[TEC] Annoying Translucent Scope/TBT interface

[ViperU48]

Hey all,

I've been doing some searching around these forums and finding that there are a few people who experience this problem. I personally haven't found a solution and I decided to dabble into a source of seemingly limitless knowledge and ability: the subsim modding forums!

Basically, for me and a relatively small group (apparently Nvidia) users, the background UI images of both the periscopes, the TBT, the Binoculars, and the deck gun (essentially any sight/optics) are transparent. That is to say, when looking through the scope, one can see the entire horizon through the "covered" areas of the view.

Part of the difficulty of this problem is that different monitors will see different things. I have attempted to balance the brightness and contrast in the following picture in the hopes that it will be more visible. Oddly enough, taking a screenshot will not display the same problem i am actually seeing with my own mk1 eyeballs. I can assure you, even with a lower in-game contrast setting, the transparent effect is much more noticeable.



One can hopefully see the horizon through the scope background just above the in-game cursor.


Now, my question is, are there transparency settings within the menu_1024_768.ini file for background interfaces such as the periscopes?

Also, does the actual .tga for the interfaces have an alpha layer or something? I'm currently in-between .tga editors (photoshop trial ran out last week ) so I am unable to check.

I have tried every possible driver version for my current video card (Nvidia GTS 250) and many on my old card (Nvidia GeForce 8800GTX) and the same problem exists. Naturally I cannot say whether this phenomenon is experienced with ATI boards as I don't have one (and am constantly reminded why I should).

I also can't seem to find a good scope mod that will not replace the current optics which I happen to like. Anyone know of a scope mod that simply has a solid black background for the interface?

Thanks for any help and input, it is greatly appreciated!

Happy hunting!

[Munchausen]

Are you using a CRT or LCD monitor? I only get the problem with my LCD ... and it's a lot worse with a black background. In fact, the more clutter I have (especially if it's not black), the less the problem.

[sergei]

Don't know about your transparency problem ViperU48.
But if you want to open up the TGA file to check the Alpha Channel, try using GIMP.
It's free, and pretty good.
Get here

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=1356

[ViperU48]

Munchausen - That's a good point, I forgot to mention that i'm using an LCD as well, which no doubt adds to the problem.
...And I see what you mean about a black background, I think i'll stick to a cluttered texture too.


Sergei - Thanks for that program! I've heard of it but I never realized it's application, it certainly is great! Just finished adding the .dds plug-in and feeling my way around.

Although, my knowledge is a little short when it comes to this stuff, it would seem that everything is normal when viewing the .dds' associated with the backgrounds. I'm going to try converting the format into .tga like SHIII style and editing the associated menu file entries.

Just hope I can find the time to do it all and figure it out. I hate this bloody issue...

[Munchausen]

Originally Posted by ViperU48

I'm going to try converting the format into .tga like SHIII style and editing the associated menu file entries.

I doubt that will help. I currently run SH3 with GWX (and a few smaller mods) ... and, unfortunately, it seems TGA files have the same problem when it comes to LCD monitors (last time I played SH3, it was on a CRT).

The only advice I've seen, concerning this problem, suggests making the black background as dark as possible. Never tried it myself ... I simply use periscope and binocular masks with very little plain black areas.

[sergei]

From last year.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...ight=periscope
May help.

Also you may consider editing the scope image so that instead of solid black, you have some kind of background image there.

See here for ideas
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...ight=periscope
http://www.subsim.com/subsim_files/N...%20defualt.jpg
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...ight=periscope

[ViperU48]

Munchausen - It would seem that you are correct; my reason for trying this is that I play SH3+GWX quite often and never experienced this with the .tga format files. For me, this problem only occurs with SH4.

Sergei - Thank you for those links! I can't believe I missed that earlier thread on the same topic...

I've now tried all those scope mods, and employed the alpha layer edit suggested in that earlier thread to no avail. I've tried changing the colour of the alpha layer, the intensity, the threshold, and quite a number of other things.


However; I discovered something revealing: I removed the alpha layer entirely, and I also used a random image for the periscope view that never had an alpha layer (made a black screen), and there is still some transparency with that image in-game.

Based on this, would I be correct in assuming that this issue is not relevant to the actual image file, but rather with SH4's coding?

None of the graphics settings such as fog or environmental effects seem to influence the scope's transparency as well.


Anyone know of some general transparency settings within the menu_1024.ini file?


...need to run more tests...

[reaper7]

This problem still exists in SH5. I got around it by placing a second (with the periscope cutout ) screen under the original - thereby creating a mask of sorts.
Basically copy the Periscope layer entry in the menu_1024x768.ini and paste below the original entry. Then renumber the entries.

[ViperU48]

Reaper7! Your clever solution worked!!

I was tinkering with masks, but i was adding them within the image file itself which didn't work. I never thought to double-up the entries in the menu_1024.ini!

I doubled the entries for the OBSperiscope, periscope and TBT and re-numerated them as you suggested, and now all the corresponding screens are solid; no transparency of the background visible in even maximum gamma setting!

However; I'm unable to apply the fix for the binoculars and deckgun, despite doubling/re-numerating all the binocular and deckgun entries and some of what i believe were relevant "black" background entries. These don't bother me as much anyway, as they are not as noticeable as the periscopes and TBT.


Needless to say, I am very thankful for all the input here! Hopefully this will help others as it has for me.


Happy Hunting!

[sergei]

@ ViperU48. Glad you got it sorted.

@ reaper7. Nice workaround. I would never have thought of that.