Author Topic: Best files for best graphics?  (Read 5408 times)

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Best files for best graphics?
;7 Interesting to know ;7
Thank you for the infos karajorma!

 

Offline taylor

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Best files for best graphics?
DDS was messed up with OpenGL in earlier builds but anything released in the past two months should have it working 100%.  I use OpenGL almost exclusively since I do all development and most testing under Linux.  Pretty much all of my pilot builds should have working DDS code though there was a bug that prevented many of Lightspeed's new ships textures from working correctly but I don't remember which build fixed that.

As far as features go, about the only thing that's missing from OpenGL right now is env mapping, which I have partially implemented.  The spec mapping in currently available OpenGL builds is absolutely horrible and looks like crap but I've got new code in testing that makes it look almost exactly like it does in D3D.  There is always going to be a difference because of the different APIs but image quality isn't going to be an honest excuse for much longer.

 

Offline Flipside

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Best files for best graphics?
Glad to hear that Taylor, yes, I've had the DDS problem on older builds myself, haven't tried it in OpenGL for a while though, but I seem to recall Fred having the same problem with them ;)

Welcome aboard Snake :)

  
Best files for best graphics?
@ taylor: Are you using an Nvidia card on your linux box? Because last time i tried my ATI card on debian the ATI drivers weren't the best...

Until i don't have any more problems i will try to finish first the campaign (thrilling story :))
(Only failure messages i had 3 or 4 times is "missing briefing icon" but after a restart of Freespace2 it works :)) so no problem with that...

@ Flipside: Thanks for welcome :)

 

Offline Lightspeed

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Best files for best graphics?
Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
(Only failure messages i had 3 or 4 times is "missing briefing icon" but after a restart of Freespace2 it works :)) so no problem with that...
 


Corruption on load problem. Has been fixed in VERY new builds. Well, not fixed, but prevented to a reasonable degree.
Modern man is the missing link between ape and human being.

 

Offline taylor

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Best files for best graphics?
Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
@ taylor: Are you using an Nvidia card on your linux box? Because last time i tried my ATI card on debian the ATI drivers weren't the best...

Nvidia in both of my Linux machines and my next card will be Nvidia too.  I've never been impressed with ATI's drivers (on any platform) strictly because of user reports.  When I went looking to upgrade my graphics card a couple of years ago Nvidia was the only hardware with decent drivers available for Linux so that's who I went with.  I've heard that ATI's Linux drivers are getting better but it's not enough for me to even consider switching yet.  I think I will get a cheap ATI card to play with in my second Linux box though.  For testing purposes at least but I would like to know for myself exactly how good or bad the drivers are compared to what I'm used to with Nvidia.

Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
(Only failure messages i had 3 or 4 times is "missing briefing icon" but after a restart of Freespace2 it works :)) so no problem with that...

As Lightspeed said this is mostly fixed in newer builds.  It's a lot harder to make happen anyway.  I've got a few more changes going in that may help a bit more but we'll just have to wait and see.

 
Best files for best graphics?
Well have finished now the campaign, great game :)
(The last 10 missions i had to restart the game nearly after every mission because of the "missing briefing icon"-error but that wasn't a problem.

After that i've tried the last (?) build (20041106 build)

My experience with this:
1) Intro AVI i can hear it playing in background but can't see it (Freespace  SCP Open screen remains...)

2) don't work with some of the "addons" i had installed, game stopped to respond at some ships in the technical database - but they work in 3.6
(i know some of the grapic addons i've downloaded are in development, though strange that they work in 3.6 and not anymore in recent builds with the same flags)

Multiplayer:
tried to setup a LAN server in both builds but CTD after the "creating new game screen"
Same problem like this thread Click and yes my game is also a german version...

PXO disabled, effects.vp's - extensions renamed etc ...

About the suggestion to switch language packs in the linked thread:
How comes that the program changes made it necessary to play in one language? Is the the original source code really that unorganized that program changes have to be made for every language?
(This is just one stupid question, since i've no idea how the code structure is found.:))

My conclusion: since there isn't a real (uptodate) howto it isn't really easy for a newbie to try some multplayer battles (maybe only for other language version) :rolleyes:

PS: Please don't understand my post as criticism, i just wanted to show some of my experiences :)

 

Offline taylor

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Best files for best graphics?
Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
My experience with this:
1) Intro AVI i can hear it playing in background but can't see it (Freespace  SCP Open screen remains...)

Is this with D3D or OpenGL?

Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
2) don't work with some of the "addons" i had installed, game stopped to respond at some ships in the technical database - but they work in 3.6
(i know some of the grapic addons i've downloaded are in development, though strange that they work in 3.6 and not anymore in recent builds with the same flags)

This is where it's generating index buffers.  It can take a while on the hi-poly ships so just let it do it's thing and it will eventually display the ship.  Once it's done it will save the data to a file so it won't have to generate it again and will show up pretty quickly from then on.

Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
Multiplayer:
tried to setup a LAN server in both builds but CTD after the "creating new game screen"
Same problem like this thread Click and yes my game is also a german version...

There is a bug filed on this in Mantis.  There is a convoluted procedure to get around the crash but I just need to fix it.  I'll try and get that done this weekend.  This was fixed at one point (not using PXO stuff if PXO not selected in config) but I think something got reverted or otherwise changed which allows it to get past the tests.

EDIT: Little clarification... Make sure that PXO gets selected in the Multi config and accept the changes.  Go back and turn it off and then try to create the LAN game.  That usually works but I don't know why.  Once you've done this it should work fine but if not then let me know.

Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
About the suggestion to switch language packs in the linked thread:
How comes that the program changes made it necessary to play in one language? Is the the original source code really that unorganized that program changes have to be made for every language?
(This is just one stupid question, since i've no idea how the code structure is found.:))

There was a time that the game binary had to be built for either English or German but that was changed.  I worked with a few German FS1 users (icculus.org version) and came up with a simple way to determine at runtime which language you were using based on files in root.vp (root_fs2.vp) and switch automatically.  There is a registry setting which will override this automatic selection so look in the "Registry" tab of the launcher and if "Language" is set then that's what it will use.  You'll have to delete that string for it to be automatic or just make it German instead.

The other thing that determines the language is whether or not all of the strings are translated.  None that were added for FS2_Open have been translated so it will always use the English versions (since that's all there is).  It's still on my todo list to come up with a special language table for FS2_Open to use and an easy to use editor so that translators can take care of the string translations without having know anything about the game itself.
« Last Edit: November 25, 2004, 02:31:42 am by 1252 »

 

Offline Lightspeed

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Best files for best graphics?
Taylor already answered most of your questions but here goes... :)

Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
My experience with this:
1) Intro AVI i can hear it playing in background but can't see it (Freespace  SCP Open screen remains...)


Ironically enough I noticed I have the same problem. Direct3D.

 
Quote

My conclusion: since there isn't a real (uptodate) howto it isn't really easy for a newbie to try some multplayer battles (maybe only for other language version) :rolleyes:


The SCP installation guide covers getting multiplayer to work.

Make sure you have valid config files (like the ones in mv_core) and register your account on the FS2NetD site. Simply fill in the details and it should work from there.

For LAN games, disable the "PXO" button in the options, and it should work.
Modern man is the missing link between ape and human being.

 
Best files for best graphics?
Quote
Is this with D3D or OpenGL?

Rescent Build: D3D here too :) (Works with OpenGL)
V3.6: D3D and OpenGL OK

Quote
This is where it's generating index buffers...

:eek2:  You are right, i wasn't patient enaugh ... works :)

Quote
EDIT: Little clarification... Make sure that PXO gets...

Tried and didn't work for me :( (if you mean setting PXO ingame because in launcher settings for Multi i don't have a flag for PXO)

I've also tried the The FS2NetD Guide and deleted all addons within the data directories, renamed the vp extensions of effects.vp's...

Below my debugging messages after trying to start a LAN-game (V3.6) with the grapic addons, in one of my previous posts, installed:
Code: [Select]

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.
==========================================================================
Cannot get handle to monochrome driver.
AutoLang: Language auto-detection successful...
Setting language to German
soundcard = EAX
** MAX_CHANNELS set to 16.  DS reported 0.
Failed to init speech
GR_CPU: Family 6, MMX=Yes
Using PURE D3D DeviceDirect3D activate: 1
Direct3D activate: 1
Window in debugging mode... mouse clicking may cause problems!
Alpha texture format = ARGB, 4:4:4:4
Non-alpha texture format = ARGB, 1:5:5:5
D3D_32bit 1, bits_per_pixel 32Direct3D activate: 1
Direct3D Initialized OK!
ANI cursorweb with size 24x24 (25.0% wasted)
Using high memory settings...
ANI 2_radar1 with size 170x170 (33.6% wasted)
ML Freespace Multi Log - Opened Thu, Nov 25, 2004  at 10:25PM
----
----
----


