After reading Beach's AARs I decided to give DCSW 1.20 a look (I had 1.121 installed and working just fine) and see if my graphics were as impressive as the ones in his reports.

I don't know what they are like, because I am continually getting CTDs and freezes.

As a follow up to "Lock On" I think they should rename this one "Lock Up"

The Su-25T missions that worked fine with 1121 are not working with 120, the BS2 campaign starts (but the skin looks twisted somehow) but won't let me exit without using task manager, and if I follow their instructions for using two monitors I get a CTD on start-up, then another CTD when the post-mission GUI tries to load. Back to editing the lua files again

By this point I was too fed up to try the A-10C module. Good job I have BS1, BS2 & A-10C regular installs and have just started CAW on FC1 and Revanche on FC2

DCSW will be uninstalled and completely left until such time as a "finished" product is forthcoming





PS - just want to make clear this isn't meant as a dig at the designers/developers/anyone-else-involved as seems to be going on a lot at the moment. Just that I wasn't convinced beforehand and this has now turned out to be justified. I'll happily wait until things are sorted - I've plenty to keep me busy

There are a large number of folks who don't experience any of those problems, so while the product may need a few more tweaks, it's plenty "finished" enough to get good play in it.

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3615277/Georgian_Hammer_Mission_01.html#Post3615277
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3615856/Georgian_Hammer_Mission_02.html#Post3615856
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3617780/Georgian_Hammer_Mission_03.html#Post3617780

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3613171/DCS_World_multiplayer.html#Post3613171
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3617857/Few_DCS_World_MP_screenies.html#Post3617857

Have you posted about your issues on the ED forums to see if there is a quick resolution? For example, perhaps the way you edited the lua files is resulting in the CTDs, not the sim itself?

I'd start small and ramp up to find out what is causing the problems maybe? Try a single monitor with medium resolution. Just to make sure you can at least run the game... If you can get into and out of missions with no problem, then start adding some graphics complexity and see what is causing the hitch.

I don't think I've had a single CTD with DCS World yet.. I have had MP disconnect issues a couple times, but nothing while doing single player stuff.

Hope you get it sorted because the results are awesome..



BeachAV8R

Hi JonnyD, that one is the only issue you mention that I continually have, and yes, it is a bit annoying. And it has a related element to it, i.e. every time I start a game, if there is anything still open on the desktop, my screen starts to flicker it to the front, momentarily while flying (doesn't do it in the planner or intro screen, only when in mission), and the only way to stop it flickering and interfering when you use the mouse, is to alt tab to desktop to minimise it, then go back into DCS and wait for the graphics textures to reload, before you continue the mission.

And another aspect of this is when you try to exit, you get a related issue, namely, you can't use the quit button, because although the button is displayed on top, it's not actually the active layer, so you can't access the button to quit. So you again must alt tab back to desktop, then straight back to DCSw, as that brings the quit button to the front layer of the display and allows you to select it with the mouse. Then it will exit.

I have the same related active layer focus issues with the coordinate lines in the F10 screen, as they also interfere with (get in the way of) the active layer, and prevent you selecting units with the mouse. And to get around it, you must turn the coordinate lines off, however, when you do, it drops you back to the desktop (as though I had alt-tabbed ... but I hadn't ...), so you have to alt tab back to the f10 screen, and now you can select your units. Only happens once per mission though, so once that's done it works as I want it to for the rest of the mission.

Yes, that is a very annoying behaviour, and I hope it is fixed soon, but once you know that it's going to behave that way, I just alt-tab around it. Got used to it I did, a quick key-press to desktop and back at the very start of the mission and those issues are dealt with.

Don't remember seeing a single CTD in either BETA or released version though.

Plus older beta version missions that became unstable started to work properly once opened and saved within the released version.

Not having the graphical distortion issues you described, it looks just like the other DCS versions for the most part, just a bit better.

Thanks for your replies

Actually, this is the first time I've suffered these problems with any of the ED or DCS titles.

I haven't edited the lua files on this yet, though - so that isn't the issue. I had done on the separate installs and it works great (have a couple of stickies up at LockOnFiles with my method) but I was trying DCSW 1.20 without them, as it says in the readme that it should work.

When it didn't, I tried with one monitor - which stopped the start-up CTDs.

I did try the A-10C yesterday and things were markedly better than with BS and the Su-25T. However I still had the exit woes. I did try Alt-tabbing once on BS but no joy then - might even not have been the active screen at the time, can't know for sure now - but I will play with it anyway to see what happens.

