resolution scaling and UI placement BROKEN
By
Gaia,
Posted on: 2012-03-07 13:40 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
Just an observation with Windows and resolution changes. I'm sure you've experienced this before, but you'll notice that windows likes to do things like rearrange your desktop icons when switching screen resolutions. More than likely this is what you're seeing even though all you're doing is moving between windowed and minimized. I've Never run in windowed mode (because when I play that's all I want to see) and have had limited issues toggling from desktop to game. Maybe I can throw you some tips and see how that works for you.
Go into the Launcher and add -maxinactivefps 5 to the game properties so that it essentially turns off the gfx usage while you're alt-tabing. As an alternative to alt-tab try WindowsKey-D to bring the desktop to the front (minimizing everything else) and Then choosing your browser from the taskbar. Manually adjust your virtual memory to 1.5x your physical (that "suggested" number that windows lists) in both the min/max sections of the custom box. Tone down the ingame gfx settings a little. Lastly, try the COH Helper and Hijack This tools and posting their results (hopefully someone else will explain that as I've never used them).
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Saw the problem of the chat window and powers bar moving away from the edge of the screen but had no problem moving them back but I play with maximised windows.|
Originally Posted by T_Immortalus
The chat box and the default power bars both get shoved away from the top and bottom of the screen, as if I saved their positions below or to the right of the place I saved them to.
That is the first problem. The UI windows will not go back into the correct place. |
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Originally Posted by T_Immortalus
The second problem is likely related to the first.
This is how my screen looks when I press the "un-maximize" button in the upper right on the program bar for the game:  That should not happen. The game needs to default to a resolution and window size smaller than maximized when you press that button, otherwise it could potentially be stuck above the viewable and clickable screen such that you can't change it back. I just got lucky that it didn't push it up any higher. |
Where your desktop resolution differs from your game resolution and something causes the game to crash it can mess up your windows settings though - leaving your desktop set to your game resolution.
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1) It did not change to my "previous setting" as my previous setting was "1920x1080(desktop)"/full screen. It changed to 1920x1054, a setting that I have never used or seen happen before.|
Originally Posted by Gaia
This is standard Windows behaviour - if you toggle off the maximise setting your window position and size will revert to the previous settings. If these have your window positioned off screen before you maximise then it will still be when you remove the maximise setting.
Where your desktop resolution differs from your game resolution and something causes the game to crash it can mess up your windows settings though - leaving your desktop set to your game resolution. |
You would think it would either stay the same resolution when I clicked "un-maximize" or switch to at least a slightly smaller resolution, or, at the bare minimum, the window should be anchored to the upper left of my screen such that the bottom is cut off by my taskbar instead of the top cut off by my screen edge.
2) I have NEVER dragged the game off the edge of my screen. I didn't make this happen.
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I am experienced and know what it normally does, and I don't change my monitor's resolution ever.|
Originally Posted by WanderingAries
Just an observation with Windows and resolution changes. I'm sure you've experienced this before,
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I'm talking about changing the game's display mode from windowed to desktop and back, which I did to see if it would force the game to check my monitor's resolution setting to fix the issue with the UI windows moving, because it seemed that they did so as a result of the game thinking they were not placed at the edge of the screen(a logical hypothesis).
It obviously showed me that the game doesn't behave as well as even older games, or other software, when it comes to window resizing, at least not since the patch.
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Originally Posted by WanderingAries
Go into the Launcher and add -maxinactivefps 5 to the game properties so that it essentially turns off the gfx usage while you're alt-tabing.
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This I am happy to see be posted. I used to know this when I was gaming on my laptop, before I built a new desktop. I couldn't remember that command.
That will definitely help a little bit.
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Originally Posted by WanderingAries
Manually adjust your virtual memory to 1.5x your physical (that "suggested" number that windows lists) in both the min/max sections of the custom box. Tone down the ingame gfx settings a little. Lastly, try the COH Helper and Hijack This tools and posting their results (hopefully someone else will explain that as I've never used them).
