Error creating effect ShadowReceiveDirectionalWater

[dcpropilot]

I guess I am screwed...no ability to upgrade the graphics card for the Dell laptop I purchased last year, and no ability to make this software work (and no ability to return it since now it's opened?!). I thought I had the right stuff based on the minimum requirements; guess not although G3.5 ran fine. Any way to turn off ShadowReceiveDirectionalWater prior to loading just to be able to make this program work, at all?

System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_qfe.070227-2300)
Processor: Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 502MB RAM
DX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Video Card: Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
MFR: Intel Corporation
Version: 6.14.0010.4814 (English)
Date: 3/30/2007 20:33:56, 57344 bytes
CD-ROM (?:\) PHILIPS CDRW/DVD SCB5265 (?)
Installed in: C:\Program Files\RealFlightG4
Free Disk Space (C:\): 5922 mb free
Launcher Version: 1.00.012
LauncherHelper Version: 1.00.125
RealFlight G4: 4.00.034

[opjose]

Actually with the integrated video, it's amazing that G3.5 ran at all.

Couple that with the rather low amount of RAM in the system...

Don't blame G3 though, the problem is with the marketing used with many computer's and laptops.

Those "integrated" displays are horrid.

They SEEM to provide DX9 compatibility when they do not ( hence the error you are seeing ).

Typically you need a "gaming" laptop to run DX9 ( and now DX10 ) level programs.

And no there is no way to adjust the program. It expects and requires DX9 compatibility.

The requirements even went into detail stating that non-dx9 compliant video chipsets would potentially fail with G4.

[pkirby113]

While your laptop has one of the newer nicer integrated graphics chipsets they still aren't enough usually when running 3D Gaming Applications. While most integrated chips support Direct X, even up to 9 and soon 10, they are designed to be low cost, low heat and low power solutions for laptops. Most gamers and users of simulated 3D applications don't have a use for higher end graphics.

Look at it this way, you don't buy a V8 for fuel econmy and you don't buy a 4 cylinder for performance. Your integrated graphics have the underlying support for Direct X but to conserve "fuel" they lower them down.

The last and worst reason is usually the lack of full hardware support for Direct X. DirectX 9 has been around a while and there are variations, SM2.0 and SM3.0 are the latest shader models being used. They can either be rendered in hardware, by the video card or through software via drivers. Integrated graphics usually choose the software method for SM2.0 and SM3.0 right now because it's cheaper but Intel does have some nice integrated graphics coming out.

Unfortunatley in the end, your laptop really isn't going to cut it and you probablly will need to buy a new laptop. Remember the graphics are the key thing here and when in doubt you can always call up software support, they'd be more than glad to recommend some products I'm sure.

[dcpropilot]

Thanks for reminding me of my laptop computer purchase mistake. When buying a laptop a year and a half ago, I did not have a crystal ball to foresee the requirements of software on the horizon. But come on, to buy a new laptop just for water shading when the one have have right now works for everything else? I think not...It looks like 3.5 is fine for me for now and IT works on my laptop. Maybe when the next version of Realflight comes out, it will coincide with my need for a new notebook computer.

It would be nice for Knife Edge Software to do two things. Offer a free applet to determine if a consumer's computer is "worthy" prior to purchase, and allow for some of the higher dynamic graphics to be selectively switched off (such as water shading) by using an interface prior to loading the program, thereby allowing software functionality for users that are in between hardware purchase cycles.

[opjose]

But come on, to buy a new laptop just for water shading when the one have have right now works for everything else? I think not...


Of course no one says you have to buy a new laptop... but if you want compatiblity with newer software DX9/DX10 compliance will remain a requirement.




It would be nice for Knife Edge Software to do two things. Offer a free applet to determine if a consumer's computer is "worthy" prior to purchase


That's what the Demos are for.

I expect KE to release a G4 demo. But that will likely be further into the future.

Typically the demos lag the actual release by a few months.


allow for some of the higher dynamic graphics to be selectively switched off (such as water shading) by using an interface prior to loading the program, thereby allowing software functionality for users that are in between hardware purchase cycles.

If your card can handle the water effect in hardware, it will handle the shading too. The problem is with the Integrated video displays not with G3/G4.

They tout features that are not really there.

Even the drivers often lie about their capabilities, then attempt to resort to software rendering.

