Sample Lighting Settings

This page documents some sample lighting settings. These must be entered into the optional command line parameters to have any effect. Best results are always achieved using the MediaVPs and with glowmaps, shinemaps, normal maps and environment maps turned on. Please consult the Command Line Reference page for specific notes on these settings.

FreeSpace Engine Default Settings

These are the Engine defaults used when no settings are specified as shown here, for easy reference.

• -ambient_factor 128
• -spec_exp 16
• -spec_point 1.0
• -spec_static 1.0
• -spec_tube 1.0
• -ogl_spec 80
• -bloom_intensity 75

Recommended "Baseline" Settings

These are the recommended light settings as mentioned here, for easy reference.

• -ambient_factor 75
• -spec_exp 11
• -spec_point 0.6
• -spec_static 0.8
• -spec_tube 0.4
• -ogl_spec 60

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 75 -spec_exp 11 -spec_point 0.6 -spec_static 0.8 -spec_tube 0.4 -ogl_spec 60

Recommended Diaspora Settings

These are the recommended light settings for Diaspora. For now, you'll only see them available in Diaspora's version of the launcher.

• -ambient_factor 90
• -spec_exp 0.7
• -spec_point 0.7
• -spec_static 1.0
• -spec_tube 1.0
• -ogl_spec 15
• -bloom_intensity 20

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 90 -spec_exp 0.7 -spec_tube 1.0 -spec_point 0.7 -spec_static 1.0 -ogl_spec 15 -bloom_intensity 20

DaBrain's Settings

DaBrain's settings feature relatively even lighting with a low specular value.

• -ambient_factor 10
• -no_emissive_light
• -spec_exp 7.0
• -spec_point 8.6
• -spec_static 12.8
• -spec_tube 5.0

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 10 -no_emissive_light -spec_exp 7.0 -spec_point 8.6 -spec_static 12.8 -spec_tube 5.0

Herra Tohtori's Settings

Herra Tohtori's settings feature high specularity and glossiness.

• -ambient_factor 35
• -no_emissive_light
• -spec_exp 15
• -spec_point 1.2
• -spec_static 1.5
• -spec_tube 1.5
• -ogl_spec 20

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 35 -no_emissive_light -spec_exp 15 -spec_point 1.2 -spec_static 1.5 -spec_tube 1.5 -ogl_spec 20

CKid's Settings

CKid's settings adds emphasis on glowmaps and normal maps.

• -ambient_factor 35
• -no_emissive_light
• -spec_exp 16.7
• -spec_point 0.6
• -spec_static 0.9
• -spec_tube 1

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 35 -no_emissive_light -spec_exp 16.7 -spec_point 0.6 -spec_static 0.9 -spec_tube 1

ColeCampbell666's Settings

ColeCampbell666's settings result in a very dark environment with most of the lighting coming from weapons fire.

• -ambient_factor 0
• -no_emissive_light
• -spec_exp 11
• -spec_point .6
• -spec_static .8
• -spec_tube .4
• -ogl_spec 80

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 0 -no_emissive_light -spec_exp 11 -spec_point .6 -spec_static .8 -spec_tube .4 -ogl_spec 80

Castor's Settings

"The thing with 'darker' settings is that the lower you go, the more dependent it will be on the quality/settings of the particular display you are viewing it on." -- Castor

• -ambient_factor 75
• -spec_exp 7.0
• -spec_point 8.6
• -spec_static 3.0
• -spec_tube 5.0

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 75 -spec_exp 7.0 -spec_point 8.6 -spec_static 3.0 -spec_tube 5.0

Spidey's Settings

Spidey's settings nicely balance emphasis on diffuse, specular, and normal maps.

• -ambient_factor 5
• -spec_exp 15
• -spec_point 1.2
• -spec_static 1.7
• -spec_tube 1.5
• -ogl_spec 50

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 5 -spec_exp 15 -spec_point 1.2 -spec_static 1.7 -spec_tube 1.5 -ogl_spec 50

Woolie Wool's Settings

Woolie Wool's settings use a very focused specular lighting to emphasize the normal maps and model contours, and a high ambient light setting to make lighting more dependent on the mission settings.

• -ambient_factor 105
• -no_emissive_light
• -spec_exp 9
• -spec_point 0.3
• -spec_static 0.8
• -spec_tube 0.7
• -ogl_spec 120

Note: Copy and paste this line into your launcher's custom flags box to make it work: -ambient_factor 105 -no_emissive_light -spec_exp 9 -spec_point 0.3 -spec_static 0.8 -spec_tube 0.7 -ogl_spec 120