[hauton]

All I've got right now is FSO and all the stuff it installs.

[Asuko]

Isn't that an obvious enough question? Turn up the graphics!

..I just wouldn't want to turn anti-aliasing way too high.

[Mars]

Turn up AA get the advanced effects package... that's about it.

[Herra Tohtori]

Download the normal map enabled build and a normal map pack from this thread.

Max out all graphics detail in FS2 itself.

Make sure you have all the key features enabled in the command line. I use the following options:

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-spec -glow -env -mipmap -nomotiondebris -missile_lighting -normal -no_vsync -cache_bitmaps -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -rearm_timer -ship_choice_3d -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload -alpha_env -voicer -fps  -height -no_set_gamma -ambient_factor 60 -no_emissive_light -spec_exp 16.7 -spec_point 0.6 -spec_static 0.9 -spec_tube 1 -mod mediavps,normalmaps
...and a bunch of mod directories that I haven't included into MediaVP directory for one reason or another. But obviously many of these options are my personal preferences; if you wanna experiment with stuff like the -spec_* settings (which configure the specular lighting) and ambient factor (which defines the amount of ambient light in the game, ie. how much light there is on the shadow sides of ships), go to Hard Light wiki and look up Command Line Reference, gives tons of information on using different settings on the custom command line.

Anti-aliasing makes things look pretty as well, as was already said... I can pretty much use 8SxAA all the time, and I "only" have a GF 7600GT... also, enable mip mapping from the launcher, makes ships twinkle much less.

Find Lightspeed's nebulae and the version of FS2 campaign where they are enabled instead of the retail nebulae. Install them -> eye candy factor rises up a notch or two for the retail campaign.

...can't think of much else for now.

[Jeff Vader]

You might also want to get the following stuff from the Useful stuff for FSO link in my sig:

-Bobboau's beams
-LightSpeed's Nebulae
-The main FS2 campaign utilizing LightSpeed's Nebulae
-HTL Apollo
-HTL Athena
-HTL Loki

[hauton]

Just checking, but I extract the normal pack into the mediavps folder, along with the rest of the vp files, right?

EDIT: Looking at your command line, that doesn't make sense. Should I make a new folder called "normalmaps" and put the vp file there instead?

And I've tried a few missions and it's all good, although I'm a bit surprised that I'm getting a bit of lag randomly. I'm running an 8600GT GDDR3, 2GB RAM and a T7500 C2D. It's occurring not where I expect, when the big cap ships come out and whatnot, but moreso with conversations.

[Herra Tohtori]

It should work when you put them in mediaVPs directory, but I prefer to have it in separate directory, mainly for possible troubleshooting that sometimes needs to be done...

As for the lag in message sounds (if I got that right)... do you have "Preload mission game sounds" ticked in "Features" tab, "Audio" on the List type?

[hauton]

No, I didn't even know the feature existed, but now that I see it, I will try it! Thanks a lot!

As another sidenote, where would I extract HTL Loki and Athena? In Mediavps as well?

[Jeff Vader]

In \mediavps\data\ as they are in the archive. Also to \fsport\data\ in the same manner if you are planning on using them in FSPort.

Edit: Bobboau's Beams work the same way. Extract to \mediavps\data\ the same way they are in the archive.