I was wondering if there was any connection to my separate installs - I've kept everything else installed (LOMAC, FC1 (3 lots of )FC2, BS1, BS2 and A-10C at v1111). I uninstalled DCSW 1121 and actually went around the configs and registry to erase all signs of its presence (standard practice when I uninstall something) before installing DCSW 120.

The initial tests were done without even changing the options - then with them at the native resolution of my main monitor - without using the second one.

I did apply the fixes that have been released on the ED forum - but they should not cause this. There is just so much stuff on there and no apparent logical organisation of fixes and found bugs that it has become a real pain trying to solve anything on there.

I'll give it some more time and a reinstall and see how things go.

Cheers

Mr Einstein, considering your response to my post, I was rather surprised to find this today:



Which sort of contradicts your sceptical statement above:



Good job I took your post with the pinch of salt it deserved.

I'm not trying to make an argument here - just making a point, which I'm sure you'll respond to, telling me how wrong I am

I don't see anything contradictory about it. I have DCS World 1.2.0 and I've been playing the heck out of it. Finished enough to get great play actually. But the MP is not stable enough for reliable use.

We also have been gaining experience with 1.2.0 in a MP environment and that experience tells us that it isn't quite ready for prime time.

And if we are parsing statements:





Which is it? I'm not trying to make an argument - just making a point..

All of that said - there is plenty of good and working content in 1.2.0 to warrant keeping it installed. I prefer to play all the A-10C single player stuff in 1.2.0 but roll back to my 1.1.1.1 install for MP. Bringing together half a dozen complex modules under one umbrella takes time and a little patience. I assume you've reported your problems to the people that matter (ED) right?

BeachAV8R

I'd had exactly the same thought about einsteins comments when I read them. In fact I posted in that thread about it but I'm pretty sure I just deleted it before submitting it because though I didn't necessarily agree with the contradiction Einstein simply contributes too much to the community to scrutinize his every post.

There seems to be some stability issues between single player and multi player- so while each statement is in and of itself correct they apply to different aspects of the game. At least that's how I'm interpreting it.

Don't get me wrong... I'm a 1.1.1.1 guy and have no interest in playing single player 1.2 but then I don't even play sp 1111. I'm disappointed at the game level integration of land warfare with the possible exception of the jtac position. That's just one more thing that will take resources away from fixing the part of the sim that needs the most attention.

Only a single pinch of salt, eh? lol

Point taken and conceded.

When I made the first post claiming that DCS World was "finished enough" I had not experienced any of the Masterserver crashes. I stand by the latest post in that this error makes multiplayer player a gamble: will everyone get in or not? And that's broken.

On the other hand, I haven't had any issues with single play on any of the modules, other than I think the propwash effect on the rudder isn't right in P-51D, which really affects ground handling.

The biggest gain with World 1.2.0 is the ability to move units (if you have Combined Arms) while flying the A-10C campaign. It is nice to not have to commit units without recourse. Of course, I'm so covered up with flying that I struggle to maintain enough SA to bring all the pieces together. I remain amazed at the real world "Sandy" pilots that can listen to three different radios, manage their own aircraft, call in strikes, and keep an eye on all that is going on around them. They are truly incredible at multitasking..

No..no!!! You are not to change your opinion based on experience and exposure. Your posts are recorded on the internets and there must not be any disparity between past and current positions. Fall into line mister!

I can't get more than 5-10 minutes out of it before it crashes and not always under the same conditions, then usually it starts back up and shows me the debrief screen and I can sometimes restart but it always eventually crashes again. I have tried running it on the barest minimum settings and it still crashes and usually without any warning, no stutters, no freezes, just quits it doesn't seem to be a case of my PC not being able to run it, I even updated Vid Drivers.

Hmm..what module are you playing it it..maybe that has something to do with it? I've only played the A-10C module..and haven't had a CTD yet. I wonder if imported missions brought along from Black Shark and Su-25T are causing crashes?

I've played dozens of hours in the P-51D, A-10C, CA, and Su-25T modules without error. I haven't spent much time in the Ka-50 module, due to my configuration not being up to snuff just yet, however. Is that the module you're having problems with?

Is it always the same mission?

Have you looked at the crash logs to see what is being reported?

I'm just playing DCS World and the Su-25, I felt like before I invested I would dust off an old FC profile and try it out first but so far I haven't bought any modules and now I feel at least vindicated for not spending the money yet, but who knows maybe the individual modules would run fine. I could re-install Lomac/FC and I know it would run fine and when it runs World runs on High or Low settings with no discernible issues right up until it CTD's! I don't know where to look and even the logs have no real info in them. I have Black Shark 1 also though since my last format it's not installed and it runs fine even though flying it is something else entirely.



