Graphics Bugs

My graphics problem is that the ships have no textures at all. It's old school mat colors on polys . The funny part is, some of the higher graphical effects work like antialiasing and the metallic shine on the ships. Given I'm running a 64mb Geforce 2 GT something, I'm wondering if it's a problem with the graphical scaling engine or drivers? Now, the real Geforce 2 series is a suprisingly solid line of cards, and I have been able to run America's Army, World of Warcraft, and even the Star Wars: Empires at War demo quite well. The present problem with the Geforce 2 series is that Nvidia no longer supports it, so I'm willing to admit that drivers might be a problem. However, the worlds do have textures and everything else appears to be working, so I'm left with a question mark on what's to blame. I'm not expecting bump-mapping or specular lighting and all that, but yanno, maybe a simple texture?

A similar problem is that planets with rings have really, really ugly rings. A flat gradient color without any transparencies, which is probably another texture deal.



Another maybe graphics bug I noticed was due to a planet with the Omega Defense System. I'd cleared the defending ships from the planet, but there appeared to be a fleet of two or three ships right on top of the planet. This is the second time I've seen this, only in this instance, it caused massive slow down whenever the engine tried to render that particular planet and the fleet stacked on top of the world. Zooming out until everything was represented by icons cleared this slow down, until I zoomed back in. Of course, restarting the game fixed the problem, so I can't send you the save game file to recreate it.

Oh! There's another bug where zooming in on the minimap causes some of the civ territory blobs to not be rendered. It looks like the bounding box on what the engine should render gets calculated incorrectly.



Random question: Why do the updates/installs request a machine restart? The game appears to work without doing so and given Win XP, it's a rare process that actually requires it.

And that always asked for debug log:

Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.********* System Info Time: 2/28/2006, 22:59:56 DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904) Machine Name: XXXX Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519) Languages: English (Regional Setting: English) System Manufacturer: NVIDIA System Model: AWRDACPI BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2600+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.9GHz Physical Memory: 1536MB RAM Page File: 257MB used, 3177MB available Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS Display Info Display device 1: Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1 Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 Pro Manufacturer: NVIDIA Chip Type: GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 Pro DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0150&SUBSYS_00101545&REV_A4 Display Memory: 64.0 MB Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (65Hz) Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200 Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7189 Driver Date: 4/1/2005 16:16:00 DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes Sound info Sound device 1: Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio Default Sound Playback: Yes Default Voice Playback: Yes Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD Manufacturer ID: 1 Product ID: 100 Driver Name: nvapu.sys Provider: NVIDIA Corporation Driver Version: 6.14.0442.0030 Driver Date: 5/25/2004 15:58:04 Type: WDM Other Drivers: Acceleration Level: 3 Cap Flags: 0 Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0 Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.********* Debug Message: Entering WinMain Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell ******* Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings. Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONMASKABLE Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 Debug Message: Running in windowed mode. Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 Pro Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0 Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit. Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps*********************** Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes. Debug Message: Border size reported as 6 by 32 Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff Debug Message: Now windowed. Debug Message: Shell initialization complete Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game ***** ...and more if you ask for it.
Wait, those sound drivers are two years old? I so just downloaded them last week... Nvidia hates me.
2,174 views 3 replies
Reply #1 Top
Same problem here, but i cannot see the planets either....

AMD 2400+
Gforce 6600gt newest driver
1gb ram

debug:
Debug Message: Version v1.0D-1 Digital: Bonus Pack last updated on: Fri Feb 24 12:35:33 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/2/2006, 12:01:58
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: HOME-KWQKNCKSYJ
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) (2600.xpclient.010817-1148)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: Russian)
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: MS-6712
BIOS: Version 07.00T
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2400+, ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 264MB used, 1812MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F1&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor Name: Philips 107E (107E1)
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8198
Driver Date: 12/10/2005 03:06:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3059&SUBSYS_71201462&REV_50
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5100
Driver Date: 2/27/2003 08:03:52
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 85
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\CTAKAH\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\CTAKAH\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Description_Text
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
Debug Message: Set galaxy size.
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 9.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 42
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing hidden planet surface init thread. Waiting for it to die.

Debug Message: Aborting hidden planet surface initialization.
Debug Message: Hidden planet surface init thread dead.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
Reply #2 Top
Hmm same problem here - missing textures...
Somewhere windoweed mode was mentioned - will try out if the problem still occurs in this mode...

System Info
Time: 3/3/2006, 00:13:30
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional (5.0, Build 2195) Service Pack 4
Languages: German (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
System Model: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
BIOS: BIOS Date: 03/15/04 22:33:44 Ver: 08.00.09
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Physical Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 174MB used, 2285MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9800 SE (Omega 3.8.221)
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc. (Omega 3.8.221)
Chip Type: RADEON 9800 PRO AGP (0x4E48)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4148&SUBSYS_00021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: (Standardmonitor)
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6599
Driver Date: 1/25/2006 04:52:48
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1152 x 864
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON 9800 SE (Omega 3.8.221)
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 a6cfb470
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Tutorials\*.bik
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Reply #3 Top
I have the same problem,

Can it be that this is a vsync issue?
I had such troubles too with other games but changing vsync always solved the problem,
but I can't find any options to change this if it's there?