Improved Ray Tracing & Shadows for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

[A_Artist]

Enhanced RT & Lighting & Shadows for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Reflections - Lumen and Screen Space Reflections are now have high resolution, no flickering, also included reflections on transparent, mirror surfaces, reflections on rough surfaces have been improved. Lighting and Shadows improved. Volumetric effects are now higher resolution. Increased texture resolution. FPS decreases by 10-15%. This method is for those who have a good GPU and want a more beautiful and detailed graphics!

1) For the Steam version: %localappdata%\Stalker2\Saved\Config\Windows
2) Create & Open Engine.ini, and paste this:

[SystemSettings]
r.VolumetricFog.GridPixelSize=3
r.VolumetricFog.GridSizeZ=128
r.Lumen.TranslucencyReflections.FrontLayer.Allow=1
r.LumenScene.Heightfield.MaxTracingSteps=32
r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable=1
r.Lumen.Reflections.DownsampleFactor=0
r.Lumen.Reflections.AsyncCompute=1
r.Lumen.DiffuseIndirect.AsyncCompute=1
r.LumenScene.Lighting.AsyncCompute=1
r.LumenScene.Radiosity.SpatialFilterProbes.KernelSize=0
r.LumenScene.Radiosity.UpdateFactor=128
r.LumenScene.Radiosity.ProbeSpacing=3
r.LumenScene.Radiosity.HemisphereProbeResolution=64
r.Lumen.IrradianceFieldGather.NumProbesToTraceBudget=300
r.Lumen.RadianceCache.NumFramesToKeepCachedProbes=30
r.Lumen.Reflections.MaxRoughnessToTrace=0.4
r.Lumen.Reflections.ScreenSpaceReconstruction.RoughnessScale=0.5
r.Lumen.Reflections.SmoothBias=1
r.Lumen.Reflections.Temporal=0
r.Shadow.MaxCSMResolution=2048
r.Shadow.FilterMethod=1

[ScalabilityGroups]
sg.GlobalIllumination=4
sg.HairQuality=4
sg.VolumetricFogQuality=4
sg.ShadowQuality=4
sg.PostProcessQuality=4
sg.TextureQuality=4
sg.EffectsQuality=4

What PC is needed for this?

I recommend 3080 / 3080ti / 3090ti / 4070 / 4080 / 4090, I can't vouch for other GPU. The graphics improves very well, especially noticeable in reflections and lighting. Graphics lovers will appreciate it

Changes in the graphics

I made a comparison, uploaded to postimages.org. There are many more changes, but I decided that 1 comparison would be enough

https://postimg.cc/tZbDYknZ

[Dr. Gerbz]

Thanks, but... There is no Engine.ini? I checked the other folders too, but nothing.

[Dredd]

Awesome thank you !

[Djura]

This probably slaughters your framerate

[Pruikki]

Create Own Engine.ini
do that folks... ill try this lets see

[ngc1300]

Steam version doesn't read anything from engine.ini. This will only work with gamepass version of the game.

[A_Artist]

Originally posted by ngc1300:

Steam version doesn't read anything from engine.ini. This will only work with gamepass version of the game.

Nope, I checked it on the Steam version of the game, everything works fine, because I personally made the comparisons

[Warmen]

Originally posted by A_Artist:

Enhanced RT & Lighting & Shadows for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Reflections - Lumen and Screen Space Reflections are now have high resolution, no flickering, also included reflections on transparent, mirror surfaces, reflections on rough surfaces have been improved. Lighting and Shadows improved. Volumetric effects are now higher resolution. Increased texture resolution. FPS decreases by 10-15%. This method is for those who have a good GPU and want a more beautiful and detailed graphics!

1) For the Steam version: %localappdata%\Stalker2\Saved\Config\Windows
2) Create & Open Engine.ini, and paste this:

[SystemSettings]
r.VolumetricFog.GridPixelSize=3
r.VolumetricFog.GridSizeZ=128
r.Lumen.TranslucencyReflections.FrontLayer.Allow=1
r.LumenScene.Heightfield.MaxTracingSteps=32
r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable=1
r.Lumen.Reflections.DownsampleFactor=0
r.Lumen.Reflections.AsyncCompute=1
r.Lumen.DiffuseIndirect.AsyncCompute=1
r.LumenScene.Lighting.AsyncCompute=1
r.LumenScene.Radiosity.SpatialFilterProbes.KernelSize=0
r.LumenScene.Radiosity.UpdateFactor=128
r.LumenScene.Radiosity.ProbeSpacing=3
r.LumenScene.Radiosity.HemisphereProbeResolution=64
r.Lumen.IrradianceFieldGather.NumProbesToTraceBudget=300
r.Lumen.RadianceCache.NumFramesToKeepCachedProbes=30
r.Lumen.Reflections.MaxRoughnessToTrace=0.4
r.Lumen.Reflections.ScreenSpaceReconstruction.RoughnessScale=0.5
r.Lumen.Reflections.SmoothBias=1
r.Lumen.Reflections.Temporal=0
r.Shadow.MaxCSMResolution=2048
r.Shadow.FilterMethod=1

[ScalabilityGroups]
sg.GlobalIllumination=4
sg.HairQuality=4
sg.VolumetricFogQuality=4
sg.ShadowQuality=4
sg.PostProcessQuality=4
sg.TextureQuality=4
sg.EffectsQuality=4

What PC is needed for this?