-for example I moved the entire save folder and let it create a new one and this is the content of the latest crash log
-= not a whole lot to go on

# -------------- 20120819-151458 --------------
C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\bin\edterraingraphics3.dll
# C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION at 665C950F 01:0001850F
#
# EAX = 00000000
# EBX = 0012E21C
# ECX = 72BDFF30
# EDX = 72BDFF30
# ESI = 72BDFF30
# EDI = 0A4F20D8
# CS:EIP = 001B:665C950F
# SS:ESP = 0023:0012E130 EBP = 1F8FCD80
# DS = 0023 ES = 0023 FS = 003B GS = 0000
# Flags = 00210202

-well there's another file and it has quite a bit more to say.. without putting it up it's reporting a lot of can't find textures and cant open folders maybe I should just re-install.

Yeah..it would be nice to narrow it down to the common denominator if there is one. Is it always during the same Su-25 mission or are they happening at random? Can you make a quick mission and try? Also..does it happen only in the single missions or does it happen in the instant action too?

Have you tried checking/unchecking "full screen" too in the options? I think you can still play full screen with it unchecked.

Good luck.. I hope you get it sorted and definitely post your problem over at the ED forum because they will have a better idea of what specifically to look for that is causing your crashes..

Pretty much have tried every thing suggested, and all random quick missions; ramp start, runway, airborne, even turned off my Saitek Profiler and just went with only axes and keyboard. I am now re-installing to a folder outside of Program Files and I'm not re-installing the crappy looking training files. So fingers crossed..

Smart move!

A quick search for "edterraingraphics3" at the ED forums turns up many results. Here are just a few:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=78768
http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=82003
http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=83118
http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=88557

They all seem tied to limited resources (memory, CPU, or GPU). What are your PC specs?

[edit: gee, your specs seem to be in your sig :sheepgrin:
One of the crash reports above seemed to have been traced back to a CPU overclock. Either un-overclock your CPU (yuck) or try lowering the graphics settings to the lowest possible and see if that works. If it does, incrementally step up the detail until you find your breaking point. If not, you may want to consider investing in new hardware before purchasing any DCS modules! Good luck, either way!]

There's quite a lot of response here, to my surprise, but it's late and I'll read it tomorrow.

Your quoted points are not confusing, though - as it clearly says, I hadn't edited the lua files before the post, but I was going to - and guess what? (stands back in amazement) it fixed all the CTD issues I was having.

I found some issues with online play in 1.2.0 - but they were really minor (connection to DCS being the only one) and don't bother me much.

Apart from that in the last couple of days I've had no problems at all.

EDIT - no, that's wrong - just a half hour ago I went into the A-10C controls to have a look for something and found that the joystick input assignments were all nuts. Things like showing 6 button presses for one action and the lines were all in red.

It was easily fixed, mind, by just importing the back-up assigment files I keep. Strange, though

I have seen this one too, like a bunch of conflicting controls were programmed.

You are lucky - I think most of us have experienced the mass unable to connect problem a few times. Hopefully you don't run into it.

It is my hope that eventually they iron everything out and everyone will get onboard with 1.2.x or whatever it will be.. Not that multiple installs are a pain in the butt..but having a single version for mission making and sharing would be nice..

Yeah, I don't know what the reason for that is. I go through and clear out all the axis commands right off the bat and set them since, as you've observed, you can often get things like rudder pedals sharing an axis with a stick or throttle.. Weird..

The original problems I was having would seem to have been caused by the fact that I tried to use the two monitor configs that are included with DCSW. I have never managed to get them working in any previous DCS release, either, but in the read me with 1.2 it said they could be used.

I thought they might have changed something, so I tried it - but got all the CTDs I mentioned. The problem was that after I changed back to single monitor, the crashes continued. After making a new lua file with my specific settings, it all came together



The main difference I can see between the two is that I have put exact pixel sizes or distances in my file, whereas DCS have used the fraction method (just an example one from the installation here - not necessarily the one I tried) -



which I guess they would have to, considering that everyone is not going to have the same size monitors. The problem being, of course, that their way doesn't seem to work, and to someone not used to fiddling, that would be a problem.

It was a bit irritating to start up the included Ka50 campaign in DCSW 1.2 and find the "missing textures" skin on the Shark, though. Nuts.

I'm going to do some more flying in the Su-25T hopefully later today and try some more of the FC2 missions. In 1121 I didn't have any problems worth noting flying FC2 missions, as long as they didn't include stuff which isn't in DCSW.

