[edcwhite]

I am new here, but I have read many posts, FAQs and the WIKI.   The one thing I am not clear on is environment mapping. 

I am using the RC7 3.6.9 build, the 5.4 Launcher and the 3.6.8 VPs and everything works great except if I enable environment mapping then the game crashes when I launch it.  I am running in OpenGL mode with an ATI X800XT using the latest Catalyst drivers.   I have read many conflicting stores about env mapping as things seem to change over time.   At one time or another I know it worked in D3D, then shinemaps didin't anymore, then it didn't work in OGL and then I read somewhere that it did... ugh... 

So, could someone please fill me in on what is the real story as of today?  Should environment mapping work in OpenGL, and does it work with ATI cards running a recent (6.x) catalyst?

And I would also like to add that the work done on this game is simply stunning.  You have revived one of my favourite games of all time and my thanks goes out to all who have contributed to this amazing acheivement.

[666maslo666]

I have Radeon 9600 256mb with catalyst 6.8 and everything works fine in opengl on same build, vps and launcher.

[Tolwyn]

try -disable_fbo with OpenGL and environment mapping on.  Any different?  (It's the 'Disable OpenGL RenderTargets' in the Troubleshooting category.)

[edcwhite]

using -disable_fbo seems to have worked as I no longer crash when I start.  What does it do and why do I need it but other ATI users don't?  Does using this result in me seeing less?

Also, when you said "It's the 'Disable OpenGL RenderTargets' in the Troubleshooting category" what were you referring to?  Is there documentation somewhere that I don't know about?

[Tolwyn]

I was refering to the launcher section

[Wanderer]

using -disable_fbo seems to have worked as I no longer crash when I start.  What does it do and why do I need it but other ATI users don't?  Does using this result in me seeing less?

IIRC.. Yes, well sort of... You lose the per mission created env mapping... However as long as the default or mission specific env cubemap file exists this doesnt actually matter.

[Zacam]

RC7 should have had a fix in place to remove the necessity of using the -dsiable_fbo flag. My 9600XT had graphical corruption issues with nebulae images that were resolved by running -disable_fbo. However, it's no longer necessary to run that option for that purpose.

I think it's a catalyst version issue, not a hardware issue. Which doesn't surprise me, I'm detesting ATI's drivers more and more.

Are you using the experimental "Use specular alpha for env mapping" in the launcher as well? Better yet, why not post your SCP command line from the launcher.

[edcwhite]

@Tolwyn: Thanks, I see it there now... Never noticed that there was a drop down there before I thought it was just graphics options.... I feel so dumb 

Here is my command line used for starting the game:

C:\FreeSpace2\fs2_open_3_6_9_debug.exe -mod MediaVPS369 -spec -glow -env -jpgtga -mipmap -nomotiondebris -2d_poof -noscalevid -missile_lighting -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -rearm_timer -ballistic_gauge -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload

When I use this (without -disable_fbo) the game crashes before it even starts.  I noticed other talking about corruption of some graphics, but for me it is just an instant crash after clicking Run in the launcher.  Here is the error reported in the errorlog.txt:

fs2_open_3_6_9_debug caused an Access Violation in module atioglxx.dll at 001b:691efdd4.
Exception handler called in FreeSpace 2 Main Thread.
Error occurred at 9/2/2006 20:29:30.
C:\FreeSpace2\fs2_open_3_6_9_debug.exe, run by Administrator.
1 processor(s), type 586.
1024 MBytes physical memory.
Write to location 00000000 caused an access violation.


and this written to the fs.log:




==========================================================================
DEBUG SPEW: No debug_filter.cfg found, so only general, error, and warning
categories can be shown and no debug_filter.cfg info will be saved.
==========================================================================
Passed cmdline options:
  -2d_poof
  -env
  -jpgtga
  -mipmap
  -missile_lighting
  -glow
  -nomotiondebris
  -noscalevid
  -spec
  -ballistic_gauge
  -dualscanlines
  -orbradar
  -rearm_timer
  -targetinfo
  -3dwarp
  -warp_flash
  -snd_preload
  -mod MediaVPS369
Building file index...
Searching root 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mp-710_adveffects.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mp-710_effects.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mp-710_models.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_adveffects.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_amodelspatch.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_amodelspatch2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_befix.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_core.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_effects.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_models.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_music.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\MediaVPS369\mv_textures.vp'
Searching root 'C:\freespace2\'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\root_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\smarty_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\sparky_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\sparky_hi_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\stu_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\tango1_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\tango2_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\tango3_fs2.vp'
Searching root pack 'C:\freespace2\warble_fs2.vp'
Searching root 'e:\'
Found 24 roots and 12238 files.
Setting language to English
Initializing OpenAL...
  Using 'Generic Software' as OpenAL sound device...
  OpenAL Vendor     : Creative Labs Inc.
  OpenAL Renderer   : Software
  OpenAL Version    : 1.1

