Stuttering 3D Graphics (Dread Lords)

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi there,

I am trying to run Dread Lords on my laptop. It is running really smooth on my PC which is a much older machine but on my laptop moving the map, zooming or rotating it makes the game very slow and stuttering. Reducing the resolution and switching of textures and stuff didn't help. Window mode didn't help either.

I am going to post my debug.err as well. Any suggestions?

Debug Message: Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 12/10/2007, 17:45:09
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: GAMBIT-LAPTOP
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.070828-1515)
Languages: German (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
System Model: Satellite Pro P100
BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.1
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T5500 @ 1.66GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.7GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1124MB used, 3186MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce Go 7900 GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0298&SUBSYS_FF311179&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512 MB
Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: PnP-Monitor (Standard)
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.6375
Driver Date: 10/4/2007 05:14:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Interner Lautsprecher/Kopfhörer (Conexant High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_14F1&DEV_5045&SUBSYS_1179FF31&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: CHDART.sys
Provider: Conexant
Driver Version: 4.08.0000.0000
Driver Date: 3/8/2007 13:20:28
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: SPDIF-Schnittstelle (Conexant High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_14F1&DEV_5045&SUBSYS_1179FF31&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: CHDART.sys
Provider: Conexant
Driver Version: 4.08.0000.0000
Driver Date: 3/8/2007 13:20:28
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1440 x 900
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 59
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 da7a64
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:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Gamez\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Gamez\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Gamez\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Gamez\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: Creating 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: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: Galaxy Size Set: 3 x 3
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 2.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 22
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 48
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 47
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 55
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 45
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 51
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 42
Debug Message: Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 56
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 55
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 45
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge: Intellence -> 56
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 7
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Gambit Test.sav
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
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: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 2 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
8,716 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Vista dropped support for the accelerated 2d drawing system that the minimap used, causing it to draw very slowly. The minimap code was completely rewritten in DA to get around this, but a backported fix for DL has not yet been released. Aside from playing DA instead, the only real workaround is to minimize the main panel so the minimap is not visible.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
OMG Ahhhhhhh!!!! :SNIFF!:

"Not yet"? Hope is growing. :d Please tell me there will be a fix, please... :SNIFF!:
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I also got the stuttering 3D rendering in playing Dread Lords under Windows XP PRO SP2 OS although the Dark Avatar ran fine on my PC. I want to know whether the GalCil2 programers can update the 3D rendering engine for Dread Lords with same one like Dark Avatar used.

My Desktop PC:

AMD3200+ , DDR ram 1500Mb, GF7600GT, 250G WD hard drive, WINDOWS XP Pro OS SP2 updated

Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I also got the stuttering 3D rendering in playing Dread Lords under Windows XP PRO SP2
End of quote


The OP's is a Vista issue, so if you're on XP, yours would be something else. Go ahead and post your debug.err, it may be something diagnosable.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hello

Dark Avatar and Twilight of Anor both work smoothly in 3D rendering except Dread Lords.

Latest Nvidia driver updated to..... Thank you for your kind support.....


Here is my debug.err:

Debug Message: Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 12/13/2007, 00:11:22
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: SEGA-3519C8E208
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: Chinese (Regional Setting: Chinese)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.0
Processor: AMD Athlon(TM) XP 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1536MB RAM
Page File: 381MB used, 2543MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_02E0&SUBSYS_2A57107D&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: 隨插即用監視器
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6375
Driver Date: 10/4/2007 17:14:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Sound Blaster Audigy
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0007&SUBSYS_100A1102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: P17.sys
Provider: CREATIVE
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0608
Driver Date: 3/17/2006 16:10:00
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: C-Media USB Sound Device
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: USB\Vid_0d8c&Pid_0006&Rev_0010&MI_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: cmudau.sys
Provider: C-Media Inc.
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0040
Driver Date: 8/18/2004 15:26:52
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: 1440 x 900
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 75
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\Aeba\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Aeba\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask G:\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask G:\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: Creating 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: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: Galaxy Size Set: 5 x 5
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 5.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 59
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 7
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
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: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 2 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hello Kryo

Here news update....

I had just done test the Dread Lords and found if i did minimize/hide the tool bar on bottom, the graphics rendering would able to run without lags. What would cause this happened?

By the way,there is no such as this issue appeared in chapter Dark Avatar or Twilight of the Arnor.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That's very odd, as that was a Vista-only thing... Just from your description of it, it would seem to imply that nVidia has now dropped GDI support from their XP drivers as well (in which there's nothing we can do, short of wait for the minimap code to be backported to DL).
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Dear Kryo

Why can the Dark Avatar and Twilight of the arnor work normally with the same display driver nvidia released except Dread Lords? I was a little confused.

Is it possible to make Dread Lords run with the same graphics rendering engine as the Dark Avatar used one you optimized?

Sorry, i supposed that the chapter DL still runs with old rendering engine with limited update.

It is better i hope all chapters in GalCiv II i purchased can run similarly well.

Thank you for your support.

Regards

Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sorry, i supposed that the chapter DL still runs with old rendering engine with limited update.
End of quote


Pretty much. The issue first came up right around DA's release (when nVidia dropped GDI support from their Vista drivers... ATI still works just fine), and was only fixed in DA, since that was the "current" version of the game.

In order to fix it for DL too, those same changes would need to be sorted out from all the other DA changes and put into DL as well, but with all the other demands on the devs, no such update has yet been released. AFAIK (but I could be mistaken) the planned 2.0 patch some time after TA's release will be for all chapters, so hopefully DL will get the minimap update then.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I hope the issue can be fixed after future patch2.0 being released. Thank you for your great support.