I've also just made some basic missions for ground attack training (weapons procedure rather than tactics) for the Ka50 and A-10C in v1.1.1.1 and will see if they work in DCSW 1.2

But I do think there is a distinct lack of general info about what DCSW will and won't do and what it is and, more importantly, what it isn't. I spend enough time scouring forums instead of flying as it is. From what I've read on these forums, compared to what I see on the DCS website (not the ED forum) they did even worse in terms of explanation in Combined Arms. Based on what I see on the DCS site, I'd buy it without hesitation. Based on what I've read from all sides here on SimHQ, I wouldn't - and haven't.

The reason the no paint or demo orange paint scheme (skin) comes up in DCSW on the Black Shark is that DCS have swapped the two! Simples

In BS2 standalone, Demo #22 is the Black Shark demonstration skin and Demo #24 is the orange 'no-textures' one.

In DCSW 1.20, Demo #24 is the orange one and Demo #24 is the Black Shark one. D'oh! (Wonder how long that's been general knowledge and I just found out! )

It's simple to fix, of course, in the loadout editor, but nevertheless a daft mistake (if indeed it was a mistake).

So, all the missions made in v1.1.1.1 worked in DCSW 1.20

As have the Su-25T missions from FC2

That's my problem as well, it's bad enough I can't program toe brakes to my pedals but that one gives me Elevator and the other is Aileron is completely crazy. I did the reinstall, ran it on low, Windowed, with everything on the sliders to the left and it ran fine (Woohoo) gradually adding things; TiR, JS Profile, seems to be holding, can't run it too high 'cos that crashes it immediately, strange. Now on to trying to shoot Rockets and drop Bombs, it would be nice if the training video didn't look like 640x480 res on my monitor. I need a list to figure out what I have to press to get things to go boom...but I did shoot down an A-10 with my cannon.

Hmm..you know, the reason I may have never gotten a crash with DCS World in single player mode if indeed the crashes are a result of the default monitor LUA files is because I've always used a custom modified one that iControl DCS exports/writes to the sim. The iControl server application lets you set up the floating MFCDs and I port them to a virtual monitor. During the setup iControl saves the configuration for you in the LUA file. So maybe that has to do with why my single player has been fine (?). Maybe we need iControl to write the multiplayer code too..

Personally, I'm not interested in any of the ground combat stuff in Combat Arms. The only thing I'm interested in is the ability to move my ground forces via commands while flying. That said, flying in MP with Einstein being the Combined Arms JTAC was very cool. If you are a person that likes doing that (designating targets and managing an overall battle plan), then I think Combined Arms is a very worthwhile addition. Plus..as has already been mentioned, it is a beta - subject to improvement or..uh unimprovement I suppose..

BeachAV8R

KRT - For videos you can go to ED's YouTube channel and they have HD videos available there:

http://www.youtube.com/user/eagledynamicstv

Regards,
BeachAV8R

BTW in general, this tweak is required for DCS to operate correctly in 32bit windows.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1084420&postcount=8

Nate

What exactly does that do..?

Increasing the "increaseuserva" parameter to 3GB will maximize the amount of memory that 32-bit Windows OS can access/use: the default value is 2GB. Since your sig shows you have 4 GB of RAM, this should give DCS one more GB of RAM to play with, a 50% increase!

Thread title update

Heheheh thought I saw it...

lol

There's a lot of DCS fans here, JonnyD, and I like to think for good reason. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as any of us, and am looking forward to hearing/seeing your adventures. Hopefully I get to fly them with you, too!

Now you've confused me!

Not that that is difficult to do these days...

LOL...

I'm missing my DCS A-10 action. Real life reared up and snagged all my free time lately. I've got to go splash around in the pool and inflate a life raft for "survival training" today. LOL..

Can't wait to get back to my campaign..

Ah, I thought that would be the case when your next Georgian Hammer AAR failed to appear.

Never mind - I'm reading through your Deployment reports for the Ka50 again and it has got me in the mood to give it a go


Shame that survival training doesn't help you in DCSW!

I've had half a dozen CDTs playing Georgian Hammer. I've stopped playing it because the crashes are happening late in the missions after I've devoted quite a lot of time and effort to succeed. I probably should clear out my Saved Games/DCS folder and reinstall but that seems like a bit too PITA right now. Eventually.

I've just flown the first Deployment mission (the 45 minute 'follow the Hind' one) and it went very well. In fact, I can't remember the last time the trimmer worked so well. Maybe I'm just getting better at using it, but it certainly helps having the FFB on my G940.

