Scaling planet backgrounds using an HD filter

Running planet backgrounds through an HD scale filter

I did an experiment using Scale2X (essentially a filter which smoothes out pixelated edges) to see what Starbound would look like after being run through it.

Since the default scale (in-game pixels per real pixel) on the screenshot I used was 3, I upscaled it 3X times. The results are (for easier comparison, make sure to click on both images to see them in full size in your browser):

Before:



After:

It's noticeable that the foreground elements (characters/blocks/items) don't scale too well using this filter, because they have fine details that need to stay sharp, and the filter washes them out too much. Also, I chose a screenshot without texts such as NPC speech or item tooltips, because the game screenshots we've seen actually scale text and images at different scales (text at 2X and images at 3X), meaning I can't run them as a flattened image through the same filter and get good results.

However, when it comes to background elements, I found the scale to be quite nice. It smoothes the background out, makes it look more "HD" (without actually requiring extra work by artists), and makes the background a bit less distracting from the foreground, allowing easier player focus on the foreground elements.

I think it would be interesting to see, either in the game itself or as a mod, the ability to HD-scale backgrounds using a filter such as Scale2X. What do you think?

 

I think to be honest, it actually softens the edges a bit too much and takes the old sprite feel away, but each to their own.

 

I think I'd need to know if this would have any impact on performance, and see what it looks like on other backdrops before I could make up my mind. I recall a few items in backdrops that had sharp edges (like crystals) that might look strange.

 

I also agree as to whether or not this would lag those with old computers. But really, I prefer older looking, pixelated textures anyway in a game like this. I don't really know why I do, tbh. I guess I like the look.

 

Here is a comparison for a crystal background:

Before:



After:

 

Yeah, I don't like it quite so much on the crystal backdrop. It goes from retro pixels to kinda lumpy.

 

I don't like that too much neither. I couldn't care less if this would be optional but I would definitely not like it to be default and not changeable.
I can imagine some people would like this more but not me.

 

I'm sure it would require a bit more gpu power.
Nothing my GTX 650 2GB can't handle, though.

 

It makes it look like the crystals are melting.

 

You think the crystals look melty? Look at the chair in the upper left.

 

That woman´s face is melting.

 

shes the wicked witch

 

HD? What's HD about this? It just looks like everything is just completely melted xP
I don't like it.

 

Filters usually don't work very well, especially this filter against many small outlined sprites.
IIRC there are other options with Scale2x that would likely work a lot better than this, but those are just stuff I've heard from others.

As far as I can tell, the inconsistencies created on the background are quite distracting. I would much rather stick to desaturating and applying more atmospheric perspective upon the background to make it less distracting rather than minimizing the pixel ratio.

 

everything looks so wobbly, as if your looking at it through a glass of unsettled water.

Good idea, but I personally don't prefer the look.

 

Really not a fan and am reminded of the terrible HD filters on Megadrive ports that SEGA insists on using.

 

I don't mind the old style, so I will stick with that

However I will not say I dislike the rescales, it changes from pixel to an almost roughly painted feel which is unique in it's own right, just not quite in the spirit of the game. (Though I see an upscaling mod in the future no doubt)

 

Nah, kinda looks like a waterpaint job or something...

 

It took me a while to even tell the difference, tbh, even when looking at the full size picture in another tab. I think you're right about this only being a good idea for backgrounds, if at all. It makes some of the bricks look round, and some of the chain links in the lamp look square, for example. I agree with Namiwakiru that both styles are appealing in different ways, so I don't particularly dislike the rescales the way others in this thread do.

 

I think it should be an option that is disabled by default, especially as the foreground sprites are unlikely to match the smoothness unless they are redrawn entirely.