[Wanderer]

Direct links for 3.6.7 patches

Patch #1
Patch #2

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[Herra Tohtori]

Okay, it seems to me that the newest launcher is causing problems to others than just me.

Basically, Launcher 5.3 does not work continuously. Deleting launcher6.ini makes the launcher work - for one time. When I close it, it doesn't open any more but a Windows error message tells me that Launcher has made an illegal operation or something like that. Launcher 5.2, however, works without errors.

Basically what I have done to circumvent the problem is this: I make the choices I want when the launcher works, then copy the command line and make a FSO.bat file, which I use to start the executive. I don't know what is causing the 5.3 version not work. Perhaps it's gor something to do with registry entries? Because I've got in addition to basic FSO also The Babylon Project installed. Now, there is this registry entry of Volition that, for example, makes the program remember the last pilot used. But what if there are no pilots of same name in TBP and basic FSO?

The bat file I currently use is following:

C:\Pelit\Freespace2_SCP\fs2_open_voice.exe -mod Derelict_SCP, ,Media_VPs -spec -glow -jpgtga -mipmap -nomotiondebris -2d_poof -noscalevid -cache_bitmaps -missile_lighting -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -rearm_timer -ballistic_gauge -nobeampierce -ship_choice_3d -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload -env -decals -voicer -fps -window  -ambient_factor 65 -allslev

Yes, I run FSO in a window. Strangely, it gives me bigger FPS (by margin of 30 at best) than running it in non-windowed mode . Plus, windowed D3D mode that I use doesn't give the odd distortions as much as running in full screen does. The only setback is about 3-4 pixels wide blue line on the top of the screen. Does anyone know how to make the window's upper bar completely disappear in windowed mode?

I use all of the 3.6.7 MediaVP's, including mv_adveffects.vp and it runs quite smoothly IMO.

[WMCoolmon]

-mod Derelict_SCP, ,Media_VPs -spec -glow -jpgtga -mipmap -nomotiondebris -2d_poof -noscalevid -cache_bitmaps -missile_lighting -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -rearm_timer -ballistic_gauge -nobeampierce -ship_choice_3d -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload -env -decals -voicer -fps -window  -ambient_factor 65 -allslev

Sometimes I wonder if we have too many command-line options...

[Herra Tohtori]

For all it's worth... 

[taylor]

-mod Derelict_SCP, ,Media_VPs -spec -glow -jpgtga -mipmap -nomotiondebris -2d_poof -noscalevid -cache_bitmaps -missile_lighting -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -rearm_timer -ballistic_gauge -nobeampierce -ship_choice_3d -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload -env -decals -voicer -fps -window  -ambient_factor 65 -allslev

Sometimes I wonder if we have too many command-line options...

Most of them will get removed with the new launcher, replaced with ini file options instead.

And -nobeampierce should be in ai_profiles rather than the cmdline anyway.

[bfobar]

If the command line in launcher.ini is more than about 256 characters long, the program illegally operates and dies. Someone fixed that but the new version hasn't been rolled out yet.

[Insomniac34]

OK, cool. I got everything up and running, I appreciate everyones help, I sure am glad I found this community, I thought nobody cared about FS2 anymore. I have been proven wrong.
Graphics wise, its clearly a big improvement over the Retail version.  Ships now reflect sunlight, SOME bombers and fighters show the little guy in the cockpit, engine effects are nice and pretty for SOME fighters and bombers, there are more stars, warp-out effects are pretty, lasers and weapons look a lot nicer...overall a much needed set of upgrades. Thanks to everyone who made this possible for their hard work.

However, my game STILL doesn't look like the original screenshots. Much, much closer, but that cinimatic quality, like for example the shadows on the asteroids, is still missing, and the extremely detailed Deimos is also missing. My Deimos is definately upgraded and prettier looking, but still isn't quite up to that picture's standards. So, I'm now happy with my FS2 (still trying to get the damned FS1 Conversion Project running), but if there is anything else I can do too improve/add visual qualities I'd appreciate the input.