I was flying okay with it and using the trimmer in BS1 (was terrible with my X52) then for some reason I had real problems with it in BS2. v1.1.1.1 improved things and I don't know if there has been any tweaks to DCSW 1.2 or if as said, I'm just getting more experienced with it but it was great this evening on my first 'proper' DCSW Ka50 mission.

I also saw lots of allied military vehicles that I never saw in BS1 - maybe because I didn't have time to notice then (too busy trying to keep the Hind in sight) - but have now

Would have flown mission 2 today, but my 'Golfer's Elbow' is playing up now - that's the disadvantage of FFB!

Bet I can screw this campaign up better than Beach!

- not that I'm suggesting you screwed it up, Beach - but I probably will

PS - looking at my screenshots and thinking back to the flight - my scenery looks nothing like as lush and detailed as yours in the Georgian Hammer AARs

Have to have a fiddle (mebbe use the enb files?)

It wouldn't work for me, "The boot configuration data store could not be opened" .

Sounds permissiony Bong, is the command window open as Administrator?

Only if I get shot down while riding in the KC-135...




Oh..that sounds like a challenge..!

BeachAV8R

Eject from a KC-135? After it is damaged, or before?


hee hee the raft says "Climb in here". What is above the aircraft door? "Do not exit in-flight without adequate acceleration restraints"?


WC

That's a brilliant idea! A boarding ladder on a dinghy.

Now why didn't I think of that?



I'll post the AARs in the forum so we can compare notes

Reckon you can do worse than this?

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3633110/DCS_World_Ka50_Deployment_camp.html#Post3633110

Hey..what happened to your AAR?

I thought you did a good job on it. I've found that in the Shark it is best to keep some forward momentum. Although it is a nice luxury to be able to hover in one spot and recon the area. I think it makes you a sitting duck for the Iglas though (as you experienced).

I don't know what happened with your second attempt. Maybe that truck was blocking the path of the convoy..?

Thanks Beach. I deleted the AAR. After around 100 views and not a word in response - not even a word of encouragement - I thought maybe people didn't want to read stories of failed missions.

I have now succeeded with it, though. I even got through without losing a single vehicle (except the lead scout which blows up automatically) so I was happy about that, but not happy it took me 3 goes to succeed in such a simple mission. I managed to get the hovering done and stayed at a much higher altitude - though I did get hit by AK fire again, which knocked out the FCS and left me with half my rockets remaining in their pods.

I bought the Vergeev campaign and I'll have no chance if my performances are as bad as those first two attempts.

I'll write up the AAR for the successful mission tomorrow (I'm in bed now ) and in future will wait until a mission is completed before I post reports.

Cheers.

JonnyD, I wouldn't take the lack of responses as any sort of indication on your AAR - it just means none of those 100 felt like posting anything. You got 100 views, which says something: 100 people read your work and didn't post anything insulting or deragatory...way to go!

I, for one, would like to see your AAR.

Yeah, I was a bit tired so I probably over reacted. You never know, though - maybe 99 people opened it, thought "what a load of old tosh" and went elsewhere

Anyway, having had a great night's kip, I'll post an updated AAR shortly.

I really can't wait to get on with the campaign - had my head in the manual since I got up.

I always wondered why they never put a basement in a raft. it would give more room.

Finally got it to work, after a re-boot. I just re-formatted and re-installed Windows so a lot of stuff is back to default settings. It's all sorted out now no crashes, now if I can just blow some stuff up.

Seem to have a bit of a mix of subjects here.

The AAR was delayed a bit as I got started on a comprehensive VAC profile for DCSW Ka50 & BS2 covering all radio comms. It's finished and the command phrases have all been tested in the builder, just need to give it a test in-sim before I upload it for anyone else who wants it.

Anyway, I'm updating the report right now and so i'll change the link when it's up.

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3633110/DCS_World_Ka50_Deployment_camp.html#Post3633110

Jonny, here's the internet rule of thumb:

People are far more likely to tell you they hate something than that they liked it.
If people hate it, you'll KNOW. If you see little response but you know people have seen it, they probably liked it well enough.




The Jedi Master

Hi JM - thanks for your remarks - well I'd agree with you if it was something commercial we were talking about, but I can't see someone coming up with a reply like "your report is complete rubbish and you are the worst pilot I've ever seen" or words to that effect on a story told by a person in an AAR. I've never seen a negative comment on an AAR (and it would be deemed rather rude to make derogatory remarks in such a post, I think).