I recommend 3080 / 3080ti / 3090ti / 4070 / 4080 / 4090, I can't vouch for other GPU. The graphics improves very well, especially noticeable in reflections and lighting. Graphics lovers will appreciate it

Changes in the graphics

I made a comparison, uploaded to postimages.org. There are many more changes, but I decided that 1 comparison would be enough

https://postimg.cc/tZbDYknZ

lol, how about yes I have hardware to back this up ,but despite the fact the game is already running like s h i t. This isn't really a good time for for further performance decrease. I am running on Asus ROG RTX 4090 and 13900k and it runs like ♥♥♥♥, from performance to input issues.

[ngc1300]

Originally posted by A_Artist:

Originally posted by ngc1300:

Steam version doesn't read anything from engine.ini. This will only work with gamepass version of the game.

Nope, I checked it on the Steam version of the game, everything works fine, because I personally made the comparisons

Interesting, a subset of peoples Stalker2 isn't picking up any changes from engine.ini

[Bilbo Baggins]

Is there a way to enable contact shadows for foliage and grass? They don't have and kind of shadowing whatsoever and looks like from a 15 year old game.

[Yurevich]

@a_artist Hello friend! I have a very powerful computer Monitor Asus 2K 240gh 0.1ms response (Via DLDSR I set 4K) DDR5 64gb 6400 G skill, RTX 3090ti (overclocked and water-cooled) + I9 12900k with liquid metal + water cooling. I installed the famous module from Nukem ( https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/738?tab=description ) enabled Nvidia frame generation - the result is perfect, there is no delay, fps has increased by an average of 30-40 frames per second. I play on Epic 4K + DLSS Quality settings + Frame Generation, there were 45-60 fps in the village, it became 75-90. Before that, I played 2K + DLS Quality. The built-in fsr 3.0 in the game works very, very poorly (has a huge delay), but this problem has been solved as I wrote earlier. I tried your configuration to improve shadows in 4K + DLSS Quality + fps frame generation dropped to 60-70, the picture got better, but not as "fast" as it was with 90 fps, respectively. Why do I have a question for you, what do you think is the best way for me to act in these options and which one is better:
1) 4K + DLSS DLAA (Native 4K) + Frame generation without your reflection enhancement mod (about 50-60 frames per village)
2) 4K + DLSS Balance/Performance + Frame generation with your reflection enhancement mod (about 70-80 frames per village)
3) 4K + DLSS Quality + Frame generation without your mod (80-100 frames per village)
Your opinion on this matter is very important, to sacrifice a little quality when processing dlss, but to make the effects cooler or leave the reflection effects by default, but to have a stable FPS and enjoy life, thank you.

[Getherer]

how much does it impact fps?

[Yurevich]

Originally posted by Getherer:

how much does it impact fps?

Very much even on top-end hardware)

[A_Artist]

Originally posted by Yurevich:

@a_artist Hello friend! I have a very powerful computer Monitor Asus 2K 240gh 0.1ms response (Via DLDSR I set 4K) DDR5 64gb 6400 G skill, RTX 3090ti (overclocked and water-cooled) + I9 12900k with liquid metal + water cooling. I installed the famous module from Nukem ( https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/738?tab=description ) enabled Nvidia frame generation - the result is perfect, there is no delay, fps has increased by an average of 30-40 frames per second. I play on Epic 4K + DLSS Quality settings + Frame Generation, there were 45-60 fps in the village, it became 75-90. Before that, I played 2K + DLS Quality. The built-in fsr 3.0 in the game works very, very poorly (has a huge delay), but this problem has been solved as I wrote earlier. I tried your configuration to improve shadows in 4K + DLSS Quality + fps frame generation dropped to 60-70, the picture got better, but not as "fast" as it was with 90 fps, respectively. Why do I have a question for you, what do you think is the best way for me to act in these options and which one is better:
1) 4K + DLSS DLAA (Native 4K) + Frame generation without your reflection enhancement mod (about 50-60 frames per village)
2) 4K + DLSS Balance/Performance + Frame generation with your reflection enhancement mod (about 70-80 frames per village)
3) 4K + DLSS Quality + Frame generation without your mod (80-100 frames per village)
Your opinion on this matter is very important, to sacrifice a little quality when processing dlss, but to make the effects cooler or leave the reflection effects by default, but to have a stable FPS and enjoy life, thank you.

Hey! Glad to see you here, the 3090ti is a beast, but I think you're better choose "2" or "3" option (4K&DLSSq&Without my mod). This is the best solution, the game also looks amazing without my improvement, since this is a shooter, FPS is still more important in it (+stability), a graphics enhancement mod can be installed after finishing the game main story to enjoy the graphics and side quests (or NG+)

[babira mehdi ultimate]

where do i put engine.ini for the game pass version of the game ?

[CzUSMC]

Can't even complete main mission without game breaking and they're adding Raytracing... Seriously that is what you guys are working on right now... Smh How about fix the game so it can atleast play without completely falling apart. Before adding 10 FPS ray tracing nobody cares about.