My change to the Celestia.cfg file won't take.

[krypton]

I just read about changing the Celestia.cfg file today. I opened the file in Wordpad and changed the RotateAcceleration to 50, the FaintestVisibleMagnitude to 9.0, the MouseRotationSensitivity to 0.5, the ShadowTextureSize to 512, and the EclipseTextureSize to 256. I saved the file but when I launched Celestia, there were no changes at all. I went back to the Celestia directory and verified by looking at the date and time in the directory that the Celestia.cfg file had been changed and still had a .cfg extension and was listed as a CFG file. I re-opened the file and my changes were indeed there, but Celestia ignores them and opens just like before. Why would that be?

[John Van Vliet]

--- edit----

[krypton]

Thanks for your response.

Yes. It is Windows 7 Home Professional.
Where is the warning about installing Celestia under the Programs directory?
Since it is a 32-bit program, the suggested directory was the Programs (x86) folder which is where I've had it for years without a problem.
I am the administrator, and have no problems changing things in either the Programs folder or the Programs (x86) folder.

I saved my Extras folder to my desktop and then uninstalled Celestia.
I then reinstalled it under the root directory (C:) as suggested.
I opened the .cfg file in Wordpad, made my changes, and saved it.
I launched Celestia, but there were no changes.

[John Van Vliet]

--- edit----

[krypton]

Hello,

Yes. I did remember to include the 0s. A copy of the .cfg file with my changes, copied from Notepad, is attached.

Code: Select all

#************************************************************************
#                     Celestia Configuration File
#
# This file contains configuration data read by Celestia each time it
# is run. Many of the items may be changed to suit your specific needs
# or requirements. PLEASE make a backup copy of this file before you
# make any changes to it.
#
# To learn more about Celestia, visit the Celestia forums at:
#   http://www.shatters.net/forum/
# or the Celestia web site at: http://www.shatters.net/celestia/
#************************************************************************


Configuration
{

#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# This section contains a list of data files that Celestia uses to load
# information about stars, constellations and locations. DO NOT change
# these file names or the order in which they are listed, unless you
# know exactly what you are doing. Most of these files can be viewed
# with a plain text editor. Discussion about their content and formats
# can be found on the Celestia forums: http://www.shatters.net/forum/
#
# If you want to load all your stars from .stc files, you can now comment
# out the StarDatabase entry.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  StarDatabase                 "data/stars.dat"
  StarNameDatabase             "data/starnames.dat"
  StarCatalogs               [ "data/revised.stc"
                               "data/extrasolar.stc"
                               "data/nearstars.stc"
                               "data/visualbins.stc"
                               "data/spectbins.stc"
                               "data/charm2.stc" ]

  HDCrossIndex                 "data/hdxindex.dat"
  SAOCrossIndex                "data/saoxindex.dat"
  GlieseCrossIndex             "data/gliesexindex.dat"

  SolarSystemCatalogs        [ "data/solarsys.ssc"
                               "data/asteroids.ssc"
                               "data/comets.ssc"
                               "data/outersys.ssc"
                               "data/minormoons.ssc"
                               "data/numberedmoons.ssc"
                               "data/extrasolar.ssc"
                               "data/eros_locs.ssc"
                               "data/gaspra_locs.ssc"
                               "data/ida_locs.ssc"
                               "data/merc_locs.ssc"
                               "data/venus_locs.ssc"
                               "data/earth_locs.ssc"
                               "data/mars_locs.ssc"
                               "data/moon_locs.ssc"
                               "data/marsmoons_locs.ssc"
                               "data/jupitermoons_locs.ssc"
                               "data/saturnmoons_locs.ssc"
                               "data/uranusmoons_locs.ssc"
                               "data/neptunemoons_locs.ssc"
                               "data/ring_locs.ssc"
                               "data/world-capitals.ssc" ]
                        
  DeepSkyCatalogs            [ "data/galaxies.dsc"
                          "data/globulars.dsc" ]     
                        
  AsterismsFile                "data/asterisms.dat"
  BoundariesFile               "data/boundaries.dat"


