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Need For Speed Forums => General NFS => Topic started by: MADMAN_nfs on May 31, 2016, 3:12 AM

Title: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on May 31, 2016, 3:12 AM

Evgeny "Veg" Vrublevsky (http://veg.by/en/about/) is a programmer from Belarus, and if you are fan of classic Need For Speed titles, like Need For Speed 3 and 4, it is about time you get to know him  ;)
He is the author of the NFS3 modern patch which makes the game Portable, supports modern OS and adds numerous of crucial improvements to the game.
LINK (http://veg.by/en/projects/nfs3/)

His projects are free, and completely non-commercial.
Due to the similarities of the games, he is now about to port these features to Need For Speed 4.

Veg already released a NFS4 Modern Patch Beta, which adds awesome features like Portability and removes the high poly limit ("Render_GetTm()raM out of raN" error).
LINK (http://veg.by/en/projects/nfs4/)
Unfortunately he does not see a way to realise this project the way he used to before.
The resons are explained on this page
LINK (http://veg.by/en/blog/2016/05/23/nfs4-modern-patch-suspended/)

So here is the chance for the community to aid Veg. With his previous projects he proved that he has the skills to realise his promise.

What are you willing to donate for a modernized Need For Speed High Stakes?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on May 31, 2016, 11:11 AM
50$
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on May 31, 2016, 6:39 PM
Of Course,, I like to Contribute.
An I have with my Tracks... Hard efforts !!!. Thanks Madman_nfs an great Topic here. An all good luck to. As we get it Rite.?
 : }
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Cooya! on Jun 01, 2016, 1:44 PM
I said 25-30$ in the last topic... But I am willing to give even 50$ for fixing my favourite game.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Jun 02, 2016, 7:34 AM
Seems this is mostly German engineering, then :P
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Freak-DS on Jun 02, 2016, 3:22 PM
Modern-day german engineering, if so. Produced in russia and labeled as made in germany afterwards.. :P

€50 by me. Depending on how things work for me it could be more.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jun 05, 2016, 2:04 AM
30 euro's by me.

The positivity by most of you made me do it.
I have mixed emotions though.VEG seems o.k. but anything can happen. I wonder what Electronic Arts will do.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Jun 05, 2016, 7:05 AM
I suppose they'll continue to do what they have been doing in regards to classic NFS titles: not give a damn.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jun 05, 2016, 11:52 AM
I Agree much with XJ220 on that. : }  and its not a Frozen Waste land,here now days.. So I'm very busy, most of my days now, looking for jobs..an Cleaning. My Nfs4 time is real limited ( now. So take care Buddy's yes... Peace be with you's an all that.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Cooya! on Jun 09, 2016, 8:57 AM
Come on guys... There are 85 people who downloaded Freaks Rauh-Welt Porsche... So there are 85 people who still play NFS4...
But there are only 7 who are willing to join this poll?!?
Remember: VEG will be our last and only chance for fixing up our favorite game... ;)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jun 09, 2016, 10:33 AM
Milestone 1 =$500 , In that case we still  need $140.

VEG hasn't responded on this poll, so I wonder if this counts.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Hipnotic Rogue on Jun 12, 2016, 4:34 PM
I registered here to show my support for this idea.  I've ticked $50 on the poll above.  I would pay $50 for any 'modern patch' for any classic NFS game.  It seems such a shame (though not a surprise) that the older titles have just been left to languish by EA.

I also commented on VEG's blog post so that he could see my interest just in case he doesn't see this thread. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jun 13, 2016, 4:08 AM
Honestly, i can say the classic NFS community suprised me.
I think we can be proud of our little group of fans.  :) Together with the people from the other sites i am convinced now, that we can reach Veg's 1st milestone.

VEG, you can see there is a big trust in you and a demand for a modernized NFS High Stakes.

IMO we should now think about how we can realise the donation process.
As Veg stated it will be problematic to use paypal in his country (Source: How to donate? (http://veg.by/en/blog/2016/05/23/nfs4-modern-patch-suspended/)).
But we also have to keep in mind, that not all of the potential donators have access to paypal. So we need to find alternatives... Platforms like fundly.com or kickstarter.com, which offer different payment options, will charge around 10% of the sum tho.

As central collecting point I personally would like to see any of the site admins at nfsaddons.com or iplounge.net.

What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Jun 13, 2016, 8:43 AM
Doesn't PayPal also charge a fee from the receiver? Perhaps we should send it by mail ;)

On the other hand, who here (=Germany LOL) does not use/have access to PayPal? Kickstarter feels like over-engineering IMO.

Did some very quick research on the matter of sending the collected dollars, found this discussion:
https://forums.digitalpoint.com/threads/how-to-send-money-from-us-to-russia.1513026/

So there should be several options. Would be best if someone in the NFS community had some experience of their own, though.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Hipnotic Rogue on Jun 13, 2016, 11:10 AM
Perhaps VEG could set up a Patreon account?  If he was to put up a small video on Youtube showing updates and the occasional blog post I'm sure that would be acceptable with regards to Patreons terms and conditions.
Title: ....
Post by: WiLL on Jun 14, 2016, 5:57 AM
Good luck all of you it's a Nice-Fun- Cause, but my real life is calling. More on my real car repairs!. So I can't help with $ So.. Cause I'm on a Strict lower Income. Best Regards.  8)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Freak-DS on Jun 15, 2016, 9:52 AM
Good luck all of you it's a Nice-Fun- Cause, but my real life is calling. More on my real car repairs!. So I can't help with $ So.. Cause I'm on a Strict lower Income. Best Regards.  8)

Sometimes it is better not to post anything rather than poor excues. I got 1 daily driver to fix and two cars in restoration and still have two pennies for that.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Hipnotic Rogue on Jun 15, 2016, 10:48 AM
Well, I just changed my vote to $100.  I can't really afford much either but the amount of fun VEG's NFS III patch has brought me and the potential for a cure to my HS install issues is worth it.

I could spend that much on one of today's AAA Collector's Edition of something or other and never get the years out of it that the classic NFS games have given me.  If $100 can make these games run better and easier for more people then I think that's a fair price to pay someone for their hard work... And, who knows, if we could pledge enough perhaps it would inspire VEG to work on similar patches for the other classics in the series.  One thing I do know - if people don't pay up we ain't gonna get anything! :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jun 15, 2016, 12:25 PM
Well, i want to emphasize that donating is, of course, completely voluntary. There is no need for excuses or justifications.  ;)

But i would like to ask you to be honest with your vote. It wont be helpful if you choose fantasy sums, that you not going to pay anyways.
We made this thread to get a realistic picture of what people are ready to spend.
(btw that would be another advantage of using a site like kickstarter.com, people will only be charged if the total amount of money actually reached the milestone)

You can edit your vote any time until the 20th of June. If you change your mind, simply change your vote.

There is no need to publicly post/justify your decision.

Though, we should not blame people who choose to do so.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jun 16, 2016, 6:59 AM
I see it is great news. I vote for 100$ if I had it :) but I wrote to him about textures size limit and limit of all textures in fsh file for track. In NY Final I have 800 textures, and this can be limit, I think. Also my suggestion is adding more camera views.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Cooya! on Jun 16, 2016, 8:41 AM
"[...] I vote for 100$ if I had it [...]" (nfsfan83)

That´s NOT what this poll is meant to be for. This poll is a serious instrument to find out if we can reach the 500 (1000) $ or not. It´s not a wishlist. So either you want to donate and HAVE the money to do so... or you click "I will not donate". It doesn´t help at all if you click "donate 100 $" and then you don´t do it.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jun 16, 2016, 8:51 AM
We already know this! @ Cooya''  ::)  😝 So, u try an chill out on us,Brothers here k. I know Nfsfan83 knows this.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jun 16, 2016, 9:55 AM
I wrote to him also about possibility adding segmented tracks from NFS1. Cooya! I change my vote to I can't donate. I made many tracks for NFS4 for free. If he want make this modern patch for money ok, his choice.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Freak-DS on Jun 17, 2016, 8:46 AM
I wrote to him also about possibility adding segmented tracks from NFS1. Cooya! I change my vote to I can't donate. I made many tracks for NFS4 for free. If he want make this modern patch for money ok, his choice.

I think you didn't quite get the point why he needs (notice: "needs", not "charges") money for this at all.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jun 17, 2016, 10:48 AM
I wrote to him also about possibility adding segmented tracks from NFS1. Cooya! I change my vote to I can't donate. I made many tracks for NFS4 for free. If he want make this modern patch for money ok, his choice.

I think you didn't quite get the point why he needs (notice: "needs", not "charges") money for this at all.

Tell me his point??? :) He need money because when he will be working on modern patch, he spent more time on this, and don't have time for real work??? Or what???

I know it is mega hard work, make old game modern.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Jun 18, 2016, 9:42 AM
The work on this project will kind of BE his real work should we collect enough money. Either that or freelancing. 24 hours a day don't provide enough time for both.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jun 20, 2016, 12:16 PM
The voting has been closed.

The final sum for the, well lets say "pre-donations", is ascertained.

People, registered at nfsaddons.com, are ready to give Veg about 470 $ for the NFS4 Modern Project. I think this is a remarkable amount and proves the demand for a modernized High Stakes title.
The first milestone Veg set, is at close hand, if we are able to find a way to collect the money.


It would also be nice to have a statement from Veg about this result.
What do you think Veg? What is your situation now?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jun 20, 2016, 1:03 PM
YesAgree much @ Madman_nfs it be Nice to have a Nice Words, from Veg on his Situation, I bet he be eating nicer Soon?
Anyway thanx for letting us k now bro :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Hipnotic Rogue on Jun 27, 2016, 1:12 PM
Any word from VEG?

Perhaps he's changed his mind and got a 'real' job!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jun 29, 2016, 1:35 AM
Veg is currently working on a new project and is short of time. He promised to reply this weekend.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jun 29, 2016, 5:38 AM
This thread plot, thickens, with good news an Future excitement.? 😎
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Hipnotic Rogue on Jun 29, 2016, 12:36 PM
It would be nice if VEG just popped in to say hi.  I realise he's busy but just a wee message wouldn't go amiss. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Andrew L on Jun 30, 2016, 5:52 AM
Hey guys I am new to this forum but not new to the NFS world.  I used to post a few years ago over at NFSCars.  I am a huge fan of High Stakes it's my favorite NFS game ever and something like this would me amazing specially with all the beautiful high poly models that have been made over the years.  It's funny I was thinking about HS a few weeks ago and wanted to see if there was any progress on the poly limit and came across this thread.

I would love to donate to this cause as well I know right now he says he's busy but if he actually follows up and says he will work on it and our donations aren't going to waste that would be awesome.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Mike on Jun 30, 2016, 3:26 PM
Sorry I didn't see this sooner, I haven't been able to keep up with NFSA as much as I'd like. I know voting is closed, but I'll throw $130 at this if it gets going, to give it a nice even $600 total :)

If VEG wants to get in touch, I'll see about possibly doing something on the site, with a special section for this patch or something, to get it some more exposure
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Andrew L on Jul 01, 2016, 4:11 AM
Sorry I didn't see this sooner, I haven't been able to keep up with NFSA as much as I'd like. I know voting is closed, but I'll throw $130 at this if it gets going, to give it a nice even $600 total :)

If VEG wants to get in touch, I'll see about possibly doing something on the site, with a special section for this patch or something, to get it some more exposure

Just an idea but do you guys have any kind of social media?  I run the facebook group for another old video game Jedi Knight Dark Forces 2 and it's been really effective at bringing back old players and setting up tournaments etc.  Perhaps that could be a way of spreading the word too.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Mike on Jul 01, 2016, 6:05 PM
Sorry I didn't see this sooner, I haven't been able to keep up with NFSA as much as I'd like. I know voting is closed, but I'll throw $130 at this if it gets going, to give it a nice even $600 total :)

If VEG wants to get in touch, I'll see about possibly doing something on the site, with a special section for this patch or something, to get it some more exposure

Just an idea but do you guys have any kind of social media?  I run the facebook group for another old video game Jedi Knight Dark Forces 2 and it's been really effective at bringing back old players and setting up tournaments etc.  Perhaps that could be a way of spreading the word too.

I do have a Facebook page for NFSAddons, but I admit I don't do much with it. I'll have to look into making it better/utilizing it more
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: gagarin on Jul 01, 2016, 9:29 PM
Hi everybody!
I know the poll is closed but I can donate 30$ to get this patch released.

BTW
I know this is not a radio request show, but I think a good thing to have would be a support for more gears. Like those transmissions in new Mercedes sometimes have even 9 and trucks have like 18. I didn't messed with it for longer time (I was working on Veyron with 7-gears many years ago). From what I remember NFSHS doesn't support more than 6 gears. The additional gears were shown on screen but something strange was going on when they were selected.
Anyway my offer stands regardless if this gets implemented or not! :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Jul 04, 2016, 5:28 PM
I'd donate a small amount like $20. We're in the middle of a recession and our money is not worth much compared to USD but it would be incredible if this worked.

I wonder if he could crack the CTB and LTB files inside the viv which hold the data for how the sound samples mix.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jul 04, 2016, 9:11 PM
I agree with you, Zpectre an Hey,Nice seeing you back here again! Dude Bro :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Jul 05, 2016, 8:46 AM
Hello, guys. Sorry for my late reply.

I thought that all milestones will be unachievable, so I had switched to other projects. But now I'm free again, and I can postpone finding a new full-time job for a month or two. And it seems, that I was wrong about achieving the milestones :)

I appreciate that you are ready to help me to cover my current expenses for the time while I'm developing NFS4 version of the Modern Patch. I hope that you will like a new version of the patch which will be developed as the result.

I haven't touched NFS3/NFS4 almost for 2 months, so it will take some time to get into NFS3/NFS4 code again. I'll start tomorrow. So, the project is resumed.

I'll post details about "how to donate" a little bit later.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Jul 05, 2016, 10:06 AM
Thanks VEG! You're a boss, mate. I've just tried your patches, and it's like a dream come true. :)

This is a game that still gets modding support. I had abandoned it when I lost time to tinker with it and for my own personal reasons, but now there's no real need to leave it aside as it'll get preserved for posterity save for a major change in Windows or something.

IMO it's worth seeking this goal just for the support it still has, however small. 17 years later there are still mods being released for it. I'm surprised even this place is still going! And now we can enjoy the full backlog of this game's mods in full glory. You've changed the world for the better, I'd say. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Jul 06, 2016, 3:02 AM
Nice to hear from you, VEG. I really hope we'll be able to reach the second milestone, too.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Andrew L on Jul 06, 2016, 4:57 AM
Awesome news!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Hipnotic Rogue on Jul 07, 2016, 1:41 AM
I'm really glad that this project is happening.

Thanks for posting here, VEG.  I appreciate it. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: gagarin on Aug 06, 2016, 1:41 AM
A month has passed is there any info on the work progress or how to donate?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Aug 08, 2016, 12:25 AM
I was wondering about that,too. I still got the money in my pocket, that is supposed to be transfered. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Aug 15, 2016, 4:48 AM
Well, it looks like we have to be patient for now.

I don't know any details, but Veg is still busy with other projects.

Quote from: PM by VEG
I'm sorry, I have some unexpected problems, so I'm working on them.
But I'm still planning to work on NFS4 patch, I'll post "how to donate" only when I'll be sure that I'll be able to work for a month on this project without any distractions.

So, stay tuned...
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Aug 15, 2016, 7:33 AM
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: mecha on Sep 20, 2016, 4:20 AM
finally got around to installing this. I've had a lengthy absence, so pardon me if I'm super late.

it's amazing to be able to play NFS4 without any gimmicks or hacks. and to see it in crappy Glide again.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Andrew L on Sep 20, 2016, 6:57 AM
Well, it looks like we have to be patient for now.

I don't know any details, but Veg is still busy with other projects.

Quote from: PM by VEG
I'm sorry, I have some unexpected problems, so I'm working on them.
But I'm still planning to work on NFS4 patch, I'll post "how to donate" only when I'll be sure that I'll be able to work for a month on this project without any distractions.

So, stay tuned...

Good to know it's still on his mind!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Gustingorriz on Sep 30, 2016, 7:25 AM
Sorry because I'm completely late, but I've been away from HS a long time. I've read all the threats related to VEG NFS4 Modern Patch (including his blog) until the sadly point where he says the project its stopped.

I will go straight to the point: I would donate to our cause; its my favorite NFS of the whole series and I prefer give my money to keep upgrading this before buying another crappy new NFS title. I'm thinking in about 30 euros, probably more if the project goes big.

Having said this: Do we know any news from VEG? He's really interested in keep de project working?

Thx, as always.

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 06, 2016, 2:27 AM
Hello everyone! Sorry for my late reply. I'm working on the patch again.

A new beta is here: http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch_beta.7z

The main change is much improved DX7 renderer. Now it has Texel Alignment fix, as the result everything look sharp like when Glide renderers are used. I've fixed all differences between DX7 and Glide renderers in the NFS3, and I would like to do the same thing for the NFS4.

Why the DX7 renderer is important? First of all, it has the best performance on some systems when high poly cars are used. I have a report that with full grid of high poly cars nGlide has ≈18FPS, dgVoodoo has ≈30FPS, and DX7 has ≈60FPS. Second, DX7 renderer is able to use widescreen resolutions without additional patching of the renderer. Glide renderer (voodoo2a.dll) needs additional heavy patching to be able to use widescreen resolutions, 32bpp modes and huge textures (from 256×256 to 2048×2048). None of this is needed for the DX7 renderer. It supports these features itself. Third, DX7 will be very useful for retro computers without the 3dfx Voodoo GPU. Also DirectX allows to use windowed mode from the program. Glide API doesn't have such things and the dgVoodoo / nGlide do windowed mode using some ugly hacks. It will be much easier to debug the game using DX7 renderer + windowed mode.

