[taylor]

You know what to do:  http://fs2source.warpcore.org/exes/3.6.9-RC2.zip

Includes Launcher 5.4 final (unless a bug slipped through), FRED2 and FS2_Open builds.  Be sure to update any Mantis bugs if they are fixed now, and report any new bugs.

OS X version: http://fs2source.warpcore.org/exes/osx/FS2_Open-3.6.9-RC2.dmg


EDIT:  Here are patches to fix the MediaVPs which have broken alpha blended effects:
 - to fix mv_effects.vp:  mv_alphapatch.rar
 - to fix mv_adveffects.vp:  mv_advalphapatch.rar

These are just temporary until DaBrain can finish doing whatever he is doing for a better update.  The patches will work with all builds though so there is no harm in using it.  All it does is fix the few effects that were in the wrong format.

[Turambar]

its not supposed to do that...

-spec -glow -env -jpgtga -mipmap -2d_poof -missile_lighting -img2dds -no_vsync -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -ballistic_gauge -ship_choice_3d -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload -alpha_env -fps  -fov .60 -ogl_spec 90 -ambient_factor 45

maybe img2dds is the problem, sometimes it causes problems like that

nope, it isn't i just checked.

[taylor]

its not supposed to do that...

Actually, it is.  The effects are wrong.  That image has an alpha channel when it shouldn't.  Fix it to actually be a 24-bit RGB image and it will be fine.  There is a new alpha blending mode which can make proper use of alpha channels unlike the standard alpha blend mode (so that you can have real black and dark grey effects).  This is just the same thing as with the envmaps and using -alpha_env with bad shine maps.

[Turambar]

oooooooooooohhhhh new blending sweet!
that means i can make new thingys to take advantage

[Turambar]

i'd say it looks better, on the whole.

thanks for the update

[taylor]

DaBrain is working on even better effects since he's been playing with it for weeks.  The effect is actually a request by Lightspeed in 2004, and it just took me a really long time to get all of the code in order for it work properly.

DaBrain asked about it again not too long ago and all it took was a one line change to make it happen (after the amount of work that had already be done).  There was a cmdline option to enable it previously, but the option was never supposed to make it into 3.6.9, and it was a non-public thing while the effects were being made.  A patch for the broken effects in the MediaVPs is forthcoming but all of the mods need to get their effects in order too.

I've been pushing the proper use of image types (when to use DXT1 or DXT5, etc.) for effects since the end of last year.  Now you have one of the clues as to why.

Just wait until you see what this will do with the new explosion effects and particle system upgrades.

[DaBrain]

Actually I've posted a thread about this in the BtRL internal. And I've told you about the content problems.

Well, I got all FS2 effects fixed, but I can't upload the files cause I'm not at my PC right now. It will take a while till I can go online with my own PC again...

The fixes will be part of the next Media VP.

There will also be a number of effects that will be using this feature. And it will be used be SoL and BtRL too.

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/6596/screen02296ch.jpg
(new BtRL explosion effects in the works)

[Don-DiZzLe]

I still get some invisible ships though, even with mediavps alphapatch.

[Zacam]

Loads beautifully. However, I have one _majorly_ serious issue. No nebulae display on ANY mission, no matter how it's loaded, for either FS2 missions or FSPort. Using the new launcher and RC2. If I keep the launcher (as well as it's settings) and simply launch an earlier version exe (KARA 20060517, 20060531 or RC1) I get nebulae.

(note, when I launch those previous versions, I make sure it's named "fs2_open_r.exe" namely so the launcher isn't confused and neither is my video card profile for the game)

[Turambar]

can nebula poofs be alpha blended?
*has ideas about black nebulas*

[Mars]

The smoke particals seem to be broken too. What are they in the effects Media VP?

[Colonol Dekker]

its not supposed to do that...

-spec -glow -env -jpgtga -mipmap -2d_poof -missile_lighting -img2dds -no_vsync -dualscanlines -targetinfo -orbradar -ballistic_gauge -ship_choice_3d -3dwarp -warp_flash -snd_preload -alpha_env -fps  -fov .60 -ogl_spec 90 -ambient_factor 45

maybe img2dds is the problem, sometimes it causes problems like that

nope, it isn't i just checked.

Is that a BSG custom skybox, with animated texture or static?

[Zacam]

To clarify, for missions that take place IN a nebulae (The Trinity Mission in FS2 for example) I am flying though a nebulae. It's just the backdrop background ones that don't display.

[Turambar]

Is that a BSG custom skybox, with animated texture or static?

go watch our Scar video in the BSG Game-warden forum video gallery and youll see

[Colonol Dekker]

Linky please.

[taylor]

can nebula poofs be alpha blended?

Yup.  Pretty much any effect that is alpha blended (ie, it uses black to simulate transparency) can use the new alpha blend mode if you just make it have real alpha.  It's automatic if you get setup the effect graphics in the correct format.

The only problem currently is that some of that particle effects look strange with this.  I'm working on some particle code updates to fix that, but those changes aren't going to be ready for 3.6.9.

The smoke particals seem to be broken too. What are they in the effects Media VP?

Hmm, which smoke particles?  There is one (particlesmoke01) which is included in the patch in the first post.  The other smoke particle was fine I think (was already DXT1).  If you are using the patch and it still messes up then let me know.

To clarify, for missions that take place IN a nebulae (The Trinity Mission in FS2 for example) I am flying though a nebulae. It's just the backdrop background ones that don't display.

Seems to work ok for me.  Are you just referring to the nebula poofs, the fog, or what?

[Don-DiZzLe]

I've noticed that the ||||||||||||||||||||||| - text bug is also still in there.

[Zacam]

(d)neb01 through (d)neb18 in FS2 Campaign and FSPort Campaigns are a no show.

[taylor]

(d)neb01 through (d)neb18 in FS2 Campaign and FSPort Campaigns are a no show.

Ahh, I think I know what you are referring to now.  Those are bad TGAs (if you are using mv_adveffects) and have a incorrect alpha layer which makes the image not show up in game.  This should have been fixed a long time since I've complained about those on multiple occasions.

I'll update the mv_alphapatch VP later today with fixed versions of those graphics, or you can just not use mv_adveffects.  DaBrain should be able to provide better versions in the new MediaVPs.

[Don-DiZzLe]

To clarify, for missions that take place IN a nebulae (The Trinity Mission in FS2 for example) I am flying though a nebulae. It's just the backdrop background ones that don't display.

I also get this, in some missions nebulae on the background aren't there. The ls_neb.vp is somehow not being loaded.