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Default star textures for each spectral type
#
# The default textures may be overridden in individual star definitions.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
StarTextures
{
   # This texture will be used for any spectral type not listed
   # in this block.
   Default "astar.jpg"

   O "bstar.*"
   B "bstar.*"
   A "astar.*"
   F "astar.*"
   G "gstar.*"
   K "gstar.*"
   M "mstar.*"

   # carbon stars
   C "mstar.*"
   R "mstar.*"  # former subclass of carbon star
   N "mstar.*"  # former subclass of carbon star
   S "mstar.*"  # roughly between M and C

   # Wolf-Rayet stars
   WC "bstar.*"
   WN "bstar.*"
   
   # brown dwarfs
   L "browndwarf.*"
   T "browndwarf.*"
   
   # stellar remnants
   WD "astar.jpg"
   NeutronStar "astar.jpg"
}


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# User Interface files ...
#
# Despite their ".cel" file extension, these are not CEL scripts, but
# rather data files that populate controls such as menus and dialog
# boxes.
#
# FavoritesFile
# -------------
# This is where Bookmarks data are stored. The file does not exist until
# you save a Bookmark from within Celestia. You can view this file with
# a plain text editor and if you write CEL scripts, it contains some
# useful information.
#
# DestinationFile
# ---------------
# This is the list of Destinations used in the Tour Guide dialog box,
# accessed via the Navigation Menu. You can edit this file with a plain
# text editor to add your own destinations to the dialog box. The order
# in which the items are listed in the file is the order in which they
# will be listed in the Tour Guide dialog.
#
# Cursor
# ------
# This parameter allows you to select from three cursors, but currently
# only in the Windows version of Celestia ...
#  * White crosshair ("crosshair") --> default cursor
#  * Inverting crosshair ("inverting crosshair")
#  * Standard Windows arrow ("arrow")
#
# The inverting crosshair can be a better choice because it's more
# visible on bright backgrounds. However, should you decide to try this
# cursor, TEST IT CLOSELY. Not all graphics chipsets support an inverting
# cursor, which will cause Windows to fall back to software emulation.
# The emulated cursor interacts with OpenGL applications in unfortunate
# ways, forcing a lot of extra redrawing and cutting by half the frame
# rate on a GeForce2-equipped laptop. So, if you change this, check your
# FPS rates to make sure you haven't kicked Windows into software
# emulation mode.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  FavoritesFile    "favorites.cel"
  DestinationFile  "guide.cel"
  Cursor           "crosshair"


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Included CEL script files.
#
# The following CEL script files are included in the basic Celestia
# distribution. These script files may be viewed and edited with a
# plain text editor. They may both be modified or replaced to suit your
# specific needs.
#
# InitScript is the CEL script that is automatically run each time
# Celestia is started. The default script (start.cel) travels to Io, one
# of Jupiter's moons.
#
# DemoScript is the CEL script that is run when you press the "d" key
# on your keyboard from within Celestia. The default script (demo.cel)
# takes you on a short tour of some interesting places in our solar
# system.
#
# To learn more about how to use and write CEL scripts and Lua scripts
# in Celestia, please visit the Celestia Scripting forum at:
#   http://www.shatters.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=9
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  InitScript  "start.cel"
  DemoScript  "demo.cel"


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# The 'extras' directory is located under the celestia root directory
# and is used for storing third-party add-ons to Celestia. To learn
# more about Add-Ons for Celestia, visit the Celestia Add-Ons forum at:
#   http://www.shatters.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=6
#
# You may specify additional add-on directories by adding additional
# entries, such as the following example shows:
# ExtrasDirectories  [ "extras" "myextras1" "myextras2" ]
#
# To specify absolute paths on windows, you either have to use "/" or
# double backslashes to seperate path components. Example:
#   ExtrasDirectories  [ "D:/celestia-extras" ]
# or
#   ExtrasDirectories  [ "D:\\celestia-extras" ]
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ExtrasDirectories  [ "extras-standard" "extras" ]


