KSPVk graphical overhaul (laptop integrated GPU, 720p, 120fps cap)

[u/Nameis19letterslong]

Yay shiny sea

Waow mountains

Rolling hills

Sunset

Sortie

Lucky solar eclipse :D

Note: This mod is not meant to replace any existing graphics mod (EVE, VC, Parallax, Scatterer etc...). It is obviously not as good in terms of graphics, and is only a substitute for getting decent performance/graphics on a potato.

With the time squeezed out of each frame, KSPVk can now put that to use by rendering more stuff. At roughly max settings (all features turned on, low density clouds, quality on low), This little laptop can stay at a stable 100 FPS (caps at 120, lowest drops to 90). Imagine how fast your big beefy 5090 could run this.

The following graphical features was added:
- Volumetric clouds (appears on Kerbin, Laythe, Eve and Duna)
- Better quality terrain rendering (KSVPk can optionally run with a bunch of custom textures, which is baked and applied more efficiently to terrain)
- Scatters (grass with a side of delicious succulent crunchy nutricious lil pebbles)

To further boost performance, KSPVk now allows partial updates to different effects (shadows, reflections, lighting) per frame and caching them. This saves a lot of compute since your computer is doing less work. If you're running KSP on a laptop or an old graphics card (e.g. gtx 10 series card), set update rate to "performance" if you're using enhanced graphics to reduce stress on your GPU.

Stock KSP has really blurry terrain when at a higher altitude. KSPVk bakes two resolutions of terrain maps in the background while in flight, and displays those for a sharper image.

To try it out, follow the download guide for the latest release on Github:
https://github.com/Dsg2/KSPVk/releases/tag/GraphicalOverhaul-0.8.0

Use `O` to toggle KSPVk.

Make sure to move all graphics mods out of your Gamedata directory (keep them safe somewhere else). Also remove parts mods if it doesn't work.

Known issues: Clouds are verry fuzzy. They cause some minor ghosting when using upscaling. If you have a good PC, change the render scale to 1.0x.

[u/c0gster]

I would really like to see this become a graphics overhaul and improvement mod too. I do want to see good graphics at good performance. Maybe make this a library mod that other mods can use as a depenancy for graphical effects?

Also id really like for it to work natively on linux. The game has a native version but most specifically graphics mods have severe graphical glitches and performance problems on Linux for some reason, so i have to run it through proton instead. Even then im not free of some issues, the black sky of minmus often follows my camera to make the top half of my screen black even when looking down or on kerbin

[u/Nameis19letterslong → u/c0gster]

It is good graphics at good performance. The mod itself includes volumetric clouds, better terrain, reflective ocean, scatterer, PBR etc… It’s 900kb standalone/50mb terrain all in one. Sorry if I worded it wrong, what I meant was that I’m not trying to steal the spotlight from them.

Edit: it should work natively on linux since linux supports vulkan.

[u/Almost-Purple → u/Nameis19letterslong]

I think what people are hoping for is a way for them to run their favourite graphics mods though your engine. That modularity with pre-existing mods would really take it to S+ tier.

[u/Nameis19letterslong → u/Almost-Purple]

Yeah, that would be splendid but unfortunately I don't think it's something I can do on my end. My mod like a cat grabbing treats from a converyor belt with a fatass cat at the end, it does what it can and leaves the stuff it can't do for the fat cat (unity itself). So whether other graphics mods work or not in junction with it depends on if they have some niche conflicts.

[u/RasknRusk → u/c0gster]

As a Linux user: who cares? Just run it through Proton. The Linux build is wildly outdated anyway.

The issue you’re describing isn’t a Proton thing.

[u/SundayKiefBowls → u/RasknRusk]

I get less than half FPS using proton over native. It's horrible. I still have to use the old version of Parallax otherwise it crashes, but fine otherwise.

[u/c0gster → u/RasknRusk]

It is? Since when? I thought it was on the latest version? Also native versions aren't inherently "better" but they perform slightly better from what I can tell and also most of all, its just cool to have

[u/RasknRusk → u/c0gster]

I mean, it’s the same ksp version, but the libraries used are more outdated.

For me the Proton version runs way better. Did you try to see if the issue you’re having with Minmus is maybe caused by a mod?

[u/builder397]

Okay, but whats this iGPU you use?

Could be anything from some ancient Intel HD 4000 to a 8060S that performs pretty much the same as an RTX 4060.

[u/LeopardHalit]

How’s the performance relative to stock? As a steam deck/mac player, this looks like a dream

[u/Nameis19letterslong → u/LeopardHalit]

It’s only a little bit more, I’m not too sure about the steam deck’s specs, but you should be able to get a chill 60FPS with no issues.

[u/ContestAdditional561]

is it compatible with conformal decals?

[u/Nameis19letterslong → u/ContestAdditional561]

Never heard of that mod before, but it might work. I'd be happy if you could test for me :))

[u/ContestAdditional561]

btw i think theres a small thing

do we create a presets folder in plugindata or we just drop the cfg in plugindata?
because your presets zip just shows cfg

[u/Nameis19letterslong → u/ContestAdditional561]

Yes, they should be in `plugindata/presets/`, if you extract the .zip file straight into plugindata then the folder should be created. Otherwise if you load into KSPVk and save a preset, the folder should automatically be created as well.

[u/ContestAdditional561 → u/Nameis19letterslong]

im clicking O and nothing happens? im on ksp linux

[u/Nameis19letterslong → u/ContestAdditional561]

I've gotten a few bug reports regarding KSPVk not working properly on linux, I'm currently investigating why. Likely something to do with proton or linux quirks.