[MOD] IEX - AP/TC Sector Visual Enhancement - IEX 1.5b (27/07/2014)

[Moonrat]

I am having some huge problems with I think this mod. All I can see is the planets. Everything else is white. I am running with 680s in SLI but other than that nothing has changed about my computer spec. I installed it just the way it states in the forum. Assistance would be appreicated.

Are you playing TC or AP? Does the game play OK without IE+IEX? Can you please send me a screenshot of the main TC folder shoulder showing the CAT/DAT files and/or the 'addon' folder if you are playing AP showing the CAT/DAT files.

[Factor X]

Hello,

First thanks the author for this wonderful mod. I use it with XRM and it's fantastic compared to vanilla game.


In the first post, in the install process, it is written :
"Set View Distance to Medium for best effect (View distances in TBackgrounds.txt have been extended)"



My question is simple : how do you set the View Distance??
Where can I find this setting?

[jack775544]

It is in the game launcher.

[Factor X]

I must be missing something huge, because in the launcher of my game, I can't see any view distance setting.
(I'm playing TC, not AP)


Here are the settings I have :

Direct3D Device
Resolution
Fullscreen or Window

Texture quality
Shader quality
More dynamic Light sources
Ship colour variations
Automatic Quality Control

Antialiasing
Anisotropic Filtering
Glow

Disable Vertex
Use alternative video

[Moonrat]

First thanks the author for this wonderful mod. I use it with XRM and it's fantastic compared to vanilla game.

You are most welcome, it's comments like these that keep me going...

I must be missing something huge, because in the launcher of my game, I can't see any view distance setting.
(I'm playing TC, not AP)

That'll be it then, the 'View Distance' option is only available when playing AP I believe.

[Factor X]

Frankly, I am surprised that your mod isn't more popular.
It should be the STANDARD graphical enhancement. I haven't seen any better than this one.

But....by reducing the view distance, I expected to raise my fps a bit, because I have some slow downs during huge battles.

And as the view distance has been increased in Tbackgrounds, it seems to me that the drawing distance is way too high in my game.

[Sorkvild]

I'm new to this enhancement.

Primo. Is it compatible with XRM version 1.28?

Secundo. According to the information quoted below - do I really have to put IEX in both TC and AP? I don't understand the reason of doubling it since XRM resides in addons folder of TC along with AP. Hmm...

XRM (1.27.4a)

Unpack the zip file and then order the cat/dat files as follows:

IE
IEX
XRM Part 1
XRM Part 2
Any optional XRM packs but NOT the Backgrounds pack
XRMi

This needs to be done in both the main TC directory and the AP 'addon' directories. A new gamestart is recommended.

[Moonrat]

Is it compatible with XRM version 1.28?

Yep but you also need to use XRMi. I know the load screen from the current release of XRMi says XRM 1.27 but it is compatible with XRM 1.28. I like Mr. Wheeler are awaiting AP 3.0 to release whatever update may be necessary.

Do I really have to put IEX in both TC and AP? I don't understand the reason of doubling it since XRM resides in addons folder of TC along with AP.

There is stuff in the vanilla AP cat/dat files which will interfere with the correct running of IEX/XRMi including at least one background texture. I would strongly suggest you install it in both. That said if you only play AP then you might get away with only installing it in the 'addon' folder... but unless you're really (really) short of disk space I'd install it in both as per the OP.

[Sorkvild]

There is stuff in the vanilla AP cat/dat files which will interfere with the correct running of IEX/XRMi including at least one background texture. I would strongly suggest you install it in both. That said if you only play AP then you might get away with only installing it in the 'addon' folder... but unless you're really (really) short of disk space I'd install it in both as per the OP.

I play AP so I'm going stick to the addon folder only.

Does your mod change background in every XRM-added sector ?

edit:

NOTES:
1). IE 1.1 has to be installed in both X3:TC + X3:AP (addon) folders to function correctly in both games, this is because elements of X3AP 01.dat supersede X3:TC IE 1.1.

Now I'm confused.So, if one wants to double so it should be done with IE (only) or IE+IEX+XRMi?

[Moonrat]

Does your mod change background in every XRM-added sector ?

The XRMi maps were orignally based upon those I created for IEX TC & AP. As XRM has more sectors than TC & AP I then changed approach and have actually fitted the distribution & type more around XRM than vanilla TC/AP and now apply any new XRMi (IEX) changes back to the original TC & AP vanilla maps.

I wouldn't go so far as to say every sector has been changed but the vast majority have. With the new backgrounds it often made sense to move suns/planets/moons about to achieve the best effect (to my eye). IEX also includes new suns, planets & moons and not just backgrounds... A few sectors here and there may not have changed too much but they've probably been tweaked at some point.

Now I'm confused.So, if one wants to double so it should be done with IE (only) or IE+IEX+XRMi?

IEX builds upon IE as described in the IEX OP. I could have made it standalone but I wanted to ensure that connary got his fair share of the attention/compliments.
So you need IE+IEX+XRM(I/II)+XRMi in each folder depending on whether you are playing TC or AP.

[Sorkvild]

So you need IE+IEX+XRM(I/II)+XRMi in each folder depending on whether you are playing TC or AP.

XRM in each folder? Are you sure? XRM in addon + another XRM in TC root folder - this doesn't sound good, those are two separate entities with different scripting.


Second thing is...

Noticed that in SOL. There is original little sun + this huge orange stain on the opposite side. Sounds strange to me, but is it intended to have two suns in the SOL?