[Shade]

Much of the beauty in those shots comes from the viewing angle. There are no shadows in any of them, the SCP does not support them, what you see are simply dark sides not lit by the suns combined with a low ambient light factor.

Another factor might be that whoever took the shots could have tweaked his specular settings to get it better looking than the default. There are a few command line options for this corrosponding to various types of lightsources. Sadly I can't remember them all right now and the wiki doesn't seem to mention them either (or maybe they're obsolete now and I'm just way behind the times).

But anyway, thing to remember is that while those are definitely ingame shots, someone may have spent hours getting them set up just right and has their settings tweaked to perfecting after many hours of experimentation. So you can't expect to see quite that quality when playing random_mission_01 shortly after installing. But you can definitely get closer as you experiment a bit and find the settings which are most pleasing to your eyes, and then once in a while you may get lucky and get a real 'wow' moment where everything just comes together in a mission

And when those do start to happen, remember to take screenshots

[Col. Fishguts]

Reducing the ambient light works wonders IMO.

Try something like '-ambient_factor 85' in the custom flags field on the features tab.

[Insomniac34]

OK, thanks. I just took my own SS and I realized that its almost as good quality as those pics. Sorry to sound like a whiny *****.

New question, How do I get FRED to work with the SCP? When I click on the FRED Icon, it gives me a list of errors and then crashes.

[karajorma]

Retail FRED will crash out depending on where you put the media VPs (It crashes as soon as it comes across the HTL models for instance).

The solution is to use an SCP version of FRED. The version found here is probably the closest thing you'll find to an official 3.6.7 version of FRED.

[Insomniac34]

OK I DLed the FRED program(s) (there are two of them), and whenever I click on them I get an error; " the application has failed to star because OpenAL32.dll was not found. Re-install the application as this may fix the problem."

And another thing, for some reason the Tornado and Harpoon missiles are unavailable in the FS2 campaign, where I KNOW they should be available (the last 5 missions).

[bfobar]

Cranking FSAA and anisotropic filtering makes for very pretty screenshots but very crappy framerates in the heat of battle unless your computer is godlike. As for FRED, there are scp fred versions as well. The important thing with them is that they take command line flags too, but don't read the launcher. Below is an example from my shortcut where I stuck some flags in the run line:

C:\FreeSpace2\fred2_open_r-P420060323.exe -fredhtl -jpgtga -spec -glow -env -alpha_env -mod mediavps

This engages HTL graphics, a few video tweaks, and accesses my mediavps folders.

[karajorma]

OpenAl appears to be required for that build of FRED.

You can find OpenAl here

[Insomniac34]

thanks guys, it worked 
im happy that i can build missions again. I'll report back if I have any more problems.

[Fat Zombie]

Those screenshots convinced you to download this too?

I'm betting that many people will have downloaded this because they have seen those screenshots. I mean, that's X3 quality!

It took a long time to get my copy of SCP to those standards. I don't even use adv_effects (It'd kill my pc). But the good thing is, it looks good without a major hit to performance.

We just need more hi-res models. A top priority should be the Myrmidon; after all, it's the ship you start Freespace 2 with. If people new to SCP start with a lo-poly model like that, they'll be discouraged. (I know I was) We all know that first impressions are vital.

[StratComm]

They Myrmadon is already high-poly and has high res maps.  All it lacks is a full cockpit.

[Insomniac34]

Is it difficult to get a 3D cockpit? Plus the Myrmidon has a wierd cockpit, so it might be harder to do. I was slightly saddened that my favorite ship, the Zeus, lacks a 3D cockpit. As long as you guys promise to upgrade it at some point, I am happy.

[StratComm]

Someone (Raa?) added the cockpit, but it is indeed strange.  I'd like him to release it though because with visible cockpits becoming the norm the Myrmadon is getting to be a bit of a red herring.

[Bobboau]

and someone will eventualy do the Zeus