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#4424568 - 06/04/18 07:24 PM D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use?  
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MarkEAW Offline
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Recently RIBob pointed out the lack of instructions I have to install and use this wrapper.(and has provided me with some).
I agree I need some new instructions, at one point in the past I had simple instructions and removed them.
However I'd like to add back in some instructions to -"install" and use- this wrapper now.

I believe the wrapper was designed for WinXP, but has since been used on Vista and 7. With 7 having some quirks.

Does anyone have any steps they take to make EAW run with it? (This will help out if different people that use it, reply)
Thanks in advanced for your instructions and ideas.

Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#4424584 - 06/04/18 08:44 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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Alright, I've got a new format setup for displaying the instructions in my install document. showcasing the procedures to use for the program.

There seems to be several ways to launch the game, I found that you can double clcick the EAW icon within the windower box or click a launch icon once you have highlighted the game icon.

#4424603 - 06/04/18 10:41 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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Thanks RIBob. I manage between your instructions and four other people in old posts (because nobody elese helped recently, ecept RIBob and VBH), I manage to come up with a good set of Wrapper install and use instructions now. Should be fully completed if you want to take a look.
Its under WRAPPER PROGRAMS on my Install help doc.
https://eaw.neocities.org/eaw-manually-install.html#wrap

If you see anything needing update, please let me know.

#4424639 - 06/05/18 06:30 AM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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I now have gotten DXWND Wrapper program to work with EAW 126 on Windows 10 (1803)

Just requires to load the premade 'European Air War' profile and then check one item that the author missed.
then it finally worked after an hour and half (this time) of trying to figure it out. smile

The above line will show the previous steps required.

BTW it has a frame per second counter on the title bar, and if it reads right, its pretty high.

#4424664 - 06/05/18 11:24 AM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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RIBob Offline
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The D3DWindower program can be configured to use with multiple games; I have no experience with others.

Once wrapper program is installed, start it, and config screen appears. Add a game by browsing for that game's EXE file, and add it to wrapper config screen. One must also add the .dll hook file in lower window, so browse for that and add it. This two-step process must be done for each game added.

Start wrapper prog first (via shortcut), select desired game by highlighting it, and start game by clicking on computer icon at top of game config screen. Only one install of this particular wrapper program is required for multiple games.

Last edited by RIBob; 06/05/18 11:25 AM.
#4424671 - 06/05/18 12:24 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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@RIBob, I know this now since the PM. (I don't think it needs to be installed in the games folder, like you prevously mentioned in the PM, but like your saying now, it can be used for more than one game)
I filled out the help section on my install help doc. I also felt inspired to try others and added them too the help doc also. Take a look if you get a chance.

I have included, DDWrapper, I only remember using it on the Cockpit Editor program that apparently MPS used to make there cockpits, I think a guy named Crashin' Jack made it possible to use.
The point is the DDWrapper was successful for me on Win7 to allow that program to run correctly. However I have little info about what I did to make it work right.
But it does correct color issues easy enough.

#4424684 - 06/05/18 01:55 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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One thing I have noticed while flying (at least) v1.28e is that the horizon has a clear limit, and is very sharp; almost like if one were go to the horizon, one would 'fly off the edge of the Earth". I tried Nglide, and did not notice any appreciable difference between that and the previously installed D3DWindower wrapper program. However, I don't recall noticing any difference in the appearance of the horizon. I was probably focusing on other things. Is the 'masking" of the sharp "edge" of the horizon I'm currently seeing the "ground fog" you're talking about?

If so, I might give nGlide another try, since you are so high on it for other reasons as well. I am running a Glide-enabled nVidea graphics card, BTW.

Last edited by RIBob; 06/05/18 01:59 PM.
#4424694 - 06/05/18 02:51 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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The Horizon Fog should appear when using nGlide Wrapper. (this is the main reason to use it, plus its faster)


It won't show with Direct3D wrappers, atleast I have not seen it yet with any settings.

#4424701 - 06/05/18 03:43 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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Originally Posted by MarkEAW
The Horizon Fog should appear when using nGlide Wrapper. (this is the main reason to use it, plus its faster)


It won't show with Direct3D wrappers, atleast I have not seen it yet with any settings.


OK, then, I will give nglide another go; I'm enthusiastic about better graphics, increased game speed, and increased realism. Thanks!

#4424706 - 06/05/18 04:23 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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BTW, DXWND on my Win10 system performs at 120 max FPS, hovers around 110.

Then menu screens are at 85fps, selection screens drop that by 10 to be 75 when making a selection.
The delay between screens is gone.

All on my hardware. And its not the best going, more like 9 to 10 years old, from manufacture date.

#4424721 - 06/05/18 07:01 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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RIBob Offline
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With D3DWindower program, start program, select "Program Options" (Gear) Icon, and then select "Common" section on Config screen; use arrows on right to scroll among sections. Checking "FPS" box gives a Frames Per Second readout in upper left of the D3W window.

#4424728 - 06/05/18 07:18 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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don't hold me in suspense, how many FPS are you getting? smile

I think the DXWND might based off of the D3DWindower source originally, atleast thats what I read, but it might have been something else. IDK, just a thought, maybe why box have alittle window box to start off with.

#4424742 - 06/05/18 07:56 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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Originally Posted by MarkEAW
don't hold me in suspense, how many FPS are you getting? smile

I think the DXWND might based off of the D3DWindower source originally, atleast thats what I read, but it might have been something else. IDK, just a thought, maybe why box have alittle window box to start off with.


