3DMM Screen Capture on Modern GPU and MIDI "Fix"

[Crackedeggs]

Introduction
I've spent the last few days dismayed at the lack of information online, first on how to workaround the issue with MIDI volume always being 100%, and then on how to even capture 3DMM in 2022 without getting horribly pixelated results.

Nowadays we have 4K displays and pixel densities above 100%. 3DMM doesn't know how to deal with either. As a result, what seemed to look fine 10 - even 5 years ago, results in horrible edges and excessive dithering. For example, my display is normally set to 4K but with 200% density. This normally results in 1080p with very smooth lines and tiny details.

However, being that 3DMM can only output 100%, screen capturing while the display adapter is set this way meant that I was actually only capturing 50% (100/200) of the pixels output by 3DMM. Everything was extremely blocky looking.

Note: This guide assumes you already have 3DMM installed (I used the Modern Installer to get it on Windows 10), and OBS Studio installed. I also mention Adobe Premiere at the end, but in theory any decent non-linear video editor should suffice.

Configuring the Display Adapter
So when you are preparing to capture, change your display adapter settings in Windows, so that the resolution is no higher than 1920x1080, and the density/scaling is only 100%. If it doesn't let you go lower than 150% or something like that, then you need to reduce the resolution or swap to a lower quality monitor.

Next, in Program Files, right click 3DMM.exe and open Properties. In the Compatibility tab, use a "Reduced Color Mode" of "16-bit". The default is 8-bit, which is technically correct for this program, but for some reason we can get a bit less dithering with 16-bit.

To get 3DMM to run without crashing in Windows 10, do not select any Compatibility Mode. To make it easier to use OBS for capture later, do NOT activate "Run in 640x480 screen resolution".

Temporarily open 3DMM.exe and press CTRL + Shift + i. For Display Options, make sure "Run in Window" is selected. For Performance Options, make sure "Better Quality" is selected. And "Make these the default settings."

After applying those settings, close 3DMM for now.

"Fixing" the MIDI 100% Volume Issue
Caveat: This is not an in-program fix. Your movie will still playback at 100% in 3DMM. However, it will be possible to fix in post (such as Adobe Premiere) without having to capture twice (once dialogue, once BGM) or any other tricks you may have been thinking of. We just need to make a bunch of configuration changes before opening 3DMM and attempting the screen capture.

1. Install CoolSoft VirtualMIDISynth.
2. Install VBCABLE_Driver.
3. Right-click the Volume icon in the Windows taskbar, and click "Sounds." Go to the Playback tab. Scroll down to an entry called "CABLE Input", and make sure it's enabled.
4. Download this soundfont or something like it from early windows. Being that the linked font is supposedly the default Windows MIDI from 1996, I assume this gives the most authentic music that the designers of 3DMM intended.
5. Open VirtualMIDISynth. On the Soundfonts tab, add a new entry and locate the file gm.sf2 that you downloaded. On the "MIDI Mapper" tab, for "Default MIDI device", select "VirtualMIDISynth #1." On the Options tab, for "Output Audio Device", choose "CABLE input". Apply.
6. Open 3DMM.
7. Open OBS Studio.
8. In OBS, create a Source of type "Window Capture." Highlight it and click the cog to open its settings. For "Window", pick "3D Movie Maker." Uncheck "Capture cursor."
9. In OBS, create a Source for "Audio Output Capture" and name it "MIDI Out." Highlight it and click the cog to open its settings. For "Device", pick "CABLE Input."
10. In OBS, under Controls, go to Settings > Output > Recording. For "Audio Track", make sure 1 and 2 are checked. Apply and Okay.
11. In OBS, under "Audio Mixer", mute all sources EXCEPT:
    • Desktop Audio
    • MIDI Out
    Right click a cog and click "Advanced Audio Properties." In the list:
    • For "Desktop Audio" make sure to check ONLY "Track 1".
    • For "MIDI Out" make sure to check ONLY "Track 2".
    Close that window.
12. In the Windows taskbar, right click the Volume icon, and open Volume Mixer. Make sure the current output device is your headphones or speakers. Mute everything except:
    • The headphones/speakers
    • OBS Studio
    • 3DMM
    • VirtualMIDISynth, if shown
13. In OBS, you can now Start Recording. In 3DMM, you can now start playing.
14. When you are done recording, background audio should have been saved as a separate audio track. When I import this video into Adobe Premiere, I get the video on V1, and audio separated on A1 (dialogue, sounds) and A2 (music). I can then adjust the music track as needed, but it seems like at least -16db is required.

Whenever you want to capture a new movie from 3DMM, repeat these steps (minus the downloading/installing obviously).

Since I made this guide after already achieving an acceptable result, it is possible that I glanced over or omitted some steps. If you have trouble, or have some tweaks that can get slightly better results, please let me know and I'll update the guide. Also, if moderators like this guide, they may want to mirror some of the files/downloads just in case.