GraphiXNA Shading Library

NEW POST: ArgumentNullException when loading Effect.Skybox

JeRET — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:04:29 GMT

Ok, I figured out that the returned stream of the OpenStream() Method (inside of the InternalContentManager) is null. But why? I didn't changed any structure of the GraphiXNA project. I just made some little changes in the Camera and included the .fx files instead of the .xnb files. but I also tried it with the .xnb with the same result.
I would really like to use (and maybe expand) the library, but for now I need help to fix my problem.

NEW POST: ArgumentNullException when loading Effect.Skybox

JeRET — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:29:43 GMT

Hiho,
I am trying to integrate the library into my engine. The first effect I tried was the Skybox. but when I create a skybox I encounter an ArgumentNullException in the InternalContentManager:

public Effect SkyBox
{
get
{
return Load<Effect>("Effects.SkyBox"); // here is the Exception
}
}

I have no idea where the problem is. plz help.

NEW POST: Purple Screen?

fkiller — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:22:36 GMT

After overwriting patch file, there is still error in MainGame.cs(line:230), reliefMapping.DrawPrimitives(PrimitiveType.TriangleStrip, 0, 2);

Error Message:

Additional information: Both a valid vertex shader and pixel shader (or valid effect) must be set on the device before any draw operations may be performed.

When I comment above line, then it works, but I can see only a sky.

NEW POST: shadowing with multiple lightsources

JeRET — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:28:22 GMT

My skills in HLSL are very poor but there is a good tutorial on ziggyware of how to implement shadows:
http://www.ziggyware.com/readarticle.php?article_id=161

I tried to combine it with my engine but it didn't worked. Maybe you will have more luck.

To allow multiple lightsources for more than one shadows i think it is the best to pass an array of lightsources to the shader but i'm not sure if that's the modal way.

NEW POST: shadowing with multiple lightsources

mahdi3466 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:29:05 GMT

Hi,
Yes, i'll implement shadows mapping. but for next version (1.6) i'll add environmental reflection to the engine. i think shadow system would be added after that.
Any suggestions or advise will be useful.

Thanks

NEW POST: shadowing with multiple lightsources

JeRET — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:53:28 GMT

Hi,
this project rocks! I think I will integrate it into my game engine.

But what I really need is shadowing. My current project is a sport simulation in an arena with at least 4 lights.
will you implement a shadowing system with multiple lightsources to your library?

NEW POST: Purple Screen?

mahdi3466 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:46:44 GMT

I found where the problem was and fixed it. it was not a bug in the engine itself. i forgot to uncomment a line in demo application.

To fix this problem please look at Release tab and download 'GraphiXNA v1.5 Patch.zip'

Let me know if any other problems exists

Thanks

NEW POST: Purple Screen?

lescom — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:19:48 GMT

DrawWithReliefMapping() was already commented out in Draw() so I commented out DrawWithNormalMapping() which was the only DrawWith* function that was not commented.

I still get the purple screen.

However, when I comment out renderToTexture.Begin() and renderToTexture.End() then the skybox appears fine.

Like the thread mentioned, I tried modifying both GraphiXNA.Graphics.RenderToTexture constructers to include RenderTargetUsage.PreserveContents in their call to new RenderTarget2D and then modified the GraphiXNA_Demo.MainDemo constructor to add an event handler to graphics.PreparingDeviceSettings.

The handler code is just what the thread recommends:

/* Test Code Start */
void graphics_PreparingDeviceSettings(object sender, PreparingDeviceSettingsEventArgs e)
{
e.GraphicsDeviceInformation.PresentationParameters.RenderTargetUsage = RenderTargetUsage.PreserveContents;
}
/* Test Code End */

Now according to the thread on creators.xna.com this should fix it. However, although the purple is indeed gone, this appears to break the rest of GraphiXNA since the only thing that renders is the Cornflower Blue clear color.

Since you're doing clever things with the rendertarget in the library this is as far as I can get without really digging into your stuff.

Hope this helps a little bit though, please let me know if I can do anything else to help solve this.

Update:
Interestingly when I comment out renderToTexture.Begin() and renderToTexture.End() and enable any of the DrawWith* commands it appears to function although I am not sure if it is actually doing the correct behavior, though it looks like it is.

NEW POST: Purple Screen?

lescom — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:30:35 GMT

Sorry about the delay, I will try this and post the results here when I get home from work later tonight.

UPDATED RELEASE: GraphiXNA v1.5 (Apr 04, 2008)

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:08:19 GMT

In this version i put some additional materials in the engine: Relief Mapping and Diffuse Mapping.
Now GraphiXNA supports *Relief Mapping, Parallax Mapping, Normal Mapping, Diffuse Mapping* in addition to *21 Post Process effects*.

! Please do not forget to download the Patch (GraphiXNA v1.5 Patch.zip)

CLOSED ISSUE: Parallax Mapping

mahdi3466 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:57:16 GMT

Parallax mapping in current version has some bugs. they should be removed.

CLOSED FEATURE: Normal Mapping

mahdi3466 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:57:01 GMT

Normal Mapping is always a good thing. Should add it as a feature in next release.

NEW POST: Purple Screen?

mahdi3466 — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:25:32 GMT

It seems problem with render targets is being a big one ;)
Please try removing DrawWithReliefMapping() function by commenting it. then run the sample; can you see the skybox ?

Regards

NEW POST: Purple Screen?

lescom — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:28:18 GMT

I too get only a purple screen when running the demo.

OS:
Vista x64

Hardware:
Intel e6850 3.0ghz dual core
EVGA 8800 GTS 512

Software wise its just Visual Studio C# 2005 Express and XNA Game Studio 2.0

Let me know if I can provide any information to help you diagnose this. I would love to get this working.

Edit: This thread http://forums.xna.com/thread/33132.aspx discusses a problem with SetRenderTarget causing a purple background in GS 2.0 Perhaps that is the culprit? The solution to it is in the thread, hope that helps!

CREATED ISSUE: Environmental Reflections

mahdi3466 — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:19:10 GMT

Now that i've added four popular material effect to the engine, it would be great if the engine is able to do environmental reflections.

CLOSED ISSUE: Effect parameter change

mahdi3466 — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:17:45 GMT

Another issue i found recetly is when you change parameters of an effect. in this case same parameter of other instances of that effect will change and you need to set them again.
Comments: Look at version 1.5 (or above)

CLOSED ISSUE: Changeing light types

mahdi3466 — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:16:42 GMT

Chaning light type needs the effect is End and Begin again. this may hit the performance and should be fixed.
Comments: Look at version 1.5 (or above)

CLOSED FEATURE: Simple diffuse mapping

mahdi3466 — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:13:55 GMT

I know it's a good idea to add simple diffuse mapping to the engine. put your eyes on next release.
Comments: Look at version 1.5 (or above)

NEW POST: Purple Screen?

mahdi3466 — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:25:13 GMT

Can you give me more details please ? for example have you tried on another PC/XBOX ? or using a differnt material (or post process) ?
What is your hardware (CPU / GPU) and operation system ?

I have no problems on GeForce 7100 and vista x64. :-?
Thanks.

NEW POST: Purple Screen?

Zyxil — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:05:00 GMT

Looks excellent, but I only get a purple screen when running the demo.