I may be wrong, but no matter in any case - at the end of the day if I'm honest, I don't write AARs for other people, I write them for me So I shouldn't have removed it at all

It was my first one here, though. I wrote some at Combat Ace and on Flory Models and got a couple of responses. It's always a test when you write something like that for the first time on a forum. I am in the process of building a website and my future AARs will go on there.

Anyway, I've just finished mission 3 successfully (2 attempts, though - vortex ring put paid to my first) but I have, unfortunately, more DCSW woes to report.

First off, my Vikhrs wouldn't fire at all. I tried many times and went through the combat prep procedure a couple of times over but they steadfastly refused to leave their pods. Rockets fired fine, but they were no use for the task.

I had to get my wingman to destroy the mission critical targets instead.

Then after completing the mission, DCSW is refusing to let me fly the next one. Won't even let me refly that one, so it's definitely stuck somehow.

I'm going to restart the campaign and see what happens when I get this far next time. Grrr!

EDIT: Just tried to fly the first mission again - CTD after a few minutes. Tried to load up the single mission variant of the 4th Deployment Campaign mission and the loading screen just 'hangs'.

Hmmm, time to change the thread title back again?

Guess that depends-it's your thread after all.

So then the question remains... Do you regret the upgrade or not?

And for what it's worth I'm still 1111.

I wouldn't say I regret it, as it has given me the chance to try it out. Before I went from hearsay - now I know from my own experience.

It has been fine on multiplayer with the exception of signing in - and that has been no worse than it used to be, trying to get onto UK DayZ servers.

All my issues have been SP based - and as I still have v1111 of both sims installed I can always go back to them as and when required. If I have the same issue in the campaign at mission 4, then World 1.20 will be finished for me for offline flying (until the MiG-21 comes, when I will test it again).

Nah, it sux!

Today I flew all 3 missions again - got good results and a medal, 100% and no deaths/TKs or suchlike and it still won't let me continue on to mission 4.



Just imagine - all the developers who have invested much time and a hell of a lot of money into their 3rd party products release excellent aircraft but DCSWorld keeps kicking customers in the nuts and nobody is interested any more.

You'd think they would make it bombproof before they started selling off access to other people.

If I was one of those 3rd Party Developers, I'd be making sure no money was handed over until I'd seen my product properly integrated into a fully working DCSW environment.

Back to v1111

And arcade style ground combat FTL.

Sorry to hear so much time wasted on it- I am confident they'll dial it in eventually- but they really need to figure out what to focus on. Right now they're all over the place.

How much time has been wasted on it?

Nate

Nate,
Eno is talking about JonnyD's time - not the DCS development team's.

But I am having to agree with JonnyD's comment -




I would *luv* to switch to DCS World, but not with the multiplayer and missing building unit issues we have now. An update is needed asap to put the enthusiasm back into the sim using a common new release. I'm about to design a new mission and it won't be done in v1.2.xx.

WC

Ahh I see, apologies, I misread it. BTW 1.2.1 is in the works.

Nate

Yeah Nate I'm not technically ragging on world- the concept is unfathomably enticing. We are camping on 1111 because it is the least broke of the two and we already have server reliability issues- not excited to invite more considering the server is controlled remotely from 3 corner of the globe.

But where I am a bit disappointed is that developers seem to have taken everything on at once while simultaneously taking on radical departures from
Conventional sims.

And actually while I'm it I'm a bit disappointed to have such an eagerness to slam my opinion on this matter (though it was misread) but no feedback whatsoever in 2 threads that remark quite consistently on remarkably consistent crashes and errors- both threads with over 30 THOUSAND views. .

I understand you're on it- but if you're going to jump the gun maybe pick the battle more carefully.

That's it, do what you like and share if you want. I mod sim sound for me but beyond a certain point only feedback and critiques from sharing make it better because I miss and neglect stuff. Most helpful and enjoyable comments come from people who are passionate, honest and upfront. The least helpful and most annoying comments come from the people who unconstructively obsess over minor or irrelevant details. If you get one of those sorts of chappies you just ignore 'em, and if necessary tell them to take a hike.

Enjoyed your agreeably honest write-up style and the vicarious flight, pity about the bugs.

I'm just getting into DCS: A-10C so I can't comment on multiplayer, but I've had some problems since going to 1.2.0.0 from 1.1.1.1.

Namely everytime I load a mission and attempt to click the cockpit, the game minimizes. I then have to click it on the taskbar to bring it back up where things work again. Not sure what's causing that.

