nobody on 2/8/2005 at 15:24
I am starting this thread to compile all the info we have on how to make FM distro, install, and set-up work for everyone.
My goals for this thread/project are to determine:
#1: how should the machine to play the FM be set up?
#2: how should the FM be distributed and packaged?
#3: what sort of things need to be avoided in an FM to prevent crashes?
first here's what we have as far as missions both finished and partial:
this page has the most recent versions of Ziemanskye's Townhouse and Schism. It also has Ascottk's "Keeper's Training" in an IBT
(
http://thiefmissions.com/thief3/demos/)
Townhouse has had the most success running on multiple computers
Schism has had very little success and my desire to see it fixed has played a major role in my creating this thread.
I don't know much about Keeper's Training yet other than it isn't finished and may be very large.
next is Ascottk's partial mission Krellek's Labyrinth:
(
http://rapidshare.de/files/2366048/TDS_Krellek-Labyrinth.zip.html)
Krellek's has had a pretty good amount of success running on other computers but again isn't very large yet.
Let’s start modestly with goal #1
I have a dual install of game and editor in separate folders. I understand there is another option but I haven’t tried it.
It seems that some FM’s may require an increase in vertex pools. This is done by increasing a set of numbers in your User.ini. it should look like this by default:
[PCVertexPools]
DynamicVertexPool0=3145728
StaticVertexPool=2621440
StaticShadowVertexPool=1572864
Some users have had success with multiplying these numbers by ten. The usefulness of this is still under debate as many people have not been able to correct crashes this way (I’m one of the unlucky).
No all people use the Minimalist project but it appears that those who do need not worry about this next step.
You need to place a copy of T3MainReleaseVersion.exe found in the editor in your game directory and rename it to T3Main.exe. Without this your game will not recognize custom sounds or objectives. The Minimalist Project will do this for you.
PROJECT FOR THE COMMUNITY:
I would like to hear from as many people as possible about what type of install they run, game only, game & editor separate, game & editor combined, minimalist & game only, minimalist game & editor separate, or minimalist game & editor combined.
I also want to hear which of the above missions you have run successfully and which not. And I want to hear what if any custom mods you have made to the game itself, this includes things like the vertex pool mod in the User.ini. Hopefully, this will help us discover what setups work so we can get everyone to use the best set-up
EDIT:
there's a thread dealing with Garret Loader and honestly I think we need to get these problems worked out before we address Garrett Loader so let's keep the GL discussion here:
(
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98986)
I will update, change, whatever this first post as needed to keep up with breaking news/fixes found and finalized instructions when we have them.
ProjectX on 2/8/2005 at 15:46
I increased my vertex pools by 10 for all of the PC properties. Haven't played Kellek's Labarynth yet, but Townhouse works for me, once I moved garrettloader over to a fresh non-editor install (patched) of T3 and DID NOT use the T3Main.exe from the Garrettloader site, as that is actually the wrong one. Instead I copied the file from my editor install.
Schism crashes back at about 40 to 50% loading for me.
New Horizon on 2/8/2005 at 15:49
I have also been working on a custom installer for the Editor. It will include bug fixes and a few customizations. No release date just yet but the installer is 80 megs smaller due to the compression factor used.
ProjectX on 2/8/2005 at 16:29
I will bow down and worship you, because today I've uninstalled an reinstalled the editor and main wersions of thief upwards of 6 times and anything that makes this process faster will be heaven to me.
Ziemanskye on 2/8/2005 at 16:33
Just for the record - adjusting the vertex pools probably only really solves one specific error per pool, and that isn't the only problem with Schism (and probably not with other maps, but there isn't much of a sample space yet)
nobody on 2/8/2005 at 17:08
so do we really need to adjust the vertex pools? I was able to run Krellek and townhouse just fine without messing with them. are you sure the problem is with schism and not our set up? at least one person other than you could run it right? so what did they,(and you) do differently? maybe you've stumbled on a superior set up? how did you set up Z-man?
GlasWolf on 2/8/2005 at 18:40
Schism started working for me as soon as I commented out the LoadFromResourceBlockFiles=True line in the user.ini.
nobody on 2/8/2005 at 18:47
interesting that didn't work for me, how else is your system set up?
SneaksieDave on 2/8/2005 at 22:52
With version 3, I'm no longer able to launch it from command line. I get the entry map, even though I state 't3.exe zSchism' - so it's as if it doesn't pay attention to the command line at all. :confused:
Anyway, now I get what others see - frob the glyph, start loading, 40%, crash.
Ziemanskye on 3/8/2005 at 09:49
That's just bizarre. Both on the ignoring the command line and it working with blockloading commented out. (which should mean all the custom triggerscripts don't work, and might mean any re-skinned meshes don't show right)
Glas, did you alter your user.ini with the blockloading thing too?
