Version 97.8a - Rubber Banding Effect

[Acorncomputer]

Hi all

This has been mentioned in the thread on voting about problems with update 97.8a but I thought it best to highlight this particular problem in case it has been missed by some users.

I was testing out my new notebook computer using my own routes in version 97.8a and was quite alarmed to see that in one of my scenarios, although I had good frames rates and brilliant graphics, the background was lurching along in large leaps whilst the loco was travelling very smoothly. I thought it was down to the graphics cards but altering the RailWorks settings only increased the frame rates a bit but made no difference to the rubber banding effect of the background.

I expect a certain amount of stepping in the background but this is usually very small and not a nuisance. This is annoyingly different. The effect was not in all scenarios but was present when running in both XP and Windows 7. Running the same scenarios in Rail Simulator showed none of this rubber banding effect.

I reverted RailWorks back to version 97.6a and ran the scenarios again and they ran perfectly, very well indeed in fact and showed off RailWorks at its best.

My conclusion is that version 97.8a has introduced this effect which at times can make some scenarios almost unwatchable. I am now sure that it is not my equipment causing the problem and I sincerely hope that it is fixed soon.

I believe CaptScarlet has reported this problem - anyone else?

[CaptScarlet]

As mentioned I reported a number of scenarios with problems last week after others had mentioned them and I confirmed it as well on my PC. Now I "think" that these problems may be related to the slowdown in the Delivery Day scenario ( and others ) and according to the status they solved the delivery day problem so one hopes the fix for that solves the others. I do know they are testing all the scenarios as part of this and future beta testing process.

John

[Basherz]

I had one scenario by Paulz, on the Oxf-Padd line, and that first attacked mine with this effect. Then, just after this, I installed an ATI update which didn't instal properly - the driver installed ok, but the CCC didn't. Now the CCC cannot load, but I have no elasticity at all!!

But that was about 1 month ago, so it cannot be the recent update. But none the less, it's going to stay this way!! Never dared try that scenario again though!!

[3DTrains]

Out of curiosity, have you timed the scenario with a watch or a clock? If it's truly a rubber band bug, then the scenario clock will not match the real one at end (it'll be way off). IMHO, this would be a disaster, as you would never then be able to recreate realistic physics. I believe this issue still plagues Trainz.

[Acorncomputer]

With the camera locked to the loco, the loco gives no impression of jerking but the animation of the motion is. Frame rates are good with stuttering only at expected places. A timed test on scenarios might reveal something useful.

BTW, I am now using a solid state hard drive which enables disk access of at least 20 times faster than a moving drive (so I am told). I still get some stuttering so this does indicate that this is not a problem with disk access as such but probably something in the program.

[CaptScarlet]

BTW, I am now using a solid state hard drive which enables disk access of at least 20 times faster than a moving drive (so I am told). I still get some stuttering so this does indicate that this is not a problem with disk access as such but probably something in the program.

Geoff, which one did you get and how do you have it set up ? eg. with the OS and railworks on it ?

John

[Acorncomputer]

Hi John

The notebook came with two 'normal' SATA drives. The person I use to build my computers replaced one drive with a Corsair 128gb drive which is entirely solid state with no moving parts. I think it would cost no more that £250.00 as a separate item and I believe the solid state drive is installed just as though it were a normal disk drive.

Windows XP and RailWorks are loaded on this drive. Windows 7 and RailWorks again are loaded on a partition on the remaining normal Hard Drive and rest of the partitioned drive is used for data storage.

On starting the computer, there is an option to boot up in XP or Windows 7.

File maintenance, copying and other routine procedures are certainly quicker with the solid state drive but I think the full potential is not being tapped due to the way software is generally programed.

Many people see me as being cautious about new ideas. This is true where I am not convinced that the new idea is really better. (I still do not think Steam is appropriate for this simulation). But I am very happy to use new systems where I can see a practical advantage and I think both solid state drives and Windows 7 fall into this category.

[dean1986]

Im getting 60 fps up to 100 on Isle of Wight but it still does not feel smooth and lots of juddering

Dean

[Acorncomputer]

Hi

Yes, the frame rates are not affected at all but the background judders. I think you are describing this effect which is very off-putting

I am pretty sure that a fix is not far away.

[sjbaker34]

Since the last update I have not played railworks at all because of all the bugs mentioned in various post, and it looks like the next update is going to be a Friday job again so all lets hope everything will go smoothly.

[wolly1380]

I know this is an old thread but I have really only found this now.
I have also lowered the graphics settings in the sim, turned physx off on the G card uninstalled and reinstalled drivers done a disc defrag removed RW then reinstalled installed the latest Directx and still nothing get's rid but I did run the sim with Log mate and this is what it told me.

[Content 22:31:59] Trace C:\Dev\RailWorksBeta\Code\DLLs\GameManager\cOptions.cpp : 977 = GFX: Unable to identify, defaulting to Matrox Mystique, rating: 9.000000
Witch to me it seems Railworks can't work out what Graphics card I have witch as it stands is a Asus EN9800GTX+ now it should't (and doesn't with other sims like RS and FSX) matter where the game is installed.
So I emailed RS.com Support asking to provide ingame support for this card and well as seems to be the flavour here I've heard nothing...
P.S. I am running v98.2c

[Acorncomputer]

Hi

This effect for me was very noticeable in some scenarios when using version 97.8a but the next update cured this completely and it has not returned since. Someone else with more knowledge of graphics cards may have an answer to your particular problem but it seems unlikely that the fault still exists in RailWorks.

[Sly401]

Hiya

Pretty sure , the rubber band effect is caused by sounds... have a look in that area .

If ever you disable your soundcard ... try it and see how fluid and smooth it runs.

Sly

[wolly1380]

Humm intresting take there Sly I have just bought an Xfi card too I'll have a go
Inregards to the update fixing your issue Acorn it could be down to the fact the fix that is working for you could be that you GFX card is now supported by RW and mine as yet not supported hay it may even be down to the soundcard not being supported.
How much memmory is RW using for those with no issues.

[Sly401]

Hiya mate

without pushing the point... I am convinced

I have had this twice and both times sorting the sound out cured the problem,
also I occassionally test stock that has no sounds applied ( now there's an idea that could solve a few disputes ) and the fluidity has to be seen to be believed.

Just for the record all my rigs are runnning with the supposed matrox config... matters none.

"just having got an x-fi card" seals the deal

For the record the xfi never really shone until I installed win 7 .. and I let win 7 install its own drivers. not bothering to install anything creative..... EDIT iINCORRECT Creative drivers are installed

The sounds are totally different to the two XP + xfi setups I have used.

Sly

PS
Make sure any onboard sound is disabled in the bios, software removed and cleaned out inc codecs.
Trying your xfi in a different slot could also avoid shared IRQ's.
While in the Bios disable all the stuff that you don't use but insists on an IRQ.
Midi, Serial Port, Parallel Port, Firewire ? etc etc