The FFED3D Thread

Missing Files?

The models directory does NOT have 4 PNG files. In fact the MODELS directory has NO PNG files at all. Besides LOTS of directories there is only panel.x in there and two other "x" files.

Sounds to me like you got an incomplete download there. Where did you get FFE3D from? When I first discovered it and downloaded it from the Russian boards, lots of files were missing.

Steve has an archive of the game on his site here http://www.frontierastro.co.uk/Hires/hiresffe.html
There is also an archive of GLFFE there too.

Also, the SSC has a choice of either the full archive or (if you have a dodgy net connection like me) a 4 part version. In the end the 4 part was the only way I could get the game to fully function. Here is a link to them http://spacesimcentral.com/downloads/ft2.php?dir=/FFED3D
 
Hi Geraldine,

I got all my files from FrontierAstro originally and when the icons did not work and I tried Space Sim Central one (FFE Complete) and when that didn't work I tried the Russian site, none gave me the icons. Of course FrontierAstro points to SSC as Steve reminded me.

:-(

GLFFE always worked fine it's just the Russian one just looks so good I wanted to run that one.
I'll try the 4 part version from SpaceSim Central now and see how I go. Thanks Geraldine.

This is a known documented bug though Geraldine, it is mentioned in the readmes as well.

Either way it is interesting to note that ALL the different versions I tried work on that same machine I mentioned above, just not the other 3. So again I would say it is not a matter of missing files but rather the program itself.

I tried the 4 part version from here the "repack" version as the time stamp is the latest.
http://spacesimcentral.com/downloads/ft2.php?dir=/FFED3D/4 Part FFE3D

No good. Same problem. No friggen ICONS !!! Also of interesting note with this 4 part version the 4 files Steve spoke about is also not on this 4 part version but it's not those files because other versions I tried HAVE those files and still the same problem.


@Steve : Only 2 of my "versions" doesn't have those 4 files you spoke of and they are all from SpaceSim Central. All other versions I tried (Frontier Astro and Russian site) do and they still don't display icons. Damn good try though Steve, I really appreciate it. Also do I have the honour of conversing with the admin of FrontierAstro Steve ? I read Geraldine said "his site" so I thought "wow...is Steve the person running the outstanding frontierastro" ? If so I wish to give you a virtual handshake from one Elite fan to another. <hand shake> :)


So it looks like that the problem still remains and the program has a bug still. Why oh why are there no updates sniff sniff sniff :-(
 
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@Steve : Only 2 of my "versions" doesn't have those 4 files you spoke of and they are all from SpaceSim Central. All other versions I tried (Frontier Astro and Russian site) do and they still don't display icons. Damn good try though Steve, I really appreciate it.

I'll admit to being a bit confused (nothing new there) because you refer to FFED3D files hosted at FrontierAstro - as distinct from SpaceSim Central - but there are no such files on my site. The links just point to the download area at SSC. But anyway...

Since you have had success getting the icons to appear with your install on another machine, I suppose you could look into what the differences are between the two machines eg. Window$ 7 or Vista, Nvidia or ATI, that sort of thing. For the record, I run Vista SP2 and the GPU is an ATI Radeon HD4850.

Also do I have the honour of conversing with the admin of FrontierAstro Steve ?
You do, although whether it's an honour I'm not sure :D
 
Sorry yes you are right of course my mistake. FrontierAstro points to SSC.

and yes Steve it is an honour :)

As for the differences both are laptops different manufacturers one is MUCH older mine is a lot newer. There are really too many things to isolate on and I don't really want to go buy new laptops hoping FFE might work. :-(
 
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I don't really want to go buy new laptops hoping FFE might work. :-(
No, that might be a bit excessive :eek:
Mind you, I upgraded my graphics card specifically to improve the frame rate in FFED3D :eek:

Which reminds me, there are still some oddities in the game which I can't work out, for the life of me. For example, when the game starts it runs as smooth as silk but after I've jumped between a few systems the frame rate starts to drop noticeably. The only remedy is to save the game, go back to the intro screen and re-load where I left off. Then it's ok again :S

All in all, FFED3D is a great improvement on the original, but it's by no means perfect. As I've mentioned elsewhere, a completely new version of the game seems to be in development by the Russian guys, with single-player and multi-player versions. Could be good :)
 
I'll admit to being a bit confused (nothing new there) because you refer to FFED3D files hosted at FrontierAstro - as distinct from SpaceSim Central - but there are no such files on my site. The links just point to the download area at SSC.

:eek: Ah, that's my fault Steve, I always thought you hosted the files yourself. Its a strange bug indeed, but perhaps one more thing to look out for, there was earlier versions of FFE3D (possibly on the Russian site), perhaps you might have more luck with them?
 
:eek: Ah, that's my fault Steve, I always thought you hosted the files yourself. Its a strange bug indeed, but perhaps one more thing to look out for, there was earlier versions of FFE3D (possibly on the Russian site), perhaps you might have more luck with them?
Good idea, though I'd be worried about losing whatever improvements were made in v1.12 compared to the earlier incarnations :(
 
Yeah I have the same issue, don't feel alone friend! I've posted numerous threads about it, and have reached no conclusion whatsoever.

(for those who are curious this is my latest. http://www.spacesimcentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=2642 )

It simply wont show icons, no matter what I do, where I download it from, or what computers I run it on.

I've given up ever running FFED3D. Maybe some other poor sap with lots of time can figure it out, but I'm done dealing with that infuriating program.
 
Thanks Oneofthelost. I read the post on space sim central. Pretty much have it all summarised in my first post. Nothing works. I get the same as the screenshots there (except for on one computer that I don't own).

I have seen it work with icons only on one computer out of 4 :-( THat one had an ATI graphics card but there were others with an ATI that the icons did not work on.

I am dismayed the authors have not rectified this problem :-( I REALLY want to play this but I guess I have to stick with the GL version that works well....I just wanted FFE to work :) LIke I said I can still "play" it but missing icons are a REAL problem.

Have the authors not commented on this issue ? Surely it must be happening to them as well ?
 
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Thanks for that Nick

Yes I have tried that, that was one of the options I was describing when talking about compatability mode and misc settings on that screen. I am afraid it does not look like I missed out on anything obvious but the post is greatly welcomed.

The icons just never appear it is very frustrating. I stopped playing it now, no choice.....there are no new builds either I don't think anyone is working on it anymore. :-(
 
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Ah VMware, I'm vaguely familiar with that, that's still not as 'compatible' as having the actual OS installed.

Have you tried dual boot with XP?
 
Yes I sure did. I mentioned that I did a real install as well as VmWARE

It definitely does NOT like my computer and they don't update it so pretty much I have to abandon all attempts.
 
There's some weird stuff going on here, which seems unrelated to screen res.

For example, I was messing around with my ffewin.cfg file the other day and, without meaning to, ran FFED3D full-screen at 800x600. The icons appeared anyway, just as they do at 1280x1024 or windowed or anything! I have to try really hard to get the icons to not appear, whereas poor old Styggron can't get the little blighters to show up for love nor money. :mad:

One of these days I'll figure it out, like getting Tatung Einstein Elite to run in M.E.S.S. :rolleyes:
 
According to the Elite Russia forum, the long-awaited new version of FFE "is undergoing a complete redesign. All the code is rewritten from scratch". So it looks like we'll be awaiting even longer :(
 
You are very kind Steve,

It is clearly an issue with certain types of hardware, it's cool, it would just be night to play an updated FFE that's all.

Oh and may I say your Frontier Astro site is just the BEST !!!!!! Bloody fantastic if I may use such adjectives.
 
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