Problem multistage.dll -> no HUD

Arthur Dent

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Hi Everyone

I have a rather odd problem. I am creating a multistage launcher. During my first test drive, I discovered that my vessel lacks the HUD.

I'm using the latest multistage2.dll that I could find on Vinkas Homepage (version 050721).

After further testing, I realized that even the sample multistage vessel from Vinka lacks the HUD.

I tried with to different Orbiter installations, and I don't see any difference!

Pressing H and/or CTRL H doesn't solve the problem.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

multistage_nohud.jpg
 
What is the config. look like for the vessel?
 
Well, this problem occours even with the default multistage files.

The multistage2.cfg looks like that:

Code:
ClassName = Multistage2
Module = Multistage2
The demo.ini looks like that:

Code:
[MISC]
cog=25

[TEXTURE_LIST]
TEX_1=Exhaust_atsme

[BOOSTER_1]
N=2
MeshName="multistage\booster_a"
Height=21.44
Diameter=2.5
EmptyMass=9500.0
FuelMass=95000.0
Thrust=6600000.0
angle=90.
off=(5.25,0.0,-14.)
BurnTime=12. ;129.
eng_1=(0.,-1.43,-11)
eng_2=(0.,1.43,-11)
eng_diameter=0.5
ENG_PSTREAM1=exhaust

[BOOSTER_2]
N=2
MeshName="multistage\booster_b"
Height=18.58
Diameter=2.5
EmptyMass=9500.0
FuelMass=95000.0
Thrust=6600000.0
angle=30.
off=(5.25,0.0,-14.)
BurnTime=13. ;129.
ENG_PSTREAM1=exhaust

[BOOSTER_3]
N=2
MeshName="multistage\booster_c"
Height=18.58
Diameter=2.5
EmptyMass=9500.0
FuelMass=95000.0
Thrust=6600000.0
angle=150.
off=(5.25,0.0,-14.)
BurnTime=14. ;129.
BurnDelay=20.
ENG_PSTREAM1=exhaust

[STAGE_1]
Height=48.43
Diameter=8.0
EmptyMass=54000.
FuelMass=542700.
Thrust=5720000.0 
BurnTime=30. ;589.
off=(0.,0.,0.)
MeshName="multistage\stage1"
eng_1=(0.,0.,-25.)
eng_2=(2.5,0.,-25.)
eng_3=(-2.5,0.,-25.)
eng_4=(0.,2.5,-25.)
eng_5=(0.,-2.5,-25.)
eng_diameter=0.5

[STAGE_2]
MeshName="multistage\stage2"
IGNITE_DELAY=10.
Diameter=8.0
Height=32.54
EmptyMass=34000.0
FuelMass=346800.0
Thrust=3000000.0
BurnTime=11. ;1100.
off=(0.,0.,37.5)
eng_1=(-1.5,0,-16.5)
eng_2=(1.5,0,-16.5)
eng_diameter=0.5
ENG_PSTREAM1=contrail

[SEPARATION_23]
MeshName="multistage\sep23"
SEPARATION_DELAY=2.0
Diameter=8.0 
Height=5.0
EmptyMass=2000.0 
off=(0.,0.,55.715)

[STAGE_3]
MeshName="multistage\stage3"
IGNITE_DELAY=2.
Diameter=5.0 
Height=11.95
EmptyMass=5000.0 
FuelMass=54500.0 
Thrust=1145000.0
BurnTime=11. ;1100.
off=(0.,0.,62.215)
eng_1=(0,0,-6)
eng_diameter=2
ENG_TEX=Exhaust_atsme

[FAIRING]
N=2
MeshName="multistage\fairing"
Diameter=5.0
Height=16.53
angle=0.
off=(1.25,0.,76.48)

[PAYLOAD_1]
off=(0.,0.,74.5)
speed=(1.,0.,1.)
rot_speed=(0.,0.,0.5)
MeshName="multistage\maqsat1"
Module="multistage\maqsat"
name="maqsat-1"
Diameter=4.8
Height=4.
Mass=4000.

[PAYLOAD_2]
off=(0.,0.,70.)
speed=(-1.,0.,1.)
rot_speed=(0.,0.,-0.5)
MeshName="multistage\maqsat2"
Module="multistage\maqsat"
name="maqsat-2"
Diameter=4.8
Height=4
Mass=4000.
Don't you think it could be a general multistage2.dll problem?
 
Last edited:
Possibly. You might be missing something in the config. files. Post it here though.
 
Which config files do you mean exactly besides these?