[Ryan Douglas]

We added support for the Intel 900 series integrated graphics chipsets in the latest version, available now as a public beta (http://www.knifeedge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18668).

[r1derbike]

We added support for the Intel 900 series integrated graphics chipsets in the latest version, available now as a public beta.Outstanding! That takes care of my laptop graphics chipset too!

G4 was shipped today...perhaps I could "will" the truck to deliver it faster?

Charles

[opjose]

Well now you've done it! :D

The laptop crowd is going to be partially happy ( those with faster processors ) but others will now be attempting to run G4 on fairly limited laptops...

Let the fray begin!


:D

[dcpropilot]

It works great, THANK YOU!!!

[r1derbike]

Let the fray begin!What's that famous quote?

"It's Deja-vu, all over again." :D

Brace yourself, Op! :D

Charles

[DarkSideofOZ]

Though I am sorry about your current dillema, and hope that a workaround/solution is found, my advice for future purchase decisions is when buying a laptop (if you plan on running ANY 3d applications, even your fav screensaver)... always make sure the included video chipset description is preceeded by "Radeon" (for ATI), or GeForce (for nVidia). And it wouldn't hurt to take a look at some forums and discussions regarding the chipset your laptop will have, it will give you a better idea of the longevity of your gaming experience on that hardware. Good luck :)

[sajeev]

I too had the same problem on my laptop. but the patch x.x.35 worked. yipeeee !!!

now that i spent an hour on this i wonder why i bought this for $224. the background is a 360degree photograph. the free stuff on the internet are same. :(

[josh0987]

I too had the same problem on my laptop. but the patch x.x.35 worked. yipeeee !!!

now that i spent an hour on this i wonder why i bought this for $224. the background is a 360degree photograph. the free stuff on the internet are same. :(You DO know you can CHANGE the airport...

What free stuff? no such software like this is free.

[jeffpn]

the background is a 360degree photograph.

I always wondered why they called it a 'photofield!' Wow, I've had G3 for a long time, and never knew that!!!! Thanks for shedding some light here!!!

[josh0987]

I always wondered why they called it a 'photofield!' Wow, I've had G3 for a long time, and never knew that!!!! Thanks for shedding some light here!!!LOL! ;)

[opjose]

Now now now...

:D :D :D

[Alansa50@hotmai]

what is that patch x.x.35 youre talking about?

[phrank]

what is that patch x.x.35 youre talking about?
Post #6

[Alansa50@hotmai]

Where might I find this Post# 6

[phrank]

Where might I find this Post# 6

Hey! looks like we have a comedian eh? :D

Look at the pretty little picture..... :rolleyes:

[Joe Teibel]

Where might I find this Post# 6

The posts in each thread are numbered. For example, your last post is post #19 - see the top right corner of your post. He is referring to post #6 in this thread on the first page. Link (http://www.knifeedge.com/forums/showpost.php?p=97025&postcount=6)

[Alansa50@hotmai]

Thanks Joe, didnt notice that at all. Blind as a bat.
As far a being a comedian, I dont feel like laughing at all right now. I loaded that Beta , now the program loads a little more and then gives an error" error creating prop disk". I feel pretty glum now , as I dont think there is any alternative other than purchasing a more modern laptop.
Gotta start believing in Santa again :D

[phrank]

Oh, that's too bad. :(
Last resort is Doug's link on your "Error" Thread.

Best of luck,
Frank...

[krh316]

I tried the update to the BETA Version 4..000.035 and that did the trick. G4 now works perfectly on my HP Pavilion Laptop :) Thanks

[STANG KILLA SS]

I got the dreaded "Error creating effect ShadowReceiveDirectionalWater"

loaded the patch, fixed that, restart and it goes further, loading the airport, gets to loading details texture or something like that. and i get the prop disk error :mad:
talk about frustrating.

[phrank]

Didn't you just share a bunch of pics? :confused:

I got the dreaded "Error creating effect ShadowReceiveDirectionalWater"

loaded the patch, fixed that, restart and it goes further, loading the airport, gets to loading details texture or something like that. and i get the prop disk error :mad:
talk about frustrating.

[chicagorandy]

Just experienced this on my older HP Pavilion desktop. The 'fix" was buying a new graphics card with 256MB video memory. In my case it was a $60 upgrade that cured the error messages.

Don't know if a laptop can get upgraded in this fashion? I suspect not however.