Portsmouth Direct Line graphics problems

[j72fan]

Hi all,

I have a problem when trying to run any of the Portsmouth Direct Line scenarios, even the free roam ones. On loading the route, the graphics resemble a flickering jagged kaleidoscope, even if I drive almost blind out of high density town scenery into the countryside. I have had the odd graphics problem before, usually when the graphics card has been working hard all day and is hot, but this happens even when it is first switched on and stone cold.

I have tried several other routes, S&D, E&G, Oxford to Paddington for example, and they run perfectly. I've tried turning down all the graphics settings to 50%, (usually I run OK with everything max'd out). I've verified the Cache (Steam reported 22 dodgy files), and I've defragged the game.

I'm using a fairly powerful graphics card (NVidia GTX 295) and feel that it should be able to cope with the route (which I gather from other posts is comparatively heavy on scenic detail).
Also I have run the route in the past with no trouble, the only difference being that as of last night I have installed the 421 CIG package. I am also getting the occasional SBHH fatal error when I try to run the route (even with other rolling stock than the CIGs).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Dave (J72fan)

[Darpor]

I see you have verified the cache, but have you cleared the blueprint cache? Can often be the simple solution to many ills.

[j72fan]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I did (I automatically clear that every time I run the game).

Dave

[shebarose]

Hiya,

Had this problem too, After I deleted the files;

_.sbn
_.sbn.MD5

From the GuildfordDistrict folder, So it might be worth checking to see if you have them?

Cheers,
Chris

[j72fan]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for info, I've checked but don't have a GuildfordDistrict folder. I don't seem to have the files you mentioned anywhere on my computer (so it tells me). I checked the route folder 00000015-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 and it doesn't appear to have anything like those files either.

Will keep looking.

Dave

[shebarose]

Hiya,

Should of made it more clear, Check for them files in the Assets\RSC\GuildfordDistrict

Cheers,
Chris

[j72fan]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for clarifying that, both files are present and occupy 434bytes and 16bytes respectively.

Dave

[shebarose]

Hiya,

Hmm, I`m out of ideas then as you said you`ve already done a verify cache, I`m sure someone more technical will be able to help, Sorry mate

Cheers,
Chris

[firetrap1]

im sure it's a problem with your PD route rather than your hardware and drivers, so long as the other routes run without problems...

chris

[j72fan]

Looks that way. I've just loaded the latest NVidia driver (beta version 275.50) but that hasn't made the slightest difference.

It's a pity as I particularly like 3rd rail Southern, especially earlier EMU's. If it were any other route I may have resigned myself to simply not using it.

As I don't really have any control over a RSC route or the addon, I will just have to keep fiddling with the NVidia settings in the hope of finding a remedy.

Thanks for your input.

Dave

[j72fan]

Just a postscript to the above.

Tried deleting PDL route and CIG addon completely and then re-installing, no change, still the flickering op-art kaleidoscope instead of the Portsmouth line.

I give up.

Dave

[smarty2]

I had this problem and it was caused by swapping the default track out for the much better E&G one, just did a verify cache and it reverted to the original track and the problem went away?

[choccy]

Have you trued loading up the route in edit mode to see if the problem still persists?

Mark

[j72fan]

Thanks for suggestions Mark and Martin.

Mark, I have just tried loading the route in world edit mode and the problem still exists but now the fragmented image is stationary and not flickering. In play mode the image is just like a violent storm of flickering triangles all over the screen within about half a mile of any track. Zoom across to the edge of Guildford say and the scene is more stable, you can actually see houses and hills etc.

Martin, I will try and swap the default track as per your suggestion, not absolutely sure how to do it but whatever I do it can't get much worse than it is now.
I assume when you do this it triggers the Steam system into re loading all the track. It certainly looks track related as I said above, the closer you get the camera to any track, the worse the problem becomes.

Will report back when I have tried the above,

Thanks again guys.

Dave

[j72fan]

Even after editing track and probably corrupting several track files in the process, after verifying the integrity of the game cache and reinstalling a few files nothing has changed when I run the game. Still a dazzling arrangement of flickering triangles - enough to bring on a migraine.

Dave