Jeremy Miller tweets (Senior Programmer at ISI)

OK, so the simple answer is that the shadows have low resolution once they are a short distance from POV and it's not related to AA. I accept that, but it doesn't change the horrible appearance or distracting shimmering that they cause.

So why are we using such low resolution shadows (besides the obvious performance issues)? Why does the shadow blur option not affect them? Is this option not working in 880, or did it never work, or does it only not work with certain video cards?

I always use ISI Portugal and ISI cars for my comparisons so as not to introduce stray variables.

 

Another fantastically detailed and informative post K...

Ok, first thing I have to say is it`s a while since I`ve been on rf2/b880 as I`m away from home and the rig just now but from memory I have shadows maxed and set to optimal and don`t recall seeing bad jaggies using those settings most of the time.

Some builds did/do have problems with the shadows though so possibly b880 is one... as I say, not at my rig just now so can`t confirm.

 

By the way, K Szczech, you already explained the other huge graphics issue a long time ago:

http://isiforums.net/f/showthread.php/7921-Flickering-and-aliasing-fresnel-reflections

We're still waiting for that to be resolved by something other than SGSS or SS that kills performance.

 

It may be because of track settings. Check out Croft, like I said.
Perhaps some tracks from ISI had lower shadow settings, especially older ones.

See this post to see what difference shadow blur actually makes. It will not make shadow pixels go away, it will only blur them.

Good. I also like that track, but it's pretty old right now. May have lower shadow settings.

That's one of the issues with rF2 - engine depends on many settings in content, so as the content gets older, some features of engine (like shadows and reflections) grow old as well. This will remain an open issue for some time as I believe ISI simply does not have the manpower to keep updating the old content every time hey update something in the engine.

That is not easy to resolve - another subject that consumed some research in graphics world

One thing we need to keep in mind - these are not bugs or issues - it's just the way things work in relatime graphics. Of course game developers can spend time on overcoming these shortages and making exceptional game engine, but that takes incredible amount of time. This is why studios reselling their engines to hundreds of other companies can afford that, but independent game studios cannot.

And this is why I don't see such flaws as an issue - I simply accept them. I know how these things work and it doesn't bother me. But I do understand it bothers many other people. It's like I said - people get used to many things and start taking them for granted not being aware just how much effort has gone into achieving them. These things will be considered standard and demanded from everyone.

 

Wow, now I am even more depressed. The crap shadows are built-in to the track settings, not the core engine so they can be managed and selected on a system-wide basis.

I am also depressed that another 2012 thread from you has such a nice explanation, but that it is has been forgotten and/or ignored.

So bottom-line, what settings does one have to use to minimize the shimmering shadows problem? The most common place this is an issue is with shadows from trees on the track. If done well, they should look like shadows. When done poorly, they look from a distance like swirling, distracting pixels scrambling around on the track ruining the immersion. Once you get right on top of them, they may suddenly look normal, but it's too late. I thought the Shadow Blur setting helped with that, but now I am not so sure!?!

 

Can we keep this thread on track please?

 

It is on track--we're waiting for a reply regarding 880 shadows and whether they are broken or not. People are filling-in what they know. Since there is no new news from Jeremy, nor a new build imminent, what's is "on track?"

 

Tweets from JM? Why not start a dedicated thread for shadows?

 

my twitter must be broken...its saying that Jeremy has posted anything about the game since October 27

 

Mmmm yes it is broken. Correct date is 28 october but This means that he is working hard. The glass is always half full

 

I guess this was biggest news in ISI land as of late, in case someone missed it. Probably also means rF2 gets to Steam eventually at some point.

 

except for when its half empty

 

The glass is always full. Unless it's in a vacuum

 

There's always dark matter

 

get back to school young man... its gravity your looking for

 

Then it's full of dust and dog hair.

 

...which is often dark matter

 

I've found a bag full of milky ways!!

 

I'm 46 and going a bit senile.... you're going to have to explain that one.

 

Yes, i bet they working very hard.

What i think is, they try to release a new build with updated contact patch, a new user-interface and (time-close) Stock-car-mod all together until x-mas. A very ambitious task, in this short timeframe if you ask me.
The new user-interface might be necessary, because they wan't to implement a more flexible model of racing/series regulations, especially for the Stock-cars.
And yes, i'm possibly wrong with "new user-interface" until x-mas.