How to fix the low-resolution textures issue in Steam

[Mike Pence But Even Gayer]

There doesn't seem to be any way for me to access the .ini file in order to change what I need to change to get the game's visuals to display properly. When I go into the file, I then get q4base folder. Going into that, I am only shown "savegames" folder and "screenshots" folder.

[Elusive]

you cant. steam never bothered to tell you that the id engine that uses this wont work with newer graphics cards. aparently they conflict with the lighting and shading. making the game totaly uslis.

[bitcoin]

having same problem wanted this old title but it really do looks like a ps1 engine on a gtx 780ti what i have noticed whit evga presision that it runs in opengl instead of dx maybe thats the problem sinds open gl is for apple ussers

[Whatzituyah]

Isnt there a OpenGL for the DX stuff. I forgot what its called but DX has its own version I never tried it but you could give it a shot.

[Mark0z]

To fix the textures do the following:

1) Set the in game settings through the menus as your normally would.
2) Open up the console by pushing ctrl + alt + tilde.
3) type the following commands, pushing enter after each.
image_downSize 0
image_downSizeBump 0
image_downSizeSpecular 0
4) Start/Load a game.

This will fix the textures.

Also, to get rid of the tic/stutter inherent in the engine, type com_fixedtic 1 into the console and push enter. This will slightly throw off the lip syncing, but the gunplay and gameplay will be unaffacted.

[Mark0z]

Originally posted by Joh Mahmah:

Originally posted by MarkYourChase:

To fix the textures do the following:

1) Set the in game settings through the menus as your normally would.
2) Open up the console by pushing ctrl + alt + tilde.
3) type the following commands, pushing enter after each.
image_downSize 0
image_downSizeBump 0
image_downSizeSpecular 0
4) Start/Load a game.

This will fix the textures.

Also, to get rid of the tic/stutter inherent in the engine, type com_fixedtic 1 into the console and push enter. This will slightly throw off the lip syncing, but the gunplay and gameplay will be unaffacted.

Can anyone confirm that this works (no offense poster), and do you have to enter these values each time that you play the game?

Once the console commands mentioned above in steps 1-4 are applied, the texture settings will stick. You won't have to re-enter those console commands each time you play. You only have to re-enter them if you change the texture settings through the game menu (which resets the values for these console commands and messup the textures).

However, to get rid of the engine stutter (com_fixedtic 1), you will have to enter this console command each time you play.

Note: You can also effectively enter all these commands by using a config file.

[Mike Pence But Even Gayer]

Thanks for the tip, MarkYourChase.
Going to make an attempt at this soon. Quake 4 is one of my favorte shooters, but the game in the state it is in at the moment is just unplayable for me.

[Mark0z]

Originally posted by Joh Mahmah:

Modifying the quake config worked for me.
Open the q4base\Quake4Config.cfg and overwrite these values:
seta image_ignoreHighQuality "0"
seta image_cacheMegs "512"
seta image_downSize "0"

Thanks to szahn for posting the tweaks.

^^This^^ fix worked perfectly for me, and there was no need for me to enter console commands. I don't have an issue with any engine stutter.

Thanks anyways. :)

You're welcome.

I'd like to point out, the commands you listed ONLY fix the textures, but it's likely you still suffer from the low-quality bump and specular maps the game seems to default to on modern video cards. In short, while you have improved the graphics, there is a good chance Quake 4 can look even better with minimal effort from you.

For instance, right now pay special attention to your gun model and also the skin on character face models (two examples of where specular and bump mapping are used). RIght now, they probably appear lacking in detail. Here's how you fix that.

Since, you don't seem to want to use the console and prefer using the config file, open the q4base\Quake4Config.cfg and do the following in addition to what you have already done.
seta image_downSizeBump 0
seta image_downSizeSpecular 0

Now, boot up the game and compare the gun and face models. They should look more crisp and sharp than before. (Note: this affects more than gun and face models. These are just easy examples to point out for comparison sake).

Also, I would like to point out altering the seta_imagecacheMegs value ony pertains to "precompressed textures," and does nothing if you are trying to use ultra mode, according to TweakGuides http://www.tweakguides.com/Quake4_8.html.

Finally, in regards to the engine stuttering, there's a good chance you do have it, but don't notice it (which is great!). To check if you have it, face a wall, look at it, and then side strafe. You should see a "skip" in the motion.

Try these tips and let me know if this helps improve your Quake 4 experience.

[Mark0z]

Originally posted by Joh Mahmah:

Originally posted by MarkYourChase:

You're welcome.

I'd like to point out, the commands you listed ONLY fix the textures, but it's likely you still suffer from the low-quality bump and specular maps the game seems to default to on modern video cards. In short, while you have improved the graphics, there is a good chance Quake 4 can look even better with minimal effort from you.

For instance, right now pay special attention to your gun model and also the skin on character face models (two examples of where specular and bump mapping are used). RIght now, they probably appear lacking in detail. Here's how you fix that.

Since, you don't seem to want to use the console and prefer using the config file, open the q4base\Quake4Config.cfg and do the following in addition to what you have already done.
seta image_downSizeBump 0
seta image_downSizeSpecular 0

Now, boot up the game and compare the gun and face models. They should look more crisp and sharp than before. (Note: this effects more than gun and face models. These are just easy examples to point out for comparison sake).

Also, I would like to point out altering the seta_imagecacheMegs value ony pertains to "precompressed textures," and does nothing if you are trying to use ultra mode, according to TweakGuides http://www.tweakguides.com/Quake4_8.html.

Finally, in regards to the engine stuttering, there's a good chance you do have it, but don't notice it (which is great!). To check if you have it, face a wall, look at it, and then side strafe. You should see a "skip" in the motion.

Try these tips and let me know if this helps improve your Quake 4 experience.

Excellent post.

I wish a mod would sticky all relevant Q4 fixes into one thread. Mucho Thanks. :)

Thanks :)