Enhancement Patches for Wing Commander III and IV
- Thread starter Mash
- Start date
Knobi Wan Penobi
Petty Officer
Hey there,
thanks for the great work.
Just running the last mission in wc III with the patches and its awesome.
Is there any chance that this 16:9 magic in the spacecombat can also be done for WCP. Or do I miss something and that is allready possible?
thanks for the great work.
Just running the last mission in wc III with the patches and its awesome.
Is there any chance that this 16:9 magic in the spacecombat can also be done for WCP. Or do I miss something and that is allready possible?
Hi!
I've been using this excellent patch, both the joystick improvements and movies have been great. Thank you!
However starting on the mission with "Loki IV destruction by the behemoht" the game keeps crashing.
I tried using a unfixed/unpatched GOG version and used the save on that and could complete the mission without any problems. However transfering the save back, the next mission crashes on start. Is this crashing anything anyone has encountered and are there any suggestions?
I've been using this excellent patch, both the joystick improvements and movies have been great. Thank you!
However starting on the mission with "Loki IV destruction by the behemoht" the game keeps crashing.
I tried using a unfixed/unpatched GOG version and used the save on that and could complete the mission without any problems. However transfering the save back, the next mission crashes on start. Is this crashing anything anyone has encountered and are there any suggestions?
@Knobi Wan Penobi:
I intend to have a look at both Prophecy and Privateer 2 when I get the chance. Although out of the two, P2 is of more interest to me.
@Liner: I didn't get any crashes playing that or the following mission but I did notice some movie issues. I'll take a closer look when I get the chance.
I intend to have a look at both Prophecy and Privateer 2 when I get the chance. Although out of the two, P2 is of more interest to me.
@Liner: I didn't get any crashes playing that or the following mission but I did notice some movie issues. I'll take a closer look when I get the chance.
Thanks. I appreciate it very much. Take your time, I understand it is not a priority.
The game seem to crash every time I move closer to the behemoth and the attacking Kilrathi. If I don't fly anywhere after launching I can kill the four and get the cut scene with the B firing but the game crashes almost immediately after that even if I don't move.
An interesting thing, in the GOG vanilla version the mission is "on cd 3" but in the patched version it is "on cd 4".
Don't know if this has something to do with it but as you said there was something strange with the movies:
From the log (however all of these happens before the actual crash):
LibVlc_Movie: Create Movie Branch Path FAILED: origin_s, branch:0
LibVlc_Movie: Create Movie Branch Path FAILED: opening, branch:0
LibVlc_Movie: Create Movie Branch Path FAILED: sc_205, branch:3
LibVlc_Movie: Create Movie Branch Path FAILED: sc_118, branch:0
LibVlc_Movie: Create Movie Branch Path FAILED: sc_200, branch:0
LibVlc_Movie: Create Movie Branch Path FAILED: sc_200, branch:3
LibVlc_Movie: Create Movie Branch Path FAILED: sc_201, branch:0
LibVlc_Movie: Create Movie Branch Path FAILED: sc_a118, branch:0
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schlang
Rear Admiral
First: thank you my friend for your WC3 and WC4 patches!!!!!!
Unfortunately I can't get it to work with the official DVD release, I get a popup saying "Virtual Protect failed".
When I copy over the wc4dvd.exe from GOG it complains it can't find some procedure entry point for mpeg2 playback.
When I copy over all the dlls from GOG it works with the GOG wc4dvd.exe
And then after I copied over the dlls from GOG the original wc4dvd.exe complains about the same procedure entry point for mpeg2 playback.
This is funny because I have no idea how these dll dependencies work but I somehow would like to know how to resolve it
Unfortunately I can't get it to work with the official DVD release, I get a popup saying "Virtual Protect failed".
When I copy over the wc4dvd.exe from GOG it complains it can't find some procedure entry point for mpeg2 playback.
When I copy over all the dlls from GOG it works with the GOG wc4dvd.exe
And then after I copied over the dlls from GOG the original wc4dvd.exe complains about the same procedure entry point for mpeg2 playback.
This is funny because I have no idea how these dll dependencies work but I somehow would like to know how to resolve it
I don't have a copy of the official DVD version "wc4dvd.exe". If you're willing to upload that somewhere, I'd like to take a look and see where it differs from the modified GOG version.