It doesn't mean that voodoo2a.dll will not be patched. It will be, but later. First of all, we have to choose the best voodoo2a.dll which will be patched. I have a huge collection of such renderers (thrash drivers) from different games and maybe some newer voodoo2a.dll will be better. It needs testing.

At the moment I'm working on the DX7 renderer and I would like to fix as much problems with it as possible. I know about visible black polygon near the Old Church in the Hometown. And I know how to fix it, it will be fixed soon. Please report about any other problems with this renderer. Also please write about differences in rendering between Glide and DX7 renderers. At the moment I know about these:
— No title text animation in the menu when DX7 is used.
— No flying bars animation on dialog show in the menu when DX7 is used.

Also please check performance of the DX7 and compare it with other renderers. I need some stats to know how it works on different systems.

Please compare performance of:
1. DX7 from this NFS4 beta.
2. DX6 from this NFS4 beta.
3. DX6 from the NFS3 release (http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch.7z).
4. DX7 from the NFS3 release (http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch.7z).
5. This DX6 (http://veg.by/files/nfs4/dx6a.dll).
6. nGlide from the NFS4 beta.
7. dgVoodoo from the NFS4 beta.
8. DX8 renderer from this NFS4 beta.

Test all of them in the NFS4 using the same settings. If you like NFS3 also, you I'm interested in performance testing of these renderers in the NFS3 also. The results may differ between NFS3 and NFS4!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 06, 2016, 3:27 AM
Hello to you Evgeny!
My name is Frank, I am from Germany and like many others I am happy to have your great patch running on my machine.

Although I have to say I made some 'adjustments' to the environment of the patch's drivers you delivered, such as I am using Zeckensack's Glide3x.dll from his old Glide Wrapper 0.84c rather than the NGlide driver. It runs alot smoother since it doesn't cost so much CPU power as well as it can easily be configured by its Glide Configurator, as long as the Glide3x.dll is located in the \Windows directory.

I simply renamed the NGlide's Glide3x.dll in the NFS\drivers\NGLide folder so it isn't used.
No problem here since the game looks up in the Windows\system32 or \Windows directory for Glide driver(s).

Secondly, I simply extracted 'DX9b.dll' from the EP/SP (NFS\3DSetup -> D3DA.rar) to a new folder 'NFS\drivers\DX9' for DirectX9 support, for those who like DirectX better for some reasons. I just edited the 'thrash.ini' to have fog support and so on, as well as 'NFS4.ini' for the driver being found in this new folder ('ThrashDriver=DX9')

Both versions work fine on my machine, and, as I heard up to now, with others, too.

Keep up your excellent and patient work and thanks!
Greetings
Frank



Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 06, 2016, 3:54 AM
FranknFurter, I had replied about it here (http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1834.msg33697#msg33697) and here (http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1833.msg33698#msg33698). Actually, this DX9 isn't a DX9 renderer, it's just a dx7z.dll with changed version information and without any code changes. This dx7z.dll is taken from the "2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan". It uses Thrash API v115. NFS4 requires Thrash API v106, and it seems that Thrash API v107 is also ok. I'm not sure if Thrash API v115 will be fully compatible with NFS4. DX8 has Thrash API v115 also and it is not fully compatible with NFS3 and NFS4.

My patch includes dx7a.dll which is based on the dx7z.dll from the Motor City Online (from some version of this game). Thrash API is v107 in this DX7. It is very close to the v106 which is required by the NFS4. Also it seems that NFS3 also works nice with renderers with Thrash API from v104 to v107. Thrash API v11x had changed second digit in the version, it seems that it means some major differences without full backward compatibility.

But it is possible that dx7z.dll with Thrash API v115 is still compatible. Thrash API has an ability to set required version, and if a renderer supports previous versions of the API, it can work as a renderer with different version of Thrash API. Maybe dx7z.dll is able to work as it has Thrash API v106. Had anyone tested this renderer heavily?

BTW, have anyone any archived copy of the Motor City Online except the version which is available in the internet? As far as I know, this public version is a beta, and it is not the final release of the MCO. It would be nice to have the final release of this game. It seems that this guy (http://www.majicbus.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=432274#p432274) has a copy of the latest release, but I can't register on this board to ask him about it because registration is broken on this site.

UPD. If you have more free time, please test these original DX7 renderers:
http://veg.by/files/nfs4/dx7drivers.7z

Any differences between them are interesting: performance, rendering, compatibility, etc. Please test them on the NFS3 and NFS4 separately. dx7api107 is from the MCO and current DX7 is based on this one. dx7api113 is from some newer version of the MCO. dx7api115 is from the FIFA 2002. All three these renderers are original, there are no any modifications. But if we will see if some version is better than others, maybe it will be better to use it as a base for patched DX7.

You can use something like FRAPS to measure FPS. BTW, maybe someone knows any better tool for measuring FPS? :)

Don't forget to mention your hardware (GPU, CPU, RAM), OS version, your game settings.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 06, 2016, 5:50 AM
Glad to hear more from you, your work is pretty much a godsend.

BTW, have anyone any archived copy of the Motor City Online except the version which is available in the internet? As far as I know, this public version is a beta, and it is not the final release of the MCO. It would be nice to have the final release of this game. It seems that this guy (http://www.majicbus.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=432274#p432274) has a copy of the latest release, but I can't register on this board to ask him about it because registration is broken on this site.

Driving Passion has pretty much everything about MCO so far, even the game itself: http://drivingpassion.net/site/index.php?page=downloads&type=misc&id=need-for-speed-series%2Fmotor-city-online_2
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 06, 2016, 6:22 AM
Another note. If you're using Windows 8+, some DX renderers may not work because system doesn't allow to use 16 bit modes. To allow 16 bit modes for the game use such *.bat file for running the game:
Code: [Select]
set __COMPAT_LAYER=!DWM8And16BitMitigation
start nfs4.exe

This compatibility flag can be permanently stored in the registry here:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers

UPD. Also I'm searching beta versions of NFS3/NFS4. It may help us to improve graphics, because it seems that developers reduced size of most textures during development. More info is here: https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36250
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 06, 2016, 7:36 AM
I am using Zeckensack's Glide3x.dll from his old Glide Wrapper 0.84c rather than the NGlide driver.
Unfortunately, it will be not possible to use widescreen resolutions with this wrapper (you can check it with NFS3 which supports widescreen resolutions itself). Glide API is very limited and it wasn't developed with future in mind. As the result the list of all possible resolutions was hardcoded. There is no enumeration of resolutions like DirectX has. nGlide and dgVoodoo added extension for extended resolutions support for my NFS3 patch, so it is possible to use widescreen resolutions with these wrappers.

If you would like to use Zeckensack's Glide3x.dll, maybe it's time to write to the author of this wrapper with a question what he thinks about adding support of the extension into his wrapper. The wrapper isn't updated for 10 years, it seems that it is abandoned, but maybe the author will do it. The extension isn't hard to implement in the wrapper's side.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 06, 2016, 7:47 AM
 .. haven't thought your patch's starter is THAT customizable, GREAT! BTW I didn't mean to bother you by my suggestions or underestimate your work, I always like trying things out to see how things can run a bit better if possible.

And you're completely right, this DX9b is not what it's said to be, you investigate things very diligent before you publish anything, my absolute appreciation for that!

Since I don't use Direct3D for NFS on my machine anyway I haven't really considered about that, but the possibility to even customize the NFS4.ini that way is absolutely great, thanks! Now I can leave all my renderers where they are since I still have the NGLide'S Glide2x.dll in my \Windows\System directory as said for my even older GECKO game, cute.

I have now edited the NFS4.ini in the way you described - it works!

So for all folks out there who want to use rather Direct3D AND want to have at least fog support you would prefer the DX7 renderer, this the highest possible and stable version for NFS4?
On my girlfriend's Laptop which doesn't have a 3D card I have to use Direct3D (and since it doesn't have enough resolution for 1280x960 for HiRes Glide rendering), so your DX7 renderer would be the best choice for that? I heard the DX7 renderer would make problems? I haven't it tried yet ...

Add.: ... oops, you were faster! I'm just using it because the NGlide Wrapper lags my system like on other's machines, too. That's the only reason why I use it, it is small, it is fast, with the known disadvantages ...
Widescreen support of course would be great, more like a dream, but as a die-hard NFS4 Fan you are used to live with compromises and non-optimal solutions -LOL

Thanks
Frank
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 06, 2016, 7:48 AM
Got a problem with your DX7 renderer in my machine (AMD A4-3300 APU -Radeon HD 6480G GPU-, 8 GB RAM, Win10 v1511); I only get a black screen upon starting the game, only sound can be heard.

I also tried the other DX7 renderers you provided in that zip: I stumble across the same problem as above with v107, v113 does not work at all, and v115 works flawlessly. So probably the problem I described above is probably due v107 not working with my OS/GPU.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 06, 2016, 9:11 AM
I also tried the other DX7 renderers you provided in that zip: I stumble across the same problem as above with v107, v113 does not work at all, and v115 works flawlessly. So probably the problem I described above is probably due v107 not working with my OS/GPU.
Possibly, when you had used v107, your system didn't provided 16-bit modes support. Windows often automatically adds compatibility flags for old programs which require 16-bit video modes. Please check these paths in the registry if there are some flags for your copy of the NFS4:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers

So, if compatibility flag was added, you will see the video when v107 will be used also. Please check it and tell me if it is right.

The game doesn't support 32bpp rendering of the movies. Windows 8+ doesn't support 8bpp and 16bpp modes at all. But it has the DWM8And16BitMitigation flag which enables emulation of 8bpp and 16bpp modes. And windows can add this compatibility flag automatically when it thinks that this application requires 16-bit modes.

I'm planning to add 32bpp rendering for movies, but it is not a trivial task and it is planned only for the far future. When it will be added, menu and movies will be able to work in 32bpp modes, so this compatibility fix will not be needed for viewing movies on Windows 8+.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 06, 2016, 9:21 AM
Hmm, it worked this time (somehow the first times I ran the bat didn't work until rebooting). Thanks for the tip!

EDIT: looks like the problem was Bandicam somehow bugging the game.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 06, 2016, 11:42 AM
Well .. uhm, had NFS running on Evgeny's DX7 as well as the 'fake' DX9 driver ::), makes no difference on my machine, but as said, I prefer the Glide option, and thanks Evgeny again for your support and instant replies!
This is NOT self-evident ..

Wonder if us guys will ever manage to create an wherever .. whatever account to finally support all your efforts!
Wish I had a the foggiest notion of how to manage things like that ..
It is all worth it IMHO.

After all this years of standstill concerning our MOST FAVOURITE GAME AND SHEER, AS WELL AS CONSTANT SOURCE OF ENTERTAINMENT, COMFORT or simply OCCUPATION someone had the guts and decrypted and reassembled the game's source code... no-one asked him to do that. Chapeau!

You're my personal hero, Evgeny ...!

Greetings
Frank

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Gustingorriz on Oct 06, 2016, 6:26 PM
The moment when the game loads the full grid for the first time in the race, retextured track with 8 cars between 5000-9000 polys:

http://i66.tinypic.com/21n020k.jpg (http://i66.tinypic.com/21n020k.jpg)

Drop to 22 FPS. Then goes to aprox. 30-40 fps depending of the cars visible.
Finally when there are only 2 or 3 cars, the FPS reaches 60 again.

Using nGlide with the beta patch. 1920x1080, all graphics set to maximum.
The first version gave me similar framerates too


ADD: I can launch the game using the .bat file with dx7 succesfully, but I dont know how to change the resolution to 1080p. The game launches with the lowest 4:3 resolution so the FPS just goes insane.

ADD x2: Thats what the game said to me if I use dx8:
http://i65.tinypic.com/2ykxnp1.jpg (http://i65.tinypic.com/2ykxnp1.jpg)
I cant change the resolution to test

*Intel i5 3570k, Nvidia GTX 660Ti, 16 GB RAM, Win 10 64Bits*

Hope you find this useful, I will upload more pics switching drivers

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Gustingorriz on Oct 06, 2016, 6:41 PM
Another one:

http://es.tinypic.com/r/ftdl77/9 (http://es.tinypic.com/r/ftdl77/9)

Here it only drops from 60 FPS to 50 (46 for a second). Using dgvoodoo

The screen works like 1080p, but the game only can be set to 1024x768. If do you know how can I set the game up to 1080p, please let me now :)

*Intel i5 3570k, Nvidia GTX 660Ti, 16 GB RAM, Win 10 64Bits*

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 07, 2016, 1:50 AM
Quote
ADD: I can launch the game using the .bat file with dx7 succesfully, but I dont know how to change the resolution to 1080p. The game launches with the lowest 4:3 resolution so the FPS just goes insane.
Please don't use any "force resolution" features in wrappers. These features distort results of the test. Use the same 4:3 resolution on all renderers during testing. In the future, when widescreen will be supported, you will be able to select 1920×1080 or 1920×1200 from the ingame menu.

So, please check performance of these renderers again. But this time use some 4:3 resolution, like 1280×960 or 1600×1200. I suppose that nGlide and dgVoodoo will be slower, but I'm not sure, so it needs testing.

BTW, if you have some random lags with DX7, please try to disable DirectDrawLagFix in the drivers/dx7/thrash.ini. I have one report that this setting adds some framedrops for one user on Windows 10. On the other side, I have a report that another user have extremely low performance without this option with DX6 on Windows 8. Maybe DX7 doesn't need this option, it also needs testing.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Gustingorriz on Oct 07, 2016, 4:45 AM
Sorry VEG. Didnt consider the forced resolutions...   :-\

Here is my latest try:
Unforced resolutions in all cases and Vsync off (dgvoodooconf.exe) 
All game visuals set to max with ingame 4:3
Landstrasse Enhanced with a full grid of PomFrit's Diablo SV (9032 polys)


dgvoodoo: down to 45 FPS, mostly 50-60 stable. 1024x768
nglide: down to 20 FPS. Less cars visible, more FPS and viceversa. 1024x768
dx7 (Only runs with .bat): Perfect framerate all the time (57-60 FPS). Using both 1024x768 and 1280x960. DirectDrawLagFix=1
dx8: BAD_INDEX when I try to choose resolution from ingame menu. Black screen with only HUD visible, but drops to 37 FPS (?)
dx6: Screen flickering and 5-15 FPS as constant framerate, even in menu. 1024x768
glide3x: Abort message "AMF=16 platform.c(310)" when launching the game, even with the .bat file
softtri: Menu works perfect. Game crashes when start a race, even before the loading screen. 1024x768

*Intel i5 3570k, Nvidia GTX 660Ti 2 Gb, 16 GB RAM, Win 10 64Bits*
Using FRAPS

I'd go straight to dx7 IMO: Looks nice even with lower resolutions and the framerrate is perfect.

Hope yoy find this time useful the results. If you need more info just let me know!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 07, 2016, 7:04 AM
Sry guys that i'm mixing in ...
Quote
glide3x: Abort message "AMF=16 platform.c(310)" when launching the game, even with the .bat file
This means your Glide driver isn't correctly installed? (presumed you have one?) Isn't it found in the \Windows or \Windows\System32 directory? Which one do you HAVE installed in your system?

If Glide3x.dll (eather Zeckensack's in \Windows or Nglide's driver in \Windows\System32) isn't found in the specific directories, you'll get that Platform error message.

If you need those, i can send them to you, as said the Zeckensack Glide driver runs real fast, with the known disadvantages ...

Greetings
Frank
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 07, 2016, 10:19 AM
I've created a page with information how to donate:
http://veg.by/en/donate/

If you like my patches, please consider a donation.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Oct 07, 2016, 11:55 AM
Дмитрий just received 100,00 USD :)

Good job VEG. Keep it up!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 07, 2016, 12:02 PM
MADMAN_nfs, thank you very much. I really appreciate it.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Oct 07, 2016, 12:53 PM
You should have received a bit more by now ;)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 07, 2016, 6:53 PM
 ... isn't there any other way than PayPal? There's enough people (like me..) who don't trust in that.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 08, 2016, 12:11 AM
XJ220, Remko, thank you for your support!

FranknFurter, unfortunately, it seems that there is no other reliable way :( I can accept WebMoney and Yandex.Money, but these money systems are popular only in Russia and CIS countries. We can use something like Western Union or UniStream for a direct money transfer, but in this case you and me have to go to our local offices of these money transfer systems, and it seems that they have much higher commission.

More updates soon. Stay tuned!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Oct 08, 2016, 1:50 AM
Hi VEG,

I'm glad you started to work on HS again. I made a small donation for NFS3 already. The bigger one for HS is coming later when my PayPal account is filled up again.

I tried your latest HS patch and got problems with all dx modes. The menus are fine, but in game it looks always like that :
http://forum.team-ger.net/uploads/2016-10-08-08-28-10-nfs4%202016-10-06%2018-18-08-90.png (http://forum.team-ger.net/uploads/2016-10-08-08-28-10-nfs4%202016-10-06%2018-18-08-90.png)

No scenery is shown. I see only the HUD graphics. It makes no difference if I start with "set __COMPAT_LAYER=!DWM8And16BitMitigation" or not. I used Win 7 & 10 (both 64 bit) on a Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 with Radeon R9 380 for testing.