Also noticed some shadowing artifacts on the cockpit glass in certain situations that shouldn't be there and make no sense (i.e. nothing is casting the weird shapes and lines there).

Hi, bonchie,
There is a setting in options to disable Windows Aero Glass, or something like that. I read on the DCS Forums that if you deselect that box the mouse issue won't happen again. Alt-Tab supposedly fixes it, too.


We do run a server called Eno's Firehouse but it is still on v1.1.1.1 which is more (much more) stable for multiplayer use. If I recollect right the IP address is 70.79.187.158:10308 and you will prolly have to type it in the first time. After that you can see the server under the History tab if it is on-line. We try to keep it running all the time. It doesn't always show up under the Internet tab - that is a v1.1.1.1 bug.

There is a "Eno's Firehouse" thread in the A-10C forum here at SimHQ.
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3555870/What_s_cookin_at_Eno_s_Firehou.html#Post3555870

WC

It's due to an option on the System Tab called "Disable Aero Interface", just uncheck that option and it stops doing it.

Those weird shapes and lines are the shadows being cast by the HUDs side-frame.

Thanks for your views, guys

Wow! I hadn't realised there was so much interest in this thread - currently over 3,700 views - guess I'd better behave myself

I'm definitely going back to v1.1.1.1 now, but I'll keep DCSW 1.20 installed and wait for the next patch.

I bought the Vergeev campaign, which was for BS v1.0.2 - I've set that up now, ready to use it if I have issues trying the missions in BS2 (1111). I think I read on ED forums that it works with BS2 but not in DCSW (now there's a surprise!) without changes.

That's something I've found frustrating in BS - not being able to fly the many (and I mean very many) missions and campaigns I downloaded for BS (1) in the BS module of DCSW. Not because of DCSW bugs, but because things have changed that have broken the missions. It must be really frustrating for the guys, like WC and all those other luvvly chaps who make spiffing missions and campaigns for us, who spend lots of time on excellent campaigns only to find them borked with the next patch. Makes me concerned for the future of community made campaigns and missions.

Not that I mind flying in BS (1) - it would just be a lot more convenient for all concerned if I could just install DCSW and get flying

My own mission making abilities are limited to pretty basic stuff - though I did try the random mission generator in DCSW and it gave me a great mission to fly.

PS - yeah, I hear the 'have you posted on ED forums?" - no I haven't. Firstly there is so much on there I don't know if they have been covered (search engines usually return 100's of results and most are not relevant) and personally I find the ED forums a rather hostile environment.

I've been reduced to an "etc".




Well put.


WC

Corrected

But I removed Dragon's name - I've just been reading his posts on ED forums and see that he says his mission packs are DCSW compatible.

Drat! Another evening wasted reading forums instead of flying!

Dragon and others replaced their "missing" building-units with the two bunkers that are available for some countries. I use lots of buildings in my missions to help tell the story, and replacing them all with a bunker would break my story lines IMO, and besides I'm just plain unwilling to do that.

I cannot fathom why the DCS devs would do that (leave out units) - to your earlier point, JonnyD.

WC

How so? I've personally found them a very courteous environment compared to other boards, including SimHQ.

New DCS versions breaking user-made content is of course problematic, but what's even worse IMO is their habit of breaking controller mapping files going from one version to another. Jeebus, all that reassigning and/or adding changes manually...

I haven't had a problem with that

I put my BS2 and A-10C G940, BU0836X and MFD assignments into DCSW without issue.

What's more, yesterday I put my DCSW Ka50 control profiles into BS1 and so far it seems to have worked just fine.

The only controller rant I have is having to do it x times over in FC2.

I'm not going to talk about ED forums - I've said what I think - from my own experiences - and that will do.

I know what you mean about porting stuff over. I had DOZENS of great coop missions for LOMAC/FC that don't work with FC2. I had many great ones for Black Shark that don't work with BS2. In both cases, it's because the terrain has changed between them.
Then you have the odd shift in the community where most MP missions are no longer freely distributed for the latest ED sims like they were back before and up to the early days of DCS.

I don't WANT to join a squadron or even play on a public server to play those missions. I prefer DLing them and running them just for the small group of players I fly coop with. Our own server, locked away, where we can fly as we want with no worries about how others might want to play or ruin our day.

Oh, you can add ROF to that list as well, most of the coop missions I have are from the early days of the sim, if you want to fly the recent released planes seems like only dogfight missions are made now.



The Jedi Master

JM note if you join a server - that particular mission is Downloaded and stored by DCS. If you want to fly it yourself with friends, just fish it out of C:\Users\<User Name>\Saved Games\DCS\Tracks\Multiplayer and open it in the Mission editor and save it again.

