Guideline on changing resolution for Civ III

Rasbelin · November 21, 2001, 03:19

There has been so many questions on changing the screen resolution from the standard 1024x768 to something else, so I decided to make this FAQ for making it easier to find the information needed for changing the resolution.

A quote from the Civ III readme...

Quote:

Ini file tweaks: The first time Civilization III is run, it will create a file called 'civilization3.ini'. The following lines can be added and allow you to tweak the game:

KeepRes=1 - When set to 1, your desktop resolution will be what the game uses. 1024x768 screens will be centered, but you will be able to see much more of the map on one screen.

Video Mode=1792 / Video Mode=1600 / Video Mode=1280 / Video Mode=1152 - Force screen resolution to one of these settings.

How to do this?

1. Open the Civ III directory and click on the file called Civilization3.ini. The file will be opened in Windows Notepad.

2. Insert the line you wish to add for tweaking the resolution.
Examples: KeepRes=1 or Video Mode=1280.

3. Save the altered file by selecting Save from the File menu.

4. Run Civ III for testing the new settings.

Adm.Naismith · November 22, 2001, 09:22

Well done.

I suppose it should be moved on "Help" area, but it seems that most of new members of Apolyton usually look first at the "General" area, so it can be more useful here.

Sabre2th · November 22, 2001, 11:45

Good idea, posting this here. Who would've thought that the readme had useful information?

Venger · November 22, 2001, 13:21

Now if you could only set the refresh rate...

Venger
P.S. Exactly HOW LAME IS IT that in 2001 we are editing .ini files to change resolution?

eRAZOR · November 22, 2001, 13:37

Quote:

Originally posted by Venger
Now if you could only set the refresh rate...

Venger
P.S. Exactly HOW LAME IS IT that in 2001 we are editing .ini files to change resolution?

It fits perfectly to the overall state of the game.

RIH Infogrames

Rasbelin · November 22, 2001, 15:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Venger
Now if you could only set the refresh rate...

You'll have to do that by changing the general Windows refresh rate for the resolution you're using for Civ III, if you have tweaked the .ini file.

Here's a short guideline...

1. Select the screen resolution you want to configure for the Civ III use. Remeber that the same settings will be used under Windows whenever you use the resolution in question.

2. After selecting the resolution you want to modify, click Apply and follow the instructions. After that, click the Advanced... button.

3. Select the refresh rate you want to use for the selected resolution from the pulldown menu.

4. Click Apply and follow the instructions.

5. It's done! Just start civing.

Rasbelin · November 22, 2001, 16:08

Thanks for the compliments, Adm.Naismith and Sabre2th!

I'll post these how-to's in the FAQ I'm going to post tomorrow in the help group. Hopefully that will decrease the ammount of settlers asking the same questions again and again.

KoalaBear33 · November 22, 2001, 16:16

good job explaining how to change resolution

KoalaBear33

KoalaBear33 · November 22, 2001, 16:18

Someone was criticizing how we need to change INI files for res changes... well, if the feature is not deemed essential to the game then it is good to keep it away from the in-game config screen. I think resolution is one such thing (ie. not something that an average person will go around changing--default is good enough)...

KoalaBear33

Venger · November 22, 2001, 16:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Rasbelin

You'll have to do that by changing the general Windows refresh rate for the resolution you're using for Civ III, if you have tweaked the .ini file.

Your instructions don't work on Windows 2000. The game takes the HIGHEST refresh rate it can find and uses it. As a result I have 1600x1200 at 75Hz - instead of my desktop resolution of 60Hz.

As to your point Koala, nearly every game released allows you to change the resolution, failing to include it in the game menu and resort to .ini hacking is plain laziness.

Venger

Rasbelin · November 22, 2001, 16:43

I don't have any opinion on whether the resolution options should be visible or not. I assume it would be better to have them more easily accesible, but I haven't still made up my mind.

The Andy-Man · November 22, 2001, 16:45

som how do i force civ3 to run under 800x600 pixles and 16bit res? (i have a very old GPX card thingy)

Grunthex · November 22, 2001, 18:36

You don't. Like it said right on the box, 1024x768 is required.