In both glide modes graphics are working and the game runs smooth.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 08, 2016, 6:06 AM
Folks, as only to show you the advantages of my preferred renderer Glide3x, I added this pic:

Car menu in Glide:

It shows the cars in their full beauty and a much higher resolution in the menu (here: 1280x960 px ->'Try High Res' with Zeckensack's Glide Wrapper 0.84c) than in DirectX.

Never seen the car's bottom reflection before NFS Modern Patch btw ;)
OK, in times of Windows 98 it might have been there, but I can't remember this ..

Greetings
Frank
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Oct 08, 2016, 6:17 AM
A Carrera vidwall for a turbo? How dare you! :P

I think when VEG says he wants to add glide features to dx, the resolution is high on the list of things to do? :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 08, 2016, 7:07 AM
 ..eeek.. Nils, do you always have to be that picky? .. I know, it isn't quite correct but I choose my Vidwall's pictures by uhm.. flavour .. as to say ... shut up! =D

But you guys know what I mean? To see the cars in the menu .. that way?

I don't really care about 16:10 (widescreen) support or stuff, resolution is much more important IMHO.
1280x960px (inGame as well as menu resolution) is already veeery good, this doesn't mean it couldn't get higher, but as said the NGLide renderer lags the game in an unbearable way, that's why I use the old Zeckensack Glide Wrapper.

.. what should widescreen really mean to that old game except cutting the Video Card /renderers frames off? huh?

See it's the same thing like watching an old movie, like 'Blues Brothers' ^-^ or so on my widescreen TV, I can either broaden/widen it which looks ridiculous, see it as it is in 4:3 or cut bottom and top off, or do I mistake smth.?

Do you mean you can re-write the game's graphic engine to show more of the scenery than it does now? I doubt this ...

BTW.. Nils you should alter your profile entries LOL .. R-u-mmsstein ... is.. ok.. but we are all Classic NFS Fans in here, aren't we? ^-^
ROFL - nevermind ..
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Oct 08, 2016, 8:50 AM
I think VEG actually aims for proper widescreen support, no stretching, no letter-boxing, no-pillar boxing and no pan&scan. So it's not the same thing as a video or movie because those have fixed content, while the screen in games is filled dynamically with 'fresh' content. With classic cutscenes etc. being the exception but, well.

Also, my nick + sig are way more classic NFS than your stamp-sized avatar and the pretentious line beneath it, Frank :P lol
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: ExoticLover on Oct 08, 2016, 9:28 AM
Hoorah! There's the NFS4 version now. Gonna try to get it. Too bad my mother lost my NFS4 CD.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 08, 2016, 12:10 PM
I tried your latest HS patch and got problems with all dx modes. The menus are fine, but in game it looks always like that
That's very strange. Try to open the player car menu. Is your car visible in this menu?

Please check if this problem occurs on the NFS4 Modern Patch v0.1 and NFS3 Modern Patch v1.6.

I think when VEG says he wants to add glide features to dx, the resolution is high on the list of things to do? :)
Unfortunately, menu will work in 640×480. All resolutions and aspect ratios will be supported only for gameplay. Menu is hardcoded to be 640×480, all graphics and other code is intended for working in 640×480. But you can use wrappers like dgVoodoo to scale 640×480 to your desired resolution if you wish. But this solution isn't beautiful, and it doesn't add high resolution support to the game menu. The game will think that it is still 640×480.

Maybe in the far future I'll start a new project with full rewriting of the NFS3/NFS4 menus =) Actually, I would like to try to rewrite (on C++) the whole menu of the Future Cop L.A.P.D. sometimes in the future. Just as an experiment, because this game has very simple menu and it is a very good sample for practicing such things (rewriting of a whole component of a game using high-level language). NFS3/NFS4 have much more complicated menus, there is too much different things, so it will take much time to rewrite all of them. It will be better to start from simpler thing. In any case, it will be not in the near future.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: ExoticLover on Oct 08, 2016, 12:12 PM
VEG, in that case, if it does happen, do you think that you can make NFS3 and NFS4 have interchangeable tracks installation? Like if I want a NFS3 track in NFS4, I just add NFS3 track over there? This is a wet dream, I must say. Years ago, when I was talking to Agent Mulder, I almost been able to convert a NFS4 track to NFS3 by changing some very few stuff, and he confirmed that to me by pointing that it just crash at 3,2,1 section of the race, but it loaded alright. There was also a claim in NFSGB.ND4SPDWORLD.COM years ago that someone converted NFS4 track to NFS3.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 08, 2016, 12:30 PM
VEG, in that case, if it does happen, do you think that you can make NFS3 and NFS4 have interchangeable tracks/cars installation? Like if I want a NFS3 track in NFS4, I just add NFS3 track over there? This is a wet dream, I must say. Years ago, when I was talking to Agent Mulder, I almost been able to convert a NFS4 track to NFS3 by changing some very few stuff, and he confirmed that to me by pointing that it just crash at 3,2,1 section of the race.
Everything is possible, theoretically. But this task will require extremely enormous amount of time for reverse engineering and rewriting needed parts of the game. I can't even imagine how much time it needs. Possibly, it will be easier just to rewrite this game from scratch =)

The only real task for reasonable time is expanding the limit of installed custom cars. Adding new tracks (even in the format of the proper version of the game) is maybe 100 times more complicated task because there is too much hardcode for each track inside the executable. Yes, not all information is stored in external files! Many things like "disable horizon here and here on this track" and "play these sounds here and here on these tracks" are hardcoded in the game code. So, proper implementation of simple adding of new tracks require reworking of the track format (to store in it all hardcoded things), rewriting all hardcode to use the new information from the track files, etc. At the moment I'm not brave enough to start such project.

Actually, even rewriting of the whole menu of the NFS3/NFS4 looks too big for me at the moment. That's why I'm thinking about similar but 10 times simpler task in the other game (Future Cop L.A.P.D. has only one menu screen and a couple of dialogs). On the other hand, several years ago I thought that things that I'm doing now are barely possible. So, maybe in the future I'll be able to do much more complicated things, who knows =)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 08, 2016, 12:43 PM
The only real task for reasonable time is expanding the limit of installed custom cars.
That would be glorious. The serial number limitation is bigger nonsense than poly/geometry memory limit
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: ExoticLover on Oct 08, 2016, 1:06 PM
Never had a problem with serial numbers. I used serial numbers above 50 before, and they are all below 65000.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 08, 2016, 1:47 PM
Never had a problem with serial numbers. I used serial numbers above 50 before, and they are all below 65000.
Only in HP's case. HS can't have more than 49 cars installed, otherwise the game will glitch (BAD TEXT INDEX 0 error) or will not start at all.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Stifen_DY on Oct 08, 2016, 10:44 PM
The only real task for reasonable time is expanding the limit of installed custom cars.
That would be glorious. The serial number limitation is bigger nonsense than poly/geometry memory limit
I've been waiting for this moment. The pain from the measly car limit of NFS3 and NFS4 is almost gone. Hooray! =D

Never had a problem with serial numbers. I used serial numbers above 50 before, and they are all below 65000.
Only in HP's case. HS can't have more than 49 cars installed, otherwise the game will glitch (BAD TEXT INDEX 0 error) or will not start at all.
The downside of having custom cars with serial numbers above 50 in NFS3 is that the opponents never drive those custom cars in any races.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 09, 2016, 2:04 AM
Unfortunately, expanding limit of cars quantity isn't included in current list of mandatory features. It is not a trivial task, it is not a "just fix this number" task. There are several static arrays with size for 50 cars, so I have to allocate new arrays and change all places where these arrays are used for using new bigger arrays. Every pointer have to be fixed. I would like to do it for the NFS3 and NFS4 sometimes. So, the feature is in the long-term todo list.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Oct 09, 2016, 3:41 AM
I tried your latest HS patch and got problems with all dx modes. The menus are fine, but in game it looks always like that
That's very strange. Try to open the player car menu. Is your car visible in this menu?

Please check if this problem occurs on the NFS4 Modern Patch v0.1 and NFS3 Modern Patch v1.6.

The player car menu is fine in dx7 mode. Have a look here :  https://youtu.be/5J5C9D6Vi8E (https://youtu.be/5J5C9D6Vi8E)

I remeber I already had this with the first modern patch. But I was happy with the glide modes.
I'm trying the NFS3 Modern Patch later.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 09, 2016, 4:36 AM
The player car menu is fine in dx7 mode. Have a look here :  https://youtu.be/5J5C9D6Vi8E (https://youtu.be/5J5C9D6Vi8E)

I remeber I already had this with the first modern patch. But I was happy with the glide modes.
I'm trying the NFS3 Modern Patch later.
That's very strange. I thought that there is some problems with rendering of 3d models, but it seems that there is something else.

1. When you will have a bit of free time, please check how D3D modes work in the NFS3.
2. Also please check (in NFS4) these different versions of the dx7 renderer, especially dx7api115: http://veg.by/files/nfs4/dx7drivers.7z
3. Also please check (in NFS4) how DX7 will work if you disable DirectDrawLagFix in the ./drivers/dx7/thrash.ini.

Thank you in advance.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Oct 09, 2016, 4:58 AM
Ok testing done (Win 7 64 bit on a Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 with Radeon R9 380 4GByte RAM) :
1. NFS3 results :

2. NFS4, dx7 renders

3. NFS4 with DirectDrawLagFix

I also did some testing on a Notebook with Windows 10 64 Bit. CPU AMD A6-4400M, Radeon HD 7520G (512MB RAM)
I didn't counted the frame rates, but the glide modes ran smooth.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 09, 2016, 7:54 AM
@Jimmy:
Well, Server's been temporarily offline, so I couldn't write earlier :(

I've tested the different DX7 versions, too on my Win7 environment (DirectX 11), that' the latest Windows version I can serve with ..

API107 (=default Modern Patch DX7 renderer): Works fine, all menus visible, but game is running a bit slower than it does on Glide (Zeckensack's Glide Wrapper 0.84c, my favourite renderer for NFSHS which is running real fast (.. guess I had mentioned that earlier.. ::))) .. subjective impression only btw. but nevertheless noticeable, I have no frame rate tool running :-\

API113: Menus work, all of them, but when starting a race the game exits to desktop. (w/o error message btw.)

API 115: 'Intermittive' lag in the menus (for example: Car menu -> 'turntable'), but all menus work, game runs nearly as fast as it does on Glide.
Attachment: NFS running on DX7 (API115) btw.. the copcar's accident isn't the renderer's fault ^-^

Greetings
Frank
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 09, 2016, 9:14 AM
 .. have to mention that I'm using an old NVIDIA AGP Card (Cheap and heavily outdatet as well as low-budget GeForce FX5500 (a '10bucks-on-the-bay-thing', 128-bit though, but even with my previous 64-bit card (also FX5500) it ran as smooth as a cat), that's propably why, an 'old environment for an old game?' ... I had a ATI Radeon (9550) once, too, almost nothing worked, already starting with a black screen while booting until GUI starting :-\ the Catalyst drivers also happily messed up my system and that's why I got rid of that card ASAP.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Oct 10, 2016, 11:16 PM
I friend tested on his PC (Win 7 64 bit on a Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 with Radeon R9 380). He has the same problem with dx modes. HUD visible but no scenery. The glide modes were ok.

I could also test on a Lenovo Thinkpad L540 (Win7 64 Bit,Intel Core i5-4300M, Intel HD Graphics 4600)
dx6 -> Ok
dx7 -> Ok
dx8 -> No movie
dgvoodoo -> low fps in race, menus & video ok
nglide -> Ok
softtri -> working...

I love HS being portable, it is really easy to do tests.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 10, 2016, 11:47 PM
JimDiabolo, thanks for your tests. I'll try to understand what's wrong with using D3D modes in the NFS4. If NFS3 works fine, it means that NFS4 also can work fine.

Can I ask you for another small test? Please set Type=voodoo in the ./drivers/dx7/thrash.ini and try to run the game on your PC. Voodoo type uses a bit different init code, maybe some problematic thing will not be used when the type is voodoo.

I would like to mention that any program which injects own code into other D3D7 programs may have some unwanted effects. So, if you have some problems with D3D, be sure that you don't use things like FRAPS or Steam Overlay. Probably, some kind of these programs may cause some problems. For example, Open Broadcaster Software crashes NFS3 during resolution changing (if you would like to record something, just use a hotkey to enable recording when resolution is already changed).

If you will find that some software causes some problems with these games, please tell me about it. It will be very useful information.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Oct 11, 2016, 8:18 AM
Can I ask you for another small test? Please set Type=voodoo in the ./drivers/dx7/thrash.ini and try to run the game on your PC. Voodoo type uses a bit different init code, maybe some problematic thing will not be used when the type is voodoo.
Hi VEG,
with "Type=voodoo" in "thrash.ini" of dx7 folder everything on both troubled PCs works fine. Graphics are looking good, and fps is stable at 60.
Look here : https://youtu.be/OoC9t6-VHSo (https://youtu.be/OoC9t6-VHSo)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 11, 2016, 8:35 AM
with "Type=voodoo" in "thrash.ini" of dx7 folder everything on both troubled PCs works fine. Graphics are looking good, and fps is stable at 60.
Interesting. I've written a note about it into my list. I'll see the difference between d3d and voodoo init codes later. BTW, you will see that text effects in the menu and effect when showing dialogs is visible when the type is voodoo. Actually, I don't know why developers are using different init code for the D3D and Voodoo, and why they disabled some menu effects for the D3D. It's a mystery. The same with NFS3, but in case of NFS3 there were more strange artificial limitations for the D3D (no fog, 16 bit modes only, 800×600 maximum).

I prefer to think that different init code is for some reason, so I'll not just treat D3D as Voodoo. I have to understand the difference before any changes.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Oct 11, 2016, 8:58 AM
Perhaps marketing reasons? 3dfx might have paid EA to push their graphics API just like games today may show an Nvidia or AMD intro clip.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 11, 2016, 9:02 AM
I would like to mention that any program which injects own code into other D3D7 programs may have some unwanted effects. So, if you have some problems with D3D, be sure that you don't use things like FRAPS or Steam Overlay. Probably, some kind of these programs may cause some problems. For example, Open Broadcaster Software crashes NFS3 during resolution changing (if you would like to record something, just use a hotkey to enable recording when resolution is already changed).

If you will find that some software causes some problems with these games, please tell me about it. It will be very useful information.
I get a black/frozen screen after the intro movies when I attempt to use Bandicam with the DX7 renderer ("DX9" renderer works fine with Bandicam, tho). That problem does not appear with NFS3, so that means something between Bandicam and the game exe botches DX7 rendering.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 11, 2016, 9:17 AM
I get a black/frozen screen after the intro movies when I attempt to use Bandicam with the DX7 renderer ("DX9" renderer works fine with Bandicam, tho).
"DX9" is just DX7api115 =) So, DX7api115 (DX7 with Thrash API v115) has this advantage over DX7api107. Please check if it can be easily reproduced using original renderers from the http://veg.by/files/nfs4/dx7drivers.7z

Also please try to set type=voodoo in the ./drivers/dx7/thrash.ini when DX7api107 is used, maybe it will help with the problem with the Bandicam.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 11, 2016, 9:57 AM
"DX9" is just DX7api115 =) So, DX7api115 (DX7 with Thrash API v115) has this advantage over DX7api107. Please check if it can be easily reproduced using original renderers from the http://veg.by/files/nfs4/dx7drivers.7z
That's why I put the quote marks around DX9 :P

But yeah, the API115 version works fine with Bandicam, the API107 (either the original or yours) has that nasty problem with Bandicam; tried setting "type=voodoo" with no avail D:
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Oct 13, 2016, 9:45 AM
I friend tested on his PC (Win 7 64 bit on a Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 with Radeon R9 380). He has the same problem with dx modes. HUD visible but no scenery. The glide modes were ok.
Another friend of mine has the same effect, he has a Radeon card, too.

It is good the see my donations are already listed. I hope we reach the first HS goal. If yes, and we are going to collect for the 2nd, I can give some more.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 14, 2016, 5:06 AM
I'll implement widescreen support at least for the D3D modes, it's not in a question now. Patching of the voodoo2a.dll for widescreen, 32bpp and huge textures support is a very huge task itself (more than 2000 lines of pieces of assembly code in the latest NFS3 version, it was weeks of work and it have to be ported carefully), so it is the only question at the moment. But it would be nice to patch voodoo2a.dll also, because nGlide or dgVoodoo work better on some machines.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 15, 2016, 3:39 PM
Now I'm working on the DX8 renderer. In the next update it will be significantly improved. Texel alignment and fog support will be added. On some machines DX8 also is very fast, so it will be useful.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Remko on Oct 16, 2016, 3:18 PM
Now I'm working on the DX8 renderer. In the next update it will be significantly improved. Texel alignment and fog support will be added. On some machines DX8 also is very fast, so it will be useful.
Sounds Good. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 18, 2016, 3:45 AM
The goal is reached! http://veg.by/en/donate/
All promised features will be done. And even more :)
Thank you for your support!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Rafel on Oct 18, 2016, 2:49 PM
Wow, wow, playing NFS IV again :P

Sr Lluny
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Remko on Oct 18, 2016, 4:47 PM
The goal is reached! http://veg.by/en/donate/
All promised features will be done. And even more :)
Thank you for your support!

This is great news.:D I'm impressed we reached it this quickly.
To all who contributed, thank you for your support.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Mike on Oct 18, 2016, 9:38 PM
Aww man, I totally missed the donation window. Let me know next time you need donations!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Oct 19, 2016, 12:28 AM
No worries... you can aim for milestone 2 now ^^

I feel we really making great progress with Veg's work on NFS4.

