Project Reality Forums

Hi Im new on these forums. I just signed up to post a reply as I had the solution to someones problem (there mouse moving more than 1 pixel when aiming stopping them taking long distance shots). Hopefully the solution will work for them as it worked for me.

Anyway, Ive got a little problem myself and was wondering if anybody can help. Im playing project reality with the nvidia 3d vision glasses and it looks amazing although this one little glitch that can be annoying on certain maps (especially my favourite map, muttrah city). The problem is the shadows not rendering properly in 3d. I was wondering if anyone knows if its possible to remove them completely. Ive tried turning them down to low but I still get small shadows that kinda flash and look really bad on certain parts of the map. Im really hoping theres a fix to this problem as its my favourite game and it absolutely jaw dropping in 3d.

So does anyone know how to do it or if its even possible?

Also anyone else using 3d glasses?

Is this a hidden commercial for those glasses?
Kinda looks like it :s

shadows casted from buildings and terrain? those cant be turned off, those are light maps, they are "painted" on the map and are not the result of real time calculations.

you can turn off dynamic shadows (casted from vehicules and soldiers) on your options panel.

NYTEMYRE:
Go away mate if you cant help.

Its a genuine PROBLEM. Not exactly a good advert is it?

OK Thanks Martov. I was afraid someone was gonna say that Not too worry, Its a small problem compared to the overall effect of 3D.

I dont suppose the modders have any ideas (or plans) for an option to remove these lightmaps and make the game fully 3d compatible? Is it even possible?
Sorry if this is a noob question but I havent got a clue about coding etc ops:

moved to support section

I think that 99% dont use 3d, so probably not...

nvidia3dvision wrote:I dont suppose the modders have any ideas (or plans) for an option to remove these lightmaps and make the game fully 3d compatible? Is it even possible?
Sorry if this is a noob question but I havent got a clue about coding etc ops:

lightmaps are supposed to give a lighting effect without using CPU and GPU resources, they are the result of a dynamic light exposed to the map, the "recording" of those shadows and the "baking" of them on the map's textures, turning some parts of the map dark to simulate a light (sun) that is dynamically casting shadows.

in other words, they arent a game's feature(like dynamic shadows), they are a map's feature (like a building or a tree), that means that you would need another map without the lightmaps, and that map would not be compatible with the map version with the lightmap.

I think it works like that, there might be some kind of work arround, but I dont think so.

CHIZNIZZLE:
Yeah thats my guess too

I wish more people could experience them because it really does add a whole new element to the game. I should probally shut up now before I gt accused of trying to sell them.

ps. buy them or dont buy them. I really couldnt give a shit.

OK. Thanks Martov. I understand what your saying.

Well I guess the map makers arent gonna re release every map for 3D for a small number of people currently using it. Maybe they could remove these "painted" shadows when developing future maps if it wasnt gonna add too much extra work to the coding? Would it be easy to fix this problem whilst creating the map?

nvidia3dvision wrote:OK. Thanks Martov. I understand what your saying.

Well I guess the map makers arent gonna re release every map for 3D for a small number of people currently using 3d. Maybe they could keep the shadows in mind when developing future maps if it wasnt gonna add too much extra work to the coding? Would it be easy to fix this problem when making the map?

they are not going to take out the shadows and decrease the games graphical quality for most users to please the few guys with 3d thingies.

either everyone has a map with lightmaps, or no one has a map with lightmaps.

you cant mix people with 2 different versions of a map in the same server.


again, there might be posible to change the terrain textures to an unlight default texture, just as you change the textures to "high" or "low", but I dont know if those textures can be different files, or just automatically dumbed down versions of the same texture

we need someone with better knowledge of the BF2 engine than me to clarify that

Interesting...hopefully a modder can shine some light on that suggestion. Would it be possible to swap some textures in the maps to one that dont include the lightmaps shadow thingies?