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Game runs great. I could run ultra mode almost completely maxed out even at 30 FPS practically everywhere(though lately some of the newer zones/revamps have begun performing a little more poorly than they used to, with my computer performance still being great), but I turned off ultra mode(especially since actual metal, non-mirror, reflections look better without it) and reduced some settings that were unnecessarily high and now get 60fps everywhere, except things like Hamidon and mothership raids where I can get down to 10fps with enough going on.
FYI, I have a GPU and CPU temperature monitor and manually adjust the GPU cooling fan(due to a problem with the Nvidia automatic control not ramping up enough for demanding applications), and the temperature is always well within normal operating temps(yes, maximum of around 60C when 80C or more would be bad).
And again, this is not my computer performing badly, as the fps is still pegged at 60, and my ping(even with really slow internet just a few levels above dial-up) is still really good when I am the only user online or others are not demanding much bandwidth.
My issue is with the game's settings not staying as I have set them, including the position and resolution of the game window when not maximized or full screen(which I don't change at all, just noticed it because of my attempts to solve the first issue).
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Note that's a difference of 26 pixels vertically (if I remember right). Now I don't have a pixel ruler, but I'm pretty sure that's the number relating to the height of the taskbar. I dont' care what math you use, Full Screen uses more pixels than Windowed and with Windows' logic this means that there Will be things like icon movement when going from Full Screen to Windowed and back. I'm not saying that You're doing it (as I don't see you moving your trays like in a chess game cheat), but that I can see how this can happen quite easily.|
Originally Posted by T_Immortalus
1) It did not change to my "previous setting" as my previous setting was "1920x1080(desktop)"/full screen. It changed to 1920x1054, a setting that I have never used or seen happen before.
You would think it would either stay the same resolution when I clicked "un-maximize" or switch to at least a slightly smaller resolution, or, at the bare minimum, the window should be anchored to the upper left of my screen such that the bottom is cut off by my taskbar instead of the top cut off by my screen edge. 2) I have NEVER dragged the game off the edge of my screen. I didn't make this happen. |
I actually had the same thing happen to me because I accidentally changed the output options (I was using my HDTV during i22 base edits) and toggled back to my laptop screen. Since my HDTV sits at full 1080p and my laptop at 1440x900, I definitely saw some movement, even if not alot.
Edit: all that said, there have been instances ingame where screen placements (trays, etc) have been screwed up, but it's normally a global issue.
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1) I was playing in windowed mode where the actual resolution of the game window was 1920x1024 on my 1920x1080 monitor. It should not have changed to 1920x1054 in the game's settings as the game window size should not have changed, or should have gotten smaller, when I "un-maximized" the window.|
Originally Posted by WanderingAries
Note that's a difference of 26 pixels vertically (if I remember right). Now I don't have a pixel ruler, but I'm pretty sure that's the number relating to the height of the taskbar. I dont' care what math you use, Full Screen uses more pixels than Windowed and with Windows' logic this means that there Will be things like icon movement when going from Full Screen to Windowed and back. I'm not saying that You're doing it (as I don't see you moving your trays like in a chess game cheat), but that I can see how this can happen quite easily.
I actually had the same thing happen to me because I accidentally changed the output options (I was using my HDTV during i22 base edits) and toggled back to my laptop screen. Since my HDTV sits at full 1080p and my laptop at 1440x900, I definitely saw some movement, even if not alot. Edit: all that said, there have been instances ingame where screen placements (trays, etc) have been screwed up, but it's normally a global issue. |
Or, it should have went to 1920x1080, not a completely new setting.
2) I'm using one screen, never another. The settings for that one screen NEVER change. The game settings can change, but I never went into my monitor's display settings for any reason.
3) This issue with the trays moving, and the other related issue of the game behaving oddly when maximizing and "un-maximizing" in windowed mode, is the game itself, not my computer. The issue has NEVER EVER happened with ANY other program.
I guarantee you this game has more bugs and a lot of them more strange than almost any other game, even older games.
