Problems with level editor

jack_Raider · #1 08-03-2003, 06:20 PM

I am having problems with the tomb raider level editor again. A few weeks ago I posted in the level editor board saying my level editor freezes randomly. Well its doing it again and I have no idea of what to do. I am use mac and I am running the TR level editor on Mac OS 10.2 Classic mode, 256MB of Ram, PowerPC G4 800MHz, and a geforce2 MX card with 32MB. I tried reinstalling it and I thought that fixed it, but it didn't. Can some one that is familar with macs help me? I have a cool level idea that would be hard to turn down.

Jack_Perkins

dhama · #2 08-04-2003, 09:18 AM

This may not be the best answer, but I had problems with the Level Editor freezing on my new XP system occasionally and it got very tedius, so I searched the free ads for a cheap PII or PIII PC and managed to pick up a bargin. I use the old PC for just TRLE work and nothing else.

aktrekker · #3 08-04-2003, 06:31 PM

I know that there are some compatibility issues with geforce video cards on the PC. Perhaps the problem extends to the mac as well. You might try doing a google search of newsgroups. You should be able to find a newsgroup about the geforce. You would find your best help there.
People tend to overlook newsgroups when seeking help, but there are some highly specialized newsgroups where you can find excellent help from people who have been thru the same thing. Often, when dealing with hardware or software, you will even find people from the company who watch the newsgroups to provide whatever support they can.

jack_Raider · #4 08-07-2003, 01:35 PM

I e-mailed the tomb raider mac publisher aspyr about the problem. They responded to me saying that they don't have support for the level editor. Thats all they said and didn't say thing about who I was e-mail. They don't have really good customer service and I had to wait three days for just a small sentence. What should I do?

jack_Raider · #5 08-09-2003, 11:03 AM

Well I am really pissed that there is no support for the mac level editor. I e-mailed Westlake Interactive (the tomb raider mac developers) and it said in their website that if you are having problems with games e-mail the publisher. Well since I already e-mailed aspyr and they were not a help at all, I did e-mail westlake the problem I am having and that aspyr didn't do jack for me. I just can't believe they would release the tomb raider level editor on the mac and not have any support for it. I feel like I was ripped off. I even know how to use the level editor and its a shame since I was working on a good level. I have a feeling westlake won't be able to help me so if anyone else can that would be great. If no one can help me with the problem I am having than are their any other level editors equiped with games for the mac?

Jack_Raider

aktrekker · #6 08-09-2003, 10:48 PM

The level editor was released with NO guarantees and NO support.
I'm not sure if the LE uses OpenGL on the Mac. If it does, maybe you need new OpenGL drivers.

jack_Raider · #7 08-10-2003, 04:49 PM

Where can I find drivers? I went to the openGL site and there seems to be nothing there or at least I can't find it.

Jack_Raider

aktrekker · #8 08-10-2003, 11:42 PM

It would be best to go to www.nvidia.com and look for drivers. I did a quick search and couldn't find any mac drivers, so you may have to check with their customer support. If they can't help, you might try Apple.

ironictwist · #9 08-17-2003, 07:49 PM

Has anyone else using TRLE on a mac had similar problems? i'm using an iBook running Mac OS 10.2.6, and my copy of TR Chronicles is on its way… should I be concerned?

uvavoo · #10 08-18-2003, 02:07 AM

JackRaider. Sorry to hear you are still having problems.
There are no compatibllity problems with the Geforce cards. If you have OSX 10.2 you should have recent enough OpenGl drivers. (Latest version is 10.2.6. You can upgrade to the latest version free from apple.com, or use the 'software update' system preferences panel). It would be a good idea to upgrade anyway as this would then rule out a system software based problem. I run the LE on an eMac, which is virtually identical in specification to your machine in classic mode without issue.

Have you tried:
1. In system preferences/energy saver, switch off 'put the hard disk to sleep where possible'. This sometimes causes freezes.
2. Running a disk repair utility (such as Norton or macs disk first aid).
3. Running it natively in OS9.2. (ie reboot having first selected 'OS9.2' from the System preferences/Start up disk panel).
The display updates better in native mode (as 32bit quickdraw is emulated in OSX).
If there is a problem running it natively, I would strongly recommend re-installing the OS9 part of the OS.

Just a couple of things.
When you say it freezes at random, it would help to know exactly what you were doing at the time of the freezes, eg applying textures, rotating/zooming display etc.
When the le freezes are you able to force quit it? Does it crash the OS9 Classic system as well?
Do any other applications freeze at random?

IRONICTWIST.
I would not be concerned. I think Jack_raiders problem is an isolated one. I have run the level editor on 3 different macs an eMac, a G4 1.2 twin, and an old Power PC 9600 with an Ati 128 pro video card. All without issue. Also other mac users in the TRLE community do not have problems, indeed the Mac version of the LE is said to be more reliable than the PC version.

ironictwist · #11 08-18-2003, 07:07 AM

Thanks, uvavoo, that's a relief to hear.

Now I can't wait for my copy to come in the mail!

jack_Raider · #12 08-21-2003, 07:18 AM

uvavoo, do you run the room editor under Classic Mode or Mac OS 9? Also I think I remember you saying that you use Virtual PC for the PC TRLE programs like strpix, trwest, etc. Do you ever you the mac programs? I can't really afford virtual PC since I have been saving up for Cinema 4D. Do any cheap older versions of Virtual PC work with the TRLE PC tools? Are there any cheaper or free programs that are like Virtual PC?

Jack_Raider

ironictwist · #13 08-21-2003, 05:16 PM

Are there even versions of these programs available for mac??? I just downloaded Virtual PC off of Limewire today (which is completely and totally illegal and cheap of me, i know, but what can I say, i don't have that much $ to blow, and if you don't either check out www.limewire.com) and am still trying to find a Windows OS pack to use with it somewhere online…
Anyway if anyone knows where there are versions of the programs mentioned (or ANY TRLE tool programs

) please let me know.

-Ironictwist

uvavoo · #14 08-22-2003, 01:10 AM

Jack, there are a couple of useful Mac only programs such as a Wad Editing program similar to TRWest or Wadmerger.
I haven't really tried these out fully so I cannot comment on their reliability.

http://www.maxgrafik.de/laracroft/tools.html

I run the editor in OSX Classic Mode.
But I have run it in both. Screen redraw is slightly slower in Classic mode as OSX has to 'emulate' 32-bit-quickdraw. But in OSX you can properly multitask (in os9 the LE screws up if you try to, say, go to the desktop!).

On a positive note I have heard vague rumours that Apple are developing their own PC emulation software, it may even be a part of the OS itself!!

ironictwist · #15 08-22-2003, 10:53 AM

Thanks so much, dude… big help.

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