2 things: howcome my screen is black & can a FX nif have keyframes?

daglob · June 01, 2007, 12:27:55 PM

First: I've only recently gotten FFV3R, and hadn't yet started the main campaign. I've been converting characters and trying them out in the Rumble Room. So, I start up the main campaign and after the intro the screen goes black. I see the animated heads of the citizens, Alchemiss, and "Minute Man" talking, but then it's black. I see red and yellow arrows, and even managed to KO the thug, but decided after that I really needed to know what was going on. anybody got any ideas, or does it just boil down to I need mroe computing power than I have?

Second, does anyone know if a .nif that is an effect be given keyframes and become a character? Commander Koenig has some bats he made, but they aren't strictly speaking "characters". I've been looking for a bat so that it can be a Temporary Form for a vampire. So, while I can use Photoshop and skin with the rest of 'em, this is something which I simply do not know anything about.

Bill

Previsionary · June 01, 2007, 12:40:27 PM

First problem: Known issue and has been fixed, via patch, by IG. You can also fix it yourself if you want to mess with simple coding. This topic was more expanded on in several threads in the freedom force discussions forum and my memory is not fresh on what to change (I know it has to do with wave settings), so you might want to do a search if no one else responds [or I don't edit this post later when the info is in front of me].

Problemo dos: FX cannot be given keyframes as far as I know. FX have keyframes built into their nif files and don't read info from anywhere else.

Panther_Gunn · June 01, 2007, 01:10:13 PM

For the black screen problem, I don't think IG ever put out a patch, but they may have revealed what the problem was & how to fix it (either that, or one of our code geniuses found it). However, I do remember that one or two people from the community put out a patched file to fix it, and it works with *most* video cards (just not mine :angry:). I still have a copy, if you'd like. It is the wave effect in the mission that screws with so many of the video cards, and this just codes the effect to be off.

For the other issue, just out of curiosity, what kind of .nif was the pterodactyl from the first game? That eventually got put into the Beast_Boy mesh, for his flying anims. I'm sure they're not similar enough, but I've learned not to say things are impossible with this bunch.

Previsionary · June 01, 2007, 03:35:12 PM

the patch i'm speaking about wasnt a patch in the traditional IG patch way. Someone from IG, ken i believe...whoever was active at the time ffans was up, posted a zip file with the python file already changed so the user didn't have to do anything except replace the files. It was never added to the webpage and was only accessible through the forums.

The ptero is an object mesh that has a few animations similar to the pigeons and birds of ff1/ffvttr. Those too have animations built into the nif.

Panther_Gunn · June 01, 2007, 04:10:07 PM

Quote from: Previsionary on June 01, 2007, 03:35:12 PM
the patch i'm speaking about wasnt a patch in the traditional IG patch way. Someone from IG, ken i believe...whoever was active at the time ffans was up, posted a zip file with the python file already changed so the user didn't have to do anything except replace the files. It was never added to the webpage and was only accessible through the forums.

That could be. The one I have contains a modified missions.ff file, and a text file (with no credits).

So, using the ptero as an example, would it be possible at all to get the butterfly/bat into a working character nif? Or was it only possible because it was an object, and not an fx?

Previsionary · June 01, 2007, 05:28:48 PM

from my understanding, and from what i looked at, an object.nif is built in the exact same way as an fx.nif. If an object has any animations at all...it's saved into the nif and is activated via a special command in ffedit.

I'll try to ask Beyonder about this later on today or tomorrow. He's the expert on this stuff. :P

But I don't think it would be much work to mesh, or import, a vamp bat in 3ds max and give it flying animations...but I don't know of anyone that would be willing to take up the project at the moment.

daglob · June 04, 2007, 07:15:16 PM

I've tried to search for the patch/replacement file and have had no luck. If someone would point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

daglob · June 07, 2007, 08:01:28 PM

I've installed the fix (Many, many thanks to Panther Guns) and my screen is still black. However, reading the text file that came with the fix it refers to "white out", and what I've got ain't white.

Different problem or the same?

Panther_Gunn · June 07, 2007, 11:07:57 PM

Same problem, different symptoms for different video cards.

As I could never get it to work for me, I can't attest to the funcionality of the patch. It's entirely possible that your particular video card won't hack it, either. I wish I could remember exactly what changes were needed to be made, and where. Hopefully, someone that *does* remember will read this, or be contacted by someone who does. Sorry.

