Tutorial: post-processing effects for TS3 & TS4 with ReShade 2.0
All screenshots are unedited. View a larger version of this tutorial here.
The method is the same for all games, just substitute TS3 references.
ReShade is an advanced, fully generic post-processing injector for games and video software. Imagine your favorite game with ambient occlusion, real depth of field effects, color correction and more … ReShade exposes an automated and generic way to access both frame color and depth information (latter is automatically disabled during multiplayer to prevent exploitation) and all the tools to make it happen.
The possibilities are endless! Add advanced depth-edge-detection-driven SMAA anti-aliasing, screen space ambient occlusion, depth of field effects, chromatic aberration, dynamic film grain, automatic saturation and color correction, cross processing, multi-pass blurring … you name it.
ReShade essentially uses information from your game to calculate and produce a screen overlay of effects (called shaders) that can subtly enhance or completely change the look of your game. Tweak the configuration and settings to your heart’s content, or use a preset.
With post-processing you can:
use different methods of anti-aliasing
alter hues, vibrancy and sharpness
add dynamic depth of field and ambient occlusion
add lighting effects such as lens flare and bloom
Version 2.0 combines all the SweetFX shaders with new and exclusive ones. You can also keep using the game’s own anti-aliasing, unless you use a shader dependent on a depth buffer (more on that later). Shaders can be toggled and settings adjusted while in-game, in real time.
Most effects can be used for regular gameplay, others will only benefit taking screenshots or video as they distort the UI too much.