Good question, bro, I was hoping that someone would ask.
My computer has several versions of IL-2. I like to at least have the il2fb.exe folder as an executable, since it is the first file that the computer reads on start of IL-2. The nHancer will be sure to have the Profile active and ready as that IL-2 version starts.
Further, that means there are several il2fb.exe folders in my computer. What adding a File Path to an Executable does for me is that I can make at least one Profile for each version of IL-2 and be
certain that the Profile will only connect and activate with the il2fb.exe folder in the version of IL-2 that I want it to apply.
As a bonus, I can have different Profiles for the
same version of IL-2 for various purposes. The Executable with File Path keeps everything secure and in order among my Profiles and versions of IL-2. It makes certain that no Profile is made in vain. It keeps everthing clear and sure in the user's mind.
For example, I have a version of IL-2 for online combat that has more performance oriented settings. A Profile was named by me in the Application box of nHancer called "IL-2 Forgotten Battles: Online Performance". In the Executables box is the executable file/folder-in this case il2fb.exe with the complete File Path. For that Profile, all I have in the Executables box is this:
C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\IL-2 Sturmovik 1946\il2fb.exe\ The nHancer will read the File Path that the user indicates from the beginning at the disk-"C:", in my case-all the way to the exact folder at the end of the File Path.
For a copy of IL-2 that I use for offline movies when I need "perfect water" and jaggies removed, I have a separate Profile for it, named in the Application box as "IL-2 FB: Offline High Quality". This IL-2 is in a different folder, so it has a different File Path in nHancer to the sim (than the other IL-2), so I include it in the Profile. This Profile has a different unique File Path made in the Executable box when I activate the Profile.
The version of nHancer that I have is 2.4.5 and it gives instructions to me as I activate each feature of it. The nHancer tells me which features require that a particular Profile be activated manually. This is indicated in the Settings section to the right of my nHancer interface. When we click on each tab-Enhancements, Optimizations, and Compatibility-we find at the right little signs.
Auto shows that the feature on that line is activated automatically when the profile's application is started. OGL sign means that the option on that line is for OpenGL only and is activated automatically when the profile's application is started. A/M sign indicates that the function on that line is activated automatically for OpenGL and it is only activated for Direct 3D if the profile is activated manually.
For anyone who wonders, to activate a Profile manually you would go to the Tray icon of nHancer, right click on it, put your cursor on Activate Profile, and put a check in front of the Profile that you want to activate. These are the Profiles listed that you designated by putting a check in the box called Profile can be activated manually, near the Executables box in the nHancer interface. You can make changes to settings in the Tray icon, as well.
To summerize (wow, I'm trying not to use big words for everyone's sake), if you have only one version of IL-2 and only one Profile for it, then all you need is a file/folder indicated in the Executable of nHancer. If you have a bunch of stuff, then I recommend including a File Path, at least for the sake of clarity in your own mind.
By the way, I have discovered recently that DirectX renders different aspects of water that do not appear in OpenGL "perfect water" setting. Since DirectX renders
everything else at maximum settings in my rig while having better performance (including FPS) than OpenGL, I use DirectX most of the time. My processaffinitymask=3 (no ;
). In DirectX, I am using both cores, confirmed with Task Manager Resource Monitor, as well as 18-28 threads. AA and AF are at 16X, High Quality. My conf.ini has
all settings at Max (except so-called "perfect water"). My FPS is 30-50 while running the track called "Black Death", which is very demanding on FPS-but NO stuttering. The nHancer has made even the Black Death track run silky smooth.
This reply is very relevent to this Topic by "peybolman" because nHancer enforces Multi Core and Multi Threading. The nHancer has made this possible. Windows Task Manager Resource Monitor clearly proves this. The monitors show it to be true.
I understand that guys with different computers, hardware, and drivers may find a unique method to optimization. This works great for me, however.
You know what they say, right? " The proof is in the pudding " :wink: I hope this helps guys.
Thanks, "peybolman" for this great topic.
P.S. All I have is an ordinary laptop computer.
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*HP Pavilion dv6815nr Notebook PC ( A 2007-2008 model), 3GB RAM, 5GB Page File Size increased by me (C and D disks total)
AMD Turion 64x2 Dual Core, only 2.0 Ghz
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit Operating System
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*NVIDIA GeForce Go 7150M (Card won't accept later model card drivers)
With this system I get 30-50 FPS in DirectX with all Max settings or higher, little-but usually NO stuttering. My system doesn't seem to like OpenGL.