[RVGL Release] 18.0720a

[Huki]

RVGL has been updated to 18.0720a!

Update:
Download Win32 [ setup | 7z ]
Download Win64 [ setup | 7z ]
Download Linux [ setup | 7z ]
Download Android [ apk ]

Visit the topics for the Android version and the Shader edition for more information.

Goodies:
Download the Dreamcast Pack: rvgl_dcpack.zip (updated this time, see changelog)
Download the Soundtrack: soundtrack.zip
More about the update and RVGL: changelog | docs

Full game downloads are available at distribute.re-volt.io.

The network version has been updated!

Improved Reverse Support:
For track makers, the ability to customize their tracks for reverse variants has vastly improved. All supported levels files and a few level graphics can now have reverse variants placed in the "reversed" or "custom/reversed" folder.

Below is a list of newly supported files that can have reverse variants:

• w
• vis
• rim
• ncp
• lit
• fob
• fld
• por
• inf
• properties.txt
• custom/sky_*.bmp
• custom/loadlevel*.bmp

If one of these files is not present in the "reversed" or "custom/reversed" folder, the game will fall back to the forward version of the file. Note that fallback support is only provided for newly added formats. There is no fallback functionality for file formats that were already supported. Specifically, a reverse variant must be provided for these formats:

• cam
• fan
• fin
• pan
• taz
• tri

All supported <level>.inf keywords can be customized for reverse mode by placing a "reversed/<level>.inf". The only exceptions are STARTPOS, STARTROT and STARTGRID which must use their REV variants.

Shader Updates:
The shader code has been restructured to generate more permutations and avoid dynamic branching where possible. This should greatly improve performance. It now supports a maximum of 8 Lights and 3 ShadowBoxes per mesh. Further, repetitive error messages on shader compilation failure is now avoided.

This release also brings support for new OpenGL functionality, taking advantage of newer hardware:

• Uniform Buffer Objects: Buffer-backed uniform blocks are used to store and update shader state which can provide better stability and improved performance when rendering scenes with large number of meshes. Requires OpenGL 3.0, GLES 3.0 or driver support. The feature can be toggled using the EnableUBO key in rvgl.ini.
• Separate Shader Objects: Shader programs for the vertex and fragment shading stages are generated separately, enabling better reuse of shader code. Requires OpenGL 4.1, GLES 3.1 or driver support. The feature can be toggled using the EnableSSO key in rvgl.ini.

Note: Support for these features can be verified from the Video Info section in re-volt.log.

Improved translucency sorting: Special effects like sparks, skidmarks, dust and smoke are handled better by the shader renderer. For some background, see the post at [RVGL Shader version] Translucent faces issue. This can be slightly more CPU intensive. A new key SortLevel has been added to rvgl.ini to switch between the new sorting algorithm and the old, simplistic sorting scheme.

Android Updates:

• The target API level has been increased to 21 for compatibility with Android P.
• Ultra wide aspect ratios, up to 27:9, are now supported.
• Antialias support should be working on GLES3 mobile devices.
• Disclaimer text at the intro screen is more readable.

Basque Language:
Support for the Basque language has been added, thanks to translation provided by Urtzi of Game Erauntsia.

Modifications:

• Show confirmation message for Save Car Info in-game option (dev mode).
• The log file mentions CPU architecture info (x86 or arm).
• Support multiple gamecontrollerdb files for different SDL2 versions (useful for GNU/Linux systems where the latest version of SDL2 cannot be used).

Fixes:

• Shaders: Fix lighting glitch in car springs and other parts.
• Shaders: Fix glitch in reflections of additive blended meshes.
• Shaders: Fix crash in Objects edit mode on quiting Preview.
• Fix pure-black issues in BossVolt texture.
• Fix firework target disappearing in Chase camera view.
• Fix transparency issues and invisible nodes in edit mode.
• Fix lines visible through walls in edit mode.

► Show changelog of this version

18.0720a:
| Pumped network version.

Add:
  [General]
  - Improved support for reverse tracks: all supported levels files (.w, .ncp, 
    .fob, etc.) and a few level graphics can now have reverse variants placed 
    in the "reversed" or "custom\reversed" folder. If one of these files is not 
    present, the game will fall back to the normal version of the file.
    All supported <level>.inf keywords can be customized for reverse through 
    reversed\<level>.inf. The only exceptions are STARTPOS, STARTROT and 
    STARTGRID which must use their REV variants.
  - New profile.ini setting WeaponCam to enable the weapon target in-set cam 
    used for fireworks (disabled by default).
  - Added Basque language.
  [Graphics]
  - Support for new OpenGL functionality: Uniform Buffer Objects and Separate 
    Shader Objects. These can be disabled through new rvgl.ini keys "EnableUBO" 
    and "EnableSSO".
  - Improved translucency sorting: better handling of sparks, skidmarks and 
    dust effects. New rvgl.ini key 'SortLevel' to switch between complex and 
    minimal sorting schemes.
  - Android: Ultra wide aspect ratio support.

Mod:
  [General]
  - Android: Increased target API level to 21 for compatibility with Android P.
  - Avoid repeated error messages on shader compilation failure.
  - Does not enable shared OpenGL context when using silent load.
  - Show confirmation message for Save Car Info in-game option (dev mode).
  - The log file mentions CPU architecture info (x86 or arm).
  - Updated video caps info log.
  [Graphics]
  - Improved performance with shaders: better shader generation and avoids 
    dynamic branching where possible. Split lights and shadow box handling (8 
    lights and 3 shadows).
  - Android: Better disclaimer text scaling at the intro screen.
  [Input]
  - Support multiple gamecontrollerdb files for different SDL2 versions.

Fix:
  [General]
  - Android: Ensure on-screen keyboard shown after dismissing message box.
  - Shaders: Fix crash in Objects edit mode on quiting Preview.
  [Graphics]
  - Fix pure-black issues in BossVolt texture.
  - Shaders: Fix lighting glitch in car springs and other parts.
  - Shaders: Fix glitch in reflections of additive blended meshes (Market1 
    fluoroscent lights).
  - Fix broken Antialias support on GLES3 mobile devices.
  - Fix firework target disappearing in Chase camera view.
  - Fix transparency issues and invisible nodes in edit mode.
  - Fix lines visible through walls in edit mode.

[Tomaso]

So, what's up with the greyed out video settings in this version?:



(Win8.1Pro,x64)

[Marv]

So, what's up with the greyed out video settings in this version?:

These entries are no settings, they're just for displaying purposes to see which video device and renderer is used.
It was introduced in this version: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=171

[Dave-o-rama]

Heads up for those of you on Windows 10: You might run into this when you try to launch the installer.



I was able to get around it by turning off Windows Defender, but I figured I should share it in case anyone runs into the same error and panics about it.

[Marv]

I was able to get around it by turning off Windows Defender, but I figured I should share it in case anyone runs into the same error and panics about it.

I think you can also click on More Info and then another button appears to let you run it.
Maybe it's time to switch to linux

[Dave-o-rama]

I think you can also click on More Info and then another button appears to let you run it.
Maybe it's time to switch to linux

Ran into the same issue with 0725 and can confirm that you can just click through it like you said.
Maybe one day when Adobe Creative Cloud runs on Linux