[SC] DarkOrbit: Ultimate Detail Control

DarkOrbit: Ultimate Detail Control

The tutorial now includes blockable items which correspond to sound files (collections), so collections of sounds can be blocked based on the SWF file they are associated with without having to mute your entire game. I have added a part 5 for sound effects.

Please be sure to read the guide fully for full explanations and instructions for the correct results, if you're not sure, ask someone to help you.


5-2 base with no textures on ship or drones, or the base itself.

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Part 1: Adblock Plus and Bifenon Example
Part 2: Texture Blocking and Annihilator Example
Part 3: What to do if your game does not load after blocking an item, or if you want to unblock an item
Part 4: Currently known blockable items (based on my testing in 5-2 only)
Part 5: Currently known blockable sound effects by collection/SWF file
(NOTE: This section is still under construction)
Part 6: Author's Comments

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Part 1: Adblock Plus and Bifenon Example

So, its been a very long time since I have written a thread like this, so bare with me.

THIS GUIDE IS FOR 3D DARKORBIT USERS ONLY, SORRY IN ADVANCE, IF DEMAND IS HIGH ENOUGH FOR A 2D GUIDE, I WILL TAKE A LOOK.

For those with a low FPS or high MEM usage when playing DarkOrbit (via pressing F during gameplay), you may benefit from this tutorial, as when using the settings within DarkOrbit, certain settings can be changed to hide certain things, but the texture or object is still being loaded into memory, thus being a lost cause, but not a complete waste of time. But with this guide, we will be able to stop certain things being loaded into memory completely.
So, lets start with what you need, you will need to add “AdBlock Plus” to your browser:

Firefox Users: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/

Chrome Users: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblock-plus/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb

Both interfaces should be similar to each other regardless of browser, but for now, I shall explain the usage of this addon/extension while using my chosen browser which is Firefox 32bit (On a 64bit system due to Firefox 64bit and Flash Player issues). I shall also be using my home map of 5-2 as an example of what can be achieved.

As you may have guessed, AdBlock Plus is used to block unwanted rubbish, adverts, spam, popups etc, but under its little menu, is a nice option to view blockable items, which is what we want to use, as shown below.



or



Depending which browser you use, the Adblock Plus icon may be displayed differently

Before opening the blockable items window, fire up DarkOrbit by hitting the START button as you would normally, wait for it to load fully, maybe wait 10 seconds once you're in the game before we do anything else to make sure everything is loaded up and available to look at. Once you have waited a bit, open the blockable items window as show in the picture above. You will be graced with a list of URL's, or web addresses as we call them, as shown below. (Mainly this window will show what has been loaded in your current map, exact moment items are loaded is currently unknown).


The black area's are parts of the URL of which I suspect are connected somehow to your instance of gameplay, so I have hidden mine just incase.



Ok, so lets first play with the Bifenon object, you may want to kill a few pirates in order to see the results (have some bifenon laying around). So, in the search box, type “Bifenon” with no quotes, it will quickly search all available blockable items and find “https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/Bifenon.zip” (obviously I have done this without the “cv=” part of the URL), now select the result it has found and right click it, you will be shown this menu:



Now click “Block this item...”, a new window will appear, it should look something like this:



The default choice is: darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/*

You want to select: darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/Bifenon.zip?*

This way, the asterisk (*) will act as a wildcard, and block any line matching the same filter regardless of what comes after “?”. Once you have selected that filter, click “Add filter”, close the blockable items window and refresh or relog your game. Now go back to where the Bifenon was, and you will find it isn't there graphically, you can still click it however, hover your mouse around until you have the same cursor style as if you were going to click a cloaker, that is the bifenon of which you can't see.

This method completely denies the loading of the bifenon image or effect to be loaded and stored into memory and/or cache, and also saves you some FPS as you have eliminated a moving object of which now reduces a tiny little bit of CPU usage. If you are a pirate basher like myself and have 200 bifenon all around you, this method will save you a lot of stuttering and FPS problems.

TIP: When blocking items, I advise only blocking one item at a time, and refreshing after each block!

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Part 2: Texture Blocking and Annihilator Example

TIP: WHEN BLOCKING TEXTURES, I ADVISE HAVING THE LIGHTING SETTING SET TO AVERAGE OR HIGH, AS YOU CAN NOT SEE THE "UBER GLOW" WHEN LIGHTING IS SET TO LOW.

In this part of the tutorial, we will be looking at blocking textures. It is just as simple as the Bifenon example which we did in Part 1, this time, I will be using an Annihilator as an example of texture blocking.



Textures come in different file formats, one being .png, and one being .atf files, in this case, we will be aiming at the .atf file (I am assuming .atf is used in conjunction with detail settings where the size and quality of the texture itself is manipulated by Stage3D or the game engine itself).