---------- Post added at 11:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 AM ----------

All other relevant files I could find:

Orbiter.log
Code:
**** Orbiter.log
Build Sep 29 2006 [v.060929]
Devices enumerated: 6
Devices accepted: 5
==> RGB Emulation
==> Direct3D HAL
==> Direct3D T&L HAL
==> Direct3D HAL (ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series)
==> Direct3D T&L HAL (ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series)
Found 0 joystick(s)
Module AtlantisConfig.dll [API v.060425]
Module DGConfig.dll [API v.060425]
Module ScnEditor.dll [API v.060425]
Module Rcontrol.dll [API v.050206]
Module Meshdebug.dll [API v.060425]
Module Framerate.dll [API v.050206]
Module FlightData.dll [API v.050206]
Module ExtMFD.dll [API v.060425]
Module CustomMFD.dll [API v.060425]

Orbiter.cfg
Code:
; === ORBITER Master Configuration File ===

; === Subdirectory locations
ConfigDir = .\Config\
MeshDir = .\Meshes\
TextureDir = .\Textures\
HightexDir = .\Textures2\
ScenarioDir = .\Scenarios\

; === Logical parameters ===
FlightModel = 1
DamageModel = 1
UnlimitedFuel = FALSE
InstrumentUpdateInterval = 1
GenericMFDSize = 6
PanelScale = 1
PanelScrollSpeed = 300
NumStar = 3000
FocusFollowsMouse = TRUE
StartPaused = FALSE

; === Physics engine ===
DistributedVesselMass = TRUE
NonsphericalGravitySources = TRUE
StabiliseOrbits = TRUE
StabilisePLimit = 0.05
StabiliseSLimit = 0.01
LinPropStages = 4
LinPropStage0 = 2 0.5
LinPropStage1 = 4 20
LinPropStage2 = 6 100
LinPropStage3 = 8
AngPropStages = 4
AngPropStage0 = 2 1 0.0174533
AngPropStage1 = 4 10 0.0698132
AngPropStage2 = 6 100 0.174533
AngPropStage3 = 8
AngPropSubsampling = 100 0.349066
AngPropLimits = 0.523599 62.8319

; === Visual parameters ===
AmbientLevel = 12
EnableShadows = TRUE
EnableVesselShadows = TRUE
EnableClouds = TRUE
EnableCloudShadows = TRUE
EnableNightlights = TRUE
EnableWaterReflection = TRUE
EnableSpecularRipples = TRUE
EnableHorizonHaze = TRUE
EnableSpecularReflection = TRUE
EnableReentryFlames = TRUE
EnableParticleStreams = TRUE
MFDTransparent = FALSE
PlanetMaxPatchLevel = 10
PlanetPatchRes = 1
PlanetHipatchAperture = 0.1
StarBrightness = 1
StarContrast = 1
NightlightBrightness = 0.7
Planetarium = 4330
Bodyforces = 60 1 1
CoordinateAxes = 4 1 1

; === Camera parameters ===
CameraPanspeed = 100

; === Joystick parameters ===
JoystickIndex = 0 ; (disabled)
JoystickThrottleAxis = 1
JoystickThrottleSaturation = 9500
JoystickDeadzone = 2500
IgnoreThrottleOnStart = TRUE

; === Demo parameters ===
DemoMode = FALSE
BackgroundImage = FALSE
BlockExit = FALSE
MaxDemoTime = 300
MaxLaunchpadIdleTime = 15

; === Record/play parameters ===
RecordTimewarp = TRUE
ReplayTimewarp = TRUE
SystimeSampling = TRUE
PlaybackNotes = TRUE

; === Font parameters ===
DialogFont_Scale = 1
DialogFont1_Face = Arial

; === Device settings ===
DeviceForceEnum = TRUE
DeviceIndex = 4 ; do not edit manually
ModeIndex = 31 ; do not edit manually
Fullscreen = TRUE
Stereo = FALSE
NoVSync = FALSE
StencilBuffer = TRUE
WindowWidth = 640
WindowHeight = 480

; === Multiplayer parameters ===

; === Active plugin list ===
ACTIVE_MODULES
  transx
  ScnEditor
  Rcontrol
  Meshdebug
  Framerate
  FlightData
  ExtMFD
  CustomMFD
END_MODULES

Scenario file (dual 3 stages launcher.scn)
Code:
EGIN_DESC
Launch 3 stage rocket from Kennedy Space Center.
END_DESC

BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT
  System Sol
  Date MJD 51982.9067479746
END_ENVIRONMENT

