rec.autos.simulators

Now, for the "patch" debate.  I don't feel that they have to patch
Nascar 1 to Nascar 2 - that's a major update (okay, here come a whole
host of posts).  As for the Indycar Win95 patch, you're right, mighty
generous of them (even though you need a Cray to get a playable
framerate).  But the Rendition version of ICR 2 (as well as the
Millenium version of Nascar 1) are not major updates.  They are both the
same game with graphic performance improvements based around specific
hardware.  I don't see why they couldn't have provided the one file
needed to patch Nascar 1 to the Millenium version (email welcome as to
how to do it) and why they can't do the same for the Rendition ICR2
(obviously more than one file - tracks, etc).

Either way, they seem to be taking a little heat with regards to Nascar
2 and it's Rendition abilities.  PErhaps some of those who dropped $200
on a card which enhances ICR2 are wondering where the rest of the ported
games are.  Just my two cents.

James.

ps - the Nascar "Millenium" version can be found here:

http://www.racesimcentral.net/

download nascar.zip, unzip it and replace the original nascar.exe
(rename the old one).  Remember - for users of the Matrox Millenium
only.  You'll see the difference in frame rates.

   Well, if you want to run Rendition-ready software, you need
Rendition hardware to do so (time to run my mini-FAQ again).  It's
analogous to saying you want Papyrus to give you Sound Blaster quality
sound out of your PC's little speaker.  If you don't have the proper
hardware, it ain't going to work.  Ohhh, here comes that FAQ now...

----------

   Rendition-ready software versions (such as included in NASCAR2)
*REQUIRE* that you have a video card with a Rendition Verite chip
(such as the Intergraph Reactor, Sierra Screamin' 3D, CL 3D Blaster
PCI, or Canopus Total3D).

   You may run the *standard* executable on *ALL* video cards, but to
take advantage of the Rendition version, you must have the proper
hardware.

   For more information on Rendition hardware...

General 3D Graphics
* http://www.dimension3d.com/

Rendition, the chip maker
* http://www.rendition.com/

Rendition Verite-based card manufacturers
* http://www.intergraph.com/ics/reactor/
* http://www.sierra.com/hardware/screamin3d/_index.html
* http://www.creaf.com/wwwnew/products/graphic/3dbpci.html
* http://www.canopuscorp.com/total3d.htm

----------

   I've been posting this here for several weeks, trying to make this
common knowledge, so that's why I assumed you had the only card that
would run ICR2-3D, but doesn't include it in its software bundle (CL
3D Blaster PCI).

   As far as a Rendition patch, only Rendition hardware users could
make use of it.  And three of the four Rendition cards currently sold
already bundle ICR2-3D with it.  So not much demand.  You can get the
ICR2-3D executable (use the Cyrix patch available on the web) and
combine it with the Speedy3D file from NASCAR2 and you have a
functioning version of ICR2-3D.  You won't have the 5 color-enhanced
tracks (and they'd be about 7 meg total compressed), but you get the
other Rendition enhancements.

   But what you are asking for is for them to write a *totally new*
version for the Millenium.  Not such a minor undertaking.  It isn't
simply a "port", because the underlying hardware is different.  The
Rendition version can do things that your Millenium can *never* do,
due to its hardware.  The Millenium isn't a bad card (in fact a pretty
darn good one for most needs), but it doesn't do Rendition.  And if
Rendition is a priority for you, then you did buy the wrong card.

   Maybe they make a Millenium port of Rendition N2 when Papyrus ports
the Millenium version of NASCAR1 to my old Diamond Speedstar Pro... ;)

   Well, I find about 30% better frame rate in N2.  Not as stunningly
beautiful as ICR2-3D, but an improvement nonetheless.  I'm a big
sim-racing fan and 2 out of 3 of my sims take advantage of the
Rendition.  I got a video card (which I needed anyways) and ICR2-3D
for $150, so I'm not complaining.  ;)

Before you send me UCE, I know what you're thinking...  Did he complain
to five or six postmasters last month?  Now, you must ask yourself one
question: "Do I feel lucky?"  Well, do you, punk?

FYI:

There are a number of games ported to the Rendition cards, even more
than any other card or 3D chipset currently on the market (incl. 3dfx).
The Rendition chipset is currently receiving the BEST *** industry
support out of all other contending 3D video cards.  There is Quake,
Nascar2, Tombraider, Descent2, ef2000, Indycar2, all Direct 3D games,
and others.  People with Rendition-based cards are not wondering where
the ported games are.  They are actually playing accelerated games,
which is more than can be said for any owner of any other type of 3D
accelerated video card (not even 3dfx cards).  Just my two cents.

Matt Lewis

as Creatives 3D Blaster is the ONLY card available in the UK with the RV
chip WE HAVE NO CHOICE and have to AGAIN buy ICR2 to get the RV version.
At least Nascar2 is available here Rendition Enhanced
Alan

Alan,
It seems Intergraph now have a UK distributor, Direction Technology,
Guildford, Surrey.  tel 44-1483-454400  or fax: 01483 454410

They delivered the Intergraph Reactor to me the very next day.  I have
their invoice here, the price was 85.06 plus 6.30 delivery totalling a
very reasonable 107.35 with 17.5%VAT.

It came with a CD with the id Quake shareware and another compilation
CD which included the enhanced IndyCar2.

Nascar 2 and IndyCar 2 run at a very nice 29 and 30fps respectively
with ALL graphics textures and settings on, they both look stunning.
My P120 32MB, 430HX PC managed 15fps with the same settings in Nascar
2 with it's previously installed Diamond Stealth.  The Verite card is
truly a Papyrus racer's dream!  100% performance increase for 100
pounds sterling, forget MMX for a while until the prices drop.

I noticed the latest VQUAKE beta needed my to also download a 1.01 to
1.06 upgrade patch for the supplier 1.01 sharewared Quake CD before I
could run the latest and fastest beta, giving 18 fps at 640x480.

F1GP2 seems to run with the same frame rate and occupancy as before,
except the estimated frame rate is now misleadingly low, real world
frame rates are right up there with dedicated 2d cards.

I highly recommend one.

A quick note that there doesn't appear to be NT driver support and
with Windows95 drivers may have a couple of occlusion glitches I
noticed in Excel when a covering window is closed.  I'm sure their
driver support will improve.

Cheers,
Rob.