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[3] HOW TO
TheNamec's Mega Bezel Retrogaming packs are designed to be easy to pick up for everyone, being them RetroArch newcomers or skilled users: please read this guide carefully for a quick start.
Please refer to the FAQ before asking for support.
To enjoy Mega Bezel Retrogaming Packs you need to install:
- RetroArch v1.9.1 or later
- HSM Mega Bezel Reflection Shader
- TheNamec Mega Bezel Commodore Pack
Optional: in order to play AMIGA, COMMODORE64 and VIC20/VC20 games you need to install RetroArch emulation modules called 'cores', named as follows:
- Commodore - Amiga (PUAE)
- Commodore - C64 (VICE x64, fast), Commodore - C64 (VICE x64sc, accurate)
- Commodore - VIC-20 (VICE xvic)
Cores installation is easily done from within RetroArch:
- Install and launch RetroArch
- Main menu -> Online updater -> Core Downloader
- Select your core of choice
- RetroArch will download and install the core automatically
Note: AMIGA emulation requires copyrighted BIOS files with specific MD5 checksums. Please refer to PUAE Core Docs for more info and remember: Google is your friend 🔍
TheNamec Mega Bezel Commodore Pack was developed on a Ryzen5 3600 @ 4.2Ghz, 16 GB of RAM, GTX 1660 Super @ 1080p: with this configuration I get flawless 60 frames per seconds and never experienced slowdowdowns. I agree this is a nice mid-tier rig, so I'm quite curious to know how it performs on older machines. One thing I'm sure: in the present form, you will not be able to use my Retrogaming Packs on mobile devices and Raspberry Pi.
Commodore systems emulation isn't demanding, as we are talking about 8 and 16 bit machines with 2D graphics and low resolutions: point is, TheNamec Mega Bezel Commodore Pack aims for an high quality presentation and it's built upon one of the most complex and advanced presets from the HSM Mega Bezel Reflection Shader arsenal, called MBZ_ADVANCED_GUEST-DrVENOM.
HSM Mega Bezel Reflection Shader advanced presets can be taxing on both CPU and graphics card as it renders multiple chained passes doing a lot of real time computation for graphic layers, CRT simulation and post-processing color-correction and effects.
To further boost the experience, I chose to activate post-processing and I was pretty astonished by results, in particular MDAPT - Merge Dithering And Pseudo Transparency was particularly good in simulating pseudo transparencies from checkered assets like out bad CRT did in the good old days: those effects are really cool, but they make requirements a little higher.
HyperSpaceMadness is working hard at improving his shader performance by implementing baking solutions and reducing the number of rendering passes while mantaining delightful visuals: by the way, if you find the shader to be too heavy for your rig, you are free to deactivate unwanted features by creating you customized preset.
Note: in the future I may evaluate to build a 'lite edition' of my pack using pre-baked assets trading flexibility for performance, but right now I'm more focused about creating new presets than taking care of multiple pack editions. 😁
Please carefully read requirements and before you start sections. Refer to the F.A.Q. before asking for support.
- INSTALL RETROARCH FRONTEND
- Download latest release from RetroArch official site (RetroArch v.1.9.1 or later required)
- Install according to your Operative System
IMPORTANT: configure RetroArch for use with HSM Mega Bezel Reflection Shader:
- Main Menu -> Settings -> Video -> Output set 'Video' to 'vulkan' or any slang compatible video driver (vulkan, gl, glcore, metal, Direct3D, WiiU)
- Main Menu -> Settings -> Video -> Scaling set 'Integer Scale' to OFF and 'Aspect Ratio' to your display format (i.e. 16:9)
- Main Menu -> settings -> Config set 'Save config on exit' to On
- Main Menu -> Restart RetroArch
- Main Menu -> settings -> Config set 'Save config on exit' to Off
Note: refer to Official Libretro Docs 'For users/Getting Started' sections for detailed frontend and cores step-by-step instructions specific for each supported OS.