Previsionary · June 07, 2007, 11:10:09 PM

if i recall:

this line in mission 1's python file

Code Select

ff.RENDER_WARP = 1

needed to be changed to:

Code Select

ff.RENDER_WARP = 0

However, I'm not sure if that was the only change made.

Panther_Gunn · June 08, 2007, 01:47:42 AM

I know there was supposed to be another mission later on with the same problem, but don't know which one. Prev, do you want me to send you the patch I have, & see what you can make of it?

Previsionary · June 08, 2007, 03:51:40 AM

sure, it'll probably be helpful in figuring out what needs to be changed and such.

Also, I think the other mission with this problem is the final mission.

Symon · June 08, 2007, 12:16:50 PM

Quote from: daglob on June 01, 2007, 12:27:55 PM
Second, does anyone know if a .nif that is an effect be given keyframes and become a character?

I've reversed this and taken a character+KF and turned them into an animated object, so what you want should be possible, if a lot of work.

Examine the medical table to see how animations in an object mesh work.

Panther_Gunn · June 09, 2007, 07:35:12 PM

Hey, Prev.....you got an addy you want me to send that to? I'd have sent you a PM, but my box is full. ^_^

Previsionary · June 13, 2007, 01:22:52 AM

Ok, after studying the patch, was correct in thinking the only thing changed was:

Code Select

ff.RENDER_WARP = 1

into:

Code Select

ff.RENDER_WARP = 0.

If that doesn't work for you, then there may be another problem at hand. Have you tried updating your graphic card drivers?

daglob · June 13, 2007, 06:41:30 AM

Quote from: Previsionary on June 13, 2007, 01:22:52 AM
Ok, after studying the patch, was correct in thinking the only thing changed was:

Code Select Expand
ff.RENDER_WARP = 1

into:

Code Select Expand
ff.RENDER_WARP = 0.

If that doesn't work for you, then there may be another problem at hand. Have you tried updating your graphic card drivers?

... no ... :doh:

daglob · June 13, 2007, 12:00:20 PM

As it turns out, I seem to have the most current driver.

Maybe the video card needs mroe juice, although I would think that a comptuer that will run Everquest would run nearly anything...

Symon · June 15, 2007, 10:58:45 AM

It's nothing to do with the quality of the card I'm afraid. Neither FF nor FF3R need beefy cards. It's an interaction between directX, card and drivers. Some cards just don't work quite right. The only hope is to try different driver versions (hope a better driver becomes available) or get a different card (a different manufacturer or model, not more powerful).

blubla · August 30, 2007, 07:03:32 AM

sorry if this is obvious but which file should i be editing im experiencing the same problem thanks

Outcast · August 30, 2007, 09:08:39 AM

I think the solution to the black screen was also discussed here..http://freedomreborn.net/archive/index.php?topic=42340.0

Panther Gunn had some replacement for the missions.ff file or something. :)

Edit: But looking above this same thread, I see it as well. :doh:

Quote from: Panther_Gunn on June 01, 2007, 04:10:07 PM
Quote from: Previsionary on June 01, 2007, 03:35:12 PM
the patch i'm speaking about wasnt a patch in the traditional IG patch way. Someone from IG, ken i believe...whoever was active at the time ffans was up, posted a zip file with the python file already changed so the user didn't have to do anything except replace the files. It was never added to the webpage and was only accessible through the forums.

That could be. The one I have contains a modified missions.ff file, and a text file (with no credits).

You might want to ask Panther Gunn about it. ;)

stumpy · August 30, 2007, 12:09:04 PM

I think the fix was to turn off the warp effect. Someone who remembers this better (I never had the trouble on my machine) can correct me.

Use a plain text editor like Notepad to open the files ..\Missions\01_dream\mission.py and ..\Missions\13_manbot\mission.py in the mod folder for the mod you are playing (FFX3 for FFX and Data for the game as released by IG, you will have to unzip Data\missions.ff to get the files - yes, it is a zip file).

Then search for RENDER_WARP. I think it will appear twice in each file. Change any lines that look like

Code Select

ff.RENDER_WARP = 1
to

Code Select

ff.RENDER_WARP = 0
(Don't change any spaces or tabs at the beginning of any of the lines in the file.)

Then save and try to replay the missions. Hopefully, that will do it.

Previsionary · August 30, 2007, 12:48:07 PM

That is correct sir stumpy. Yours is basically a more fleshed out version of one of my earlier posts. :P

Anyway, for the lazy people, PG has sent me the patch for temporary hosting. This will not fix the problem for everyone. It's best to try upgrading your drivers before even attempting to use this *patch* or editing the code yourself.