666 replies to this topic

[jimmyfingers]

There is another thing that I was wondering about and might be something for more the future but as this build and it's fixes / features will be incorporated into the DX9 stream, as I understand it, seems worth while to include / request here.  The issue with the ball edges showing problems as it roles over an alpha ramp has been described and mentioned previously and is related to having the VP preferences / video options for Ball Rendering>Antialias Ball set to enabled.  With AA and now FXAA working in the DX9 thread for the overall table, the need for antialiasing the ball via these VP preferences may not be as strong or needed at all, except for the key aspect that the ball using .png and real transparency in the ball images depends on it.

 

Could it be separated so that allowing the ball to be transparent (in spots / how we've mimicked some reflection aspects) is not dependant on enabling the VP specific Antialias Ball option?  On some previous tests the anti-aliasing when used with other options either in VP or forced via nVidia control panel, led to a smooth looking ball but it was the lack of transparency that personally lead me back to needing this option still on.  

 

It would be great to get this changed if possible here in this last version and into the DX9.  The Haunted house table is one that it really stands out on while rolling over the transparent ramp that looks into the basement (the ball edges turn green).

 

 Capture of ball edge issues with VP Antialiasing Ball set on and when over alpha ramp objects (Haunted House example).PNG   154.59KB   12 downloads

 

[toxie]

I guess that 9.2.1 is pretty complete now so we shouldn't hack it again to include a fix for this, sorry.
I really want to get this out the door now, along with vpm, so that we all can concentrate on the dx9 version and soon vp10.

So if nobody objects I would like to release rev 930 as the final dx7 version asap.

[mukuste]

JF:

 

I think this is simply another draw order artifact. Since the "AA ball" setting essentially makes the ball into a transparent object, it is now dependent on being drawn in the right order. This is not taken care of in the engine, however. So if the ball gets rendered before the alpha ramp that it is supposed to be on top of, then such artifacts will happen. This is relatively difficult to fix in the old renderer, since the draw order is artist-defined. In the DX9 build, one could simply insert the ball into the already existing depth ordering, but since, as we know, that ordering is not perfect, again artifacts will occur. So, it seems some more thought is needed.

[jimmyfingers]

No worries.  If actual bugs come to light after the "official" release, would there still be a potential bug / hot fix or service pack type deal?  It may be a moot point once the DX9 is fine tuned and all the compatibility issues worked out in some way as, for various reasons, that's going to be the focus I would imagine of everyone (like you say too even on the developers side).  

 

Thanks again for everything you guys did over the last couple years on this DX7 / VP92x branch.  The additive flashers still are something that I keep thinking of that you guys did that really enhanced some of the lighting options.  Even just working in the editor today I'm reminded of some of the things that have helped authors be more productive and find things easier (the selection type enhancements and one of the last ones to be added such as adding to a collection straight from the selection options on the table - that too was enhanced even more from the previous right click additions for finding buried objects!).  

 

You guys rock!

[toxie]

of course there is always an opportunity for hotfixes, but given what happened when VP8 was replaced by VP9, i doubt that too many people will want to develop tables with the old version anymore.

[pinballrockstar]

Hello people.
I realise i'm a bit late, like 33 pages late in the game.

however i just tried the new exe file (930) and i was blown away by the ball.

am i the only one that thinks the ball is going really really fast in the game. maybe i'm doing something wrong, i don't know.

i just replaced the exe file for VPinball.exe with the 930 version.

i mean T2 is not even playable anymore, that was already a fast table, but now it's unbelievable.

also the tales of arabian nights used to be a somewhat slow ball table, now is really not so realistic anymore. it's like the ball is too lite or something.

just wanted to give you my input, don't know if this already been said/fixed or known (it is known, Khaleesi) as i did not read the other pages.

Edited by pinballrockstar, 03 March 2014 - 05:49 PM.

[unclewilly]

One thing about touchscreen.

For the exit. Would it be possible to add an option to the exit menu or to the keys setting that would allow not only the player to quit but also to close the editor.

I'm just asking because I'm trying to use pinballx front end on a Windows tab. And when I exit a table the only option I have is to go back to the editor which defeats the purpose of a front end. It would be nice if I could completely exit everything with the touchscreen exit command

[toxie]

that's actually a good idea, maybe also coupled with a certain 'delay' that the region has to be pressed.

and it should be a small change.

[toxie]

rev 931 adds this tiny add-on.. actually there was already (slightly buggy) code existing from ultracade days, and i wired it up for keyboard/tablet support, too.

so now (by default) if you press the escape/exit key for 2 secs, you will exit VP completely.

(use the registry key "Player" / "Exitconfirm" to change the number of seconds)

[fuzzel]

Nice and now pack this baby together and release it There are some nice releases waiting for 9.2.1

[unclewilly]

Can we get that exit code into the next dx9 test build as well. Thanks toxie.
My tablet will be sweet with this

[mukuste]

I always migrate the changes from mainline VP into the DX9 branch, so that should go in.

[unclewilly]

Thank you.
Can't wait to see what happens when this dx7 final is released and all 3 of you can go full force on dx9 compatibility release then vp10, which I am really looking forward to.

Thanks to all of you for all your hard work and these great gifts you give to us

[toxie]

Nice and now pack this baby together and release it There are some nice releases waiting for 9.2.1

 

Your wish is my command.. 

 

Packages are uploaded, this thread is so basically closed then, thanks to all contributors, bug reporters, artists, etcetc! Once again this worked out great!

[Outhere]

rev 931 adds this tiny add-on.. actually there was already (slightly buggy) code existing from ultracade days, and i wired it up for keyboard/tablet support, too.

so now (by default) if you press the escape/exit key for 2 secs, you will exit VP completely.

(use the registry key "Player" / "Exitconfirm" to change the number of seconds)

After doing this, Now When You ESC and want to resume it Shuts down the VP program.How do you get the ESC menu to work right again?

Edited by Outhere, 20 March 2014 - 04:10 AM.

[mukuste]

That was a bug in the initial implementation of that feature. If you use the official 9.2.1 release, it should be fixed.

[Outhere]

Where are they hiding it on the website?

Because the one I find is     921 r932

 

That was a bug in the initial implementation of that feature. If you use the official 9.2.1 release, it should be fixed.

Where are they hiding it on the website?

Because the one I find is     921 r932

[mukuste]

http://www.vpforums....showtopic=26225

[Outhere]

http://www.vpforums....showtopic=26225

This is 921 r932

[toxie]

check your PM, please..