Also I'd like to thank all donators again. Keep it up  :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: XJ220 on Oct 19, 2016, 8:11 AM
This is great news.:D I'm impressed we reached it this quickly.
To all who contributed, thank you for your support.
My thoughts exactly. We could make this a regular event - can we subscribe to VEG's projects yet? :D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Oct 19, 2016, 8:33 AM
The goal is reached! http://veg.by/en/donate/
All promised features will be done. And even more :)
Thank you for your support!
Goal one reached!
(http://forum.team-ger.net/images/smilies/old/fussball5.gif)
Thanks to all HS fans. !
I really hope goal 2 is possible.
(http://forum.team-ger.net/images/smilies/old/F1_flagg.gif)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Gustingorriz on Oct 21, 2016, 9:04 AM
1080p 60fps dx7. Here we go!

I'm excited  =D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Oct 21, 2016, 10:07 AM
Made it finally? Congrats, enjoy!!! .. btw the DX7 API 115 (or 'fake' DX9) didn't work for you?

That even makes my girlfriend's old laptop here run like crazy ..
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Oct 22, 2016, 2:27 AM
Damn, I also missed... Even though I can't donate much, I wanted to contribute...

I wish all success to VEG, though! That's pretty nice of him.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 22, 2016, 9:38 AM
http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch_beta.7z
http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch_beta.7z

DX8 is updated. Now it supports fog. Also texel alignment was added. It still doesn't support playing movies. I'll try to fix it later. Also it still will have problems on systems where 16 bit modes aren't available. I'll fix it later.

DX7 update with fixed ghost polygons soon.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 22, 2016, 10:47 AM
Tried the DX8 mode in NFS4, only works with 640x480x16 res, other resolutions get me stuck in a black screen after pressing "Race", especially if I attempt to race with a full grid of opponents
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 22, 2016, 11:28 AM
AJ_Lethal, do you have the same problem with NFS3 Modern Patch?

Currently, this project doesn't need heavy testing because it is only on the beginning of the road and I have enough reports about current state of the project. I've posted this update just to show that there is some progress. Now I'm fixing problems that I already know how to fix. Then, I'm planning to work on the NFS4 thrash init code and widescreen support. I'll try to address some problems that I still don't know how to fix (or can't reproduce at all), but it will be much later.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Oct 22, 2016, 4:05 PM
 :o  Wow, Real Bummer,, for u AJ_L maybe after Veg, has  nice dinner! Out an a Movie, an back..? ))) He will get this all fixed up on your deal. Anyway,was making Humor, was all.
That's why at times, it's just having the better patch,he has out that works? he has use it. Just like, the Track editor,  I use the one that worked.., better for my abilities, an less bugs,an Failures (
I hope he can ever fix this for u an all of us.
Best Regards
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 23, 2016, 6:37 AM
AJ_Lethal, do you have the same problem with NFS3 Modern Patch?
yup
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 26, 2016, 12:19 PM
New beta versions.

http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch_beta.7z
http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch_beta.7z

These glitches of the DX7 renderer were fixed:

(http://veg.by/z/2016-10-26-22-16-54-0a15ca56.jpg)
(http://veg.by/z/2016-10-26-22-18-02-4bd1d6a8.jpg)
(http://veg.by/z/2016-10-26-22-18-55-ca38e92d.jpg)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: therealdadbeard on Oct 26, 2016, 2:50 PM
everytime i try to use dx renderers i cant select any resolution. It says Bad Text Index. Game works finde but i get a black screen when the race starts but the huds visible.

New beta versions.

http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch_beta.7z
http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch_beta.7z


Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 26, 2016, 2:53 PM
therealdadbeard, please try to set Type=voodoo in the ./drivers/dx7/thrash.ini and ThrashDriver=dx7 in the nfs4.ini and report the result.

I'm planning to refactor thrash init code, also I'm planning to rewrite the code which gets resolutions list. Maybe it will help.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: therealdadbeard on Oct 26, 2016, 3:06 PM
This worked. now i can select up to 1280x960. There will be more propably at a later stage i suppose, like 1080p and so on. But the driver works good per se. :D

therealdadbeard, please try to set Type=voodoo in the ./drivers/dx7/thrash.ini and ThrashDriver=dx7 in the nfs4.ini and report the result.

I'm planning to refactor thrash init code, also I'm planning to rewrite the code which gets resolutions list. Maybe it will help.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch Beta again? )
Post by: WiLL on Oct 26, 2016, 3:42 PM
Hi there Veg bro. All I'm able to make out, is your New cool looking, "Green Arrrow, direction thing,did you change it color an shape?) Looks better budd ;)
An that brackish Texture, was always, there from the CD install, bad Transparency, thing on that Poly.. I always found, it an replaced ,it with a better texture, or pulled it out! Other than that, I can see any, more, that,u done
But,, Lmk nice Pic
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch Beta again? )
Post by: VEG on Oct 26, 2016, 10:25 PM
Hi there Veg bro. All I'm able to make out, is your New cool looking, "Green Arrrow, direction thing,did you change it color an shape?) Looks better budd ;)
No, I'm not changing graphics at all. It's a screenshot from the NFS3, it has such green direction icon by default.
Currently, I'm fixing bugs and preparing the game for global refactoring of the Thrash init code. This code has massive changes already in the NFS3, and I'm still improving it. After, I'm going to port them to NFS4. I hope that it will help with compatibility.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Oct 27, 2016, 1:16 AM
Nice little improvements there Veg. The fonts look sharper now and the Dx render errors for small textures are fixed. With the setting Type=Voodoo Dx7 is now running with good performance and visuals.
At the same time you can use the benefits of DirectX, like higher compatibility with capture software, optional post-processing shaders or ripping tools without using cpu/gpu power for additional computation (like the voodoo emulators).
Out of curiousity: can you briefly explain what has caused this error with Dx renders? How you fixed it? Was it sloppiness of EA developers or did they actually had a reason to suppress DirectX like that (e.g. disabled menu effects etc.), compared to Voodoo Glide?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Oct 27, 2016, 1:59 PM
Out of curiousity: can you briefly explain what has caused this error with Dx renders? How you fixed it?
Not all DX renderers has this problem. For example, d3da.dll from the NFS4 demo doesn't have this problem (it's a bit earlier version of the renderer). d3da.dll (DX5) from the NFS3 also doesn't have this problem. The problem occurs only when small textures are used (smaller than 4×4). Old D3D renderers report that minimum allowed texture size is 8×8. As the result, the game stretches smaller textures before uploading to GPU, and the problem doesn't occur. I don't know why the texture upload function fails with small textures smaller than 4×4 (I've tried to investigate it, but without any sensible result). So, I've added to the DX7 additional code which reports that it supports textures not smaller than 4×4 even when GPU driver reports that it supports some smaller values.

In short, I've done something like this:
Code: [Select]
if (dw_min_texture_width < 4) dw_min_texture_width = 4;
if (dw_min_texture_height < 4) dw_min_texture_height = 4;
Actually, I've rewritten much more code, but it is the main meaning of the change. And it works at least not worse than earlier D3D renderers where the problem doesn't occurs.

Was it sloppiness of EA developers or did they actually had a reason to suppress DirectX like that (e.g. disabled menu effects etc.)
I don't know why =) D3D API definitely is not worse than Glide API. IMHO, D3D is even better.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch Party posts :}
Post by: WiLL on Oct 27, 2016, 2:52 PM
Thanks for Explaining all those Parts,in 3D.
 Veg yup, hope it gets better, for you to, on this.!.  :)  8)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 30, 2016, 2:04 PM
Shilled the patch in Driving Passion  (http://drivingpassion.net/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=3062):D

(fixed link - Remko)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 01, 2016, 5:09 AM
http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch_beta.7z

I'm working on deep refactoring of the thrash init code of the NFS3. It takes more time than I thought, but it will fix some rare problems. Then, I'm planning to do the same for the NFS4. After, I'm planning to start to work on the widescreen support. Even if these things will take more than a month, it will be done, as promised.

Currently, refactoring of the NFS3 code already solved these small problems:
- Crash when trying to make a screenshot when experimental D3D windowed mode is used.
- Invisible cockpit when DX8 is used.
- More possible errors can be detected during thrash init, so if there are some problems, the game will show more meaningful error message.

If someone had the problem with cockpit rendering with DX8, please check it again and report if it works now. Also I'm looking for someone with GPU where more than 4GB RAM is available. Please check if DX7 and DX8 work nice on such GPUs. Please do it on the NFS3. When I'll start the same refactoring of the NFS4 thrash init code, testing of the NFS4 will be needed. But it will be later.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 01, 2016, 12:23 PM
Cooya!, I'm sorry. I've overlooked your donation. This mistake is fixed and your donation is listed now.

I'd like to explain why I'm refactoring NFS3 first. There are many reasons:
1. NFS3 already has partly refactored thrash init code.
2. It is planned to add simple windowed mode support for D3D modes of the NFS3, and it requires significant changes in the thrash init code.
3. It will be faster to port all these changes to the NFS4 in one long run.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Freak-DS on Nov 01, 2016, 2:33 PM
Check your donations ;)
Was a bit late, but promised is promised.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Nov 04, 2016, 7:11 AM
Guys I just wondering, is this modern patch can fix disappearing textures and poor visibility on my city tracks??? And question two, can we use high polygon cars without crash??? :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Nov 04, 2016, 7:39 AM
Guys I just wondering, is this modern patch can fix disappearing textures and poor visibility on my city tracks??? And question two, can we use high polygon cars without crash??? :)
Your tracks don't have their visibility tables modified IIRC, that's why you have pop-in problems (yoy can export the tables in T3ed, then modify them with JimD's VSEdit before reimporting them)

And yes, the patch allows using high poly cars without crashing
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Nov 04, 2016, 8:56 AM
Guys I just wondering, is this modern patch can fix disappearing textures and poor visibility on my city tracks??? And question two, can we use high polygon cars without crash??? :)
Your tracks don't have their visibility tables modified IIRC, that's why you have pop-in problems (yoy can export the tables in T3ed, then modify them with JimD's VSEdit before reimporting them)
That's right, but it won't help on every part of the tracks. Very high objects should be converted in global ones. It helped me on my unfinished "Track 8".
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Nov 04, 2016, 9:08 AM
You can run full grid of 99% of cars released for NFS4 with the patch. Your performance may vary.

Anyway, calling this effort a "patch" is an understatement. VEG is rewriting so much stuff in the code that it goes far beyond a patch.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Nov 04, 2016, 9:21 AM
Guys I just wondering, is this modern patch can fix disappearing textures and poor visibility on my city tracks??? And question two, can we use high polygon cars without crash??? :)
Your tracks don't have their visibility tables modified IIRC, that's why you have pop-in problems (yoy can export the tables in T3ed, then modify them with JimD's VSEdit before reimporting them)

And yes, the patch allows using high poly cars without crashing

I never had your 'New York Final 2.0' to run on my machine (let alone 10MB of Texture .qfs!!), but now with the Patch it runs fine, also in pursuit mode .. sounds as if you haven't installed and running it yet? Do you? :o

Quote
Anyway, calling this effort a "patch" is an understatement. VEG is rewriting so much stuff in the code that it goes far beyond a patch.
I fully agree with you ZSpectre .. it makes HS a completely new experience ..
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Nov 04, 2016, 11:05 AM
Very recommended  ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfhBW2412JI&t=184s&index=4&list=PL_DN6Ndn3E09FcPAl2A6V1MeSgfVhGsyX
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Nov 04, 2016, 11:35 AM
 .. wow, a checker cab running almost 300 kph .. nice .. do you want a REAL CARP perhaps? =D

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Checker_Taxi_Madison_Sq_jeh.jpg/800px-Checker_Taxi_Madison_Sq_jeh.jpg)

this one is broken, it is lacking the pakistani ornamentation stuff in the windshield ^-^
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Nov 04, 2016, 11:58 AM
No thanks I prefer my tuning checker cab with carp from F50 :D

Also if you don't check these all tracks (all my best ) I recommend also:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_DN6Ndn3E09FcPAl2A6V1MeSgfVhGsyX

Disappearing textures and poor visibility is very bad here:

https://youtu.be/XUSZZ-l5J0Y?list=PL_DN6Ndn3E09FcPAl2A6V1MeSgfVhGsyX&t=37

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 04, 2016, 3:47 PM
Check your donations ;)
Was a bit late, but promised is promised.
Ready. Thank you for your support.

It seems that I've found the problem which caused invisible movie when DX8 was used. This fix wasn't planned for the nearest release, but I've found out how to fix it during refactoring of the code. Now it have to work when menu is able to run in 16-bit video mode. To make movies visible in all cases it is needed to add 32bpp rendering support for movies. I'm still thinking how to do it in a better way.

Unfortunately, NFS4 has much more complicated movies code (because it also plays several movies simultaneously in the menu itself). So, it needs deeper investigation, but I'll try to do it.

http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch_beta.7z

I need some stats when movies are visible or not now. Please test this beta version on the DX8 renderer and report here if movies are visible. Please mention if 16bit video modes are available in the game settings, and your OS version.

Also this beta of the NFS3 Patch fixes the problem with invisible cockpit on DX8. But it needs testing on GPU's with more than 4Gb of memory. If some of you has such GPU, please check if cockpit is visible when the "In Car" camera is used.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Nov 06, 2016, 5:31 AM
I need some stats when movies are visible or not now. Please test this beta version on the DX8 renderer and report here if movies are visible. Please mention if 16bit video modes are available in the game settings, and your OS version.
Movies are visible with dx8 renderer now ! I got 16Bit modes available.

Also this beta of the NFS3 Patch fixes the problem with invisible cockpit on DX8. But it needs testing on GPU's with more than 4Gb of memory. If some of you has such GPU, please check if cockpit is visible when the "In Car" camera is used.
The cockpit view is visible on my PC. My GPU has exactly 4 GByte RAM (Radeon R9 380)
I'm still wondering how you this this, great work !. (http://forum.team-ger.net/images/smilies/old/top.gif)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 06, 2016, 5:43 AM
BTW, it seems I have understood how the game renders 16bpp movie frame. I'll try to add 32bpp support. Maybe it will even improve quality of movies a bit.

Also I've found similar code in the NFS4. So, if it will help, I'll try to port it to the NFS4 also.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Nov 06, 2016, 8:36 AM
I get this error when I try to start NFS3 in DX8 mode:
(http://i.imgur.com/pyLR4sN.png)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 06, 2016, 8:40 AM
Do you use any wrappers? Maybe EAX?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Nov 06, 2016, 8:52 AM
Do you use any wrappers? Maybe EAX?
I'm not using any wrappers like nGlide or Zechensack's and my audio mode is Stereo
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 06, 2016, 8:54 AM
Previous versions of the patch have the same problem?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Nov 06, 2016, 10:25 AM
Previous versions of the patch have the same problem?
Previous versions could start in DX8 mode, but when I start a race I either get a black window or this error
(http://i.imgur.com/SZzx1We.png)

Strangely enough DX8 mode appears to work only in windowed mode.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Nov 08, 2016, 10:10 PM
This may not quite fit into here at this point of time, but I wonder if things that are still hardcoded in the .exe could also be changed like non-reflective polygon assignments in certain .fce parts like the OD, OND, Wheels and stuff.

I think that all this was done to let the the game run smoother in those days, but meanwhile it would be nice to finally have shining rims an so on? ::)

Frank
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 09, 2016, 8:33 AM
Previous versions could start in DX8 mode, but when I start a race I either get a black window or this error
That's very strange. It would be nice to understand when even menu stopped to work. But now I have a new beta version, please check it.

http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch_beta.7z

It has many small fixes in almost all renderers (according to the 32bpp support), and it fixes some problematic code in the DX8. Maybe it will help. Please try to run DX8 with Prefer32bitModes=1 and Prefer32bitModes=0. It is important to try these both modes. Also please check if 16-bit modes are available in the game settings when Prefer32bitModes=0 is 0.

This may not quite fit into here at this point of time, but I wonder if things that are still hardcoded in the .exe could also be changed like non-reflective polygon assignments in certain .fce parts like the OD, OND, Wheels and stuff.

I think that all this was done to let the the game run smoother in those days, but meanwhile it would be nice to finally have shining rims an so on?
I'm planning to enable all standard effects in cases when they are buggy or locked for some reason, but I'm not planning to add new effects, sorry.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Nov 09, 2016, 9:22 AM
That's very strange. It would be nice to understand when even menu stopped to work. But now I have a new beta version, please check it.

http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch_beta.7z

It has many small fixes in almost all renderers (according to the 32bpp support), and it fixes some problematic code in the DX8. Maybe it will help. Please try to run DX8 with Prefer32bitModes=1 and Prefer32bitModes=0. It is important to try these both modes. Also please check if 16-bit modes are available in the game settings when Prefer32bitModes=0 is 0.
Good news: game now works in DX8 mode (only movies and loading bar are glitchy -flicker-, but it runs well)
Bad news: 16-bit modes do not show up when Prefer32bitModes=0
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 09, 2016, 9:39 AM
Good news: game now works in DX8 mode (only movies and loading bar are glitchy -flicker-, but it runs well)
Nice. Can you record a video how it looks like? You can even use your phone to record it. High quality isn't required.

Did DX8 have the same flickering on previous versions, when gameplay wasn't visible?

DX6/DX7 from the latest build work without any problems?

