GTA 3 Graphics modding guide (must see)!

[arce]

Originally Posted by Dan007

All us Iphone 4 users (A4 chip) know how many graphical features were removed from GTA 3 in favor of a `performance boost`! These include:
*No traffic lights
*Low-res textures
*No car lights
*No night lights (including pole lights)
*Basically no light effects AT ALL, not even the sun effects!
*No shadows
*No blood effects
Did all these (apparently unnecessary) sacrifices give crispy, solid performance? NO!
The game is still jittery and sometimes reaches unplayable framerates on iphone 4. Well, then why should we deal with much less pretty graphics if there is a way to enjoy this:

By modding the gta3.set file.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Download XVI32 (or any other hex editor you like)
2. Download iExplorer (a program that lets you browse files on your iphone)
3. Open iExplorer and connect your iphone 4 (with gta 3 installed) to your PC via USB.
4. You should see a selection of catalogs of your iphone 4 in iExplorer. Under APPS, find gta3 (a folder with a name starting with com.rockstargames...). in that folder, open the `Documents` folder. There should be a gta3.set file there.
5. Extract the file and open it with a hex editor (e.g. XVI32)
6. Find the following registers to enable the effects:
Register 0x67C is responsible for enabling \ disabling lighting effects (lights, lamps, flashing lights): 00 - off, 02 - on
Register 0x678 is responsible for enabling \ disabling shadows under objects: 00 - off, 01 - on
Register 0x676 is responsible for resolution... in Ipad 80 (HiRes), in DHD 19 (LowRes)"
7. FOR DRAW DISTANCE:
view distance varies gta3.set at offset 0x568. Here are all the levels are taken from the PC version, since the maximum

"66 66 E6", Maximum drawing distance
"66 66 DE",
"66 66 D6",
"66 66 CE",
"66 66 C6",
"66 66 BE",
"66 66 B6 ",
" 66 66 AE ", Medium drawing distance (good compromise performance/quality)
" 66 66 A6 ",
" 66 66 9E ",
" 66 66 96 "
" 66 66 8E ",
" 66 66 86 ",
" CC CC 7C ",
" CC CC 6C ",
" CC CC 5C ",
" CD CC 4C ". Minimum drawing disance
" CC CC A4 " iOS A4 chipset drawing distance (some sort of custom value)
8. Using the above instructions, edit the gta3.set file, and place it back in the Documents folder in iExplorer (replacing the old file). I found that medium draw distance, no shadows and all other effects enabled actually BOOSTS performance on the iphone 4 AND looks HEAPS better than the default preset Rockstar gave us.
9. Open GTA 3 on your iphone, and go to options - controls - reset defaults
10. Enjoy your much better looking and performing GTA 3!

IMPORTANT: you do NOT need to jailbreak or pirate the game in order to get these features!
Preset gta3.set file (no shadows, lights, med. draw distance, better textures, blood etc.):gta3.set

can you upload your files please?

[Dan007]

Originally Posted by arce

can you upload your files please?

Check the bottom of the first post.
To everyone: link to my gta3.set file is at the bottom of the first post. It won't necessarily guarantee you mind-blowing results, but it's the preset I found works best for me.

[arce]

ok thanks

[12yam]

Any alternative to iexplorer? I don't want to pay 5 bucks for it...

EDIT: nvm, i feel like an idiot. You weren't talking about the iPod app "iexplorer", were you?

[Xapped]

Originally Posted by 12yam

Any alternative to iexplorer? I don't want to pay 5 bucks for it...

EDIT: nvm, i feel like an idiot. You weren't talking about the iPod app "iexplorer", were you?

No, the PC app.

[12yam]

OMG this works so well on my 4th gen iPod!!!!! THANK YOU!!! Framerate's taken a little hit...but the draw distance and textures make up for that in a HUGE way! BTW, i used the preset, so better textures, shadows, a bit of lighting effects, and better draw distance. but no blood.

I'm just curious though, if an update is released would I have to mod it again?

I'm kind of a noob, so sorry :P

[Dan007]

Originally Posted by 12yam

OMG this works so well on my 4th gen iPod!!!!! THANK YOU!!! Framerate's taken a little hit...but the draw distance and textures make up for that in a HUGE way! BTW, i used the preset, so better textures, shadows, a bit of lighting effects, and better draw distance. but no blood.

I'm just curious though, if an update is released would I have to mod it again?

I'm kind of a noob, so sorry :P

Im afraid you would have to mod it again since with the update you would also download the gta3.set file, and all the modded features would be reset
UPDATE: Another gta3.set file has been uploaded (link at the bottom of first post), which is basically gives you graphics identical to the IP 4S and Ipad 2 versions. Framerate takes a little hit, but the game has even more effects like blood and max draw distance.
For some bizarre reason, when shadows are turned off, traffic lights and blood get turned off as well. So if you are willing to sacrifice 2-3 FPS for those, enable shadows (instruction at the first post )

[arce]

working perfect on my iphone 4

[electroman12]

Help! I do not know how to work the hex editor I do not see a 0x67C / how do I work this- do I use the 0 on the left column? But then where do I find the 67C? Thanks!

[12yam]

Originally Posted by electroman12

Help! I do not know how to work the hex editor I do not see a 0x67C / how do I work this- do I use the 0 on the left column? But then where do I find the 67C? Thanks!

Dan007 did a really good job with his presets. I'd suggest you skip the hex editor and use his.