So, once again, if you haven't got the game open already, fire it up via your START button and again, let it all load in with a good 10 seconds waiting period.

Lets find that texture file, load up the blockable items window as we did in Part 1, and search for “Annih”. The result we want is “https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/annihilator_diffuse_256.atf”, now right click it, and click “Block this item...”. Once again, you will be shown this window:



Make sure the "Blocking filter" check box is selected, sometimes it changes to "Exception Rule" automatically.

Just like before, you want the check box above the default choice, we want to select “darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/annihilator_diffuse_256.atf?*”. Again, this will block any line matching the filter regardless of what comes after the “?”. Click “Add filter”. Close the blockable items window and refresh or relog your game.

If you have followed correctly, the result will look a little something like this:



TIP: When blocking items, I advise only blocking one item at a time, and refreshing after each block!

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Part 3: What to do if your game does not load after blocking an item, or if you want to unblock an item

Sometimes, blocking a certain item may cause the game not to load, trust me, I had this loads while finding what I can and cannot block. If your game has got to ¾ of the loading bar and stopped dead, or the game has just gone to a black screen, then simply open the blockable items window (while the game is stuck on either of the 2 situations mentioned before), find the item which you blocked prior to the game not loading (Which will now be red in color to signify a block filter), and right click it to show the menu, click “Edit filter in effect...”, you will be shown this window:



I have decided to put a black square over my chosen blocks, as people will just copy it , I will provide a list of currently known blockable items at the end of the tutorial.

Look at the list on the right, the most recent block (or the block you did prior to the game not working) will be at the very bottom. Also, this list shows all your current blocks. To disable or remove a block filter, just right click it and then click “Delete” in the menu ,or simply select the block filter and hit “Delete” on your keyboard. Close the window and the blockable items window, then refresh or relog your game. Everything should now work fine.

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Part 4: Currently known blockable items (based on my testing in 5-2 only)

Below is a list of items which I have found to be blockable without causing the game to stall or halt when loading. Bare in mind all my testing took place in 5-2 only, so don't be surprised if you see a lot of pirate based items in the list.

You can add these manually into the Custom option in the “Edit filter in effect...” window if you prefer to do it this way, just choose Custom, clear the text box, then copy and paste your choice into there and then click “Add filter”.



If adding these items manually via the Custom option in the “Edit filter in effect...” window, always remember to add the Asterisk (*) on to the end of the filter, or it will not work.

https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/do_img/global/loadingscreen/loadingscreen_config_mode.jpg?*
This blocks the config information on the loading screen.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/do_img/global/loadingscreen/loadingscreen_configurations.png?*
This works alongside the config_mode.jpg block for some reason.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/do_img/global/loadingscreen/loadingscreen_equipping.png?*
This blocks the item equipping information on the loading screen.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/do_img/global/loadingscreen/loadingscreen_fullscreen.jpg?*
This blocks the fullscreen information on the loading screen.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/do_img/global/loadingscreen/loadingscreen_group.png?*
This blocks the group/outfit information on the loading screen.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/do_img/global/loadingscreen/loadingscreen_honor.png?*
This blocks the honor information on the loading screen.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/do_img/global/loadingscreen/loadingscreen_premium.png?*
This blocks the premium information on the loading screen.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/do_img/global/loadingscreen/loadingscreen_uridium.png?*
This blocks the uridium information on the loading screen.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/debris_01.atf?*
This blocks ship debris from being emitted from a ship explosion.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/muzzle_flash_green.zip?*
This blocks the muzzle flash around your lasers when using x3 with full LF3's.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/muzzle_flash_red.zip?*
This blocks the muzzle flash around your lasers when your lasers are emitting red shots.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/slow_down_trail.zip?*
This blocks the trail which is shown around the back end of your ship when you are slowed.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/star_dust_chaotic.zip?*
This blocks the moving stars background (My personal favourite for gaining more FPS)
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/rocket_trail_skilled.atf?*
This blocks the rocket trail (not ECO/Hellstorms etc) when you have the Pilot Bio for Heat Seeking Missiles.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/repair-robot-lvl04_diffuse_128.atf?*
This blocks the RepBot 4 texture.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/ore_aurum.zip?*
This blocks aurus from being visible.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/Bifenon.zip?*
This blocks bifenon from being visible.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/plague_infected_fx.zip?*
This blocks the green blob over your ship when infected.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/annihilator_diffuse_256.atf?*
This blocks the annihilator texture.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/barracuda_diffuse_128.atf?*
This blocks the barracuda texture.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/saboteur_diffuse_128.atf?*
This blocks the sabotuer texture.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/interceptor_diffuse_128.atf?*
This blocks the interceptor texture.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/drone-skull-green_diffuse_128.atf?*
This blocks the Green Skull drone design texture.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/jumpgate-crushed_diffuse_256.atf?*
This blocks the pirate map active (working gates) gate texture.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/jumpgate-pirate_diffuse_256.atf?*
This works alongside the crushed_diffuse_256.atf block.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/pirate-base-billboards_alpha_256.atf?*
This blocks the textures on the pirate base in 5-2 (1 of 4)
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/pirate-base-billboards_diffuse_256.atf?*
This blocks the textures on the pirate base in 5-2 (2 of 4)
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/pirate-base-main-asteroid_diffuse_256.atf?*
This blocks the textures on the pirate base in 5-2 (3 of 4)
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/s...ate-base-technical-elements_diffuse_256.atf?*
This blocks the textures on the pirate base in 5-2 (4 of 4)
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/aegis*
This blocks ALL aegis textures regardless of design.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/goliath*
This blocks ALL goliath textures regardless of design.
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/g-surgeon*
This blocks ALL surgeon textures regardless of design..
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/pet*
This blocks ALL pet textures regardless of design (It appears this does not block the default pet skin when no design is assigned).
https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/fx/apocalypse_booty_box.zip?*
This blocks the apocalypse booty box.

