CompuServe Thread

#Rayman Raytracer

9 messages in this thread
#155909From: Mike KearneyFeb 27, 1995 1:17 PM
I'm just wondering if anyone else has tried the Rayman ray tracing program for 3DS. I recieved my copy about a week ago. After a week of small but interesting experiments I set up for rendering of a high resolution image. The total rendering time on my 486 was about 48 hours (1800×1350 image). It was finished this morning and looked very nice. The next step was to be a color print of the image. Unfortunately the program bombed itself before saving the tga to disk. The message was something about "can't locate HIMEM__.TMP". I don't know if I want to tie up the computer for another 48 hours before knowing what was wrong. Does anyone know of any tech support on this product? -Thanks, Mike
#155927From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Feb 27, 1995 2:23 PM
Hi Mike, << Does anyone know of any tech support on this product? >> You can address your concerns to the developer, Michael Bassier 100114,1717, who frequents this forum regularly. jonas[adesk]
#155992From: EDWARD HARVEYFeb 27, 1995 7:43 PM
Also Stefan Elsner 100437,1254 is a rayman developer who is helpful. Ed
#156080From: Michael BassierFeb 28, 1995 2:47 AM
Hi Mike! Take a look at your image directory. If you have a .FLT file there you can convert the image with FLT2TGA.EXE to a TGA file. FLT`s are temporary RayMan files that contains all image information. If you have the file you can easly rescue your image. Regarding the "can`t locate HIMEM.TMP" message I`ll (or Stefan Elsner) contact you soon. Michael
#156117From: Stefan ElsnerFeb 28, 1995 8:27 AM
Mike, <<can't locate HIMEM__.TMP>> That doesn't seem to be a RayMan message and it might be a configuration problem. I need more information before (I hope) I can answer your question: Which operating system do you use? Which memory manager do you use (HIMEM.SYS, EMM386.EXE, 386MAX, QEMM, …)? Where did that message apear (i.e. as a DOS text, RayShell dialog, …)? Was your image name 'HIMEM__' (I guess not)? Did you have enough disk space for the final image (~7,3MB)? Temporary FLT files are created when using at least one of the following features: – Network rendering – Dithering – Auto exposure You can use network rendering on a single machine. It has the disadvantage that it is *slightly* slower than the local mode but you can interrupt the rendering process at any time and continue later. If you want to make sure that your FLT file is not deleted in any case you can check the 'Do not delete FLT file' checkbox in the Options dialog.
#156137From: Mike KearneyFeb 28, 1995 10:05 AM
Stefan, Thanks for the reply. I need to explain the problem more clearly as it happened again overnight. 1. This time I ran 800×600 so the rendering time was less. 2. The finished image had the message (approximately) "do you want to re-display the image? I choose "no". 3. A new message box came up which says "open error: directory HIRIMG14284.TMP not found". 4. I press enter and see "freeing resources" in the corner. 5. The program bombs and leaves quite a lot of green text that starts with "DOS/4GW Professional error (2001) etc. etc. 6. Of interest may be the fact that I ran a 800×600 earlier in the day and there were no problems as it saved properly and I had a very nice color print (except for the low resolution I used). 7. I am using DOS 5.1. 8. I hope the problem is simple as I am very impressed with the image quality. Thanks, Mike
#156354From: Stefan ElsnerMar 1, 1995 5:37 AM
Mike, this happens when texture bitmaps are moved to disk due to lack of RAM and no temporary path is set. You can avoid it with something like SET TMP=C:\ Of course this should have been mentioned in the docs. Please send me a note if you already had set a temporary path like this. Regards, Stefan
#156472From: Mike KearneyMar 1, 1995 1:05 PM
Stefan, Thank you. I will try your suggestion. I might add that I rendered a successful image overnight and I am very pleased with the results. Thanks, Mike
#156138From: Mike KearneyFeb 28, 1995 10:08 AM
Stefan, More info (see my first note to you). QEMM version 6 The message is a rayshell message Image name LAB1.TGA Disk space availabe 180 MB Thanks, Mike