Nate

On that note if a guy spends 20 hours making his mission for a particular server- is there no way to protect the proprietary nature of that mission? Everyone gets all anti about pirating software- but that's essentially what you're saying here: play a mission that someone else made and use it whatever way you want.

I think if people want to protect their mission info at least for the sake of promoting the use of dedicated servers- then they should be allowed to. Any chance to make that an option?

Hey y'all!
I remember some gentle soul (Ice, maybe? or Wreckin'Crew?) tailor made for me a great Monitor .lua file so I could always have the MFD on the screen without having to zoom in all the time.

Well, I got me a new monitor and I was thinking I'd love to change that file a bit to better fit the 2 screens I have now.

Where are those files gone? I mean which DCS World folder? Can't seem to find them anymore.

Thanks in advance...

Hi komemiute -
Must have been - Ice. I run DCS on one 30" monitor. I am pretty sure that - Ice is running multiple monitors and has dealt with that and DCS World.


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^^^ That thing about being able to abscond with any multiplayer mission is bothersome. One day I signed onto the Multiplayer Lobby and saw one of my brand new missions being hosted on another server, under a modified name. I put a lot of thought and time and logic into my missions and they are there to play on Eno's Firehouse which is open for anyone to join and enjoy. Anyone can request a particular mission and we are happy to host it. But to find my work on another server without my permission feels like stealing from me. Maybe DCS does own the IP since I used their software to develop my missions... I've seen a Moa mission on another server, too, and know for a fact that was also taken w/o permission. How would DCS like it if someone took their software and offered it under a slightly different title? Not too, I imagine... Missions should have a security feature for sharing, or not. I have shared my missions when requested so I don't have a problem under those conditions. But think of how you would feel if someone took your mission and modified it and basically presented it as their own work - whether it was a title change or something more extensive. In fact I've seen some ranting about that for other sims here at SimHQ in years past - and I've seen it for other work such as documentation where it was reported AT DCS FORUMS.

WC

Komemiute - give me your monitor sizes and I'll do the lua file for you.

It goes into DCS World/Config/MonitorSetup

- or just look up this post at LOF and do it yourself

Well, thanks!
I've the main monitor 1920x1080 and the secondary is 1024x1280.

No mistake the secondary is with the short side on top.

I'd LOVE to have the MFD side by side on top of the secondary screen with the cockpit ones blacked out.

I would like to see some dev feedback on this mission issue. I had Nate jump on me owner another issue. I expect to see someone weigh in here.

pm sent

Sir, my hat's off to You!

I've been designing a new mission over the past week (v1.1.1.1) and I do want to say how great this sim engine is. The under-the-hood stuff is excellent. In Mission Builder I can make complex scenarios that lead to many hours of multiplayer enjoyment. Sure there are bugs with integrating everything into DCS World - and it is going to take shaking them out. Bugs do get squashed.

So I want to give all the folks at DCS a big Thank You! Nate - thanks for being a conduit back to the DCS folks, and our local punching bag at times

WC

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Time to change the thread title again?

Sorry WC - I don't think I'm changing it until DCSW 1.2.1 has been released and addressed the issues that break 1.2.0

I said in the other thread that I've had enough of the issues and the whole unpleasantness surrounding each DCSW release or announcement (see FC3 released thread) and I'm not going to use it again for the rest of the year, in the hope that when I look again in the New Year, all will be sorted and I can enjoy what should be a great sim - hopefully some new terrain might be in the works by then, too - though I'm not holding my breath. It all seems to be about aircraft models and I'm hoping some 3rd party developer will soon realise the bestseller that new terrain would be and grasp it by the short & curlys.

If I see some positive remarks when or if a patch is released before then, I may look again. That doesn't mean simply that the multiplayer issues are fixed - it means that I won't have to play a mission, or the first three missions of a campaign multiple times in the vain hope that on this occasion the campaign will actually proceed beyond mission 3. Though I may test my MiG-21 when it arrives, if that's before a patch.

In the meantime I'll be retroing (played Tomahawk today on my Spectrum 48k on a 28" widescreen TV - was great fun!) and flying Strike Fighters 2 - especially SF2NA which I just bought a week ago. Might find time for some bms and even get back into my Su-25A/K in FC & FC2. Oh - and I reinstalled Crimean Air Wars, too, for FC1 - watch out for some AARs So plenty to keep me busy.

It's all just got too frustrating, mate. I hope you have fun, though, and I'm sure I'll bump into you in the Firehouse in the New Year.