The only game that has worse issues, that I have seen, is Champions Online, likely because it was built by the same original company and somehow they made a newer product worse.
Anyway, the issue stands.
IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE BEFORE ISSUE 22!
City of Heroes is the only program with this problem, and it caused it to happen to itself through the patch.
Any other reason for this to happen is far from "the simplest explanation", meaning the game has a new bug.
Edit:
That competitor MMO with initials WoW actually performs a lot better than this game could ever dream of. They're both the same age and the problems with this game and the reason that game runs so well are symptoms of their initial designs.
There is something seriously wrong at the heart of this game's code if they haven't been able to make it run as smooth as the competition, especially since it's not related to amount of money(especially considering that other MMO was that company's first). At best, it's design flaws because of sub-par developers and mismanagement. At worst, this game is intentionally flawed because of some reason such as "trying to keep the code proprietary and secret" when it is ALWAYS better to rely on copyright protection rather than faulty encryption and unnecessarily overly-complex coding. If anybody is stupid enough to copy the code then they can sue for it. It's not like these companies have ever been scared of suing when there is even a hint of copying by a competitor.
I just want the two biggest issues with EVERY GAME to be minimized with this game: poor performance and poor user interface. This game has a LOT of work that needs to be done in both areas, possibly requiring entirely new code for the entire game(i.e. a new game).
Just an aside, my machine is running Win 7 64-bit and I alt-tab in full screen mode with wild abandon. Not sure what the difference is, as I know plenty of other people who have alt-tab issues, but I just wanted to throw out there that the issue is not tied specifically to Win 7 x64.
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I've been having this same problem. I was going to report it in i22's beta, but it looked like people were already detailing it out more than I could, so I just sort of assumed a fix was in the works. Guess not. Tried logging in yesterday, and my windows get moved all over the place, generally when I zone. It's not earth shattering, but it is frustrating enough for me to go play something else rather than have to reset things every time.
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I just put the operating system info up there for the obvious "what operating system are you using? it could mess with your window placement" responses, or unforeseen responses for that information.
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Originally Posted by UberGuy
Just an aside, my machine is running Win 7 64-bit and I alt-tab in full screen mode with wild abandon. Not sure what the difference is, as I know plenty of other people who have alt-tab issues, but I just wanted to throw out there that the issue is not tied specifically to Win 7 x64.
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Really super annoyed at coming back and finding this. I'm having the same issue and I know exactly what you're talking about. Also on top of this issue of our UI not being where it was Pre-Issue22 I'm also finding that the combat attributes window (For those of us that monitor real numbers) is completely jacked. Some characters are missing half of what you were keeping an eye on. Displaying the wrong information OR no combat attribute window is present though it was there prior to the release of issue 22.
Frustrating to say the least. I'm sure a fix will be forthcoming. At least I hope there will be one because I find this game breaking as saving your window layout after you arrange the windows back to how you had them does not fix the issue. It just bugs out again later.
- Bow �o �he Reaper of Souls�
- 68 Unique Characters / Fifteen Level 50s & Counting! Damn you alt-itis!!!!!!!
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Originally Posted by Tyranny_NA
Really super annoyed at coming back and finding this. I'm having the same issue and I know exactly what you're talking about. Also on top of this issue of our UI not being where it was Pre-Issue22 I'm also finding that the combat attributes window (For those of us that monitor real numbers) is completely jacked. Some characters are missing half of what you were keeping an eye on. Displaying the wrong information OR no combat attribute window is present though it was there prior to the release of issue 22.
Frustrating to say the least. I'm sure a fix will be forthcoming. At least I hope there will be one because I find this game breaking as saving your window layout after you arrange the windows back to how you had them does not fix the issue. It just bugs out again later. |
I have to jump on this bandwagon and say I'm having these issues to. And have noticed that as I go to reset everything some of the windows from combat attributes are displaying at odd sizes.
It amazes me that more people aren't posting. I know we're not the only ones having problems because I've seen others in channel chat that corroborate that they too are having these problems. Perhaps another post has been made?
