[Axem]

I tried both of them and without the pcx32 flag I noticed no slowdown. The only problem is they expand way to fast, so I couldn't really see how they looked.

But when I do turn the flag on for the pcx one well, lets just say that I get a real good look at them. I don't think my computer liked that.

My computer specs are:
AMD 2600+
512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 256MB
command line: -spec -glow -jpgtga -targetinfo -nomotiondebris -2d_poof -max_subdivide -env

And its your birthday?! You should've told me so I wouldn't have got you anything. (j/k)

[taylor]

@Axem:  You've got enough memory that would probably wouldn't notice it that much with the PCX version.  If you were playing a large mission though it would crawwwl.  If you use the pcx32 option the shockwave animation has just gobbled up 376 megs of your RAM so yeah, it's going to be kinda slow.

Oh and I'm pretty sure that -max_subdivide does absolutely nothing.  Unless it's written in invisible code that is.  I was going to make sure OpenGL could make use of the option until I noticed that it's not used *anywhere* in the code.

@DaBrain:  I don't have a DDS viewer to check for sure but about the last 25 frames of the PCX version seem a bit different from the DDS version.  I don't know if it's the increased dimensions (1024x1024 is really too big for an anim though) or if you just restructured some of the frames to cut 5 off, but it looks better.  Also I don't know if it's possible but if you cut the frames down to between 80 and 84 and getting looking good with DDS it would be a very nice, and (relatively) memory friendly, effect.  I have a feeling that it's not going to be very good with that many frames cut out but the idea is there if you think it's worth a try.  Nice work either way though, the DDS version is my default shockwave now.

[DaBrain]

The effect itself is extremly altered even before the last frames.
I fear it's to complicated now to cut our frames from the middle.
The only thin I can do is to cut out one or two frames from the start.

I'll probably go for a 91-93 frame, 512² DXT5 animation.
Bigger than the old ani, but faster. So I think that's an improvement.
And I'll use only one or no LOD, to save memory. It's faster than an ANI anyway, so why use LOD.


BTW the effect runs too fast. I know, but the tables are to blame.

@Axem and Taylor: Thanks.

[Trivial Psychic]

Originally posted by taylor
Oh and I'm pretty sure that -max_subdivide does absolutely nothing.  Unless it's written in invisible code that is.  I was going to make sure OpenGL could make use of the option until I noticed that it's not used *anywhere* in the code.

Bob implimented ATI's Trueform option, but it was still experimental.  I believe one of the other team members was trying to create a less ATI-restrictive, software method of simulating Trueform.  I'll wait for his word on the issue before turning it off myself.  Besides, I'm not entirely sure I'm using it correctly, since the Wiki says something about a x.xx decimal figure needing to be put after the flag, so it may be doing nothing for me right now.

Later!

[Getter Robo G]

Um I tired taylor's build and in game it made stained glass looking reflections cover my screen from what ever ship was near my reticle. If a Sathanas was 5000 meters away ans I turned toward it a kalidescope of transparent yet colored sathanas textures filled the whole screen...

Can you make a standard pcx animation for that explosion? I do like it and yes, it will defiately need to be slowed down.  Maybe 25-50%?

l8tr

[DaBrain]

To slow it down some table changes need be done. (Probably in the ships.tbl and in the weapons.tbl.)
I'll work on this later. Or is there anybody willing to help me out, so I can concentrate on the effects? I'm not really good when it comes to tables.

I can't create an ANI of this effect. It has too many colors. It'd look horrible as ANI.

[Sesquipedalian]

Originally posted by aldo_14
Nota bine; side note

Actually, it's Nota Bene, which is a Latin command meaning "Note Well!" (i.e. "Pay attention!")

[DaBrain]

Originally posted by taylor
@DaBrain:  I don't have a DDS viewer to check for sure but [...] [/B]

Try I-view32. The newest version + plugins are very useful for DDS animations. (Just hit 'space' and watch the animation )

[DaBrain]

What will look better?

512² DXT5

or

1024² DXT1


The filesize is the same (0,25MB per frame - 93 frames). Also in your gfx ram.

Or is there any performance difference?

[taylor]

I think that DXT1 quality is based on the video card to some extent.  DXT5 should look about the same on all models but I think that DXT1 only looks good in ATI hardware.  I think that DXT5 is a little slower but has the better all around quality.  If you go with DXT1 I'd make sure to get it tested on NVIDIA hardware before deciding.  DXT1 quality may be fixed in newer (last two years) NVIDIA cards but it used to be a problem.

And about I-View32, I know there are viewers available but just not for Linux.  I'd probably write something from scratch before using it on windows

[DaBrain]

Ok, so I think I'll just offer both versions and have some Nividia users (like myself) test what looks better.

Didn't know you're using Linux.
Not the worst choice. hehe

[Jetmech Jr.]

ARGH!!! You've made a monster!

It's beautiful work, DaBrain, (and excuse me if I missed something relating to this. I skimmed the thread) But it MURDERS my framerates. They drop to about 1 for the duration of every explosion

[DaBrain]

Here it is the final version for mid-end PCs. (And probably high-end ones.)

Dunno how to improve the quality more. I'd love to go to 1024². But means 4x more memory usage. And even if I go for DXT1 I can only cut it down to 46MB, which is too much IMHO. More like a super-high-end version. And don't forget there will be more EFF effects soon.


So I took down the old version (the first) to get enough space to upload the new one. It is better anyway.


92 frames, DDS DXT5, 23MB in-game memory usage. (1,1MB compressed DL size)
->Download<-

If you have non-memory related performance problems with ANI shockwaves, check out how the new ones works for you.

They're way faster for me.

I hope you'll have fun with this.

[Axem]

Noooo, one of the files is corrupted (One stupid file!).

I downloaded it twice to see if it was my end, but it looks like you'll need to re-upload it.

[DaBrain]

Oh... strange. Wait a minute I'll check the frame. If it's ok, I'll repack, and upload it again.

[DaBrain]

Try again. It should work now.


BTW works great in-game.
I've had no problems with the effect. Even with env,
glow, shine mapping and all the other nice SCP features.
Plus 2xAA and 4xAF. (To see how the effect works on gfx cards with less ram)
I'm using a good old Geforce 4 TI 4200.


The comression is awful. But ok in animations. It's a shame we can't use uncompressed frames. ;(

[bigo]

Thanks for the midrange version.
The pcx ones killed my fps no matter what I did, and I felt like I was missing out with the old dds ones.

[bigo]

Thanks for the midrange version.
The pcx ones killed my fps no matter what I did, and I felt like I was missing out with the old dds ones.
It all looks better than the originals though.

[bigo]

Cruddy dial-up! It posted me twice!

[DaBrain]

There are probably only a few people who can use the PCX version without making FS2 completly unplayable.

And even that will change soon, as more effects are on the way.