Windoze reported 16 joysticks, we found 1
Current soundtrack set to -1 in event_music_reset_choices
couldn't find particle pcx for Akheton SDG
found ani Akheton_Particle for Akheton SDG, with 11 frames and 25 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for Morning Star
found ani Morningstar_Particle for Morning Star, with 21 frames and 10 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for MorningStar D
found ani Morningstar_Particle for MorningStar D, with 21 frames and 10 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for Maxim
found ani Maxim_Particle for Maxim, with 21 frames and 10 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for Maxim D
found ani Maxim_Particle for Maxim D, with 21 frames and 10 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for UD-8 Kayser
ANI Kayser_Particle with size 80x80 (37.5% wasted)
found ani Kayser_Particle for UD-8 Kayser, with 7 frames and 30 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for UD-D Kayser
ANI Kayser_Particle with size 80x80 (37.5% wasted)
found ani Kayser_Particle for UD-D Kayser, with 7 frames and 30 fps
couldn't find pcx for Circe
found ani Circe_Bitmap for Circe, with 20 frames and 15 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for Lamprey
ANI Lamprey_Particle with size 86x86 (32.8% wasted)
found ani Lamprey_Particle for Lamprey, with 9 frames and 20 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for Shivan Heavy Laser
found ani Shivan_Laser_Stream for Shivan Heavy Laser, with 11 frames and 35 fps
couldn't find particle pcx for Shivan Mega Laser
found ani Shivan_Laser_Stream for Shivan Mega Laser, with 11 frames and 35 fps
ML 11/25 22:25:48~   psnet_init() detected lan connection
ML 11/25 22:25:48~   psnet_get_ip() reports IP : 0.0.0.0

ML 11/25 22:25:48~   Receive buffer set to 4096

ML 11/25 22:25:48~   Send buffer set to 4096

ML 11/25 22:25:48~   Error on IPX startup 10047

ML 11/25 22:25:48~   Network
ML 11/25 22:25:48~   Found no RAS connections
cf_get_file_list_preallocated looking for type=25, filter="*.pcx"
cf_get_file_list_preallocated looking for type=32, filter="*.pcx"
loading animated cursor "cursor"
ANI cursor with size 24x24 (25.0% wasted)
Ships.tbl is : VALID
Weapons.tbl is : VALID
cfile_init() took 25
Got event GS_EVENT_TEAM_SELECT (49) in state NOT A VALID STATE (49)
cf_get_file_list_preallocated looking for type=29, filter="*.plr"
ANI cursor.ani with size 24x24 (25.0% wasted)
Got event GS_EVENT_MAIN_MENU (0) in state GS_STATE_VIEW_CUTSCENES (0)
Someone passed an extension to bm_load for file 'lion1.pcx'
ANI 2_mainwalk.ani with size 477x477 (6.8% wasted)
ANI 2_mainflyby.ani with size 189x189 (26.2% wasted)
ANI 2_maincrane.ani with size 116x116 (9.4% wasted)
ANI 2_mainexit.ani with size 174x174 (32.0% wasted)
ANI 2_mainbarracks.ani with size 158x158 (38.3% wasted)
ANI 2_mainreadyroom.ani with size 145x145 (43.4% wasted)
ANI 2_maintechroom.ani with size 119x119 (7.0% wasted)
ANI 2_mainoptions.ani with size 206x206 (19.5% wasted)
ANI 2_maincampaign.ani with size 190x190 (25.8% wasted)
Creating surface for front buffer of size: 1024 768Frame  0 too long!!: frametime = 0.675 (0.675)
ML 11/25 22:25:56~   In psnet_use_protocol()
ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Psnet : TCP broadcast

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Psnet using - NET_TCP

Got event GS_EVENT_HUD_CONFIG (18) in state GS_STATE_MAIN_MENU (18)
ML 11/25 22:25:56~   multi_level_init()
ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Invalid socket id passed to nw_NewCloseSocket() -- -1

ML 11/25 22:25:56~   Network (FS2OpenPXO): Attempting to send_server_query()'s

Got event GS_EVENT_MULTI_HELP (51) in state GS_STATE_MULTI_SETUP (51)
ML 11/25 22:25:59~   Starting netgame as Host/Server
Direct3D activate: 0
Direct3D activate: 0
Direct3D activate: 0


==========
Assert: nelem > 0
File: e:\languages\visual studio projects\threepointsix\fs2_open\code\cfile\cfilearchive.cpp
Line: 276

Call stack:
------------------------------------------------------------------
    game_hacked_data()    multi_sg_init_gamenet()    multi_start_game_init()    game_enter_state()  
 gameseq_set_state()    game_process_event()    gameseq_process_events()    WinMainSub()    WinMain()
 WinMainCRTStartup()    KERNEL32.dll 77e81af6()
------------------------------------------------------------------


//Edit added
Quote
There was a time that the game binary had to be built for either English or German but that was changed...

