[Ole]

Well, I just got ITDOH here, played through chapter 1 to 3 (without major problems) and now wanted to start chapter 4. However, everytime I try to open the ship selection I get thrown out by FS2 and crash back to desktop. And at the moment I have no idea why. Every .vp rests in it's own subfolder, mod.ini for chapter 4 is referencing mediavps (as I had read that chapter 4 doesn't need anything from chapter 1, 2 oder 3) and I get absolutely no errormessage whatsoever. If somebody could help me with this I'd be really glad.

[Hero_Swe]

Can you copy & paste the crash message or is there no message? and also can you copy & paste your launcher options?

[Ole]

No crash message at all. Launcher options:

-mod ITDOH\ITDoH_chap4,mediavps -glow -env -mipmap -no_vsync -targetinfo -rearm_timer

[Herra Tohtori]

-What build are you using?

-Select a debug version of the same build, play to the error, and post the fs2_open.log (found on FreeSpace2/data/ if I recall correctly).


Also, if that's all the command line options you're using (and not just a part of it), you're missing a lot... you should at least use the -spec option, since I think -env requires shinemaps to be used to work correctly.

My command line looks like this:

-spec -glow -env -mipmap -nomotiondebris -missile_lighting -normal -no_vsync -cache_bitmaps -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -rearm_timer -ship_choice_3d -warp_flash -snd_preload -no_set_gamma -voicer -fps -height -no_set_gamma -ambient_factor 0 -ogl_spec 20 -spec_exp 15 -spec_point 1.2 -spec_static 1.5 -spec_tube 1.5 -mod <A_LOT_OF_STUFF>

Stuff in cursive indicates customized lighting options. See Hard Light Wiki for explanations on different command line options and what they do.

[Ole]

-What build are you using?

3.6.10 build and the 3.6.9 Beta mediavps.

-Select a debug version of the same build, play to the error, and post the fs2_open.log (found on FreeSpace2/data/ if I recall correctly).

Actually if I try to use the debug build, FS2 won't even start (at least not ITDOH Chapter 4. MediaVps as mod work fine). Crashes without even a debug message (doesn't even play the intro movie). If I use the normal 3.6.10 exe everything works fine - I can even play missions, but I'm unable to open the ship Selection in ITDOH Chapter 4. I guess that's because of some new ship introduced there, but I don't know which one it might be. So basically I guess ship selection is screwed up but I have no idea in which way.

Also, if that's all the command line options you're using (and not just a part of it), you're missing a lot... you should at least use the -spec option, since I think -env requires shinemaps to be used to work correctly.

My command line looks like this:

-spec -glow -env -mipmap -nomotiondebris -missile_lighting -normal -no_vsync -cache_bitmaps -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -rearm_timer -ship_choice_3d -warp_flash -snd_preload -no_set_gamma -voicer -fps -height -no_set_gamma -ambient_factor 0 -ogl_spec 20 -spec_exp 15 -spec_point 1.2 -spec_static 1.5 -spec_tube 1.5 -mod <A_LOT_OF_STUFF>

Stuff in cursive indicates customized lighting options. See Hard Light Wiki for explanations on different command line options and what they do.

Well thanks for that, I'm definitely gonna try out some more then, however one quick question: what is "enable normal maps" good for? I've been unable to find something about it on the wiki.

[Jeff Vader]

I'm unable to open the ship Selection in ITDOH Chapter 4. I guess that's because of some new ship introduced there, but I don't know which one it might be. So basically I guess ship selection is screwed up but I have no idea in which way.

Use models for ship selection (under Gameplay).

what is "enable normal maps" good for? I've been unable to find something about it on the wiki.

If you enable normal maps and also add the -height flag and, if your graphics card and drivers are worthy, you'll get, oh, so much prettier ships.

[Ole]

Ah damnit. NOW i know why this problem sopunded familiar - because I had it with some other mod a few months ago. Well, shame on me for taking up your time I guess. Anyway, thanks to everybody!

Concerning -hight and -normal: I'm definitely going to try that out, thanks again.

[Herra Tohtori]

Okay, could you tell the entire file name of the build as well? There are a lot of different 3.6.10 builds moving about at the moment.

Also, there's no such thing as 3.6.9 beta MediaVP's; the latest semi-official release were the 3.6.8 Zeta MVP's, and the latest public is 3.6.10 Beta MediaVP's. May I assume you meant them?

As to normal maps: There is a series of 3.6.10 builds (with the Xt prefix, meaning "eXperimental taylor") that supports a rudimentary shader system, which enables the use of normal and parallax maps, which can be used to add significant amount of surface detail on the ships. If your graphics card supports Shader Model 3.0 (IIRC) and OpenGL 2.0, you shouldbe able to use them. 3.6.10 Beta mediaVP's have some normal maps in them, so try activating the normal maps at your discretion. If the build says that the command is not recognized, you don't have a suitable build and need to get one (if you need, I'll find a link).

Then, troubleshooting...

Ship selection you says?

Well, perhaps ITDOH ships don't have ship icons or something is broken on them...? Try -ship_choice_3d which changes the ship selection icons into 3D renders of the ships from upside view and negates the need of ship icons. At least it should.

Strange that it doesn't generate a debug log with a debug build...


Does ItDoH Ch4 work as a single mod without mediaVP's?

Also, I'm not sure if you can use a directory tree in mod command line. Try moving the chapters into their own mod folders in FreeSpace2/ and use

-mod ITDoH_chap4,mediavps

instead of ITDOH\ITDoH_chap4. I have never used dir trees on command line mod options; it might work, but then again it might not... better to keep it simple anyway.


...Daammit, Lobo was faster.