More items will be added if I ever get my ass out of 5-2, new additions will be added below:

Upon experimenting and testing, if you are like me and don't really play DO for the visuals, you can now completely block every single texture related to the spacemap with the following line added to your filters:

https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/3d/textures/*

NOTE: This line will completely override any filters you have currently added for DarkOrbit texture blocks, it will block everything within the /textures/ URL.

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Part 5: Currently known blockable sound effects by collection/SWF file
(NOTE: This section is still under construction)​

https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/audio/sounds/sectorControlSounds.swf?*
This filter will block:​

• All sound effects which are assigned to the Sector Control event.

https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/audio/sounds/voiceSounds.swf?*
This filter will block:​

• Voice_warning - The female voice when you enter the radiation zone.
• Voice_standby - The female voice when you initiate logging out.
• Voice_ready - The female voice when the spacemap is loaded and ready.
• Voice_activate - The female voice when you activate a portal jump.
• Voice_accessDenied - The female voice when you jump when out of range.

https://darkorbit-22.bpsecure.com/spacemap/audio/sounds/bubbleSounds.swf
This filter will block:​

• Questgiver_icon_appears - The sound when you go near a "bubble", IE: NYX, a Portal, Hangar at base etc.
• Ui_repair_instant_01 - The sound emitted when you use the Instant Repair function at your Home Base.
• Ui_refinery_01 - As far as I can tell, this sound isn't actually used, as I have tried every way of opening the Refinery or Ore Selling Window with luck hearing the sound.
• Ui_hq_vru_motif_01 - This sound is a small intro to the VRU music track which is played while in the game.
• Ui_hq_mmo_motif_01 - This sound is a small intro to the MMO music track which is played while in the game.
• Ui_hq_eic_motif_01 - This sound is a small intro to the EIC music track which is played while in the game.
• Ui_home_base_hangar_01 - The sound which is emitted when triggering the backpage to open the hangar by pressing the "bubble" at your Home Base.

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Part 6: Author's Comments

Firstly, I want to emphasise the fact that the decision to publish this guide was decided by support and the admins, I would like to thank them for allowing me to help the community and hopefully improve people's games along with making advancements towards having more people play, with them knowing that they can somehow (in theory) have their game run a bit smoother if they are put off with performance issues.

Would like to point out that items you block are still in the game, you just can't see them, you can still click them, interact with them, and get killed by them, so don't be stupid and go attempting to block things which will kill you or make your game impossible and then complain that you cant fight it or do something because you cant see it, because I will basically laugh at you for being dumb.

If it looks daft or makes gameplay tricky, just unblock it via the instructions above in Part 3.

Also, anything you block will NOT effect another player, they can still see everything from their own perspective, so don't go round acting like your a hardcore hacker, or sit there thinking “but I blocked that?!! How can he see it?!”, because if you do, you're stupid.

This guide is intended to help those with FPS and RAM issues with DarkOrbit, and to help those who find certain things in the game that little bit to much of a screen filler or just basic clutter which you don't really need to see.

Again, I thank OP32 and the rest of the team for allowing this information and tutorial to be written and published.

THIS GUIDE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY OR BE MODIFIED AT ANYTIME BY MYSELF OR THE MODERATORS OF THE FORUM.

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If you have any questions, or would like to add to the list of available blockable items, please leave a reply below.

Please be aware I work nights, so replies to any questions or comments will be answered when I can.

Regards,

LAGI.​

 

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to put that together Lagi^ ^.

That being said, I also have to add a quick disclaimer: this is not officially sponsored by Bigpoint (although approval to post was granted). Any risk partaking in this is entirely down to the individual.

Regards,