- Bow �o �he Reaper of Souls�
- 68 Unique Characters / Fifteen Level 50s & Counting! Damn you alt-itis!!!!!!!
I have my hotbar in the upper left corner. When I use Alt or Ctrl to see hotbar 2 and 3 my entire hotbar repositions itself down from the top of the screen by the thickness of the hotbar. So I drag it back to the corner, but it happens again. And it's not consistent. Some times it's fine, but then starts happening again. Very annoying.
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If it's not your OS, then maybe something else you share is causing you to all share this problem? Maybe you're using the same resolution, or video card?|
Originally Posted by T_Immortalus
I just put the operating system info up there for the obvious "what operating system are you using? it could mess with your window placement" responses, or unforeseen responses for that information.
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it seems i22 did something to change things. When I logged in the first time after, my tray had moved. After putting it back, it stays where I put it though. I'm running the Mac client so it's not the same, but given my experience I think they changed something with i22, and in a specific combination of hardware, and drivers, it gives your problems. It seems to be a corner case, as not more people are complaining. Providing more information about your setup could help someone trying to track down the problem. Video card, driver version, those kinds of things.
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Could be because you may have turned the "Aero" visual options off, making using alt-tab easier on the system, but I never could find all the options to make that work right.|
Originally Posted by UberGuy
Just an aside, my machine is running Win 7 64-bit and I alt-tab in full screen mode with wild abandon. Not sure what the difference is, as I know plenty of other people who have alt-tab issues, but I just wanted to throw out there that the issue is not tied specifically to Win 7 x64.
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I guess what I am saying is that this game isn't well coded and Windows is also a bloated messy program with a bunch of unnecessary interfering fluff as well.
I wish there was a simpler, more user-friendly, popular operating system that developers would make programs for(and make their own programs better).
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LOL|
Originally Posted by RogerWilco
If it's not your OS, then maybe something else you share is causing you to all share this problem? Maybe you're using the same resolution, or video card?
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We all share the same game and code for that game, City of Heroes.
This problem started with issue 22 only. Nothing else has changed on my computer.
Therefore, this problem is only in this game and caused by this game.
Common sense and logical deductions point to the simple and obvious answer of "CoH is a buggy mess of code that definitely needs a recompile/simplification/optimization pass".
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This is because the default power bars always open above the previous open bar.|
Originally Posted by Indiramourning
I have my hotbar in the upper left corner. When I use Alt or Ctrl to see hotbar 2 and 3 my entire hotbar repositions itself down from the top of the screen by the thickness of the hotbar. So I drag it back to the corner, but it happens again. And it's not consistent. Some times it's fine, but then starts happening again. Very annoying.
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It's the same problem when you open your friends list and place it at the right side of your screen, expand it fully and contract it to see it has moved left to the extent it expanded to.
They coded the UI windows to only work properly in their default positions.
The ability to move the UI windows around was a alter addition, which keeps changing with each UI addition/modification, and won't ever function properly.
The only way to solve that issue would be to recode how the UI windows and their placement works to be more like the newer UI elements such as the extra custom power bars.
I really don't give a darn why it's happening (thanks for the description, T_I), I just want it working like it always had for the last 8 years! This is a BUG. Because this new odd behavior is not consistent: Works like it always has sometimes, but at random the hotbar is shifted when using Alt and Ctrl. I'd appreciate the devs fixing it. Living with it going forward as if this is WAI is not appreciated.
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Me too.|
Originally Posted by Indiramourning
I really don't give a darn why it's happening (thanks for the description, T_I), I just want it working like it always had for the last 8 years!
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I think that would take a complete recode of the entire game to be simpler code, easier to patch later and more efficient(by far since this game works worse than much older games even), which sadly is not going to happen. Maybe they have a sequel planned to do everything better.
I was just saying the solution I have found to that power tray issue is to move the tray to the bottom side of the screen(the side it is on by default), which ensures it doesn't move. Moving it anywhere enough distance from the top is key though.
