doesn't run with SteamVR set as API.

On 1/16/2022 at 12:08 PM, ITAF_Airone1989 said:

I tried to rollback the drivers, but the issue is still there.
Both on AMD's FSR or NVIDIA's NIS.
Damn, I found a really good compromise between quality and perfomance and now everthing is gone.
Had to disable openVr...
 

Try enabling "steamVR per-app setting"  under graphics tab with OpenVRSettingsUX.exe and than set reprojection to "enabled" in your steamVR settings where you set resolution and scale.  I got an instant jump big time in fps with the stock game without reprojection even kicking in.  But have to keep shadows off, they're broken somehow in the stock game.

Edited January 18, 2022 by [CPT]Crunch

[TCW_Brzi_Joe]

5 hours ago, vangel said:

Anyone tried the follow up project to openvr_fsr, "VR performance toolkit"?

I did. This new tool is "one to rule them all"

It contains together Openvr_FSR (upscaling + sharpening) and Openvr_foveated (foveated rendering, with clearest picture in sweet spot, and blur surrounding).

 

Unfortunately IL-2 is "special", and foveated does not work in this game (booth versions of foveated does not work here). But FSR scaling and sharpening can be used from "VR Performance Toolkit" - it is same as in Openvr_FSR.

 

PS: You can now make a screenshots with shortcut, and see picture before sending it to HMD. Good for testing spotting.

[Asgar]

On 1/18/2022 at 7:35 PM, [CPT]Crunch said:

Try enabling "steamVR per-app setting"  under graphics tab with OpenVRSettingsUX.exe and than set reprojection to "enabled" in your steamVR settings where you set resolution and scale.  I got an instant jump big time in fps with the stock game without reprojection even kicking in.  But have to keep shadows off, they're broken somehow in the stock game.

Quick question... where is this OpenVRSettingsUX.exe hidden? ?

[[CPT]Crunch]

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\MixedRealityVRDriver\bin\win64\OpenVRSettingsUX.exe"

[[CPT]Crunch]

If your having troubles with the FSR/NIS fholger or even the basic vanilla game this round of hot fixes, and steamVR nor openVR as the runtime don't seem to work anymore, try going back to the old original openXR as runtime, I'm having great success running it this round.  It fixed the shadows back to normal operation, and allows the frames to rip again using fholger, no issues over the forests, allows me in graphical settings to go back up one notch above balanced with FXAA back on, bumped up resolutions overall, looking and performing great compared to the other two api's, running 90's over most of the map.  Reprojection doesn't work right, but don't need it with the big fps boost.

 

So if nothing else seems to solve your issues, might be worth a try, it's put me back in the game, very good spotting, I can navigate once again in an unblurred almost shimmer free map, at least the game is back to being playable.

 

 

[firdimigdi]

5 hours ago, [CPT]Crunch said:

If your having troubles with the FSR/NIS fholger or even the basic vanilla game this round of hot fixes, and steamVR nor openVR as the runtime don't seem to work anymore, try going back to the old original openXR as runtime, I'm having great success running it this round.  It fixed the shadows back to normal operation, and allows the frames to rip again using fholger, no issues over the forests, allows me in graphical settings to go back up one notch above balanced with FXAA back on, bumped up resolutions overall, looking and performing great compared to the other two api's, running 90's over most of the map.  Reprojection doesn't work right, but don't need it with the big fps boost.

 

So if nothing else seems to solve your issues, might be worth a try, it's put me back in the game, very good spotting, I can navigate once again in an unblurred almost shimmer free map, at least the game is back to being playable.

 

SteamVR is OpenVR. There is only one VR API in use here since IL2 uses OpenVR. OpenXR does not come in to play at all in this case - of all sims currently in the market only MSFS uses OpenXR natively. If you are referring to the SteamVR setting regarding OpenXR then that is used as an intermediate layer when playing OpenXR titles and has no bearing whatsoever when playing an OpenVR title like IL2 is.

[Youtch]

5 hours ago, [CPT]Crunch said:

allows me in graphical settings to go back up one notch above balanced with FXAA back on, bumped up resolutions overall, looking and performing great compared to the other two api's, running 90's over most of the map. 

You are running High or Ultra setting?

 

When you say you have FXAA on, you have it with which factor x4? I thought antialiasing was giving some aura around the planes which was making their edge blurry, making spotting less easy.

[[CPT]Crunch]

It made no difference using FXAA prior when using SteamVR or OpenVR, something was bugged and everything was a shimmering blur using any combination of settings.  All I know is installing openXR fixed this and the settings now do what they're suppose to do, as it was before the hotfix messed it all up.  Has to be some sort of steam induced bug that was set off by the last hotfix.  There's other native SteamVR driven games suffering similar issues, many bug suffering users report all is fine in their non-native steamVR supported games, only they work normal. 

 

OpenXR can be installed, can be set as the runtime, and in my case it does work.  It's a third runtime option when all else has failed.  It's the only thing that's worked to put me back in the game.  It is compatible with Fholgers openVR_api and takes off like a raped ape, just as it was before, with good solid spotting and visuals.  Took me since the hotfix to finally find a working solution.  What anyone else wants to do with it I don't care, just saying because I know there's a few other guys seem to be suffering the same problem.  Well here's a potential answer and solution.  

[TCW_Brzi_Joe]

37 minutes ago, [CPT]Crunch said:

OpenXR can be installed, can be set as the runtime, and in my case it does work.  It's a third runtime option when all else has failed.

I think you got it wrong. IL-2 can not run (currently) on OpenXR. The game must be made for that. I know only for 2 games that use OpenXR: MSFS 2020, and Morrovind vr mod.

Also Fholgers FSR  do not work with OpenXR (but another program; XR_APILAYER_NOVENDOR_nis_scaler)

[[CPT]Crunch]

Than explain why my game only works with it selected and showing in steamVR as the runtime?  It won't run right with either of the other two selected, severe blur and shimmer to the point of not being playable, with shadows broken and not working with any kind of difference in any on position, major FPS loss especially over woods.  Its obviously doing something, the shadows even start working normal again with this as runtime, the woods no longer drag anything down.  Went from unflyable back to solid visuals, been trying settings, drivers, reinstalls, basically everything and every tip in the forums for over two weeks, and this is the only thing that has had any corrective impact.

 

Your going to have to convince me harder to disbelieve what I'm seeing with my own eyes.

[firdimigdi]

Are you talking about this option?

 

If so, setting it to Windows Mixed Reality (for the appropriate headsets) is the way to have it but it has no relation to IL2 or any OpenVR title unless you are running something else which translates OpenVR to OpenXR (for example, the OpenXR branch of OpenComposite [we're reaching critical mass with all the "Opens" here] does this and allows your headset vendor's OpenXR runtime to handle the rest).

[[CPT]Crunch]

Yup, after installing it and setting it with the openXR development tools installed app, it makes my game work where nothing else would.  If your game already does work don't do it, this is quite an old thing, think it dates back to 2017, you should have better mileage with the newer stuff, its superior when it works.  But if your game is fubar'd and you can't seem to get it working by any other means, desperate times call for desperate measures.

[firdimigdi]

Indeed must be something quite FUBAR. Anyhow, glad you found a workaround.

[KPnutskgwanchos]

 Does  fsholger FSR mod effectively negate need for Steam super sampling ...... should that be switched off in Steam VR when using FSR/NIS?