Screenshot problems in GWX

[danexpat]

After installing GWX 3.0 my screenshots are all black. Also, I encountered an odd instance of the game trying to record "sequence" seq images. Is this a known issue and is there a fix? Thanks.

[Gargamel]

you hit the "sequence" button. Which allows you to make a movie, but basically makes the game unplayable. I think it's shift-f11? Ctrl-F11 is screenshot. (Right? or am I losing it).

Can't help ya with black screen.

Try taking a normal screenshot using prtscrn (not in SH3, but like now) and see if it still happens. If it does, it's not SH#/GWX, it's your machine.

[Damo]

Not sure if you're using the res fix, but if you are that may be the problem as the d3d9.dll has it's own screenshot option built in. On my game it's tied to the Prt Scr key and places the images into my SH3 root folder, but this is configurable by opening the d3d9.ini (or .cfg, can't remember) and setting it there, you'll see it.

[danexpat]

Originally Posted by Damo

Not sure if you're using the res fix, but if you are that may be the problem as the d3d9.dll has it's own screenshot option built in. On my game it's tied to the Prt Scr key and places the images into my SH3 root folder, but this is configurable by opening the d3d9.ini (or .cfg, can't remember) and setting it there, you'll see it.

Thanks. I can take a prtscrn shot that comes out ok but it doesn't save to the SH3 dir. Ctrl-F11 does, however, but as a black image. I think prtscrn images go into cache and have to be retrieved by pasting one at a time, no?

Gargamel I think I did exactly that and hit shift instead of control, thanks.

What is the "res fix" everyone mentions in the old threads and how might I reconfigure it to fix this (if that is the issue)?

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by danexpat

What is the "res fix" everyone mentions in the old threads and how might I reconfigure it to fix this (if that is the issue)?

Available here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=1092

This mod forces SH3 (and any super mods) to run in resolutions higher than the original coded 1024 x 768.

The original readme is included in the archive.

Instructions:

1) Extract the contents of SH3_XPSP2_Res_Fix_for_1.4b;

2) Copy & Paste the following files to the main SH3 program folder, usually this is C:\Program Files\Silent Hunter 3:

d3d9.cfg
d3d9.dll
SHIII.sdb
SP2 Rez fix uninstall.bat
SP2 Rez fix.bat

3) Once copied, run the SP2 Rez fix.bat file.

4) Edit the d3d9.cfg file on the following lines to include your desired resolution:

resX=1280
resY=960

5) While there, add your desired screeshot path to the line below (please note this mod disables the Ctrl + F11 function, you must use PrtScr):

screenshotPath=C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\SH3 Screens (for example).

[danexpat]

Frau Kaleun, thank you. But is it recommended to force to higher res if I'm running on a puny P4 with .99 GB RAM c. 2005? Will this put more strain on my graphics card? It goes down to 5 FPS at port and in high rendering areas as it is...

[Damo]

You can easily uninstall it if it doesn't work too good, but it will make your images a bit crisper if it does. Worth a go, with little risk.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by danexpat

Frau Kaleun, thank you. But is it recommended to force to higher res if I'm running on a puny P4 with .99 GB RAM c. 2005? Will this put more strain on my graphics card? It goes down to 5 FPS at port and in high rendering areas as it is...

As Damo has already said, it's probably worth a try since it's easy enough to uninstall and remove the files it adds if it doesn't work out.

However do be aware that some users have reported that they can't take screenshots at all when using the Res Fix, as they get a CTD when trying to do so even if screenshots gave them no problems before installing it.

Oddly enough I never had any problems using PrintScreen for screenshots with this mod on my previous game installation, and my specs were more "puny" then (same rig, just 32-bit OS and thus far less available RAM). I'm able to take them again now altho I found that after taking 5-6 when in a busy harbor, my game crashed. Still haven't tried it out when out at sea as I don't want to risk a CTD in the middle of career patrol... will prolly set up a practice run to see what happens.

I would advise giving it a try to see if it solves your issues, but try it out on a single mission or test career first just in case.

[Damo]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

I'm able to take them again now altho I found that after taking 5-6 when in a busy harbor, my game crashed. Still haven't tried it out when out at sea as I don't want to risk a CTD in the middle of career patrol...

Recently I set about trying to document a patrol for the screenshot thread and after taking around 12 screenies I had a CTD. I rarely suffer in-game CTD's (maybe 2 or 3 ever, of which this is one), as my problems are normally memory related due to the 32bit OS hurdles, so surface during loading. I also noticed that the screenie I took immediately at the time of the crash came out black, only just remembered that after reading your post. I am however, using the res fix and therefore it's screenie settings so it seems there may be an issue across the board with the way screenshots are saved and their effect on the game's stability, I dunno, seems funny how I experienced the same thing in one experience as two people using different capture methods.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by Damo

I also noticed that the screenie I took immediately at the time of the crash came out black

Same here.

Yeah, I've wondered about the screenshot CTD issue too. I remember when several people were talking about always getting a CTD when they took a screenshot after installing the Res Fix. I never had that problem either before or after installing it, it just reared its head after I reinstalled the game. And obviously there must be many people using the Res Fix who don't have that problem at all (or at least constantly) or there I think would be far more hubbub about it.

And of course with my current installation, I've got mods in there that I couldn't use at all with the previous setup due to memory limitations. And so far I've only had the problem after taking multiple shots in short succession in a much busier and more resource-demanding Wilhelmshaven.

I do recall now that I have taken a couple screenshots elsewhere, only one at a time, and not had a CTD. So I'm wondering if it really has something to do with the combination of running at a higher res AND what's going on in the game. Higher res + a lot of intense activity + taking shot after shot = something's gotta give.

But since I don't know the system specs or in-game situation where the CTDs have happened for everyone else that's had the issue, it's hard to say.

[danexpat]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

Higher res + a lot of intense activity + taking shot after shot = something's gotta give.

Too bad so much of the photo-worthy stuff happens during intense activity! (Jimbuna's whales and dolphins being an exception)

I can't remember the last time I've played a game that made me want to take so many screenies. I've been having all kinds of fun with the free cam to look at details. I had no idea, for example, that the ASW ships fire star shells over your possible positions. Fun to watch DCs fire also. Some things you just can't see or hear at 220 m!

I'm wondering whether a file somewhere got corrupted when I hit shift-F11 the other day. I'll poke around and look when I get a sec.

[Missing Name]

I have also had the black-screenie issue. The first time I noticed it was when I was fooling around with the ship emblems. Now it happens seemingly at random. No clue how to fix it.

[danexpat]

Originally Posted by Missing Name

I have also had the black-screenie issue. The first time I noticed it was when I was fooling around with the ship emblems. Now it happens seemingly at random. No clue how to fix it.

Did it randomly fix itself after giving black shots for a while?

[Missing Name]

Nope, it still pops up every once in a while. Especially frustrating if you took a picture of the HMS Nelson exploding and splitting in half, only to find out that Bernard left the negatives in the sun all day...

[danexpat]

Ha! I was sure somebody was going to tell me to take the lens cap off.