Since i don't have Language set in the registry tab, that should mean i don't have to change the root.vp and stu.vp?
//Edit added

Quote
Make sure you have valid config files (like the ones in mv_core)...

Checked my mv_core, is the same...


Quote
For LAN games, disable the "PXO" button in the options,...
 First thing i've done at my first try :) don't work for me

Thank you for your help!
« Last Edit: November 25, 2004, 04:47:44 pm by 2308 »

 

Offline taylor

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Best files for best graphics?
Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
Rescent Build: D3D here too :) (Works with OpenGL)
V3.6: D3D and OpenGL OK

OK, I'll take a look at it.

Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
Below my debugging messages after trying to start a LAN-game (V3.6) with the grapic addons, in one of my previous posts, installed:

Make sure there is a file called "tvalid.cfg" in the data/ directory and that there is something in it.  If there is nothing then you can add "valid" and it won't go out to the network and shouldn't crash.  I'm adding the fix to CVS now but this should work for v3.6.

Quote
Originally posted by Snake_Plissken
Since i don't have Language set in the registry tab, that should mean i don't have to change the root.vp and stu.vp?

Correct.  You can just leave what you've got there and it should run fine.  You will get a mix of German and English in places but there isn't anything we can do about that yet.  The code will be in place before too much longer to handle it though.

 

Offline Setekh

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Best files for best graphics?
Welcome to HLP, Snake_Plissken. :)

:welcome:
- Eddie Kent Woo, Setekh, Steak (of Steaks), AWACS. Seriously, just pick one.
HARD LIGHT PRODUCTIONS, now V3.0. Bringing Modders Together since January 2001.
THE HARD LIGHT ARRAY. Always makes you say wow.

 
Best files for best graphics?
It's me again :rolleyes: :D


Quote
Make sure there is a file called "tvalid.cfg" in the data/ directory....

Files was there but empty... added valid into the file but same result here ... i come to the screen where i can edit the game name but as soon as i click on "weiter" (english version maybe: continue) CTD :wtf:

(Tried this again with clean install of Freespace2 + V3.6)

In my debug data the message:
psnet_get_ip() reports IP : 0.0.0.0
is this how it should be or shouldn't there be my IP reported?

Quote
...but there isn't anything we can do about that yet.

No problem, with that just wanted to know why :)


@ Setekh:
Thanks for welcome :)

 
Best files for best graphics?
Tried now to setup a lan server on my second box but
same result CTD... (Both W2K SP4)

don't want to be troublesomely :)

further suggestions? Thank you!

 

Offline FireCrack

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Best files for best graphics?
I'm also having the D3D intro cutscene plays audio but only shows SCP splash error.

Also, if you view from the techroom it shows thae last image of the techroom you saw.

Havent seen from ingame yet..
actualy, mabye not.
"When ink and pen in hands of men Inscribe your form, bipedal P They draw an altar on which God has slaughtered all stability, no eyes could ever soak in all the places you anoint, and yet to see you all at once we only need the point. Flirting with infinity, your geometric progeny that fit inside you oh so tight with triangles that feel so right."
3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944 59230781640628620899862803482534211706...
"Your ever-constant homily says flaw is discipline, the patron saint of imperfection frees us from our sin. And if our transcendental lift shall find a final floor, then Man will know the death of God where wonder was before."

 

Offline taylor

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Best files for best graphics?
Quote
Originally posted by FireCrack
I'm also having the D3D intro cutscene plays audio but only shows SCP splash error.

Also, if you view from the techroom it shows thae last image of the techroom you saw.

Fixed this already.  There isn't a build with the fix out yet but just wait a few days and there should be something available.

@Snake_Plissken: Hmm, that should have worked.  The problem is fixed in CVS but don't have any other ideas for you, sorry.  "Wait for the next build" is the only thing I can offer.  And don't worry about the IP thing, it's usually wrong but works anyway.

 
Best files for best graphics?
Thanks for your time!
no problem, maybe it has something to do with the german version i have... and original Freespace2 works for LAN thats ok...:)