I understand you cant lower the graphics quality for everyone else just so 3D uses get a better experience. But these lightmaps look pretty **** in 2d too LoL. Infact when you turn shadows up they cover 99% of them up anyway. Personally I think removing them would benefit 3d and would be no loss to 2d.

The actual shadows look great rendered in 3D. Its just the lightmap shadows that cause a problem (on certain maps) when you turn the depth up. Ive currently got the depth turned down but ive tweaked the convergence to make things appear to come out of the screen a little. Id much rather be able to crank the depth up higher though. Its cool because when you look down a street you actually feel like your looking down a street. LoL hard to explain.

Another problem with the turning the depth setting up is the gun gets a horrible shadow around and the scope doesnt line up properly. The only gun rendered in 3d is the pistol and you can cranked the depth right up and the sights work awesome.Vanilla BF2 has this same problem except for on the pistol and the g3 rifle which have apparently been rendered in a way thats compatible with 3d. By achieving my 3D effect using the convergence setting instead of the depth setting ive managed to get all the crosshairs to line up but I just wish there was something I could do to increase the depth. Why is it some guns are already compatible and some arent?

Anyway, Im guessing im just gonna have to live with these minor issues. Giving a choice ill definately still choose to the wear the glasses as it definately makes you feel more "IN" the game. Surely theres gotta be someone else on here using them too?

nvidia3dvision wrote:Surely there's gotta be someone else on here using them too?

*Silence*

3dvision is one of those cool things that not many people have, so I reckon you are one of the few. At least it somewhat works in BF2, considering the game was designed for 2D.

Tofurkeymeister wrote:*Silence*

3dvision is one of those cool things that not many people have, so I reckon you are one of the few. At least it somewhat works in BF2, considering the game was designed for 2D.

Yeah I'm afraid you're a bit alone. There's not many people who were making an investment to buy a monitor years ago that were thinking HEY I MIGHT NEED AN EXTRA 60 HZ INCASE NVIDIA DECIDES TO MAKE A 3D VISION SOFTWARE REQUIRING A 120 HZ MONITOR. Some people might shell out loads more money to buy the whole kit (120 hz monitor plus glasses) but I know with my tight financial situation I'm sure not one of them lol.

Yeah I hear what your saying stealth clobber. Im not normally one to invest it the new tech first as im by no means "rich", but I was ready to replace my OLD monitor this year anyway and the 3D idea intrigued me so I decided to drop the extra cash on one that was 3D (24" acer 1080p) otherwise had I upgraded my monitor say last year, there would of been no way I could of justified changing again now for something 3D compatible, and I would never of known the awesomeness I was missing out on LoL.

Also I already had a compatible graphics card (bfg 8800gt) so luckily I was in a situation where it kinda made sense. Plus now I can play games in 2d and my monitor can display 120 fps instead of 60fps on a 60hz lcd. So I figured even if I didnt like the 3D glasses I could sell them and I would still be left with a fast 120hz monitor for normal gaming. However the glasses are really good and 3D truly rocks. I definately wont be selling them. Infact theve got me thinking about how I could raise the funds for a 3D projector. LoL

Baked lightmaps is the way that the BF2 engine does stuff and that is not going to change.

However the engine we are building PR2 on supports dynamic shadow map generation.

I can confirm the problem with shadows. They are frequently misplaced and make it hard to focus. Weapons also seem to cut a double silhouette out from any shadow seen beyond them. Sights in general are doubled for the most part unless you look at the sky. Weapons themselves are frequently doubled. The edges of mountains often lack or add shadows, giving the illusion of double vision.
This game itself was not designed to be 3d so the rough edges show. I'll most likely play in 2d.

I know the images are small. I hope you DEVs can test for this kind of stuff for PR2.

Below: Cut out around weapon

Below : Shadows on edges of mountains

Below : Edges around weapons

Below: Observe shadows on street. (It doesn't make sense, are the lightmaps movable?)

Below: Doubled sight