Game flys at about 20 FPS, using v1.28e as well as D3D and nGlide windowers (For weird colors/tearing and horizon haze, respectively). Playing only in nGlide gives about the same result. Lower than I has hoped.

Every graphics setting is maxxed-out in Game Settings/Graphics. I would not want to turn any of them down, if it can be avoided..

Last edited by RIBob; 06/05/18 08:05 PM.
#4424748 - 06/05/18 08:20 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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MarkEAW Offline
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awww, sorry man. This is on Win7 or Win10?


EDIT:
Set your v1.28e to 1024x768 res in the eaw.ini. That should help if thats lowering it to you, I don't know what your using now..
Otherwise I'm not sure why so low of FPS. Most seem to have 30 in Win10 and in Win7 much higher.

Last edited by MarkEAW; 06/05/18 08:25 PM.
#4424751 - 06/05/18 08:51 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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Originally Posted by MarkEAW
awww, sorry man. This is on Win7 or Win10?


EDIT:
Set your v1.28e to 1024x768 res in the eaw.ini. That should help if thats lowering it to you, I don't know what your using now..
Otherwise I'm not sure why so low of FPS. Most seem to have 30 in Win10 and in Win7 much higher.


RE-set Res in INI as per your suggestion. Now racing along at about 28-30 FPS. Win 7 x 64.

Last edited by RIBob; 06/05/18 09:08 PM.
#4425059 - 06/07/18 04:38 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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Mark,

people should be made aware of the differences between 3:4 and 16:9 (HDMI) and XVGA settings. Although the game has no provisions for anything higher then 1600 x 1200, it will do those resultions nonetheless. An old rule, which I believe to be still in effect, is to set game resolution to whatevr desktop setting is allowed in the video configuration screen of windows. When the screen dimension is not set to something which is native to the used monitor, it will result in oval reticles and the EAW world will match that distortion.

1024 x 768 is 3:4 and not the best setting for these widescreen monitors, however they also provide alternative settings which are not too far off. The field of view in super high resolutions above 1600 x 1200 are not subject to the 3D world recalculations in lower resolutions and can become impressively wide. With this super wideview also comes the rendering of all the objects in that view, which can result in perhaps 1/3rd more then normal. Add to this the higher resolutions, bitdepth of drawings, increased numbers of possible 3D objects, increased view distances etc., and you may understand why FPS is affected. Not even mentioning what the OS is doing to make it all work.

Obviously, wrappers consume CPU power as opposed to pure hardware acccelleration and with that things add up. It all depends on the graphics and resolution you're using and the power of your CPU and GPU. Terrain tiles used to have the biggest impact on FPS in the old days, but things have changed. Still, the old tricks used to speed things up still work, like setting lower detail and probably easiest always use clear sky when FPS drops below acceptable levels. To obtain the highest possible FPS it's best to fly stock aircraft and use stock groundobjects. Their filesizes are extremely low in comparison with what's been created to improve the game graphically. It may not be a popular thing to do for most but it really does help.

Just so people know there are choices available, but it does require some knowledge to take control, in all versions of the game.

VonBeerhofen

#4425063 - 06/07/18 05:09 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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I have info on the different res in my Help docs, and there ratios, the FOV, and POV info.

1024x768 is 4:3 ratio I believe, but hes using a window to play the game and at that res the POV was moved back on v1.28e (I think it was that version first).
So its a good around res for that game version.

He could set the in game res to that and then set the wrapper higher res and there will be alittle different in detail.

It was a headache to get all that info and test the views, so In my Bug and feature doc theres info and the INI doc theres info too that available to read.

https://eaw.neocities.org/eaw-inside-the-eaw-ini.html#graphics

https://eaw.neocities.org/eaw-known-bugs-feature-ideas.html#featurevideo

Since Win10 I use 800x600 and 1024x768. Right not I'm expermenting with 640x480 just to get the more detaled cockpits., but the flight window is so less detailed im might move on.




Last edited by MarkEAW; 06/07/18 07:42 PM. Reason: added links
#4425073 - 06/07/18 06:28 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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VonBeerhofen Offline
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The downside of the 2D cockpits is that you won't get any new ones for alternative planes. Noone has ever created the drawings for that except the ones wjich were snapshots from the 3D pits and as such will not be an improvement. I don't think C.J.'s efforts were ever copied by anyone else since it's a pain to make new PVIEW**.CPT files where these things are stored. I don't think there's anything for the previous NONE flyables either since their current PVIEWS are all copies from other stock aircraft.

Here's my Mosquito pit adapted from Mr. Johnson's version:
[Linked Image]

VonBeerhofen

#4425078 - 06/07/18 07:30 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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Yeah, I just been loving the 2d cockpits, but I'll move on from them cause I can't stand the low res out the window look of the world smile

But it was fun looking back at them and seeing all the detail, fine art work I think. It is too bad they didnt have better ones for the virtual cockpits when they made the game.

#4425088 - 06/07/18 08:57 PM Re: D3DWindower 1.88 Steps to use? [Re: MarkEAW]  
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Much improved cockpits in the new SPAW set.

Removed extraneous bits from some cockpits that didn't function, increase the size of the instruments and added animated parts like switches, lights. sliding cockpit frames and in some cases, viewable dive brakes.

Just sayin'


Heck, even paranoids have enemies.
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