- INSTALL HSM MEGA BEZEL REFLECTION SHADER
- Dowload latest release from HSM Mega Bezel Reflection Shader @ Libretro Forums
- Copy folders from the archive to RetroArch root
- You're done!
- INSTALL THENAMEC MEGA BEZEL COMMODORE PACK
- Download latest release from TheNamec Retrogaming Graphic Packs
- Copy folders 'overlays' and 'shaders' from the archive to RetroArch root
- You're done!
- INSTALL RETROARCH CORES (OPTIONAL) Cores installation is easily done from within RetroArch.
Launch RetroArch and use Core Downloader to automatically install recommended cores: PUAE for Amiga, VICE_x64 for Commodore64 and VICE_xvic for VIC20/VC20:
- Main menu -> Online updater -> Core Downloader
- Select your core of choice (PUAE, VICE x64, VICE xvic)
- RetroArch will download and install the core automatically
Note: you can use Mega Bezel Retrogaming Packs with any core, but it would be quite sacrilegious to play a Super Mario Bros NES title with a Commodore64 graphics preset, isn't it? 👾
You can use one of my pre-made presets for an hassle-free experience:
- Launch a game
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Load Shader Preset -> shaders_slang -> bezel -> megabezel-commodore-pack -> choose a platform -> choose a preset
- Wait a couple seconds for the preset to load and... bam! You're done.
- Quick Menu -> Resume and enjoy the experience
Note: unless you save a custom preset, you will have to manually reload the graphic preset every time you close the game or quit RetroArch! To avoid this, read the 'Customize presets (advanced)' section.
Common retrogamer needs leading to presets customization include:
- Fixing per-game overscan and centering. PAL/NTSC adaptions, damn you! 👿
- Fiddling with display scaling, position and aspect ratio
- Tuning Nightmode lightning and reflection settings
- Invest countless hours in visual configuration instead of happily playing a retrogame
RetroArch is a swiss-knife for customization so go on with the reading!
Fist of all, activate the 'Simple Preset' feature to automatically save a custom preset containing parameters values, thus preserving default shader preset.
Enable 'Simple Presets':
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Save set 'Simple Presets' to ON
Note: If you don't enable 'Simple Preset', your customizations may destroy the original presets and bad things may happen. Or maybe not. I wouldn't risk it 😰
Adjust shader parameters:
- Load a game (you better choose one without time limits😉)
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Load Shader Preset and choose a preset
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Shader Parameters -> Parameters
- Adjust settings to your preference
- Quick Menu -> Resume and enjoy your customized game
To save your settings:
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Save -> Choose one option
To determine wich saving option is the better for you, please refer to the Save and autoload customized presets section.
Note: unless you save your custom settings, you will lose all of them when you close the game or quit RetroArch!
Adjust shader parameters:
- Load a game (you better choose one without time limits😉)
- Exit fullscreen by pressing 'f' key
- Windows-> select 'Toggle Desktop Menu'
- Desktop Menu window opens up, View-> select Shaders
- Shaders Panel opens up, press 'Load' button, choose 'Load'
- Navigate to the shader you want to customize, select and press 'Open' button
- Use the Shaders panel to customize settings, you can view the results applied to the game in real time in the RetroArch main window
To save your settings:
- In Shaders Panel, press 'Save' button and choose one option
- Re-enable fullscreen by selecting Retroarch main window and pressing 'f' key
To determine wich saving option is the better for you, please refer to the Save and autoload customized presets section.
For use with multi-system cores (a single core emulates more than one model), you have different choices to save and load your presets: do some experimentation and find the one that best fits your needs!
Note: for a more in-depth reading about RetroArch customizable configurations refer to official Libretro Docs: Shaders and Overrides features.