[ external image ]

[Moonrat]

XRM in each folder? Are you sure? XRM in addon + another XRM in TC root folder - this doesn't sound good, those are two separate entities with different scripting.

The XRM OP I believe explicitly states that a (differing) installation should be made in both the TC & AP directories (depending upon which game you want to play).

For XRM (TC), I have the following in the main TC folder...

• 01-13 EGOSOFT stuff
  14 IE
  15 IEX
  16 XRM (1)
  17 XRM (2)
  18 XRMi

For XRM (AP), I have the following in my AP 'addon' folder...

• 01-03 EGOSOFT stuff
  04 IE
  05 IEX
  06 XRM (1)
  07 XRM (2)
  08 XRMi

Noticed that in SOL. There is original little sun + this huge orange stain on the opposite side. Sounds strange to me, but is it intended to have two suns in the SOL?

I've seen this before and so far it's been a result of not having the cat/dat files in the correct order and in the correct place.

If all is well the first three planets of SOL should be recognisable... whereas the last place is yet to be seen...

[ external image ] [ external image ] [ external image ] [ external image ]

[Sorkvild]

Yeah clumsy me, I've forgotten to put Xrmi at the end, but now it's fixed. If installed properly a welcome scene should contain IEX version info. It's been great so far, very nice SOL with The Sun becoming smaller and smaller in every distant sector. I'll be dropping my feedback during the game so...



Regarding doubling...

For XRM (TC), I have the following in the main TC folder...

01-13 EGOSOFT stuff
14 IE
15 IEX
16 XRM (1)
17 XRM (2)
18 XRMi

For XRM (AP), I have the following in my AP 'addon' folder...

01-03 EGOSOFT stuff
04 IE
05 IEX
06 XRM (1)
07 XRM (2)
08 XRMi

Can I ...

01-13 EGOSOFT stuff
14 IE
15 IEX
without xrm
16 XRMi

By doing so the IE content in will be doubled just like you recommend.

So far I have all the stuff located in addon folder and haven't seen any glitches yet.

[Moonrat]

If installed properly a welcome scene should contain IEX version info. It's been great so far, very nice SOL with The Sun becoming smaller and smaller in every distant sector.

The problem with having a welcome scene is that IEX is used in conjunction with loads of other mods. trying to concoct something that'll work with everything is not a task I am prepared to undertake. I'm not sure a welcome message would in anycase prove that an install is correct or not, not without a shed load of consistancy coding.

I prefer to spend my limited time away from RL either adding new IEX content, keeping it in step with TC/AP upgrades and/or XRM... and helping out with TNBT. I had thought of trying to produce a XTC version but it'd take many hours and I'm not sure the size of the user population justifies this... so far there's been no requests that I can see.

Can I ...

01-13 EGOSOFT stuff
14 IE
15 IEX
without xrm
16 XRMi

In short "no". There is a ton of stuff that the XRMi map refers to which won't exist in-game. It'll be very horrible... All XRMi does is to basically merge IE/IEX into the XR maps, Ok you'll have less sectors but at least they should all function as expected.

[Sorkvild]

Thanks for the comment. I said about the welcome screen because when xrmi was missing I've seen the 'stock xrm' scene and this orange stain in sold. Now it looks all right.

I only miss the look of one of my fave sectors - Soulstar. This one was dipped in mysterious dark purple clouds, while with IEX there's sight of M42 nebula.

If I can suggest any future alterations to this mod. You could consider toning down or reworking some sectors filled with millions of tiny glittering stars surrounding the sector (afair they come from IE 1.1). It's kinda unnatural.

Some sectors descriptions state that sector has very little brightness like 5% or 10% but when you're in such sector there's a large glowing nebula. I think such objects generate quite amount of light. But that's just a cosmetic thing.

PS. Why is your nickname in different color, are you a mod or Ego team?

[Gri431]

Hello

this is what I saw

[ external image ]

in the pirate sector Tempestine, in what could be the problem? mod is set to manual

[ external image ]

and it is beyond the gates

Game:TC+XRM For XRM (TC) in the main TC folder...

01-13 EGOSOFT stuff
14 IE
15 IEX
16 XRM (1)
17 XRM (2)
18 XRMi

[DrBullwinkle]

@MoonRat: In case nobody has mentioned it recently, your sectors are really gorgeous! Love the giant planets. Some sectors are truly breathtaking.

[Moonrat]

this is what I saw in the pirate sector Tempestine, in what could be the problem? mod is set to manual

Game:TC+XRM For XRM (TC) in the main TC folder...

01-13 EGOSOFT stuff
14 IE
15 IEX
16 XRM (1)
17 XRM (2)
18 XRMi

Apologies for the delay in reply as I've been away on Hols. Are you still having this issue? What did you mean by "mod is set to manual"?

@MoonRat: In case nobody has mentioned it recently, your sectors are really gorgeous! Love the giant planets. Some sectors are truly breathtaking.

Which are your favourite sectors, and why? Also are there any sectors that could do with a retouch... Now that the latest XRMi download has passed the 550 download mark I may have some spare time coming up to attempt to reward people's continued interest in this...

[Gri431]

What did you mean by "mod is set to manual"?

Sorry for my bad english ),I wanted to say that the mod is installed on instruсtions.I yes, the problem I could not solve.

[Moonrat]

Sorry for my bad english ),I wanted to say that the mod is installed on instruсtions.I yes, the problem I could not solve.

Ok, thanks. A few other questions...

• Can you confirm you are playing only TC and not AP?
  Did you start a new game?
  What are the sizes of the cat/dat files that are listed?
  Are there any other mods loaded?