Software Mode And Mapping Guidelines

SuperTeflonSuperTeflon Join Date: 2003-12-31 Member: 24893Banned
in Mapping Forum
I read a while back that Software mode was unsupported by NS. However, many of the mapping guidlines are saying 'FFS 4 MB TEXTURES FOR SOFTWARE MODE'. Software mode was unsupported because I believe someone found out you can do lots and LOTS of very hacky things with it (See cloaked things, see through walls, bizarre crap like that). Since Software mode is NOT supported, are mappers still bound to support software mode? If so... why?
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Comments

  • ReebdoogReebdoog Join Date: 2003-09-20 Member: 21035Members
    We aren't bound to support software mode, but we still have to keep the textures under 4mg. (I know, it sucks). Some really old video cards can't handle more then 4mg if i remember, hence why the limit is still in place. Hopefully i'm wrong, but i don't think its going to be changed.
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  • CageyCagey Ex-Unknown Worlds Programmer Join Date: 2002-11-15 Member: 8829Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Reebdoog+Feb 8 2004, 05:15 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Reebdoog @ Feb 8 2004, 05:15 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> We aren't bound to support software mode, but we still have to keep the textures under 4mg. (I know, it sucks). Some really old video cards can't handle more then 4mg if i remember, hence why the limit is still in place. Hopefully i'm wrong, but i don't think its going to be changed. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The problem is that other resources (sprites, models) take up additional memory over that 4MB, so 8MB cards are still in trouble.

    As far as I know the limit isn't going to change.
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  • Soylent_greenSoylent_green Join Date: 2002-12-20 Member: 11220Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Not only that. HL uses double buffering by default(radeon cards can be forced to use triple buffering if you wish). This uses more then a MB even in 16-bit and 640*480. At a descent resolution(which people with low spec cards obviouly will hesitate to use), say 1024*768 32-bit your using 6 MB.
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  • CageyCagey Ex-Unknown Worlds Programmer Join Date: 2002-11-15 Member: 8829Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Soylent green+Feb 8 2004, 07:41 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Soylent green @ Feb 8 2004, 07:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Not only that. HL uses double buffering by default(radeon cards can be forced to use triple buffering if you wish). This uses more then a MB even in 16-bit and 640*480. At a descent resolution(which people with low spec cards obviouly will hesitate to use), say 1024*768 32-bit your using 6 MB. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Good addition -- I'm currently writing the new mapping forum FAQ, and want to append those figures to the "why 4 MB?" Q&A I've added.
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  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    <span style='color:white'>Artificial de-bumping due to forum time/date problem, please ignore this post</span>
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  • Lt_GravityLt_Gravity Join Date: 2003-04-28 Member: 15909Members
    I tried it some time ago. the software mode is quite funny. you cant look through crosshairs, all sprites are messed up, the speed is slow... and you can see cloaked enemies much better ^^
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