The inspiration tray also closes every time you login if the trays are at the top of the screen with an anchored inspiration tray as well, again because of the function of the window coded only for the default position.
*uses a wakie on this nearly-dead post*
I've taken a few months off from CoH, and I'm having a similar problem. I extensively use the /wdw_save and /wdw_load commands so that I can easily reset my UI when I create a new character, or move from my Desktop to my Laptop.
Since they introduced these commands several years ago, they never worked quite right. The commands are all saved in a .txt file on the computer. Some of the bugs were the result of improper saving, others from improper loading. I /bugged them way back when, and (I think) back when I returned after a 2-year hiatus last year. Sadly the problems were never fixed, but I eventually managed to to work around the bugs were good.
I'm guessing with I22, they attempted to "fix" the old problems with the system. One of the old bugs that existed (the inspiration tray's position not saving correctly) appears to be fixed, but a slew of new bugs have arisen, and no amount of manual tweaking of the wdw.txt file fixes the problems. The end result gives me nearly the exact same kinds of errors that you're suffering from (Power tray in the lower-left no-longer starts in the corner).
The fact that I've found very little info on the forums about this (this was the most recent post I've seen on the topic), I'm guessing not many people actually use the ability to load/save the UI?
Greetings everyone,
We would like to kindly remind you all to not ressurect dead threads, however we encourage you to start new threads for such topics.
If nessasary, please link to the previous thread.
Thanks for your understanding on this matter.
-=Mod9=-
I've got 2 problems since issue 22.
First of all, my monitor is 1920x1080 resolution and I prefer playing in windowed mode so that switching to the wiki and other resources(because the game makes a lot of information hard or impossible to find in the game) doesn't cause a game or computer crash, which is what happens when "alt-tab"ing in full screen on Windows 7 64bit.
1) Here is how my screen should look:
2) Here is how it does look after saving the previous image's settings and loading them:
The chat box and the default power bars both get shoved away from the top and bottom of the screen, as if I saved their positions below or to the right of the place I saved them to.
That is the first problem. The UI windows will not go back into the correct place.
That annoys me very much especially with a very cluttered UI for this game even after minimizing the amount of information I actually need to see often.
Also, would it kill you people to work on simplifying the amount of information we players need and the user interface for showing it?
The two absolute worst things that can happen to any game are poor performance and bad user interfaces. They really annoy us players.
The second problem is likely related to the first.
This is how my screen looks when I press the "un-maximize" button in the upper right on the program bar for the game:
That should not happen. The game needs to default to a resolution and window size smaller than maximized when you press that button, otherwise it could potentially be stuck above the viewable and clickable screen such that you can't change it back. I just got lucky that it didn't push it up any higher.
It seems to me that the game window is actually anchored to my task bar at the bottom when it should be anchored to the upper-left corner of my screen and modify the size from that point.
Now, I hope customer support reads this because I, as a non-VIP, am not allowed to actually have any decent communication with them. This is the only option I have(luckily since they let us post here).
Maybe, you should actually give all your paying customers, past and present, support so you can get these issues looked at and fixed instead of telling people with these issues to "subscribe and we'll listen or....shut up and put up with it!".
Edit:
Well apparently I can't seem to figure out how to show the images at their actual resolution.
I made an imageshack account just for this and I don't have the patience to mess around with it for just this purpose.
At least the UI window repositioning is visible in the first 2 images above at windowed resolution 1920x1024. The 3rd image should show that the resolution is 1920x1054 with the top of the game window slightly cut off by the top of my screen.
This should be enough to have these annoying bugs figured out and solved ASAP!
Edit 2:
I also suffered the combat attributes monitor bug as it should show 10 things, not the 4 shown. The other tracked items disappeared.
Edit 3: I said "resolution scaling" broken in the title of this because I am guessing that is what is causing both the "un-maximized" window to move above my visible screen top and the fact that the chat box and power bars are loaded down and to the right of where they were saved(as if I saved them with hidden screen space to the left and above).