Bad news: 16-bit modes do not show up when Prefer32bitModes=0
It's ok. Actually, Windows 8+ doesn't support 16-bit display modes without enabling special compatibility modes :)

UPD. It seems that the latest betas have some regression with resolution choosing code (sometimes 640×480 will be chosen instead of maximum resolution). Also it seems that latest build doesn't work at all on my notebook. Something is broken =(

I'll fix it in next updates.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Nov 10, 2016, 7:01 AM
Hello Evgeny,
Quote
I'm planning to enable all standard effects in cases when they are buggy or locked for some reason, but I'm not planning to add new effects, sorry.
Now for programming dummies, does this mean the non-reflective effects on some parts only need to be enabled on th hardcode or that enabling these effects (reflections) on these parts would be a completely new task? ???

I understand little of hardcode, first of all I am somewhat more than a beginner car editor who sometimes knows how to trick the old game, so .. please explain in simple words ^-^

прывітанне
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 10, 2016, 7:11 AM
It means that if there is no such code in the game, it will be a completely new task and it will be extremely hard to implement. Actually, I'm not sure what exactly are you talking about (I've never even tried to create a new car), but it seems that you're talking about some new thing like I had described before.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Nov 10, 2016, 7:20 AM
On all other parts of a car you can choose on polygons either high-reflective (Chrome), 'normal' reflective (like paint) or 'non-reflective', which is displayed correctly in ZModeler, but in-game for example Wheels are ALWAYS displayed 'non-reflective', such are :OD and :OND and some other parts. I always wondered if this is hardcoded or for what reasons the game engineers did that those days.

Pity that you are not into car editing, but if you look closely at a car ingame you will always notice that for example rims are always displayed without reflections, 'shining effects' or 'chrome' or whatever you may call it.

This changed since HP2 or Porsche, I don't know exactly ...

I edited a lot of HP2 files, wheels on HP2 cars even have their own seperate QFS files where you have to define Chroming effects using alpha channel, this is different to HS where the alpha channel is used just for transparency effects.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Nov 10, 2016, 7:44 AM
.. take a look at Stifen's screenshot here for example, you may notice the car's body 'reflective', the windows are 'high-reflective' (or 'chrome' in the best case), but the wheels shown in-game are always non-reflective or 'mat', even if in ZModeler the rims' polygons are being defined 'reflective', that's what I mean.

(http://www.nfsaddons.com/sotd.php?d=11/09/2016)

What I therefore ask for is if it is possible to allow reflective polygons ('chrome' effects) on ALL parts of the car?

I know there's a lot of people like NJ and many others(!) like me who spend a lot of time on correct wheels or especially on creating nice rims, but then it will not be displayed correctly (even if knowing that before) what is somehow annoying .. on High Stakes as well as on Hot Pursuit. I promise, if you could change that .. a lot more people would want to donate for this small issue, really!

As for me this would mean much more than any widescreen support or such ...
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Nov 10, 2016, 11:11 AM
Nice. Can you record a video how it looks like? You can even use your phone to record it. High quality isn't required.
here's a video, -sorry for the audio desync (Bandicam things)-
http://webm.land/media/mAb0.webm
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Nov 10, 2016, 1:23 PM
Hi, was a Fun Video pal  AJ_L all 50' Seconds of it   ??? should help something?

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 12, 2016, 12:59 PM
here's a video, -sorry for the audio desync (Bandicam things)-
http://webm.land/media/mAb0.webm
Please check if the problem is solved for movies in this beta: http://veg.by/files/nfs3/nfs3_modern_patch_beta.7z
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Nov 12, 2016, 4:15 PM
game crashes at launch with this errors when using DX8 mode:
(http://i.imgur.com/c2YpLPs.png)

oddly, the game works well only in windowed mode.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 12, 2016, 9:53 PM
game crashes at launch with this errors when using DX8 mode:
(http://i.imgur.com/c2YpLPs.png)

oddly, the game works well only in windowed mode.
At least now I know exact call (thrash_lockwindow) which fails for some reason on every odd frame on your system in fullscreen mode. It explains that flickering: when the game can't lock the frame buffer, it can't render a frame. But it is very strange. I'll try to guess what may be wrong.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Nov 20, 2016, 2:23 PM
The truth about the patch =)

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhYD7ukZkjw/Vwu4jr3OdgI/AAAAAAAALuY/My8kulCl-asizIvNtfqx-igySieEAWOtQ/s640/graph%2Bof%2Bplanned%2Bvs%2Bactual.jpg)

Initially, I had not planned refactoring of the thrash init code, but started to do it and would like to finish this work. It takes much longer than I thought, but I think that it's worth it. Don't worry, all other proposed things will be done.

I need a little pause for some other projects (several my Firefox addons require updates for the Firefox 50+ multi-process mode, also I have a small commercial project for a couple of days). I'll return to the NFS patches during the week.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Remko on Nov 20, 2016, 5:21 PM
Thanks for keeping us updated all the time and don't feel pressured please. ;) Good luck.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Rider66 on Dec 07, 2016, 8:53 AM
Probably ain't the biggest cut possible for such a project, but still, about $150 spent on this patch.
Looking forward to see this thing done.
As for the expansion, I'd been wondering about:
Traffic car colours. Back in NFS 2 days these were random. And it was nice to see, say, E34's and Type 1's in random colour set. Is that possible to enable?
Traffic car sounds. I'm pretty sure that it's somehow hardcoded in exe. And so far it seems like there's 2 possible sets.
Traffic car sets. *.ini/in-game menu choice?
And yes, added cars limit. Not going to try some kind of Gran Turismo hundreds and thousands of cars, but still, at least x2 or x4 limit would make big sense.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Dec 07, 2016, 10:40 AM
The whole, simple, plain and naked ..

... truth about Life :o

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhYD7ukZkjw/Vwu4jr3OdgI/AAAAAAAALuY/My8kulCl-asizIvNtfqx-igySieEAWOtQ/s640/graph%2Bof%2Bplanned%2Bvs%2Bactual.jpg)

Walk on, walk on
With hope in your hearts
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone


English traditional, veeery popular with British soccer fans and also performed by the 'Toten Hosen' at the end of each concert :)

Keep up your excellent work if you will and take a rest of it first ... go fishing Pal, you earned it ;)

Btw .. Did you know that in my threads in every second sentence I meanwhile use the phrase 'in pre-VEG patch times ..' and 'after ..'
.. do you recognize at all that with your work you rang in a 'turn of an era'? ... :)

Do you have a girlfriend? Go on some nice holiday with her, she'll appreciate that, I can tell .. ;)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Dec 12, 2016, 3:25 AM
Hello, guys. I'm still working on the other project, but I'll return to the NFS patching soon.

BTW, I've updated my Firefox extensions. Maybe someone will like some of them :)

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/advanced-locationbar/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/pure-url/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/omnibar-lite/ (awaiting review)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/system-menu-ex/ (awaiting review)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Paul Spain on Dec 13, 2016, 12:49 PM
Why does everyone seem to have topped off at $50.00 LOL? Patch is excellent and also you truely made the game portable so people can take it on the go and not even have to have the CD, Only need the Config.Dat file, You've included everything esle. I think you have a future in game making as a whole, You can make alot of popular PC games portable if your "hacks" work on all, No longer will people have to have a install disc to transfer games from PC to LapTop or PC to PC. Great work.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Dec 19, 2016, 9:23 PM
.. take a look at Stifen's screenshot here for example, you may notice the car's body 'reflective', the windows are 'high-reflective' (or 'chrome' in the best case), but the wheels shown in-game are always non-reflective or 'mat', even if in ZModeler the rims' polygons are being defined 'reflective', that's what I mean.

What I therefore ask for is if it is possible to allow reflective polygons ('chrome' effects) on ALL parts of the car?

I know there's a lot of people like NJ and many others(!) like me who spend a lot of time on correct wheels or especially on creating nice rims, but then it will not be displayed correctly (even if knowing that before) what is somehow annoying .. on High Stakes as well as on Hot Pursuit. I promise, if you could change that .. a lot more people would want to donate for this small issue, really!

As for me this would mean much more than any widescreen support or such ...

Hahaha those wheels would look so bad with proper reflections... I was a total n00b back then and indiscriminately deleted all the wheel's duplicate verts, so the normals are screwed up. :D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Jan 07, 2017, 1:34 AM
I wrote a very simple 3DSetup for Veg's modern patch some time ago. It was made for NFS4 but works for NFS3, too.
You can find it here : https://www.magentacloud.de/share/vy4glo5qkt#$/ (https://www.magentacloud.de/share/vy4glo5qkt#$/)
It needs no installer, just extract the 3DSetup.exe into the game main folder.

(http://forum.team-ger.net/uploads/2017-01-07-09-26-28-3DSetup_MP.png)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 07, 2017, 3:59 AM
I also made NFS 3 Setup for VEGs patch while ago:

(http://xcx.4fan.cz/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/nfs3setup0030.png)

link: http://xcx.4fan.cz/programy/nfs3-setup/ (http://xcx.4fan.cz/programy/nfs3-setup/)

It is created in an old delphi and should be compatible with every windows (I wanted the feel of win95/98 era :3 )
I'm planning add some new things (advanced trash driver settings) which was added in versions 1.6.x in near future :)

edit: I added links for my nfs3 official addon cars with showcases batch and portable patch for TNFS:SE + my own OST rip; everything is on my website, link is above.




btw, i finnaly registered after months of lurking here :D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Jan 07, 2017, 5:49 AM
Nice, it is much better then my primitive program. :) Good work Keiiko (http://forum.team-ger.net/images/smilies/old/top.gif)

Two Questions :
- Is it planned to support NFS4 ?
- Why does need Administrator rights ?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 07, 2017, 6:06 AM
1) nfs 4 will have its own logo, layout and so on, but i guess it will be similar code ;) and im still waiting for VEGs version 1.x i guess :D
2) i dont know ??? i guess thats because it is created in an old delphi... I think it has to do something with ability to run the game after clicking on ok run or something...

edit: I'll post source on github when i update it (advanced trash driver settings)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 07, 2017, 10:40 AM
Guys how can I tested VEG modern patch??? When it can be available for all???
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Jan 07, 2017, 10:50 AM
Guys how can I tested VEG modern patch??? When it can be available for all???
check this post for the latest betas: http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1819.msg33909#msg33909
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 07, 2017, 11:55 AM
Guys how can I tested VEG modern patch??? When it can be available for all???
check this post for the latest betas: http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1819.msg33909#msg33909

Thanks but how to install it??? Just replace in main folder??? :)

Ok, I just replace with my install game and what I want said:

HOLY FUCKING AMAZING :D full grid of highpoly cars and not crash  =D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 07, 2017, 12:00 PM
Basically yes.
Look on Veg's page at "How to install".
LINK: http://veg.by/en/projects/nfs4/

There is also the public link for the latest stable release.
LINK: http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch.7z

The files that come in the data-folder are completely optional (only new menus).

MAKE BACKUPS!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 07, 2017, 1:10 PM
I wrote a very simple 3DSetup for Veg's modern patch some time ago. It was made for NFS4 but works for NFS3, too.
You can find it here : https://www.magentacloud.de/share/vy4glo5qkt#$/ (https://www.magentacloud.de/share/vy4glo5qkt#$/)
It needs no installer, just extract the 3DSetup.exe into the game main folder.

(http://forum.team-ger.net/uploads/2017-01-07-09-26-28-3DSetup_MP.png)

I used this, on 3Dsetup from Expansion Pack and have "Path was invaild" :(
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 08, 2017, 6:14 AM
Have problem I do it this:

1. Copy DATA and SAVEDATA directories from the NFS4 CD to a new empty directory.
2. Extract contents of this archive into that directory with replacement of files.
3. Done!

But I have new replace cars and tracks than play the game and have this:

AMF=5 screen.c(563) - abort message

Do I have must earlier instal nglide 1.05??? I can't see any 3Dsetup in Veg patch. Yesterday when I have normal EP install than copy Veg files everything will be ok.

I tested and again install EP, than copy Veg path than I choose DX9b. In game graphics options I only have 16 bit resoution, I choose 800x600, than back to advance graphics options to ON tripple buffer, than when I back to graphics options I have BAD INNDEX TEXT_0 and game crash with

AMF=5 screen.c(563) - abort message.

Also I have drops on fps, I use MSI Afterbuern to lock fps on 60 fps in game with full grid high poly cars I have this in attachment :(

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jan 08, 2017, 7:41 AM
 Hi Slawek, bud I just need to Say,.I never put the whole SaveData, folder,.from CD in my Game Directory, k that I remember cause Vegs' patch just says, add his. Data folder? Menus, is all I ever did? So maybe, that's what your problem might be? Yes I add my own tracks,an car's to Menus an Switch the Whole Data Folder over..
Yes, I used the EP to an Vegs-' patch over my setup
I never got any install errors,this time around,so I was real happy about that, last month. Hope you get up an Running good... an I wished they,?? Could ever improve the T3ed even more or make a whole New one,that's more Error proof or, Easier, to use,with better Funtions! That sure would be a Wish for me. An Have a Great New year, to Nfsfan83 cya around bro  =D  8)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 08, 2017, 7:43 AM
Can't help you but my problem with VEG's patch is the drivers.

When I select dx7 in nfs3 or 4 ini everything is o.k. except bad graphics.

When I select nglide or glide3x the graphics are (very) good, but in race the graphics are slow and the game freezes.
And when I exit the game (with the button), I still need taskmanager to end the process.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 08, 2017, 8:45 AM

Yea well, thats the part where it gets a bit more complicated compared to the Stock-/Expansion Pack.

First of all, a common mistake is to rename the new nfs4.exe to the original name nfshs.exe. This causes errors, because of build-in compatibility features in Microsoft Windows that will detect the nfshs.exe and apply some "fixes". Compatibility modes or other patches are not neccessary with the Modern Patch.

I think the nGlide Glide-emulator is the easiest renderer to setup and will work on most systems with a good visual/performance tradeoff. If you had the Stockpack or Expansionpack installed before, you will also have nglide already installed on your system probably. If not sure, just go to www.zeus-software.com/downloads/nglide and install it again.
When done, you will find the "nGlide Configurator" in Start menu. I recommend to turn off VSYNC and the 3dfX logo there. Set the other options to "By App/Default". Resolution and other option can be set ingame with the normal game options.

Now, if you dont want to use the launchers that were linked by Keiiko and JimD, you have to configure the Modern Patch by altering settings in the nfs4.ini.
Open the nfs4.ini with the Windows-Notepad.
The first line will say [NFS4], below different options are listed. Important are:
Language=
NoMovies=
ThrashDriver=

At language you can set your language... options are: english, french, german, italian, spanish
NoMovies has the options 1/0 meaning On/Off - this decides if the NFS4 intro movie is shown (default) or skipped. NoMovies=1 will skip the intro.
The option TrashDriver sets what renderer will be used by the game.
In case of nGlide the line has to be: ThrashDriver=nglide

So after setting these 3 simple options in the nfs4.ini you should be ready to launch the game.

Of course you can also use other renderers like DirectX. Some renderers require some editing tho. Therefor you have to go to the folder "drivers" that come with the patch. You will see all available TrashDrivers in subfolders.
All you have to do, is to edit the line "TrashDriver" in the nfs4.ini accordingly by using the names of these subfolders. Use the option that runs best on your machine.
So, possible options for the TrashDriver are:
TrashDriver=nglide/dgvoodoo/dx6/dx7/dx8

To customize the specific renderers, enter one of the folders, e.g. dx7. You will see a file named trash.ini and some other files. Important to you is only the "trash.ini" where you can set things for the specific graphic driver. I dont want to go into detail here. But generally the following options should be enabled in every trash.ini:
Type=voodoo (always use voodoo type, even with directx renderers)
FogSupport=1
I will attach my setting files and you may take a look at them to compare them with the default ones. Or just copy them over into the "drivers" folder. Remember that using dgVoodoo requires a DirectX11 compatible graphics adapter.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 08, 2017, 8:53 AM
Oops .... you were faster MADMAN ... :o

ok ... once again ..

... very strange Slawek, but sounds somewhat familiar to me .. the problem is the NGlide driver itself as I already stated in earlier threads. It is too large and that's what's lagging the game alot as for my experiences.

I also use Glide3x.dll but from the Zeckensack 0.84c Glide Wrapper and it runs fine with certain limitations and restrictions that are well-known but as said it runs as smooth as a cat on my NVidia graphics machine .. try again the VEG patch with 'Glide3x' entry in NFS4.ini but using system Glide drivers from Glide Wrapper 0.84c.

I'm using the NGlide driver as well but for a much older game: 'Gex 3D - Enter the Gecko' from '95 .. but that is the Glide2x.dll driver of it ... this is running fine with that old 'Glide only' game but the Glide3dx.dll is as said making a mess on my machine ... must be that HS was written then also for upcoming DirectX so is kind of a 'hybrid' graphics engine ...

.. these are my settings so far: (don't forget to start 'nfs4.exe' once to let the Glide configurator.exe recognize the new application first, important!)

Try it, there's nothing better than running Glide since HP/HS was written for it once ...

you'll be surprised of that car menu's full resolution ... looks awesome with also reflections and mirrored car on the bottom ... :D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 08, 2017, 9:09 AM
Guys thanks for quick replay, and I wanna say that I'm proud that I'm member of this great NFS community  ;)

But I solved my problem :) I use this : nfs4_modern_patch_beta

Beta version, and now I have all resolution in 32 bit color and games works perfect.

Screen - full grid of Martin Leps F50 High Polygon  =D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 08, 2017, 9:15 AM
(...) Now, if you dont want to use the launchers that were linked by Keiiko and JimD (...)

