Gimbal lock fix?

[Bman]

Apparently, classic TFTC doesn't have that feature, so it can be turned off for the Gimbal Lock fix now.

Understandable, since that feature didn't exist until at least XvT... but I wonder, how did TFTC disable it???

I believe Random helped Angel make that patch for TFTC in a post I saw. He would have more details on how that works if interested.

[blue_max]

I know there's still a few bugs, but I think this is stable now. So I published a new update in the official Downloads section. You guys can get it there now.

Also: please download the latest Joystick Hook. You'll need it for the gimbal lock fix.

[batuta]

Great thank you very much.

[korekwerner]

Thank you blue_max for the changes made. I did some more tests and these are my observations.
The departure of ships from the hangar is still somewhat random, but it depends on the ship .
The YT1300 also behaves strangely when docking to platforms and picking up objects. During these automatic maneuvers, you can change the position of the ship in cockpit mode, but switching to the external camera view resets the view and makes changes.
I think you know about these problems, and if not, I can help with further tests. Thank you for what you do.

test video - https://youtu.be/tdizVQMeNHs

[blue_max]

The departure of ships from the hangar is still somewhat random, but it depends on the ship .

Which ships? The departure from the hangar only seems to be messed up for me if the joystick isn't centered, and then again, I can only reproduce it if I restart the mission at least twice. In what missions are you seeing this behavior?

The YT1300 also behaves strangely when docking to platforms and picking up objects.

Oops, I didn't even remember the docking operation. I'll fix it.

I think you know about these problems, and if not, I can help with further tests. Thank you for what you do.

I didn't know about the docking operation, so thanks for reporting that!

[blue_max]

BTW, there's a new drop of the effects beta. I fixed the docking problems, and I added a new setting to manually disable the rudder in GimbalLockFix.cfg for those who need it.

The gimbal lock fix is now disabled by default since that caught many people off-guard, but it can be enabled in GimbalLockFix.cfg.

[batuta]

Great thank you very much

[korekwerner]

Further tests with the latest version of gimbalfix - 03.01.2023
Observations:
- departure from the hangar and positioning of the ship depends on the calibration of the joystick / gamepad.
actually restarting the mission fixes this bug, but I think it is due to the deadzone setting.
I did tests on XWAU 5.5 and the behavior is the same.
When I have a gamepad connected - the problem occurs, when I disconnect the gamepad there is no problem.

A new bug that I noticed is the ability to control the ship when it takes over the AI (2nd family mission).
Interestingly, switching to the turret causes the AI to take control of the ship and continue the mission according to the scenario. Overall, it looks cool and is extremely helpful because you can correct the deficiencies of AI piloting. However, this is not correct game behavior.
tests in progress....
Thank you.

video link - https://youtu.be/RuzS0t9kp_o

[guru_redeye]

I have only tested the fix with Z95 yet and it indeed removes the gimball lock but it disables the standard XWA 'Roll' function - the one you can control with x-axis of the js and activate by a js button bound to it (it's also bound to Alt-3 keycomb by default and it's named "Roll/Target ship in sights"). Altering "enable_rudder = ..." setting does not help. If I set enable_gimbal_lock_fix to 0 again I get back the Roll function.

[blue_max]

Thanks for reporting these problems. I'll check what's going on.

[korekwerner]

Gimballlock is almost fixed and maybe just maybe another small glitch could be fixed as well - small horizontal backdrop jumps.
I already aske @blue_max about it and I see light at the end of the tunnel.
video with this backdrop glitch - https://youtu.be/50X4mUftk1U
Thank you.

[AngeI]

Isn't the background jumping/jittering about a long standing issue with the engine though?

[korekwerner]

Isn't the background jumping/jittering about a long standing issue with the engine though?

You are right, but my question and request comes down to whether there is a possibility to fix this old bug. Blue_max has shown that he can do the impossible.
The longer I watch what JeremyaFr and Blue_max do, I come to the conclusion that XWA is the best space engine for Star Wars fans. With minor imperfections, but giving a lot of possibilities.

[AngeI]

You are right, but my question and request comes down to whether there is a possibility to fix this old bug. Blue_max has shown that he can do the impossible.
The longer I watch what JeremyaFr and Blue_max do, I come to the conclusion that XWA is the best space engine for Star Wars fans. With minor imperfections, but giving a lot of possibilities.

I did ask him about this a long time ago, this was the response:

blue_max — 01/23/2022 9:52 PM
I'm not sure what's the deal with the backgrounds, but we can try replacing them with Environment Maps
The backgrounds are currently rendered as big cubes, but I don't know, maybe that cube is transformed using fixed-point logic (i.e. less precision)
If we remove them altogether and replace them with Environment Maps... maybe

[korekwerner]

As I see blue_max has learned a lot during this year and his skills are at a very high level in terms of the XWA engine. If he manages to change the way background works, it will be the next big step in modding XWA. Fingers crossed.
Together with JeremyaFr, they form a complementary team.
Gimbal Lock Fix shared today by JeremyaFr works perfectly on my computer.
Thank you.

[tybtyb42]

Great work !! works perfectly on my computer. It was mostly unplayable before this fix, like two magnets repelling each other.
Thank you

[LivewareCascade]

Hello, I am aware this might be a bit of a smoothbrained question, but I'm not sure where to go to get the fix. I assume that the ddraw from the current "effects by Blue Max" package is the right one to use (At time of writing, this is: "Beta Effects Version 2 by Blue Max's Version 2023-05-05" on the main download page).

I'm a bit lost on where to get an updated hook_joystick_ff.dll. I can see a link to JeremyaFr's github page, but that seems to be for another ddraw dll, not an updated joystick hook.

[Ace Antilles]

Hello, I am aware this might be a bit of a smoothbrained question, but I'm not sure where to go to get the fix. I assume that the ddraw from the current "effects by Blue Max" package is the right one to use (At time of writing, this is: "Beta Effects Version 2 by Blue Max's Version 2023-05-05" on the main download page).

I'm a bit lost on where to get an updated hook_joystick_ff.dll. I can see a link to JeremyaFr's github page, but that seems to be for another ddraw dll, not an updated joystick hook.

It's all included in the new Update 5.6.
You don't need to download anything else

[LivewareCascade]

Aw sweet, thanks man! Installed and created a cfg, works perfectly I think!

[Ace Antilles]

Aw sweet, thanks man! Installed and created a cfg, works perfectly I think!

There's no need for a CFG file to be created. It's all part of the Hooks now