[Enreign]

So far I've downloaded the necessary stuff, as well as this zpack and adv_effects pack. The command line settings I have were just done in the Easy Mod thing to All Settings On + -fps...

C:\games\descent\fs2_open_3_6_5.exe -spec -glow -pcx32 -jpgtga -d3dmipmap -nomotiondebris -2d_poof -snd_preload -fps

I'm already noticing a bit of slowdown, in, of all things, the training modules, but it's not horribly bad. I run on crappy settings though.

1.5GHz Centrino/M processor
32MB GeForce FX5200 Mobile (I think)
512MB RAM

Yeah, I know, it blows. Now, am I pretty good for improvements? Or are the other things I should consider installing for a better FS2? Another question, about the planet bakgrounds, if I installed both the zpack with the bad-quality one (D-something) and adv_effects with the high-quality ones, which one will it choose? Will I have to delete the zpack ones to get the adv ones working?

Thanks in advance, I'm really new and kinda confused by the structure of this project. But it's really good, and I can see how good the improvements are even in the training modules. Great job guys!

[redmenace]

adv_effects override the anything in the zpack.

What do you mean by structure?

[Goober5000]

Yeah, mv_adveffects takes precedence, but it's also really resource-intensive.

If you have a moderate- or low- end computer, you might be better off disabling many of the flags and just going with the ones you really like.  Given a choice between flashy graphics and gameplay, I always pick gameplay.

One option you could try is to go into Options -> Detail and just disable backgrounds.  That gives a noticeable speed improvement without sacrificing ship effects.

[taylor]

Also, avoid using -pcx32.  It does little but take up more memory.  Supposedly it can make some interface stuff look better but I have yet to see proof of that and would personally prefer the option just be removed.

-d3dmipmaps will generate mipmaps but I don't think it uses them, preferring the normal LOD system instead, so you can save some memory and gain some speed by not using that.

[WMCoolmon]

Actually I think I remember seeing some difference in backgrounds with pcx32.

[taylor]

Originally posted by WMCoolmon
Actually I think I remember seeing some difference in backgrounds with pcx32.

That's what I've heard, I just haven't seen screenshots that show it.  All of the PCX's are 8-bit so while converting them to 32-bit still only gives you 8-bit color it does give you the full alpha range.  Guess it could help with blending some with GR_ALPHABLEND_FILTER but I've never seen it when I tested with side-by-side screenshots of my own.

[Mongoose]

I can testify for -pcx32 making interface art look better; I tried turning it off once and was really amazed at how grainy the interface looked.

[taylor]

Originally posted by Mongoose
I can testify for -pcx32 making interface art look better; I tried turning it off once and was really amazed at how grainy the interface looked.

Can you post screenshots of that?  And is that with OGL or D3D?  I've only ever tried it with OGL so that could be the difference.  If there is just a way of handling the textures so that they still look great but without going full 32-bit then I'd rather go with that than -pcx32.

[Ikarus]

FS open 3.6.5  is running great on my rig with all the xtras turned on. Most missions can go with even hevier background use, although i'm not sure whether the -pcx32 line improves anything. As for the new high-poly models of the ships - they are f***** great! It would be really wicked if you guys actualy manage to use per-pixel Lt, but that's asking too much:)

[Mongoose]

It was with OGL.  I'll try to grab some screenshots the next time I play.

[Enreign]

Huh? I don't know if this is something stupid I did, but I can't get past the training missions. Can FS_Open not play the original Freespace 2 campaign? Everytime I try to load the first mission after the training modules, it crashes.

[karajorma]

Nothing stupid. You're running FSO 3.6.5 with the 3.6.5 or 3.6.6 Media VP files right? (They're called mv_something.vp).

What you're running into is the .ogg bug caused by mv_music.vp or mv_zpack.vp.

You have several choices.

1. Download this file, unrar it and stick it in Freespace2\Data\Tables. (Remember to delete it if you later upgrade to a newer build).

2. Download a newer build from the recent builds forum

3. If you have mv_music and not mv_zPack you can simply delete/remove it for the time being.