The challenge with ATS has always been its rendering of fine lines—fences, power lines, and distant thin objects. Old methods involving NVIDIA Profile Inspector are largely obsolete for newer game versions. Today, the best competitive advantage comes from combining the in-game TAA+SMAA hybrid with manual sharpening tweaks in the config file. This ensures that the image remains crisp while completely removing the “jitter” during camera movement.
Hardware Compatibility & Expectations
- Resolution Matters: If you play at 1080p, these tweaks are mandatory to prevent the game from looking “washed out.”
- GPU Overhead: Higher scaling (300%+) and SSAO are the biggest performance killers. If you have a mid-range card, prioritize these config tweaks over high scaling.
- 1.50+ Compatibility: These settings are specifically tuned for the modern Prism3D engine updates (2024–2026).
Backup and Preparation
Before editing system-level speech settings, ensure the game is closed.
- Exit American Truck Simulator.
- Navigate to your Documents folder.
- Right-click config.cfg, select Copy, and save a backup to your desktop.
- Open the original file with Notepad++.
File Location
The global configuration file is located here: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\American Truck Simulator\config.cfg
Best Config Settings
Search for these parameters and update them to the values below to achieve the “Ultra Sharp” look:
uset r_buffer_page_size "50"
uset t_averaging_window_length "240"
uset r_ssao "0"
uset r_smaa "1"
uset r_sun_shadow_texture_size "8192"
uset g_lod_factor_parked "2.0"
uset g_lod_factor_traffic "2.0"Pro Tip: To reduce TAA blur, adjust
t_averaging_window_length. Set it to double your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 288 for 144Hz) for maximum smoothness.
Key Parameters Explained
| Parameter | Recommended Value | Impact |
| r_buffer_page_size | 50 | Increases the data buffer, reducing micro-stutters when loading new map sectors. |
| r_sun_shadow_texture_size | 8192 | Forces ultra-high resolution shadows, removing jagged edges on the ground. |
| g_lod_factor_traffic | 2.0 | Prevents AI trucks from “popping” into high-detail mode at the last second. |
| r_ssao | 0 | Turning this off in config removes the “dirty” flickering shadows in truck cabins. |
| t_averaging_window_length | 120-240 | Controls the temporal filter’s sample size; higher = smoother movement. |
In-Game Settings vs. Config
Match your .cfg edits with these in-game “Graphics” menu selections:
- Anti-Aliasing: Set to TAA + SMAA.
- TAA Tuning: Set to Adaptive Clarity or Always Sharp.
- Scaling: 300% is the sweet spot. 400% is ideal if you have 10GB+ VRAM.
- Luma Sharpening: Set to 1.5 or 2.0 to counteract TAA blur.
Troubleshooting & Common Fixes
- The “Screen Door” Effect: If you see a grid-like pattern on your truck’s hood, disable SSAO in the config.
- Low FPS at Night: If your frame rate tanks when headlights turn on, lower
r_sun_shadow_texture_sizeback to 4096. - Ghosting: If you see “trails” behind moving objects, set TAA Tuning to Always Sharp and lower your
t_averaging_window_lengthto 60.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Scaling 400% still better than TAA?
Scaling at 400% is essentially “Super Sampling.” It provides the best quality but is 4x as heavy as 100%. Native TAA is much more efficient and, when sharpened via config, looks nearly as good for half the performance cost.
Why change the buffer page size?
The default value is often too low for modern DLC maps like Texas or Nebraska, which have high asset density. Increasing it to 50 ensures the engine doesn’t “hitch” when streaming in new scenery.
Does this work for VR?
Yes, but for VR, keep r_ssao at 0 and prioritize r_buffer_page_size to prevent nausea-inducing frame drops.
Conclusion and Expected Results
By manually adjusting the config.cfg, you move beyond the limitations of the standard UI. You can expect stable shadows, no more flickering power lines, and an overall cleaner image that makes those long hauls across the states much more immersive.