One thing you could try is renaming the "dwrap.dll" file from my DVD patch to "ddraw.dll". I suspect there will be other problems though.
schlang
Rear Admiral
I tried renaming to dwrap an ddraw dlls but it didn't make a difference.
Thank you, I sent you a PM with everything you need
Hi all,
Both patches, WC3 and WC4 have seen a couple of updates since my last post. Links in the first post.
As well as bug fixes, the major feature for both patches is a level of detail distance modifier setting, "LOD_LEVEL_DISTANCE_MODIFIER" in the ini file. It's for adjusting the distance at which objects become less detailed. This does not change when hanger doors materialise, still looking for that one.
For WC3 I've also added the ability to replace cockpit background images with HD wide screen versions. This includes adding images for left, right and rear views as well. I'm no artist so I'm hoping someone will rise to the challenge of creating these.
Here are some more details on how they should be created and installed:
- images should be 32bit png's.
- images can be any resolution within reason and should ideally be sized to fill the widest monitors.
- images will be scaled to match the scaled height of the regular cockpit, to keep VDU's aligned.
- images should be placed under "DATA\MISSIONS\COCKPITS\" in your game dir.
- the name of the image should match those in the "missions.tre" file. These are ARWPIT, BOMPIT, EXCPIT, EXPPITT, HVYPIT and MEDPIT. Names should be followed by a view direction string, these include "_F" for front cockpit, "_L" for left view, "_R" for right view, "_B" for back view. Eg. the Hellcat front cockpit view would be named "MEDPIT_F.png".
I've attached a horrible example of the Hellcat cockpit to try out. It just needs to be extracted to you install directory.
@Liner: If your still about, I think I've fixed the crashes you were experiencing on the Behemoth missions. Eager to hear back on your experience if you give this a go.
@schlang: The original DVD exe is now supported. It has to be the version the modified GOG exe is based on. I'm not sure if that's the one your using.
Both patches, WC3 and WC4 have seen a couple of updates since my last post. Links in the first post.
As well as bug fixes, the major feature for both patches is a level of detail distance modifier setting, "LOD_LEVEL_DISTANCE_MODIFIER" in the ini file. It's for adjusting the distance at which objects become less detailed. This does not change when hanger doors materialise, still looking for that one.
For WC3 I've also added the ability to replace cockpit background images with HD wide screen versions. This includes adding images for left, right and rear views as well. I'm no artist so I'm hoping someone will rise to the challenge of creating these.
Here are some more details on how they should be created and installed:
- images should be 32bit png's.
- images can be any resolution within reason and should ideally be sized to fill the widest monitors.
- images will be scaled to match the scaled height of the regular cockpit, to keep VDU's aligned.
- images should be placed under "DATA\MISSIONS\COCKPITS\" in your game dir.
- the name of the image should match those in the "missions.tre" file. These are ARWPIT, BOMPIT, EXCPIT, EXPPITT, HVYPIT and MEDPIT. Names should be followed by a view direction string, these include "_F" for front cockpit, "_L" for left view, "_R" for right view, "_B" for back view. Eg. the Hellcat front cockpit view would be named "MEDPIT_F.png".
I've attached a horrible example of the Hellcat cockpit to try out. It just needs to be extracted to you install directory.
@Liner: If your still about, I think I've fixed the crashes you were experiencing on the Behemoth missions. Eager to hear back on your experience if you give this a go.
@schlang: The original DVD exe is now supported. It has to be the version the modified GOG exe is based on. I'm not sure if that's the one your using.
schlang
Rear Admiral
thank you so much for all your effort, gonna try it this evening
I have just launched this, WC3 to be precise, on my PC, connected to my 4k TV. This is insane 👍
My only real nitpick thus far is the lack of widescreen with cockpits, maybe AllTinker, or another talented retro artist, can help with that? I read the posts above, I know you already ensured support here. We only need good files for that...
Other things I noticed compared to DOS, appart from having to turn off interlacing, is a strong difference in Gamma that crushes contrast and mood in the patched KS version and differences in rendering target boxes... they scale differently in the patched version. At a distance, there is little difference but up close, they become smaller (and eventually smaller than the craft, making them hard to see). Here is a demonstration using our trusty brainwashed wingman from mission 1:
My only real nitpick thus far is the lack of widescreen with cockpits, maybe AllTinker, or another talented retro artist, can help with that? I read the posts above, I know you already ensured support here. We only need good files for that...
