'Black Ground' - possible cause discovered

Targ Collective · Post by **Targ Collective** » 23 Nov 2005, 13:30

I've been testing maps for the black ground effect, and I've found a pattern.

Nightscape, Acidquadratic and another map I can't place - big colloseum thing in the middle - went black ground on me. Crystal Harbour, Small Divide, Castles etc did not.

Nightscape, Acidquadratic etc had .dds files in. Crystal Harbour, Castles etc didn't.

This leads me to suspect that these .dds files are at the root of this. I have not tried removing them - this would probably make bad things happen - but I'm wondering if the .dds files interfere with the textures. And if so, how.

If you've got this problem, open up the map with 7-zip and see what 's in there. Post here with your results to create a viable research base.

Kuroneko · Post by **Kuroneko** » 23 Nov 2005, 13:35

Targ Collective wrote:another map I can't place - big colloseum thing in the middle - went black ground on me.

Ancient Arena.

Ancient Arena and Nightscape both have a key in [LIGHT] that Castles/Crystal doesn't, "SpecularSunColor". However, Acidquatratic doesn't have this tag, atleast my version doesn't...

Targ Collective · Post by **Targ Collective** » 23 Nov 2005, 13:37

Yes, that's it. I never actually played it, because of the ominous black thing in the middle.

The light tag is a possible cause - but why would this be the case in only two of the three maps?

aGorm · Post by **aGorm** » 23 Nov 2005, 14:35

The .dds is teh sky box, tahts what adds teh fancy sky (as opposed to teh original...)

If you remove it teh map will crash... unless you remove the skybox line from the smd file and replace it with normal sky options...

SpecularSunColor... well I've no idea if thats new or what, but if its in light I certanly didn't remove it from any maps I made. Which make me belive it might be somthing new...

Does acidquad go black for everyone now?? or just certain people?

also... what black thing in teh middle of Ancient Arena?? I didn't notice one?

aGorm

Kuroneko · Post by **Kuroneko** » 23 Nov 2005, 15:03

aGorm wrote:also... what black thing in teh middle of Ancient Arena?? I didn't notice one?

He never mentioned a color with respect to the center.

This problem only seems to happen to certain people.

aGorm · Post by **aGorm** » 23 Nov 2005, 15:12

[quote="Targ Collective"]Yes, that's it. I never actually played it, because of the ominous black thing in the middle.

[quote]

I think he did...

Well I know it works fine on mine, can anyone woth teh problem post what gear they got in there computers, specificly what graphics card (including how much ram its got). Also, wether your AMD or Intel...

That might turn out ot be helpfull... or may not.

aGorm

Kuroneko · Post by **Kuroneko** » 23 Nov 2005, 15:32

aGorm wrote:
Targ Collective wrote:Yes, that's it. I never actually played it, because of the ominous black thing in the middle.

I think he did...

So he did. Remind me to look at more than just the first post.

And for the record, it doesn't happen to me...

AMD 64bit 3000+
Geforce 6600

Finding out what it does work on can be just as important as what it doesn't.

aGorm · Post by **aGorm** » 23 Nov 2005, 17:53

True...

AMD BARTON XP 3200+
Geforce 6800 GT 256mb

aGorm

hrmph · Post by **hrmph** » 23 Nov 2005, 20:15

The only map this has ever happened to me on is Alaska. I have a 1ghz AMD thunderbird with a 256meg radeon 9600 (I know I know, I need an upgrade).

AF · Post by AF » 23 Nov 2005, 20:45

same for alaska, and onyl alaska for me, acid quadratic works fine till I start the game and the AI crashes the engine.
2.4ghz celeron D geforce fx 5200 ultra 128mb

Weaver · Post by **Weaver** » 23 Nov 2005, 21:18

Alantai Firestar wrote:same for alaska, and onyl alaska for me, acid quadratic works fine till I start the game and the AI crashes the engine.
2.4ghz celeron D geforce fx 5200 ultra 128mb

The reason for this one is a misplaced detailtex, I PMed GZ about it and he's re-uploaded.

AF · Post by AF » 23 Nov 2005, 21:22

yay!

cookie for weaver

Weaver · Post by **Weaver** » 23 Nov 2005, 21:24

Yum...
.
..
these are chocolate chips I hope.
... . . .. .. . . . . .... . .. . . . . . . . . . .. .

aGorm · Post by **aGorm** » 23 Nov 2005, 23:12

Yhe... but only on taht map Al.. this is a prob on lots of other maps.

aGorm

Post by **jcnossen** » 24 Nov 2005, 01:28

Nice alaska is black with me too, now I can finally test this properly....

EDIT: hmm I didn't read what weaver said... that sux

Targ Collective · Post by **Targ Collective** » 24 Nov 2005, 11:24

The big black thing was an oblique reference to the Arena itself. Sorry to cause the confusion.

I wonder why skyboxes cause this? I don't remember a different sky to the usual, I'll have to check.

If it does turn out to be the skyboxes behind this, you mappers will have to release skybox-free versions of all your maps.

The Spring community will split right down the middle as those afflicted by the black ground issue band together on maps they can see.

Those with working skyboxes will play the shiny, pretty versions of the maps while the Afflicted look on...

Nasty.

Right, just looked at Nightscape's thread.

It's the skyboxes alright - I'd remember something as stunning as that.

The Collective

GrOuNd_ZeRo · Post by **GrOuNd_ZeRo** » 24 Nov 2005, 15:24

Alaska's problem is my fault.

I will upload it soon with a little note for Gnome.

aGorm · Post by **aGorm** » 24 Nov 2005, 18:31

Targ, the solution is not just to do two versions of teh map u twat, its to fix the dam bug. We have a hunch its sky boxes, it might be that some maps with sky boxess have something removed in teh smd, or anything...

sorry about the twat...

Thisa needs to be fixed not worked around...

aGorm

Targ Collective · Post by **Targ Collective** » 25 Nov 2005, 11:13

I know, aGorm. I was sort of suggesting that by dramatising the dire consequences of a skybox-deprived subculture within Spring.

Perhaps I should be more literal around these forums. Problem is, tone of voice does not carry across well here...

Maelstrom · Post by **Maelstrom** » 25 Nov 2005, 11:26

Learn to use the smileys. They can work wonders. There is even a one there to show sarcasm. Either use the

or

. People will know what you mean.

Spring RTS Engine

'Black Ground' - possible cause discovered

'Black Ground' - possible cause discovered

Re: 'Black Ground' - possible cause discovered