[hack]: X3: Reunion @ Intel 945 (GMA 950)

[semenu]

Problem: in the game play, all asteroids and many other objects are just solid black; at certain point in the game's plot the player is supposed to fly through a hole in the asteroid, which becomes impossible because all around you is just solid black.

Solution: install 3D-Analyze version 2.36b; apply the following binary patch (replace the dat3.000 file); run X3.exe through 3DAnalyze.exe, check out the "emulate HW TnL caps" box.

Note: the patch will most likely only work for 3DAnalyze version 2.36b, that's a binary patch, after all.

Note: the patch only covers DirectX 9, again, it's a binary patch.

Download Attachment: 3da-236b-patch.zip
425.28 KB

Explanation: the patch is merely overriding few more fields in the capabilities struct, returned by the 3DAnalyze to the application; these fields are:
 MaxActiveLights                              0 -> 8
 MaxUserClipPlanes                            0 -> 6
 MaxVertexBlendMatrices                       0 -> 4
The patch also bumps MaxVertexShaderConst 192->255, but I've just verified that this is unnecessary.

Hardware/driver info: DELL Lattitude D620; Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset Family (Intel GMA 950); video driver 14.32.4 (reported 6.14.10.4926); DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

[semenu]

Before:

9.07 KB

After:

15.64 KB

[benna]

Great find, thanks

[pasmon]

I am playing x2 the threat. i am having the same problem. Can you guide me on how to overcome this problem on my laptop. I have 256mb  intel 965 video card.

[bimbam]

I am not a fan of bumping a post but this bothered me for hours trying to find a resolution and nothing sufficed. The problem being, 3d Analyze appears not to work for X2:The Threat.

Instead, you can install the Sherry 1.3 Custom Intel Drivers and use the Intel GMA reg modder found here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?cct9nqw83wla4n1
Select X2.exe as the executable and tell it to use Software (It is TnL causing the issue as before, this forces the drivers to use software mode) and that is all.
Boot the game normally and all's gravy baby. Interestingly either has 0 impact or even a slight fps increase, could be wrong.
Have not tried it with other games but I assume it works on those too.