Other things I noticed compared to DOS, appart from having to turn off interlacing, is a strong difference in Gamma that crushes contrast and mood in the patched KS version and differences in rendering target boxes... they scale differently in the patched version. At a distance, there is little difference but up close, they become smaller (and eventually smaller than the craft, making them hard to see). Here is a demonstration using our trusty brainwashed wingman from mission 1:
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gr1mre4per
Rear Admiral
I'm so glad P2 is of more interest to you than Prophecy. I'm working on a little something for Prophecy at the moment.
I've had a chance to play some wc3 again after what has been too long, this patch really gives the game a boost, really loving your work here! High resolution and higher frame rates are just what the doctor ordered!
Does anyone else struggle with joystick thought? I mean I've always had a problem where the dead zone isn't center and pulling back in the stick to pitch up actually initially pitches down until i pull back a bit further. Is that anything that can be improved in your patch?
Really great work!
Pedro
Admiral
Have you messaged PopsiclePete? Widescreen is always a solved issue since standoff, just needed the assets updating iirc
A new gl is incoming, only intended to strip out the old cgfx but moving to Vulkan sometime (the nasty bloom has bothered me for a decade).
@Vidmaster: Thanks for the feedback.
I've fixed the targeting rect max size to more closely match that in the original game. I'll also change the default gamma setting to off rather than low which is it's original setting. These changes will be available in the next release.
@gr1mre4per: The joystick movement bug is a common problem. I really do hope to fix it at some point but it's a complicated one for sure.
Glad to hear Prophecy's getting some love.
I've fixed the targeting rect max size to more closely match that in the original game. I'll also change the default gamma setting to off rather than low which is it's original setting. These changes will be available in the next release.
@gr1mre4per: The joystick movement bug is a common problem. I really do hope to fix it at some point but it's a complicated one for sure.
Glad to hear Prophecy's getting some love.
Thank you for your work.
New version for wc3 is up, links in the first post.
Ship rotation has seen a big update. Higher precision movement, fixed those annoying retrograde movements and axis lock issues.
With ship movement sorted, I've also set the default frame rate to 60fps and set the LOD setting to always use the highest level of detail.
It looks and feels great to me, love to hear what you guys think.
Will be adding these feature to the wc4 patch soon.
Ship rotation has seen a big update. Higher precision movement, fixed those annoying retrograde movements and axis lock issues.
With ship movement sorted, I've also set the default frame rate to 60fps and set the LOD setting to always use the highest level of detail.
It looks and feels great to me, love to hear what you guys think.
Will be adding these feature to the wc4 patch soon.
Noel Shourai
Ensign
Hey, I've tried out both the WC3 and WC4 patches and I've been having a few issues with them:
- I have trouble getting my HOTAS to work properly with Windows.Gaming.Input in WC4 specifically; the new joystick control panel will read the throttle input, but even so the game itself does not. However, WC3 does not seem to have this issue. I can get around this issue by using the old Windows Multimedia Joystick library, and then the game picks up my throttle input.
- This is a persistently recurring problem I have with the original WC4 on modern systems, but music likes to stop playing after a track loop, or after event music plays, after which music stops playing altogether until a new event triggers i.e. scored a kill, new enemy wave, etc.. Could the patch handle this? Only WC4 has this issue, WC3 does not.
- Is there a way to increase the FOV?
Other than these, I'm really liking the major QoL improvements that have been made to the WC3/4 engine.
- I have trouble getting my HOTAS to work properly with Windows.Gaming.Input in WC4 specifically; the new joystick control panel will read the throttle input, but even so the game itself does not. However, WC3 does not seem to have this issue. I can get around this issue by using the old Windows Multimedia Joystick library, and then the game picks up my throttle input.
- This is a persistently recurring problem I have with the original WC4 on modern systems, but music likes to stop playing after a track loop, or after event music plays, after which music stops playing altogether until a new event triggers i.e. scored a kill, new enemy wave, etc.. Could the patch handle this? Only WC4 has this issue, WC3 does not.
- Is there a way to increase the FOV?
Other than these, I'm really liking the major QoL improvements that have been made to the WC3/4 engine.
Just updated the patch to fix this (v0.5.1). Totally missed that when testing, thanks for letting me know.
Someone else pointed this out to me a while back. I've just recently found a computer I can reproduce this on, so I'm hopeful I'll find a solution soon.
I've put this on my list of things to do.