I'd like to manually load a preset each time I launch a game
- PRO: you are free to load whatever shader preset you like, regardless of game, core or path
- CON: you have to reload the shader preset each time you start a content
To save your settings:
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Save -> Save Shader preset as... -> give a name and save
- (Next time you boot a game) Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Load Shader Preset -> choose a preset
Note: Custom preset are saved in the '/shaders' path
I'd like to autoload the same preset each time I use a specific core (i.e. PUAE)
- PRO: RetroArch will load the same preset for all games using a specific core
- CON: You can use ONE graphic pack per-core, meaning you can't have AMIGA500 and AMIGA1200 at the same time (see 'folder' and 'game' presets)
To save your settings:
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Save -> Save Core preset
Note: Custom core preset are saved in the '/config/%CoreName%' path in a %CoreName%.slangp file
I'd like to autoload the same preset for all games from a specific folder (i.e. 'roms/Commodore - Amiga')
- PRO: RetroArch will load the same preset for ALL the games in a specific folder. Usually this is the sweet spot to use more than one graphic pack on a multi-system core (i.e. for PUAE core I use three distinct folders for Amiga500 floppies, Amiga1200 hard drives and AmigaCD32 disks to apply separate A500, A1200 and AmigaCD32 presets)
- CON: You can't have game-specific shader adjustments, most commons being overscan tuning (unless you use save separate core settings or go on with per-game presets)
To save your settings:
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Save -> Save Content Directory preset
Note: Custom directory preset are saved in the '/config/%CoreName%' path in a %FolderName%.slangp file
I'd like to autoload a specific preset for my favourite game
- PRO: RetroArch will load a specific preset each time you boot a specific game. This way you can tune the shader settings to perfection, including position and overscan, for each game. You can also choose different graphic packs for each game.
- CON: You'll have to do this for every-single-game-you-love 💕.
To save your settings:
- Quick Menu -> Shaders -> Save -> Game preset
Note: Custom game preset are saved in the '/config/%CoreName%' path in a %GameName%.slangp file
How to uninstall HSM Commodore Pack?
Delete 'overlays/thenamec' and 'shaders/shaders_slang/bezel/thenamec' folders
How to update HSM Commodore Pack?
Copy 'overlays' and 'shaders' folders from the archive you downloaded to RetroArch root
Which CRT shader are the presets based upon?
Guest-DrVenom
Everything looks funky and stretchy! What the hell is going on?
Remember to set up RetroArch for use with HSM Mega Bezel, look at the 'Before you start' section
Can't see any preset in the shaders/shaders_slang/bezel/thenamec folder!
You have to choose a slang compatible video driver in your RetroArch settings, look at the 'Before you start' section
Vulkan, gl or glcore? Which video driver is better?
As always, vulkan performs better on AMD GPUs, while GL/GLCORE is more general purpose. Any .slang capable driver will be fine, including: vulkan, gl, glcore, metal, Direct3D, WiiU
Will you add new presets and systems to HSM Commodore Pack?
Only time will tell 😇
Will you develop packs for systems other than Commodore?
Duimon made an incredible effort with his HUGE graphic project, give it a shot
Do you accept requests?
Maybe. Do you have obscure Commodore devices you think I should add to the HSM Commodore Pack?
Why did you make it for 4K, 16:9? Where's 8K? Where's 16:10?
Being pure vectors artwork, I can virtually upscale it to infinite resolutions and dimensions. If only I had infinite RAM. Right now 4K is a good compromise of file size, performance and quality. Actually I don't have a 16:10 display for testing... 🤷♂️
What did you use to draw the artworks?
An experimental vector drawing application and a Logi G-502 mouse. No fancy graphic tablets were harmed during the process.
What's HSM Mega Bezel shader?
HSM Mega Bezel Reflection Shader is an impressive project trying to mimic the best aspects of obsolete technology while reducing/erasing its worst defects: a real time all-in-one CRT engine powered by popular shaders like Guest-DrVenom, Royale, CRT-Geom Deluxe, LCD-GRID and NewPixie. More info at https://forums.libretro.com/t/hsm-mega-bezel-reflection-shader-feedback-and-updates
Mega Bezel Commodore Pack (C) TheNamec 2020-2021