Forums > Jitter

Help with MAC > PC visual strangeness


Leafcutter John
Apr 09 2008 | 3:04 am

I’m working on a standalone for client who wants both Mac and PC versions of an application in which he can drag words around a screen to affect the playback of related audio samples.

It works fine on Mac, but we are getting loads of problems when we run it on PC. For the main word drawing i’m using jit.gl.text2d

We have two main problems reported from our testers (as I’m not very familiar with Max/Jitter on the PC platform i’m finding hard to solve).

Behavior 1. All images are drawn. Words are not visible in active window – however, words ARE present, can be moved, are audible, and can have FX applied to them.

Behavior 2. (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PICTURE) Instrument appears fully functional (words, images, audio). BUT – large , flickering red stripe covers top 1/3 of computer screen. NOTE – it does not simply cover instrument window, but all other windows / desktop image etc. If Max window is moved around, it does not move the red area around. If instrument is shut down, stripe remains – unless you drag other objects (eg folders) around the screen – whereupon the area underneath the cursor reverts to original state.

To date, i know of one machine that is working properly (sorry don’t know the specs). I have seen "behavior 1" on a few PCs tends to be cheaper computers (like Dells), running XP 5.1. I have heard reports of "behavior 2" on two computers – both ThinkPads, also running XP 5.1

If anyone can shed any light onto these problems i’d be very grateful to hear why this might be happening and any work arounds. If you need more info please ask. The deadline is fast approaching and I’m not sure how best to tackle the problems.

Many thanks,

john


DonK
Apr 10 2008 | 1:34 am

A long shot, but maybe a graphics card issue?
Maybe a graphics card driver issue, like openGL lack of support?


KillingFrenzy
Apr 10 2008 | 6:53 am

I’m an XP PC user, and I haven’t seen those problems.
I’ve had a problem with an older computer and using the secondary output with OPENGL.
I’ve had lots of problems with Shaders, and they’ve been solved by getting the newest graphics card drivers. Laptop manufacturers are notorious for sort of "freezing" drivers at the state they existed when the laptop was produced. I would never normally suggest using drivers provided by a third party, but in the case of laptops it is often the only way to advance drivers to something near current standards. A reliable example would be the "omega" drivers.
I’d be happy to test something if you need me to, since at this point I’ve worked all the kinks out of my graphics card issues, and could let you know if your problems are something other than that.

One thing I notice is that I can see the windows taskbar down at the bottom. You might try making the patch go to fullscreen, or playing with taskbar options in case there is some sort of battle going on with the max display.

Hmm, something else you’ll want to check is that the fonts you are using work on both platforms, and the computers are supplied with them Make sure you’re getting an updated fontlist for the machine, and picking a font compatible with the platform. You’ll probably want tto pick some good tested, crossplatform fonts and supply these with your install.


Leafcutter John
Apr 11 2008 | 10:27 am

thanks both.

KillingFrenzy, that would be really useful. I’ll be in touch this weekend.

best,

John.


Leafcutter John
Apr 14 2008 | 10:45 am

Hi KillingFrenzy,

Tried to send you an email, not sure if you received it. Basically we have to get this working on PC by Saturday and we’d be happy to pay you for your help. If you could email me i’d appreciate it.

leafcutterjohn at gmail dot com

cheers,

J

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
Forums > Jitter