Thread Fighting Tips

There are several settings you can change to optimize your experience when fighting thread. Many of these are helpful when simply flying around, and some may simply be a matter of taste. These settings may also not be viable if you have an older graphics card or lower-end PC - experiment with them, and see what your system can handle.

Graphics Settings

The settings discussed in this section affect the graphics quality and amount of Network Lag you may experience in your flight.

Draw Distance

In order to get the most pleasant experience from your thread fight, you need to see them, and minimize the amount of time your computer is downloading additional textures as you fly over newly exposed land. Under Preferences, check the "Graphics" tab and set the "Draw Distance" control to the highest you can, preferably 512m. This will cause your client to download an enormous amount of data about the textures and items within drawing distance, as much as 16 simulators worth if you are on mainland or large group of contiguous islands. However, as you fly around, your computer will not have to re-download this data, meaning less Network Lag. In order to fully take advantage of this, it is recommended that you arrive at the location at least 15 minutes in advance, to give your system time to download all of this data. Ideally, fly up a bit (100 meters or so) and either turn in circles or fly around until you see no more grey textures.

If your computer is not capable of running smoothly at this draw distance, lower it until it can, but no lower. The less data your system has to retrieve over the network, the better and smoother your experience will be.

Graphics Detail

Pern Dragons have at least some shine to them - being well-oiled leathery creatures, with smooth hides. However, your computer may not show this unless a specific setting is enabled. It is enabled or disabled by default depending upon your Graphics Card. Under Preferences, check the "Graphics Detail" tab and look for "Enable Bumpmap and Shiny" - make sure it's checked. While you're in this section, I highly recommend enabling "Nearby Local Lights" - this will greatly enhance your SL experience if your computer can handle it.

Debug Settings

There are a few changes that can be made under the Debug Menus that will increase visibility while flying, and can give SL a much cleaner look. In addition, it may help raise your frame rate.

You will need access to the Debug Menus to make these changes - if you do not see "Client" and "Server" in the Menu Bar after "Help", press CONTROL-ALT-SHIFT-D to enable them.

Turn off Fog

Fog is the term for the grainy vision blocking haze that Second Life uses to make distant objects appear so. Pressing CONTROL-ALT-6 (or selecting "Client->Rendering->Features->Fog") will disable Fog, giving you a clear view to the end of your Draw Distance.

Turn off Clouds

While pretty, and possibly useful as an indication of altitude, clouds can obscure your view of falling thread. Pressing CONTROL-ALT-SHIFT-MINUS ("-") (or selecting "Client->Rendering->Types->Clouds") will disable clouds.

Turn off Ground

This feature is a little deceptively named - it will not turn off the ground texture, referred to in the client as "SurfacePatch". It will turn off the Ground Plane - an extension of the ground shown when the actual surface is outside your Draw Distance. Pressing CONTROL-ALT-SHIFT-8 (or selecting "Client->Rendering->Types->Ground") will disable this artificial horizon. This will give you a much smoother horizon - however, a drawback is that it will show the sun below the horizon.

Final Thoughts

While Thread spores will show up at night, they can be very difficult to see if they are heavily damaged, as they get darker. You may wish to override the sun and force "Noon" - by hitting CONTROL-SHIFT-Y (or selecting "World->Force Sun->Noon").

Most of the settings under the Debug Menus will only last through one session, and will reset to the defaults the next time you sign in. The same is true for overriding the sun.