BEGIN_FOCUS
  Ship DEMO
END_FOCUS

BEGIN_CAMERA
  TARGET DEMO
  MODE Extern
  POS 2.89 0.74 -110.96
  TRACKMODE TargetRelative
  FOV 70.00
END_CAMERA

BEGIN_STATIONS
END_STATIONS

BEGIN_SHIPS
DEMO_1:Multistage\Multistage2
  STATUS Landed Earth
  BASE Cape Canaveral:11
  HEADING 0.00
  FUEL 1.000
  CONFIG_FILE Config\multistage\demo.ini
  CONFIGURATION 0
  CURRENT_BOOSTER 1
  CURRENT_STAGE 1
  CURRENT_PAYLOAD 1
  FAIRING 1
END
DEMO_2:Multistage\Multistage2
  STATUS Landed Earth
  BASE Cape Canaveral:10
  HEADING 0.00
  FUEL 1.000
  CONFIG_FILE Config\multistage\demo.ini
  CONFIGURATION 0
  CURRENT_BOOSTER 1
  CURRENT_STAGE 1
  CURRENT_PAYLOAD 1
  FAIRING 1
END
END_SHIPS

It is just very hard to believe, that this problem has been unnoticed by anyone. I tried to clean install Orbiter several times. No luck. No HUD with neither custum vessels nor vinkas demonstration vessels. :(

---------- Post added at 11:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 PM ----------

The noHUD Problem also occours in all of Vinkas spacecraft3.dll vessels...
 
Are you talking about the VC ? There is no call for the VC in multistage vehicles, there is however a way to call up VCs in spacecraft3.

ex.
Code:
[VC]
MESHNAME="DestinyVC"
MFD_RIGHT=120
MFD_LEFT=121
HUD=122
HUD_SIZE=0.100
HUD_CENTER=(-0.61,0.84,4.06)
 
The noHUD Problem also occours in all of Vinkas spacecraft3.dll vessels...
I can't replicate the problem here with either spacecraft3 or multistage2 (tested with Mustard's Soyuz and Piper's Chapman) so it would seem you have a broken installation somehow. Try a clean Orbiter install + just multistage2/spacecraft3 and a known good vessel and see how you go with that. If that works, try you new vessel.

---------- Post added at 09:12 ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 ----------

Are you talking about the VC ?
No, there is no generic cockpit HUD - see the picture in the OP.
 
Okay. I figured out, that this is not Vinka related, but Orbiter related (perhaps someone should move this thread then)

No vessel has a HUD. I can only see the HUD with in the 2D Panel mode (F8) or in a VC (F8). All the vessels I tried so far come with a 2D Panel and/or a VC. But If I use the standard mode, I don't see a HUD at all.

I reinstalled Orbiter many times now, and I have always the same problem. Is there a way to active the HUD somewhere (besides pressing H or CTRL H)?

Could it be Vista and/or ATI related (Radeon HD3800 Series)?
 
I have heard that Orbiter does not run perfectly on Vista systems, but I do not know if that could be the answer to your problem.

---------- Post added at 06:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:42 PM ----------
 
I have heard that Orbiter does not run perfectly on Vista systems, but I do not know if that could be the answer to your problem.

---------- Post added at 06:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:42 PM ----------
Hmm, that's really odd. I've used Orbiter on Vista for awhile and always had a HUD.

Do you have any of these other common Vista problems?
-Sky on Earth is black, even during the day
-The grav contribution number at the bottom of the OrbitMFD is always 0
 
Nope. Luckily I haven't had any of these common Vista problems.

---------- Post added at 02:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:14 AM ----------

Darn! It must be something with my computer. Just tried it in a WinXP Virtual Machine on my MacBook (generally a bad idea 'cause 3D stuff is very very ****e): I have a HUD!

It's either Vista (64bit), or my Graphics Card, or something completely different.
 
Nope. Luckily I haven't had any of these common Vista problems.

---------- Post added at 02:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:14 AM ----------

Darn! It must be something with my computer. Just tried it in a WinXP Virtual Machine on my MacBook (generally a bad idea 'cause 3D stuff is very very ****e): I have a HUD!

It's either Vista (64bit), or my Graphics Card, or something completely different.
Well, make sure you have the newest drivers for you card--it's not Vista's fault, I have a 64bit Vista machine and the HUD works fine...
 
Eureka!

Well I installed the latest 9.4 ATI drivers (was 9.3). Still no change. I switched to RGB emulation. Worked. I went to the Catalyst Control Centre and put all the 3D settings to 'Use application settings' and I finally it works!

So purely my fault, because I played with the settings. I hope other people with the same problem will read this thread.

Can we put it in to a FAQ? ;)

Thanks for your patience!:)
 
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