Mine is still only for nfs3, code needs some changes for nfs4
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 08, 2017, 9:21 AM
ur welcome pal .. always glad to help .. ^-^ so what driver do you use now? Glide or DX? lemmie guess .. looks alot like Glide to me?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 08, 2017, 9:27 AM
(...) Now, if you dont want to use the launchers that were linked by Keiiko and JimD (...)

Mine is still only for nfs3, code needs some changes for nfs4

Right, my mistake. Hope to see a NFS4 version tho :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 08, 2017, 9:43 AM
ur welcome pal .. always glad to help .. ^-^ so what driver do you use now? Glide or DX? lemmie guess .. looks alot like Glide to me?

DirectX 9b

resolution 800x600 32 bit and frame limit 60 fps ( I want so low temp on my gpu :D max 40C is now)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 08, 2017, 10:42 AM

DirectX9b? Where you get that from?

You got a file like that: http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1834.msg33697#msg33697 ?
Thats probably a fake dx9, actually using dx7.

But glad it is working now for you. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 08, 2017, 10:58 AM
Dx9.0b driver is fake as Evgeny already stated remember folks .. it is Dx7 v.115 API oh well .. but works so far fine also for me if needed has fog an' all ... but 800x600 is a p.. in the a.. sry ..

Glide is 1280x960 for me on 0.84c Glide Wrapper also in menu .. all keepin' cool .. any questions?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 08, 2017, 11:04 AM
Any thoughts about my problem I posted?

To quote myself:

When I select dx7 in nfs3 or 4 ini everything is o.k. except bad graphics.

When I select nglide or glide3x the graphics are (very) good, but in race the graphics are slow and the game freezes.
And when I exit the game (with the button), I still need taskmanager to end the process.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 08, 2017, 11:09 AM
sounds much like you're actually using NGlide's Glide3x drivers huh?

see above post/explanations/intructions by me .. cannot really help on Dx since I don't use it except for my GF's old laptop w/o proper 3D graphics card but works also fine at 1024x768 (that fake Dx9b 0.115 API).. :P
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 08, 2017, 11:26 AM
Any thoughts about my problem I posted?

To quote myself:

When I select dx7 in nfs3 or 4 ini everything is o.k. except bad graphics.

When I select nglide or glide3x the graphics are (very) good, but in race the graphics are slow and the game freezes.
And when I exit the game (with the button), I still need taskmanager to end the process.

Hey noise,
what OS are you using? If you use Win98, than the crash on exit is normal. Evgeny needs to fix that.

What you mean by bad graphics? You can't select higher resolutions? --> try to use type=voodoo in trash.ini, like i described in that post: http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1819.msg34472#msg34472

I dont know your system specs, so i can only guess the glide emulators are using too much resources resulting in low FPS. Only hardware upgrade can help.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 08, 2017, 11:29 AM

DirectX9b? Where you get that from?

You got a file like that: http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1834.msg33697#msg33697 ?
Thats probably a fake dx9, actually using dx7.

But glad it is working now for you. :)

I have in 3dsetup something like this:

DirectX 9.0b.dll and on this works very nice ;)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 08, 2017, 12:05 PM
Thnx for help so far.

I have Win XP
JimD's EP pack installed (also tried without but same problems)
and I could only select 16bit resolutions in game.(haven't tried Slawek's option yet)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 08, 2017, 12:30 PM
Thnx for help so far.
[...]
I could only select 16bit resolutions in game. (haven't tried Slawek's option yet)

Guess, then we found the problem. Glide only supports 16bit modes. Thats a technical limitation.
If you want 32bit, you gotta stick with the directX renderers.

[...]
Glide is 1280x960 for me on 0.84c Glide Wrapper also in menu .. all keepin' cool .. any questions?

Well, i am using dgVoodoo which has 8x AntiAliasing implemented. If you force the resoution the menu will also have high resolution with dgVoodoo but, like with Zeckensacks Wrapper, you will get artifacts with high menu resolutions...

(http://thumbs.picr.de/27964661hx.jpg) (http://show.picr.de/27964661hx.jpg.html)
Menu with Zeckensacks Glide Wrapper + Try HiRes

Of course dgVoodoo needs better hardware, so i think it is not always suitable.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 08, 2017, 12:54 PM
Hmmm.... Without VEG's patch I had much better graphics (with nglide selected from EP pack)

How can I improve the graphics with those directX renderers? Graphics settings in game don't change anything.

@FranknFurter: I tried using your dx9 trick.But how can I start nfs4 in direct3d mode?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 08, 2017, 2:40 PM
Hmmm.... Without VEG's patch I had much better graphics (with nglide selected from EP pack)
How can I improve the graphics with those directX renderers? Graphics settings in game don't change anything.

You need to be more precise. What exactly was better before? Resolution? Colors? Flickering?
If you set up nGlide correctly, it will have exactly the same graphics as with the Expansion pack. nGlide stays nGlide...

Make sure you made the changes in the nfs4.ini to enable nglide, also check that the trash.ini in the "drivers/nglide" folder has the right settings (maybe post screenshots). Make sure to check the settings of the nGlide Configurator, accessable via Windows start menu.

Greetings
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Jan 08, 2017, 10:45 PM
(...) Now, if you dont want to use the launchers that were linked by Keiiko and JimD (...)
Mine is still only for nfs3, code needs some changes for nfs4

I'm counting on you Keiiko, that you make your setup compatible with nfs4. I'll think it should be less work then implementing all the settings in mine, that yours already has.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 09, 2017, 1:25 AM
I'm counting on you Keiiko, that you make your setup compatible with nfs4. I'll think it should be less work then implementing all the settings in mine, that yours already has.
I'm working now on advanced thrash settings and when it will be done (i think this or next week, i dont have so much free time :D) then i edit it to work with nfs4
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 09, 2017, 3:19 AM
@Madman: nGlide 0.95 cofigurator settings:

Screenresolution: 1680 x 1050
Refresh rate: by app
vert.synchro:on
gamma correction:0.8
3dfx logo splash screen:off         

in trash.ini from nglide driver it says:
nglide resolution=16

when I make this 32 I have bad graphics in race, but not in car menu.

I tried glide3x driver, this gives much better result for graphics, although I can only choose 16bit screens in gameoptions.

The ''race'' doesn't freeze anymore for some reason, so forget about that

But always''Exit''game  doesn't work correct.I still need taskmanager to stop the process.

I understand you need pic's, don't have time for that now.My english isn't good enough to explain the graphics.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 09, 2017, 3:41 AM
NGLIDE_RESOLUTION should be 0 and desirable resolution you can set in game (or not?)

and possible values for NGLIDE_RESOLUTION are here, if you want; vaule 32 is invalid/too high
http://www.zeus-software.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=796#p4248 (http://www.zeus-software.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=796#p4248)

nGlide 0.95

why are you using so outdated version?  :o there are a lot of fixes in later versions (see attachment, readme for v1.05)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 09, 2017, 4:44 AM
@Madman: nGlide 0.95 cofigurator settings:

Screenresolution: 1680 x 1050
Refresh rate: by app
vert.synchro:on
gamma correction:0.8
3dfx logo splash screen:off         

in trash.ini from nglide driver it says:
nglide resolution=16

when I make this 32 I have bad graphics in race, but not in car menu.

I tried glide3x driver, this gives much better result for graphics, although I can only choose 16bit screens in gameoptions.

The ''race'' doesn't freeze anymore for some reason, so forget about that

But always''Exit''game  doesn't work correct.I still need taskmanager to stop the process.

I understand you need pic's, don't have time for that now.My english isn't good enough to explain the graphics.

Noise try this: Instal NFS4 than EP, than copy files from this: http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch_beta.7z than in 3D setup choose directX 9b.dll and ok

I have Core2Duo 2,66, gpu-GT630 2GB, and 4 GB ram, system XP Professional SP3, directX 9c,  and works perfect on this beta version. Can have full grid of Enzo Martin Laps :) without crash and dropping fps.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 09, 2017, 4:45 AM
thx Keiiko also,
maybe I'd give it another try, too ... 0.97 was the one I used and had tried, also have 1.03 but that was even worse concerning lag .. well thx again

Not so hard to do since NGlide setup places its drivers in the Windows system directory while the Zeckensack drivers are being placed in Windows root :D

I had then just deactivated NGLide's Glide3x.dll by renaming it so both can work parallel and HS resp. VEG patch nfs4.exe looks up in both directories starting from \system so if a driver isn't found there it looks up in the parent directory ;)

Only disadvantage then is that the Zeckensack configurator complains that there are more drivers to be found except its own what can greatly be ignored ... ;)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 09, 2017, 5:00 AM

@Madman: nGlide 0.95 cofigurator settings:
Screenresolution: 1680 x 1050
Refresh rate: by app
vert.synchro:on
gamma correction:0.8
3dfx logo splash screen:off         

in trash.ini from nglide driver it says:
nglide resolution=16
when I make this 32 I have bad graphics in race, but not in car menu.

I tried glide3x driver, this gives much better result for graphics, although I can only choose 16bit screens in gameoptions.

When you force a resolution, the trash.ini needs to look like this:

[THRASH]
File=voodoo2a.dll
Type=voodoo
FogSupport=1
[ENV]
NGLIDE_RESOLUTION=1
NGLIDE_ASPECT=1
NGLIDE_REFRESH=1
NGLIDE_VSYNC=1
NGLIDE_GAMMA=5
NGLIDE_SPLASH=1

Like Keiiko said, valid values for the "NGLIDE_X=" sections are usually just 1 or 0
It only sets if the nGlide options are used or ignored by the Modern Patch.

Again: Glide mode does not support 32bit color depth, it never did. 3dfX decided to get stuck with 16bit color septh on Glide, don't ask me why... anyways, normally you will barely notice the difference, at least with old glide games like NFS4.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 09, 2017, 5:22 AM
Quote from: MADMAN
Again: Glide mode does not support 32bit color depth, it never did. 3dfX decided to get stuck with 16bit color septh on Glide, don't ask me why... anyways, normally you will barely notice the difference, at least with old glide games like NFS4.

Agreed ... I switched between 16 and 32-bit mode alot when I sometimes have to use Dx, I don't see any difference so that woudn't be a reason for me to stick with Dx ..

Ok .. there had been that old myth around that a video card cannot correctly render a 16-bit game resolution when you are in 32-bit desktop mode but that assumption was coming from prehistoric times back when VESA cards were using a 5-6-5 bit reservation pattern :o

If ever you had looked at a track's .qfs file by expanding it with FSHTool you might have noticed that also the major part of texture bmps are even 8-bit (!) so .. what's the use of 32-bit ingame then?

@Keiiko .. no chance also with the new updated 1.05 Nglide driver :(
As soon as I start the game I notice that certain delayed reaction on mouse cursor and ingame is even worse, no matter what I do on display driver panel, either with several dead certain options 'on' or 'off', so

It works so far 'ok' up to 1024x768 set in NGlide configurator as I noticed but that's much less than Zeckensack driver produces on 'try HiRes' (default HS res. is 640x480 x2 = 1280x960)

I'll stick with the Zeckensack driver then, it renders very fast, no delay on mouse and rendition in menu looks ok for me ... ;)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 09, 2017, 6:24 AM
In directX 9b.dll I have all these resolutions:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lPEOzl09Hb4wf1UN2rneZ-W7XRNH5FwLCsEiHlsV1IvdnJRNnGZiBC-1QuvIS_x8ZBGUwjqhNiUhqkIWpgmTNckjMcCCII_rDBjLLBkgN2WRczEaJOojvmy8HrY39LTMmzkmAkaR422VGfKV1bYHRZKC5tn6rxP9hdIAGrPVgn-gaV2S0ZaHOSD8Ab6AMSDTP3zirza0AJWFsvbq--VJwN1qAC3qnzBLMhaHkI5TI94YqzTRWi9prNfXO83Op7Fi7kT45qMD6SSO3ALp5Y-5F9ORaeugaI4NDuCK7SzEtvfPNih-j4qdPmg0kSKKoSuUtQm4Lz2ny5gbvkFuP3haDk7H50F0-1Ipp-Xy41nZ1WGWkUGymn5oEslNTFCHKNLqBkGMl5JJxhU0tiGhUQSzJ8p17roTfe8xe47pqYsnPnx2b6K2J88vS190I1PrF6wdWE_HSpuymK9w8ratzFbaa7MlVvwRDUfiIq1iK4tUR0YNAouBlOWjzDQv3PRLU5LxgoZ788ZrxFhoA0VXWRBZaxnbNoRezI6MjzDAAOgZdvZZDKFdkyajpSi4_rz6VIYAJCWBCRsLr9GD3XIcoS3JfMOC3PvIoMBeNvGT_iTFakwdqnzKS7C6NSfxK4UtToAaad9M65mvzZn8C8jt3aQN6zXs3Cd0oUP1R6PUyUejGA=w640-h480-no)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 09, 2017, 7:12 AM
Slawek you may be right, but you as a track maker, can you affirm of what I said about the track textures?
Some are millions of colours (24-bit bmp, that's anyway less than 32-bit 'true colour') if transparency is needed (so plus 8-bit greyshaded alpha channel) but most are 256 (8-bit) colours, so what is the use of 32-bit ingame then? That doesn't conclude to me somehow ... is just 'higher' always being for the better?

Ingame textures will not be displayed better or higher than they are then will they?

[OT..very]
That Glide vs. Dx discussion sometimes reminds me of my other hobby Model Railroading where we often have similar discussions about that old enmity 'AC (Märklin) vs. 'the Rest of the World' running DC' -LOL ;)
[/OT]
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 09, 2017, 7:57 AM
[...] but most are 256 (8-bit) colours, so what is the use of 32-bit ingame then? That doesn't conclude to me somehow ... is just 'higher' always being for the better?
Ingame textures will not be displayed better or higher than they are then will they?

Like you said, 8bit means 256 colors - custom palette. Custom palette is important, because you can define what colors are used for the single texture.
So when you have many different 8bit textures, more than 256 colors have to be displayed during a race. The difference of 16bit and 32bit will be visible when you have fine color gradients.

By using Glide you still avoid some glitches that occur with the directX renders... listed by Veg in this post:
http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1819.msg33909#msg33909
(except you use his fixed Dx7 file)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 09, 2017, 8:11 AM
That's the point MADMAN! ..

When I do colour gradients on car textures like on the NYPD Fury or such I notice that certain colours simply 'disappear' in car menu, that's why sometimes also some tire textures appear as to dark ..

But I didn't conclude that on either using Glide or Dx driver and/or 16 or 32-bit rendition but HS' rendition that simplifies colours anyway? I'm a bit confused sry .. ???
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: nfsfan83 on Jan 09, 2017, 9:20 AM
Slawek you may be right, but you as a track maker, can you affirm of what I said about the track textures?
Some are millions of colours (24-bit bmp, that's anyway less than 32-bit 'true colour') if transparency is needed (so plus 8-bit greyshaded alpha channel) but most are 256 (8-bit) colours, so what is the use of 32-bit ingame then? That doesn't conclude to me somehow ... is just 'higher' always being for the better?

Ingame textures will not be displayed better or higher than they are then will they?

[OT..very]
That Glide vs. Dx discussion sometimes reminds me of my other hobby Model Railroading where we often have similar discussions about that old enmity 'AC (Märklin) vs. 'the Rest of the World' running DC' -LOL ;)
[/OT]

I know about textures in game, but I wanna said that in beta version in DX9b, I have all these resolutions on screen amd game works nice :) on last version of Veg modern patch I have only 16 bit res and game have fps drops.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Cooya! on Jan 09, 2017, 9:34 AM
@FranknFurter: You are totally right... NFS4 doesn´t support true 32bit on everything. Textures of cars and tracks are somehow downgraded in colordepth irrespective of what you chose in graphic settings. You will always have these "color steps". The only thing in the game that makes use of full color support is the gouroud shading of the horizon colors in the tracks behind the skymaps... in 32bit mode you have a perfect color gradient opposite the 24bit mode where you can see some steps in the gradient.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 09, 2017, 9:35 AM
Quote from: nfsfan83
and game have fps drops
lemmie guess because of the Nglide driver?
.. simply exchange that for the Zeckensack drivers and follow my instructions and you'll have high frame rates as well as no lag and delay and game starts 'immediately' within a second .. I promise ..

and thanks Cooya, so you made the same observations I did? strange but funny .. LOL
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 09, 2017, 9:55 AM
... all of that confirms me of further using good old simple Glide since I do not consider myself being a 'rivet counter' ;) ... smooth as a cat and also fun playing that old bad ass game like it was meant to be ... ^-^
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jan 09, 2017, 10:56 AM
... all of that confirms me of further using good old simple Glide ... smooth as a cat and also fun playing that old bad ass game like it was meant to be ... ^-^

Bro, an so all this,means,then is i need to re-install EP again select, the Zeckensack driver, then?  Far as i know im using um, nglide in ini's there? but what if i change it to Voodoo like MadMan said, im not tring to Confuse this,issue here.. But so i should just stay with nglide then? an use Zeckensack drivers then. im on 64 bit anyhow.
Was a Good Topic here so far an Glad for all your guys,help yw.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 09, 2017, 11:00 AM
u wouldn't believe but is as simple as becoming a father .. LOL .. alter nfs4.ini to 'glide3x' driver .. u have 'em Glide drivers there already as u installed Zeckensack's Glide wrapper 0.84c .. nothin' else more k?

but then u make the Zeckensack's Glide configurator settings like I said 'try hires' and vertical synchro 'always off' that's all .. k bro?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jan 09, 2017, 11:08 AM
Agree but no more baby making for, me.. :o  cause i'm not all Intrested in that anymore.. So
ok is more,kinda i just have to keep studying this thread is all Peace PaL :}  8)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 09, 2017, 2:27 PM
u wouldn't believe but is as simple as becoming a father .. LOL .. alter nfs4.ini to 'glide3x' driver .. u have 'em Glide drivers there already as u installed Zeckensack's Glide wrapper 0.84c .. nothin' else more k?

but then u make the Zeckensack's Glide configurator settings like I said 'try hires' and vertical synchro 'always off' that's all .. k bro?
Hm, i have a problem with Zeckensack's Wrapper 0.84c
The menu looks fine and it loads up fast, but in race half of the screen turns black  :o

--> see attachments

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 09, 2017, 3:07 PM
Gentlemens, how about posting your PC (XT/AT IBM and compatible :D) specs? Like what HW you have, which Graphic card, what OS and so on... then we maybe find out where what works and why ;)

Also a little sneak-peek update on nfs3/4 setup =D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 09, 2017, 3:35 PM
Gentlemens, how about posting your PC (XT/AT IMB and compatible :D) specs? Like what HW you have, which Graphic card, what OS and so on... then we maybe find out where what works and why ;)
Sure, no problem.

