Scripting

You can set all of the optimization options from scripts. This is easier and more powerful since it lets you set all the variables at once. Some of these variables are repeated in console variables. Many of the options that are set to 0 can be set to 1 to turn them back on.

All of the relevant options are outlined below. You can combine any and all of these into a script file and simply run that from the command line. Some of these variables will need a restart of the video system to enable them. This is done by typing \vid_restart from the console.

Here is a sample file with all of the commands in it. Customize it to your heart's content. You can also just run this script and then turn features back on. Copy this script file into the 'demoq3' or 'baseq3' folder in your Quake folder. Then, at the console, type \exec 'script_name'. For this file you would type, \exec fast.cfg.

seta r_lodbias "2"

This makes QIII use the lowest possible resolution models at all times. Uses less memory and performs more quickly. I don't really know any other values.

seta cg_gibs "0"

Turns off the gore. Drawing the blood sprays is very rewarding but takes up a lot of CPU and graphics card time.

seta cg_draw3dicons "0"

Changes the HUD (bottom of the screen) icons to 2d icons. Very similar to simple items

seta cg_drawAttacker "0"

Stops drawing the person attacking you in the upper-right hand corner. The feature isn't essential and slows you down a bit.

seta cg_shadows "0"

Turns off any shadows.

seta r_subdivisions "999"

Forces the engine to generate far fewer surfaces for curved areas of the map. The effect looks much blockier, but can offer substantial savings. The value can be anything from 1 - 999. Higher is blockier (and faster).

seta cg_forceModel "1"

Forces every player to use the same model (documented under Force Player Models in game options).

seta cg_drawFPS "1"

Shows the frames per second in the top-right corner while you play.

seta cg_lagometer "1"

Shows a connection graph, showing average ping and packet loss in the bottom right corner while you play.

seta cg_drawgun "0"

turns off the gun in your view. May speed things up a frame or two.

seta r_vertexlight "1"

Uses the vertex lighting option, document in graphics.

seta r_texturebits "16"

Sets the texture to 16-BIT. Can also be set to 32 (32-BIT) or 0, for default.

seta r_colorbits "16"

Same thing as r_texturebits.

seta cg_simpleitems "1"

Shows only 2d icons for items in the game (documented under Simple Items in game options).

seta cg_marks "0"

Doesn't show bullet marks on the walls (documented under Marks on Walls in game options).

seta cg_brassTime "0"

Doesn't show the shells coming out of the weapons (documented under Ejecting Brass in game options).

seta r_dynamiclight "0"

No dynamic lighting on weapons and ammo. (documented under Dynamic Lights in game options).

seta r_fastsky "1"

Faster sky effects. (documented under High Quality Sky in game options).