LOD switching issue since 1.62

[highhead]

There are videolinks in this thread and in the dev heaven ticket.
In the dev heaven ticket there are even repro missions.

[Seitan]

So here is how my game looks now.
http://i50.tinypic.com/2dv7q5d.jpg (403 kB)
And in this pic you can see my settings.
http://i48.tinypic.com/2hsc7ic.jpg (401 kB)

And without saying. When i move the lod switching is terrible.


2600K
GFX 580
8GB

[PELHAM]

@Seitan - try the ATOC settings as well. It looks bad with them disabled.
It will not solve the problem but it makes it less obvious.

[[APS]Gnat]

.... still on 1.61 waiting to see a good post-1.62 beta, so I can buy the new DLC and move on ......
So guys, this is effecting your Cash-Flow ......

[doveman]

@Seitan - try the ATOC settings as well. It looks bad with them disabled.
It will not solve the problem but it makes it less obvious.

It helps a bit with trees (although they still switch about three times before settling down it's less severe) but doesn't do anything about buildings which is the more annoying problem to me.

[Kremator]

.... still on 1.61 waiting to see a good post-1.62 beta, so I can buy the new DLC and move on ......
So guys, this is effecting your Cash-Flow ......

Well said Gnat! I'm not touching the DLC until they can get this LOD issue sorted out. Doesn't bode well for Arma3 if they can't sort these graphics. Perhaps RV isn't up to the task?

[.kju [PvPscene]]

Kremator you are one to better think twice before writing such nonsense.
If you were to check the CIT, you can easily see who actually takes the time to report issues properly..

Ontop of that I made video recordings of 1.60 vs 1.62 of the Arma benchmark missions and there was no noticable difference - for my system/settings.
And guess what I actually spent some two+ hours to look into this one properly too:

Repro
---

1 SP
2 Scenarios
3 E08 benchmark
4 start
5 focus on units with low LOD at close distance


My observations with the latest beta 95389:
---

1) In the T72 scene shooting at the chopper in the later part the
one/both T72 start at very low LOD when the camera gets switching to
this scene and after a moment (~0.5 - 1s) they change quickly to
high/higest LOD.

2) Same can be observed in the next infantry units scene for the
infantry unit at close distance on the right side crossing the street.

With 87636 (first beta after 1.60) both are immediately/from the start
high/highest LOD.


Further observations:
---

# Video memory did not make a difference for me
# For me the LODs are more stable in general with 1.62/latest beta,
while in 87636 at times there is LODs switching back and forth
especially for trees in the mid scene with Abrams tanks driving left
upwards the hill
# The T72 tank scene has heavy sun/HDR flicker (not new)
# In the last scene the grass and bushes/trees are fighting for focus
causing very visible texture flicker (not new)

With my system I always get near 60 average (v-sync on) - maybe the
issue is more prevelant with low(er) FPS with more frequent LOD switching.


With that said I am still not sure if thats the (only) issue people
complain about (new) in 1.62 in terms of LOD switching.


Tank(s) at low LOD:
http://www.picfront.org/d/8KHB


Infantry at low LOD:
http://www.picfront.org/d/8KHB
vs high
http://www.picfront.org/d/8KHz
(which is at times alive running to the left even closer to the camera)


The first two are brightened with paint.net as during the camera shift
it fades from black to normal.


When I run the benchmark for the first time, I have a very high
probability to see the issue - however with AI the events are at times
different not showing the issue at all.


Also limiting with the fps cheat to 10 or 20 did not show any noticable
difference in terms of LODs for me.

Yeah but ramble on ...

[Kremator]

Sorry to offend you mate, however this is quite a serious topic that does affect my gameplay.

You have indeed carried out some great investigations and thanks for that. However even yourself you have seen 0.5 to 1 second pauses before moving into high LOD. This is unacceptable to me I'm afraid, and it seems to others as well. In such a game as Arma2, where we are scanning surroundings for the slightest enemy movement, a flickering LOD or a pause in LOD switch can spoil the fun/engagement/believeability.

I do have a fast machine, I do have a fast GFX card and I do have an SSD with only Arma2 on it. I know all the little tricks and tips (as I have been around for a long time). We do need a solution, and I am perfectly allowed to voice my displeasure, and vote with my cash. Once the LOD issues are sorted, I will be buying ACR, but not before. I'm sorry if that offends anyone. I was one of the first to see OFP in London many moons ago, and I have been a fervent supporter of all things BIS but I'm getting a little jaded with certain issues that have dogged the engine from time immemorial.

[doveman]

You have indeed carried out some great investigations and thanks for that. However even yourself you have seen 0.5 to 1 second pauses before moving into high LOD. This is unacceptable to me I'm afraid, and it seems to others as well. In such a game as Arma2, where we are scanning surroundings for the slightest enemy movement, a flickering LOD or a pause in LOD switch can spoil the fun/engagement/believeability.

Indeed it does. I have a good machine but no SSD but as it seems to be just as much of a problem for people with those, I've got no reason to think getting one would solve the problem.

[MavericK96]

For me it is primarily static objects (buildings, trees) that have major problems. Haven't noticed a major issue with infantry/vehicles.