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.40 GHz
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 3GB SC+, DirectX12, GeForce Driver 375.95
OS: Windows 10 Pro, 64bit

nglide, dgVoodoo are woking without any problems.
Dx6, Dx7, Dx8 are working when "Type=Voodoo" was set in the trash.ini, otherwise they only show black screen on loading.
The performance between those renders differ of course. Best FPS has Dx7, followed by Zeckensack and dgVoodoo.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 09, 2017, 6:11 PM
very strange that, MADMAN.. I never faced such problems neither on my other Win7 installation .. but makes me wonder how you made the resolution 1600x1200 since 'try HiRes' means just doubling the 'default' resolution of 640x480 to 1280x960, did you set that higher in graphics menu or registry? .. since I read that if you do you would get such problems .. ???

Would also interest me if others also facing that on 64-bit machines then since I only have an old 32-bit one .. :(

@keiiko:
.. that new setup looking nice and good work .. but better if you'd correct that little glitch in 'NGlige Advanced Settings' still or did you think of ur GF in an Ngligee while at it, that no good is.. :-[ '.. discipline, 007, discipline ..' ;)

.. try and stick with the motto: "first work, then pleasure" so do the other necessary thing first before doing NFS stuff .. ^-^
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 10, 2017, 4:58 AM
I posted my settings.

Also tried 1024x768 and i disabled "Try High Res" ... the black box is still there. 1280x960 is not available, while my graphic card and my monitor would support that.
It only works if the resolution is not switched when starting a race, meaning im limited to 640x480x16 menu resolution with Zeckensacks Wrapper. And that simply looks horrible.

So, this way Zeckensack's Wrapper is definitely no option for me.

@noise: did some of the suggestions work out for you?

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 11, 2017, 4:28 AM
@Madman: I'm bit to busy with other things, but thanks so far.I let you know.

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 15, 2017, 7:12 AM
Hi, I'm back, and not happy.

reinstalled nfs4, than EP pack.with nglide 1.05 and it works good with great graphics.

Than I use VEG patch, same problems came back.

Tried Zeckensack glidewrapper but all I get is black screens when running the game.

Systeminfo:

OS=Windows XP home edition servicepack 3
GPU=Medion radeon 9600TX   128MB Ram
CPU=Pentium(R)4  2.60 GHz
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 15, 2017, 8:36 AM
doesn't sound good at all .. but that is exactly the way me and everyone else does that .. EP then VEG patch.. strange ..

after u instealled VEG patch, what are entries in nfs4.ini to use what driver and what is then in corresponding trash.ini exactly? Because if you use NGlide before and does work, why shouldn't with VEG patch installed using the same driver? ???

another thing .. may not be main problem but did you respect that NGlide installs drivers in system directory and Zeckensack throws them into Windows root so perhaps double install?

I mean if you install ZS 0.84c you better deactivate then/rename Nglide Glide3x.dll to Glide3x.dl_ in system directory?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 15, 2017, 8:37 AM
reinstalled nfs4, than EP pack.with nglide 1.05 and it works good with great graphics.

Than I use VEG patch, same problems came back.

Did you tried modern patch without installing game and ep? like it is described in readme?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 15, 2017, 8:50 AM
not installing SP/EP before means NFS is then unpatched and w/o 1MB patch and other hacks?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Geminiyo on Jan 15, 2017, 8:53 AM
here what i can suggest.
1)Monitor/Screen shall have its own native resolution in drivers settings. If its doesnt listed (on XP) as -- recommended (as i have listed it on Seven)... Older or weaker PC's/Monitors have its own native res. and when you entering the most 3D modes (running a game) game might wont start if Desktop resolution isnt a NATIVE.
ex.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmqNtDg30G6WWRqbWZQMnlwbFk/view?usp=sharing

2)Evg's nfshs.ini setup. There you can see (as i was one of the first testers) the native first and correct Ini's file setup. Note, im suing only DX7 b/c other stuff is not for me. /// "192" (limit) will make HS run all of the cars to HS on maximum grid. Over "192" is not recommended. Its causing crashes (just like if it were setup to "256". /// There you has 128mb GF...im not quite sure.... completely not sure... but i might guess lowering that to "64", might have your game running...idk.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmqNtDg30G6bktTWmJHNkg0S0U/view?usp=sharing

3)Video Driver settings. Silly or not... i decided to post it anyways.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmqNtDg30G6U21mSGx4b0VlNE0/view?usp=sharing

4) Before making this post I checked if i have a recent Modrn Patch to HS... well i hasnt. I downloaded it and install it. Game works but the Menus was blured (just like in original High Stakes on D3D). If you didnt know the Oct5'16 release have fixing that problem. Its not because of "nfshs.exe" its because the "Drivers" folder's content.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmqNtDg30G6S3ZVX2t3Qkh3ZW8/view?usp=sharing

5) Some software, built or random is causing problems (to run HS). Try to install a game again to different Directory, ex- "NFSHS2017 fuck yea!". Over it do install Evg's Modern Patch latest version. Do the corrections to Ini file, do run the game. If it crashed, get this:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmqNtDg30G6MnpRdXB1RUR3dW8/view?usp=sharing
Right click - Edit...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmqNtDg30G6ZkNNS1Jhb01sbm8/view?usp=sharing
what is red need to be changed to your game's path (attention: there shall be double "\\" except of one "\", in the places where it shown just like that (red lines).

If this could get help to anybody, then its just great.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 15, 2017, 8:56 AM
not installing SP/EP before means NFS is then unpatched and w/o 1MB patch and other hacks?

NOT installing nfs4 at ALL

Code: [Select]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  How To Install
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Copy DATA and SAVEDATA directories from the NFS4 CD to a new empty directory.
2. Extract contents of this archive into that directory with replacement of files.
3. Done!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 15, 2017, 9:16 AM
but some apps do need installion registry entries .. ???
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 15, 2017, 9:17 AM
Veg's nfs4.exe is Portable! So it is not using the registry at all. Registry-Tweaks will have no effect.

I tested Zeckensacks Wrapper on my WinXP 32bit system with same results. Black screen when starting a race.
I have no other software running in the background (no Steam, Fraps, etc...).
When i press Windows key the black overlay minimizes and i see normal game screen; but by doing that, NFS4 loses focus and keyboard/mouse are stop working (then i can only close the game via Task Manager).

The similarity between those PC's is, they both have an NVidia Graphics card. Maybe its driver related? The XP Machine has an older, completely different driver tho (ForceWare 169.28).
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Geminiyo on Jan 15, 2017, 9:23 AM
Registers figuring where app is installed (firewall etc for ex). its also helping find nfshs\data\cars folder, for helping change the Serial numbers. eh.

Portable but only if you 99% controll the progress.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 15, 2017, 9:25 AM
I know VEG patch is portable but some related applications look for NFS registry entries ..

funny u say there .. have old NVidia too last of AGP driver 175.16, had tried ATI Radeon 9250 too then I had problems u have right now .. silly isn't it?

uh btw here's my current config .. (Windows XP professional SP3/Win7 HP dual boot) on:

- Epox EP-8KRAI mb /200MHz FSB (VIA Apollo KT600 chipset)  w/ Athlon XP 3200+ w/ 3Gig RAM DDR-1 Samsung non-ECC PC3200

- NVidia GeForce FX5500 AGP 128-bit 256 MB RAM


that of any help now that I looked this all up folks? ???
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 15, 2017, 11:42 AM
@Keiiko: VEG patch without EP gives same problem.

@FranknFurter: Do you mean Glide3x.dll in C:\windows should be renamed?

 I tried all trashdrivers in nfs4.ini with Zeckensack and nglide 1.03 (thought it was 1.05 sorry)

-dx6: I don't need ctrl alt del (taskmanager) to end the process
-dx7: see dx6
-dx8: I need taskmanager to end the process
-nglide: see dx8
-glide3x: black screen when starting game. with nglide 1.03 it works but I need taskmanager
-dgvoodoo: see glide3x
-softtri: works perfect except the graphics are horrible offcourse

What about nfshs.ini?, is that the .ini which is created by EP?

I have nfs4.exe,  nfshs.exe,  nfshsEP.exe,  nfshsgame.exe,  kinda confusing for me.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 15, 2017, 11:55 AM
pheeeew .. sounds outta control pal ..

first of all .. u kno what ur doing? LOL .. VEG patch comes with own driver installation folder right there in NFS\drivers directory and uses them there (that's what nfs4.ini driver path entry tells NFS4.exe what to do and to look where ..) except drivers NOT installed or wrong path THEN drivers used in Windows\system directory FIRST, if not there it looks up one level in Windows root if not there no work at all .. error msg or black screen ..

btw .. this all concerns just Glide drivers ..

so .. if you installed NGlide AND ZS' 0.84c AND VEG patch and NOT kno what ur doing no wonder u got a mess .. :-\

no offense at all ok? .. just trying to make sense of all that and to help you ..

VEG patch OK if drivers are there in correct directory or system directory OR windows root .. NOT ok if driver not there AND both Glide3x.dll there in Windows\system and Windows root ok? bigger one is NGlide, smaller is ZS Glide3x Windows root driver .. phew...

u know at all which .exe to start properly? NFS4.exe is from VEG patch, NFSHSgame.exe from EP/SP then ..

EP/SP patches original NFSHS.exe to batch start 'NFSgame.exe' which is main game application then ...

.. this sometimes doesn't really quit on exit so you have to end by Taskmanager, right? so ur not using correct .exe file probably should be 'nfs4.exe' with VEG patch ...

... and 'NFSHS.ini' doesn't exist IMHO ... ??? .. slowly smelling a rat don't I? :o
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 15, 2017, 1:23 PM
I do exactly what readme from VEG tells me.As clean as possible I believe, with data/savedata from CD to new empty directory.So no EP or nGlide wrapper.

And offcourse use nfs4.exe.

With trashdriver set to dx7 it works (no taskmanager) but with dx8 the problem comes back.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 15, 2017, 2:54 PM
I do exactly what readme from VEG tells me.As clean as possible I believe, with data/savedata from CD to new empty directory.So no EP or nGlide wrapper.

And offcourse use nfs4.exe.

With trashdriver set to dx7 it works (no taskmanager) but with dx8 the problem comes back.
so firstly, http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch_beta.7z use this if not, secondly it is just a beta and not all things (drivers) works on every windows on all GPU

dx7, as veg wrote a while back, is the best one now (to know why, search this topic an other topics on modern patch there)

what i suggest is, if clean modern patch installation according readme works with one or more drivers then use those when running modern patch on normal installation with sp/ep

just install game just as normal, then sp as normal (and ep) and then copy only these files
Code: [Select]
drivers\ (whole folder)
nfs4.exe
nfs4.ini
eacsnd.dll (should be there already)
then set in ini your previously tested working driver (probably dx7) and run the game with nfs4.exe

note: it is just my assumption, i did not actually try any of this, but i would try exactly that :)

I have nfs4.exe,  nfshs.exe,  nfshsEP.exe,  nfshsgame.exe,  kinda confusing for me.

nfshs.exe > run game as normal, without modern patch
nfs4.exe > run as/with modern patch
nfshsgame.exe >dunno about this one, but it is from sp/ep
nfshsEP.exe > i dont have this one in my installation, whats that?

nfshsorg.exe > original unpatched EA version of exe

edit: crc32 of my games exe files, if anyone want to check
nfshs.exe 3E735D38
nfshsgame.exe F41743F5
nfshsorg.exe A20639D9
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jan 15, 2017, 4:51 PM
Hi um, Noise hey Sorry man, your Game is doing all Crapp, on you I just am, using Glide Wrapper, on the Game, so I went with that came from EP, but I'm getting Good FPS, is why, an I'm on Win7 pro so, I don't care about how Fancy my Graphics,  are but there pretty good  =D I got this HD Cord plugged,in to my Video card,an monitor,  so maybe it helps  ??? So...
All I want do is Do the Last Road, I got Going on, on my Track an it's going Great. That Temperamental, Summit...
An, I installed the game much like,Keiiko says, But, I ment is, other Exe's, are just one, is a 1kb, icon,or here is,like the same?
And,um, if you look on the Details, of it an one is a 193kb,is all so not all are Full game start ones. Good luck bud.
hope you get it Cranking,better pal..?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 15, 2017, 9:22 PM
just as a hint and even if it is fake one, why you not try using the Dx9b driver from EP/SP 3D setup rarfile 'D3DA.rar'?

It is actually a modified Dx7 driver from GALAHs Fifa99 3D Patch as Evgeny stated (you can also see that in file properties) but runs fine very smooth with me and supports as well fog and high resolution ..

I just made an new folder 'DX9' in \drivers directory and copied necessary trash.ini from Dx7 driver folder to that, edited thrash.ini 'file=DX9b.dll' (have to rename the dll also of course) and NFS root 'nfs4.ini' to 'dx9' to direct nfs4.exe to new folder .. ^-^

But very strange when using Glide still that is on your machine .. ???
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Geminiyo on Jan 16, 2017, 3:50 AM
(https://box.unet.by/f/13/13972_af1.jpg)

What can you say about this... (some kinda tipe of humor...)

Also what you think about MainMnus resolution is by defaults, happen to be in at up to 1280x960pixels resolution. eh ?


Am I flaming ?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Jan 16, 2017, 6:10 AM
Uhm .. nice .. are you playin' at least matching menu music for that? ^-^

https://www.youtube.com/v/kgaMgl6PAB8

If not I will try to convert it .. =D =D =D
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Geminiyo on Jan 16, 2017, 6:44 AM
Guess what is IT ?
(https://box.unet.by/f/13/13979_e02.jpg)

sry for flame again. This day is like that.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 16, 2017, 6:54 AM
Am I flaming ?
No. You are spamming.
What has this got to do with anything?
As if this thread is not chaotic enough already...  >:(
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Jan 16, 2017, 6:57 AM
I never Seen a Black n white Ver.- before: )
Were you get that Nice car from,. I remember it name by not now: (
Monday's bud I miss your old Indian Avitar np ;)

I wasn't, trying to Spam nothing, I just was saying hi to him was all.
Wanted to know about this, Supercar too how long has it been out?
But I guess it's off topic in a way..

An so Remko an all ,let's have a better day...
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Remko on Jan 16, 2017, 9:33 AM
Am I flaming ?
No. You are spamming.
What has this got to do with anything?
As if this thread is not chaotic enough already...  >:(

Agreed.

Let's try and keep the discussion a little on-topic here please, people. Nothing wrong with a joke now and then, but save the random posts and images for the Off-Topic Board (http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?board=6.0) please.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 17, 2017, 11:17 AM
Thanks for replies on my problem.

Hope I didn't give people a headache like I got from it.

I decided to leave it alone for a while and wait for a new VEG patch update.

With dx7 I have the benefits of the patch (higher poly limit) and I don't need taskmanager to stop the process.

I so much want the great graphics back that I had before with just EP pack and nGlide.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jan 22, 2017, 10:47 AM
Dx7 is no bad choice.
Use dx7a.dll from beta http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch_beta.7z
And set Type=voodoo in the ./drivers/dx7/thrash.ini
You will have almost same visuals as with Voodoo Glide.

If you wanna give nglide another shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYWUOXWrAQI
At this youtube video a fully configured Modern Patch folder with nglide preset can be obtained.
I have tested that on a friends PC. Not even needed to install nGlide. Just start the game with nfs4.exe and set your resolution ingame.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Jan 22, 2017, 11:26 PM
I think it is still related, so I post it also here, I finished new version of GUI for both modern patchs -> http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1877.msg34559#msg34559 check it out and report bugs ;)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Jan 29, 2017, 11:23 AM
Dx7 is no bad choice.
Use dx7a.dll from beta http://veg.by/files/nfs4/nfs4_modern_patch_beta.7z
And set Type=voodoo in the ./drivers/dx7/thrash.ini
You will have almost same visuals as with Voodoo Glide.

If you wanna give nglide another shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYWUOXWrAQI
At this youtube video a fully configured Modern Patch folder with nglide preset can be obtained.
I have tested that on a friends PC. Not even needed to install nGlide. Just start the game with nfs4.exe and set your resolution ingame.

Couldn't resist to try again:

-First option gives me bad graphics in the game menu's, but great graphics in race.

-With fully configured modern patch I get better graphics overall, but a race is very slow.And I need taskmanager again to end the process.