... OpenAL successfully initialized!
GR_CPU: Family 15, MMX=Yes
Initializing OpenGL graphics device at 1680x1050 with 32-bit color...
  Initializing WGL...
  Requested WGL Video values = R: 8, G: 8, B: 8, depth: 24, double-buffer: 1
  Actual WGL Video values    = R: 8, G: 8, B: 8, depth: 24, double-buffer: 1
  OpenGL Vendor     : ATI Technologies Inc.
  OpenGL Renderer   : RADEON X800 XT Platinum Edition x86/MMX/3DNow!/SSE2
  OpenGL Version    : 2.0.5949 WinXP Release

  Using extension "GL_EXT_fog_coord".
  Using extension "GL_ARB_multitexture".
  Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_env_add".
  Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_compression".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_texture_compression_s3tc".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic".
  Unable to find extension "GL_NV_fog_distance".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_secondary_color".
  Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_env_combine".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array".
  Using extension "GL_ARB_transpose_matrix".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_draw_range_elements".
  Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat".
  Unable to find extension "GL_ARB_texture_non_power_of_two".
  Using extension "GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object".
  Unable to find extension "GL_ARB_pixel_buffer_object".
  Unable to find extension "GL_APPLE_client_storage".
  Using extension "GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_framebuffer_object".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_texture_rectangle".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_bgra".
  Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_cube_map".
  Using extension "GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias".
  Found special extension function "wglSwapIntervalEXT".

  Max texture units: 8
  Max elements vertices: 2147483647
  Max elements indices: 65535
  Max texture size: 2048x2048
  Can use compressed textures: YES
  Texture compression available: YES
  Using trilinear texture filter.
... OpenGL init is complete!
Size of bitmap info = 705 KB
Size of bitmap extra info = 40 bytes
ANI cursorweb with size 24x24 (25.0% wasted)
GRAPHICS: Initializing default colors...

[Trivial Psychic]

Many people say that you shouldn't use Cats newer than 6.3 when trying to play FSO under OGL.  I'm using 6.01 Omegas, but only because I'm lazy.

[ME$$ENGER]

Well, I'm using catalyst 6.8 with my Radeon 9550. Doesn't seem to have any problem with RC7 so far.

[CP5670]

Many people say that you shouldn't use Cats newer than 6.3 when trying to play FSO under OGL.  I'm using 6.01 Omegas, but only because I'm lazy.

I only recommend it so that you have the option to use the fake HDR smartshader effect. Other than that, the game works fine on newer drivers too.

[taylor]

I haven't done much checking to verify this, but apparently there is a bug in the ATI drivers for FBO which will crash when rendering to a cube map target.  Since an envmap is a cube map, generating one can crash.  Though technically the FBO stuff isn't tied to any particular card, the drivers may support it but not offer the extension for some cards.  This will let it work find for some people and crash for others using the same driver version.

Basically, ATI drivers suck with regards to OpenGL, and they don't appear to care all that much about it.  Nothing that we can really do about the problem though since, like most ATI related issues, it's a driver bug.  You just have to use older drivers, or use -disable_fbo to turn off FBO support in the game.

[CaptJosh]

So am I the only one having an issue with parts missing on things like the Herc? Like say the canopy and some hull plating on the engine nacelles?

[Zacam]

Given that I am not running the same catalyst drivers you are (and I have nor see any reason to do so), I'd have to say, yes.

Sapphire 9600XT, Catalyst 4.12, no issues what-so-ever.

FYI, with the 3.6.8 Zeta Mediavp's and taylors mp-710 files, you don't need mv_amodelspatch.vp or mv_amodelspatch2.vp. I'd suggested moving them out of your mediavps folder and seeing if you still have the same issues.

[edcwhite]

I upgraded to the 6.8 cats from 6.7 and the issue I was having has gone away.  I don't know if this was directly related to the 6.7s or if the reinstall is what did the trick.    Regardless, I am now running my X800 using catalyst 6.8 running OpenGL without the need for disable_fbo.