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Mar 03, 2017, 9:26 PM
To anyone having problems running the game in the DirectX modes, remember that the latest Windows versions don't ship with DirectX 9 and below. It's necessary to install the DirectX 9.0c Runtimes, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website. Newer games like Most Wanted will install the runtimes by default, but not High Stakes, nor NFS3 (obviously).
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Apr 16, 2017, 11:46 AM
Hello, guys. Sorry for this huge pause in the development. I've returned and I'm working on the project for 2 weeks already. Refactoring is still not finished, but it will be. I've done some other small things, also investigated the code a little bit.

I have a question for you. I've found the code (in the NFS3 and NFS4) which could cause a dead lock when server (host player) opens chat (presses Esc) during gameplay. Maybe I'm wrong, because this code is complicated and it is possible that I understood something not right. The question: do you remember if the game was freezed completely just after pressing Esc (opening pause menu)? If you remember such problem, how often it happens?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on Apr 16, 2017, 11:54 AM
Hi Welcome back here Veg. :) an wish you can get the Unkowns, broke thru- on your great works so far!. Cause, it be great. No I never played it Online, much if that's, what you mean?
Wish you a better day, I'm very unhappy with my project now days too. (
Best Regards me.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Apr 16, 2017, 11:59 AM
I'm just trying to understand if this problems occurs sometimes. The game can hang completely just after pressing Esc button by host of a multiplayer game. It is what I think while I'm investigating the code which sends message that the server opened pause menu. But maybe I misunderstood it. So I'd like to know if anyone had seen similar problem in the game during multiplayer games. This bug is not permanent, it can happen rarely (race condition (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_condition) and a possible deadlock in the result).
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: noise on Apr 17, 2017, 4:21 AM
Good to see you back.I believe you better go to iplounge.net with your question.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: JimDiabolo on Apr 18, 2017, 12:49 AM
The question: do you remember if the game was freezed completely just after pressing Esc (opening pause menu)? If you remember such problem, how often it happens?
I played to most online games with Benyy. I asked him if he can remember a game freeze. We both don't have that in mind.
Btw: Nice to see you back Veg.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Apr 18, 2017, 4:41 AM
Hello VEG, I've made a donation of $50 to the project, but it was a while ago, hope you got it. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Rider66 on Apr 19, 2017, 1:24 AM
Good to know further development is still in progress.
Well, I've got a question here. VEG, do you have any plans for limits adjustments for 1.0.0 or later? Especially playable cars limit?
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: FranknFurter on Apr 19, 2017, 11:02 AM
Welcome back, too ... speaking of improvements, is there any way to finally allow reflections on wheels and/or driver/driver's head parts in-game (:OD, :OH and :H..W) in future releases of the patch? ::)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Apr 19, 2017, 11:48 AM
I understand people who want to improve the game's capabilities, but right now I feel that VEG probably wants to focus on the basic things first. We still don't have native widescreen resolution in NFS4, how can we be speaking of reflections on wheels and car limit? It doesn't make any sense. The primary goal of the project has always been to make the game compatible with modern OSes and modern features, not to create an enhanced version of it. We're lucky that VEG took the time to increase the game's memory buffer, and I think we should be grateful for it rather than take it for granted, especially because he did it for both games, NFS3 and 4.

Let the milestones be reached first, then we speak of other things, I'd say. :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Apr 19, 2017, 12:29 PM
Gotta agree with Zpectre here. I think it's too early to ask for new features. Furthermore these questions have been answered before.  ::)

Everything is possible, theoretically. But this task will require extremely enormous amount of time for reverse engineering and rewriting needed parts of the game. I can't even imagine how much time it needs. Possibly, it will be easier just to rewrite this game from scratch =)

The only real task for reasonable time is expanding the limit of installed custom cars. Adding new tracks (even in the format of the proper version of the game) is maybe 100 times more complicated task because there is too much hardcode for each track inside the executable. Yes, not all information is stored in external files! Many things like "disable horizon here and here on this track" and "play these sounds here and here on these tracks" are hardcoded in the game code. So, proper implementation of simple adding of new tracks require reworking of the track format (to store in it all hardcoded things), rewriting all hardcode to use the new information from the track files, etc. At the moment I'm not brave enough to start such project.
[...]
Unfortunately, expanding limit of cars quantity isn't included in current list of mandatory features. It is not a trivial task, it is not a "just fix this number" task. There are several static arrays with size for 50 cars, so I have to allocate new arrays and change all places where these arrays are used for using new bigger arrays. Every pointer have to be fixed. I would like to do it for the NFS3 and NFS4 sometimes. So, the feature is in the long-term todo list.

Hello Evgeny,
[...]
Now for programming dummies, does this mean the non-reflective effects on some parts only need to be enabled on th hardcode or that enabling these effects (reflections) on these parts would be a completely new task? ???
[...]
It means that if there is no such code in the game, it will be a completely new task and it will be extremely hard to implement. Actually, I'm not sure what exactly are you talking about (I've never even tried to create a new car), but it seems that you're talking about some new thing like I had described before.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Apr 19, 2017, 8:31 PM
In fact, I think the reason why NFS4 doesn't have reflective wheels is that EA never intended for anyone to make 3D wheels for the game... The reflexive effect was simulated with texture shading in most cases.

I have very little experience with pointers, but anybody who has done even a little hex editing to game files knows that increasing the size of tables is an absolute nightmare, because almost always the table is "just" large enough to fit in a section of the executable. If you make a new table in a different area, you have to edit all the pointers to it everywhere they point to the table in the first place. MW has remained rigid in structure for years because of that, everything is in the damn central database and what isn't, is in the EXE, and also because there are file size checks to prevent people from using modded files (for various reasons, most importantly to prevent online cheating).

It's probably harder to do in a ROM file because the ROM has limited space available, but I don't think it's much easier to do in an executable either.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Apr 22, 2017, 6:51 AM
Increasing cars limit is on my todo list, but it is not in the mandatory list. So, I'm planning to try to do it some day. But it is really a little bit tricky code in the game. I've tried to find the code which blocks Ferrari and Mercedes cars in the NFS4, I've spend several hours without proper result. I know that it is possible just to change attributes in the car files. I just thought to remove this limitation like it had been done in the NFS3. In the NFS3 I've fixed this problem in a minute, just because this code in the NFS3 was much simpler and there were two hardcoded strings "Ferrari" and "Mercedes", so it was easy to find it =)
I'm just trying to say that the code which works with cars is tricky and increasing the limit can't be done easily. I don't know how much time it will require, but I will try when other planned things will be done =)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Apr 22, 2017, 8:55 AM
Increasing cars limit is on my todo list, but it is not in the mandatory list. So, I'm planning to try to do it some day. But it is really a little bit tricky code in the game. I've tried to find the code which blocks Ferrari and Mercedes cars in the NFS4, I've spend several hours without proper result. I know that it is possible just to change attributes in the car files. I just thought to remove this limitation like it had been done in the NFS3. In the NFS3 I've fixed this problem in a minute, just because this code in the NFS3 was much simpler and there were two hardcoded strings "Ferrari" and "Mercedes", so it was easy to find it =)
I'm just trying to say that the code which works with cars is tricky and increasing the limit can't be done easily. I don't know how much time it will require, but I will try when other planned things will be done =)

Yeah I agree.

The amount of tracks I think it's a lost cause, because there are some things that are highly dependant on the slot. Some tracks are more sensitive to crash with detailed cars for example, but if you take a problem track and put it in a different slot, the problem disappears... This is an example of something which isn't obvious at first sight, unlike the cars that the police uses.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Apr 22, 2017, 11:47 AM
Hello VEG, I've made a donation of $50 to the project, but it was a while ago, hope you got it. :)
Yeah, it was 2017/02/14 as far as I can see. Thank you for your support.

BTW, have anyone seen some beta stuff of the NFS4? I mean maybe some screenshots were published before the release of the NFS4, or maybe even early beta versions, etc.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on Apr 22, 2017, 2:15 PM
BTW, have anyone seen some beta stuff of the NFS4?

only demo (https://archive.org/details/NeedForSpeedHighStakesDemo) and some documets (https://archive.org/details/Need_for_Speed_3) for nfs3 (https://archive.org/details/manual_Need_for_Speed_3_Reference_card)

EDIT#4:
Electronic Arts in Development of Need for Speed: High Stakes for the PC (https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Electronic+Arts+in+Development+of+Need+for+Speed%3a+High+Stakes+for+the...-a054450191)
Electronic Arts Announces the Highly Anticipated Release of Need for Speed: High Stakes for the PC (https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Electronic+Arts+Announces+the+Highly+Anticipated+Release+of+Need+for...-a054909247)

and original webpage as was in Aug 2000 (https://web-beta.archive.org/web/20000815065323/http://www.needforspeed.com:80/nfshs/index.html)

interesting web with interesting stuff on it (http://needforspeedtheories.boards.net/board/95/public-classic-era)
Title: .
Post by: WiLL on Apr 22, 2017, 6:02 PM
Looks good, guys he got the $ an had a good lunch. So have a good day ;) nice links too yawn. . 8)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on May 01, 2017, 8:23 AM
(http://veg.by/z/2017-05-01-13-08-05-7b552b2f.jpg)

It was published in the Next Generation Magazine 44 (Aug 1998), a month before the release of the NFS3. So, it seems that it is an original looking of development of tracks of the NFS3/NFS4 :)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: WiLL on May 01, 2017, 10:21 AM
Hi VeG um,.I haven't used Studio Max, program ever is it a Freeware at all? Just wanted ask a few Questions, is all. When you say it exports them.out to Nfs'4 game engine, what does that all mean?

Can Atlantic's,track be used on any other track, a lot for different, sounds an better, Cop call sounds,like Snowy, or Coastal track? Do you know if off the bat now? I'm still trying to make my project look better so far..I fixed, the texture prob. So good for me. Again,hope you can crack.more on the Track slots, pal good day.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on May 01, 2017, 10:26 AM
I've just posted an interesting screenshot from an article about the NFS3. EA hadn't published that utility which converts tracks from the 3D Studio Max to in-game format. Just a small piece of interesting information.

(http://assets1.ignimgs.com/1999/06/09/nfshighstakes001-109720.jpg)

Another interesting screenshot. It seems that it's from a beta version of the game :)

Sorry for offtopic. Maybe it is better to move my last 2 posts to a separate topic.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: BoxCarRacer on May 01, 2017, 6:01 PM
VEG,

You're right that screenshot is from a beta version of the game, can confirm because of the color of the porsches' name plate, you can also see these yellow nameplates on the demo in NFS 4.

Have any of you guys tried to use SweetFX+Reshade with NFS 4? I was wondering since I saw a NFS4 video on youtube titled "Need for Speed High Stakes Reshade" and the ambient graphics look marvelous.

I mention this since it works with directx, and the modern patch has the flexibility of handling direct x.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: ExoticLover on May 07, 2017, 4:53 AM
Now, only if we can get a hold of that Studio Max tool to replace T3ED as it's compatible with both NFS3 and NFS4. I don't know how's NFS4 Modern Patch is going to do, but it's 2017 and we still haven't gotten a decent newer version of NFS4. I can wait for as long as needed, there's no need to rush though. Gonna try NFS3 NextGen. I only checked again at Rejzor site just to see NextGen, and came back here because of that.

Wow, NFS3 NextGen is beautiful.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Keiiko on May 07, 2017, 5:50 AM
(...)
Wow, NFS3 NextGen is beautiful.

you might know that, but NextGen is just VEG's original modern patch with some tweaks and addons ;)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: ExoticLover on May 07, 2017, 6:03 AM
(...)
Wow, NFS3 NextGen is beautiful.

you might know that, but NextGen is just VEG's original modern patch with some tweaks and addons ;)

I know, only if I exploit the 2048x2048/1024x1024 texture support somehow.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: BoxCarRacer on Jul 24, 2017, 10:31 PM
Hi, Everyone. How do I donate for VEG's project?

Is it by Paypal, Patreon, or some other form?

Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jul 25, 2017, 10:33 AM
The first milestone of donations has been reached and even exceeded. A total of $864 have been collected for the High Stakes Modern Patch (!).
For now it is not possible to donate more.
But im sure Veg will be gateful for any support when he continues with the next step of the project.

Quote from: Veg     http://veg.by/en/donate/
Thank you for your donations. Everything what was promised will be done. Unfortunately, I can't accept donations at the moment. Unfortunately, PayPal doesn't allow to accept money in my country (Belarus). So I have to find some workaround.

Currently he is still refactoring graphics engine of NFS3 and plans to port the polished code to NFS4 afterwards. Furthermore he is working on a tool which is supposed to speed up the process of inserting program code into the game exe, which is done completely by hand at the time.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: BoxCarRacer on Jul 25, 2017, 3:43 PM
Thanks MADMAN_nfs.  :)

By the way, nice channel on youtube.  8)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: therealdadbeard on Jul 27, 2017, 8:25 PM
I tried the EP pack but somehow it doesn't work with the modern patch. Am I doing something wrong?

Edit: Am dumb xD worked it out.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: VEG on Aug 06, 2017, 5:37 AM
Quote
How do I donate for VEG's project?
Unfortunately, it isn't possible anymore.

Paypal doesn't allow to accept money in my country, so I asked my old friend from Moscow to accept all the donations and then send them to me using a local money system (which works in Russia and Belarus, but doesn't work worldwide). My friend sent me part of the money, and disappeared then, so I still didn't received all the money, but it is my fault, so don't worry, I remember about every donation (which is accounted on the donation page), and I'll do everything what promised either way, but I'm not sure about terms. And I think that my old friend just has some temporary problems himself and I still hope he will appear again one day :)

I'm sorry that I can't keep the deadline. I worked on the project more than for 2-3 months and didn't finished the work because I wanted to do it in a perfect way. You know, sometimes perfectionism exhausts you and prevents you from finishing your work in time. But my other side helps me to do everything I want at last. I always return and keep trying till it's done :)

Last time I was working on a new tool which will help me to patch other programs and games maybe 30% quicker. It is also not finished, but I would like to use it for NFS4 when I'll be porting the most important changes from the NFS3. I'm writing this tool not only for these patches, actually I'd like to patch some other games also, that's why I want to finish this tool before any further work.

Again, sorry that it takes so long time.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Oct 29, 2017, 10:33 AM
After long pause VEG posted at his BLOG about the current progress of the Modern Patch.

Unfortunately no good news.  :(

The project is ceased for now, until further notice.

LINK: message to all donators (http://veg.by/en/projects/nfs4/comment-page-2/#comment-617)
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: AJ_Lethal on Oct 29, 2017, 11:27 AM
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/af20/f/2017/286/b/4/f_button_by_sirius_r-dbqf6c9.png)
Title: ^
Post by: WiLL on Oct 29, 2017, 8:17 PM
I know he made the old game we Love... Run,much better,taking off the high-poly Cars Restrictions, an more. So I really understand, we're an what he means,much I feel the same way about,my Next Track Project. I have over 40+ hours,into it. )
An it Runs fine. I never seen a E.city like ever.
Well, all I know is much, as he said, I'm in the same types,of Situations,in my Life... an I know I'm even older than him.
I'm being all nice about all this, so. Hope he will come back?
@ AJ_L that F, button sure made me giggle today,Thanks bud   ^-^

I here you Rider 666 :}
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Rider66 on Oct 30, 2017, 3:04 AM
I wouldn't be so pessimistic on the time matter. After all, there's still plenty of time till 20th anniversary on 1st March 2019 :) Only bad thing is that according to Veg, it's still not a public project in terms of support tools and source release. Anyway, let's hope for the better future.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: Zpectre on Nov 12, 2017, 4:54 PM
TBH all I want from now on is widescreen and 1024x1024 texture support. :D

And this mostly because there are many addon cars with 512x512 textures (most of Butch's newer cars, dingsign's BMW M6, Jason Trusty's Pontiacs), which would greatly benefit from an upped limit. It would also greatly help the community that still makes police cars for the game.

Multi-core support would be helpful, too, as the game would run a little better with detailed addons.

The rest of the stuff people often request is not feasible IMO. The car limit might be too difficult to crack due to all the strict things in the game regarding serial numbers. It seems EA left it all in the EXE and we were lucky to even have the possibility to add cars because of how the addons were handled. Notice how there aren't any official addon tracks for the game and the track list is one of the strictest things in the file structure, to such an extent that track features are linked to the slot rather than the files themselves!
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: BoxCarRacer on Dec 10, 2017, 7:26 AM
Hi all,

I think I might have found another way to send money to VEG, for future milestones on the project.

Check out:

https://www.xoom.com/?_rt=kac-all-branded-bing-mt-pp-xoom-paid-nf-en&matchtype=e&device=c&adp={adposition}&languageCode=en#global-home-send (https://www.xoom.com/?_rt=kac-all-branded-bing-mt-pp-xoom-paid-nf-en&matchtype=e&device=c&adp={adposition}&languageCode=en#global-home-send)

Might work, who knows...
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Dec 10, 2017, 8:24 AM
Well, the project is on hold currently. Donations are out of question in my view (also the 1st milestone, that is still outstanding, has been reached already).
Besides, i do not see Belarus or Russia in xoom's list of Money Transfer Locations - so i guess this service is not the solution for easy money transfer to Veg.

Greetings
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: therealdadbeard on Jun 22, 2018, 8:11 AM
Anyone got an idea how to get higher resolutions with the dx7 renderer in NFS4? I used dgvoodoos wrapper but then headlights in the nights are extremely flickering.
Title: Re: Need For Speed 4 Modern Patch - Donations?
Post by: MADMAN_nfs on Jun 22, 2018, 11:09 AM
This is thread about donations.

I answered you here:
http://www.nfsaddons.com/forums//index.php?topic=1937.msg36089#msg36089