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Font definitions.
#
# The following entries define the fonts Celestia will use to display
# text on the display screen. To view the list of fonts available with
# your distribution of Celestia, look in the fonts directory located
# under the Celestia root directory. The default fonts are UTF-8
# compatible in order to display non-English characters.
#
# Font:      Used to display all informational text.
#            Default: "sans12.txf"
#
# LabelFont: Used to display all label text (objects, locations, etc.).
#            Default "sans12.txf"
#
# TitleFont: Used to display object names, messages, and script text.
#            Default "sansbold20.txf"
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Font       "sans12.txf"
  LabelFont  "sans12.txf"
  TitleFont  "sansbold20.txf"


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# LogoTexture defines the graphic file to be displayed when Celestia is
# started. The default filename is "logo.png"
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  LogoTexture  "logo.png"


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# FaintestVisibleMagnitude defines the lowest magnitude at which a star
# will be displayed in Celestia. This setting may be adjusted real-time
# via the '[' and ']' keys in Celestia. The default value is 6.0.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  FaintestVisibleMagnitude 9.0


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# RotateAcceleration defines the speed at which an object will be
# rotated in Celestia, when using a keypress, such as the left and right
# arrow keys. A higher value will rotate the object quicker, while a
# lower value will cause a slower rotation. The default value is 120.0.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  RotateAcceleration 40.0


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# MouseRotationSensitivity defines the speed at which an object will be
# rotated in Celestia, when using the mouse -- press both mouse-buttons
# or Ctrl+LeftMouseButton, and move the mouse left or right. A higher
# value will rotate the object quicker, while a lower value will cause
# a slower rotation. A value of 0.0 (zero) will disable this particluar
# feature. The default value is 1.0.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  MouseRotationSensitivity 0.5


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# The following parameter is used in Lua (.celx) scripting.
#
#   ScriptScreenshotDirectory defines the directory where screenshots
#   are to be stored. The default value is "", i.e. Celestia's
#   installation directory.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ScriptScreenshotDirectory ""


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# CELX-scripts can request permission to perform dangerous operations,
# such as reading, writing and deleting files or executing external
# programs. If granted, a malicious script could use this to destroy
# data or compromise system security.
# The following parameter determines what Celestia does upon such
# requests:
#  "ask": ask the user if he want's to allow access (default)
#  "allow": always allow such requests
#  "deny": always deny such requests
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ScriptSystemAccessPolicy "ask"


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# The following lines are render detail settings.  Assigning higher
# values will produce better quality images, but may cause some older
# systems to run slower.
#
#   OrbitPathSamplePoints defines how many sample points to use when
#   rendering orbit paths. The default value is 100.
#
#   RingSystemSections defines the number of segments in which ring
#   systems are rendered. The default value is 100.
#
#   ShadowTextureSize defines the size* of shadow texture to be used.
#   The default value is 256. Maximum useful value is 2048.
#
#   EclipseTextureSize defines the size* of eclipse texture to be used.
#   The default value is 128. Maximum useful value is 1024.
#
#   * The ShadowTextureSize and EclipseTextureSize values should both be
#     powers of two (128, 256, 512, etc.). Using larger values will
#     reduce the jagged edges of eclipse shadows and shadows on planet
#     rings, but it will decrease the amount of memory available for
#     planet textures.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
  OrbitPathSamplePoints  100
  RingSystemSections     100

  ShadowTextureSize      512
  EclipseTextureSize     256


#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Set the level of multisample antialiasing.  Not all 3D graphics
# hardware supports antialiasing, though most newer graphics chipsets
# do.  Larger values will result in smoother edges with a cost in
# rendering speed.  4 is a sensible setting for recent, higher-end
# graphics hardware; 2 is probably better mid-range graphics.  The
# default value is 1, which disables antialiasing.
# AntialiasingSamples        4


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# The following line is commented out by default.
#
# Celestia enables and disables certain rendering features based on
# the set of extensions supported by the installed OpenGL driver and 3D
# graphics hardware.  With IgnoreGLExtensions, you may specify a list of
# extensions that Celestia will treat as unsupported.  This is useful
# primarily for the developers of Celestia.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# IgnoreGLExtensions [ "GL_ARB_vertex_program" ]


#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# The number of rows in the debug log (displayable onscreen by pressing
# the ~ (tilde). The default log size is 200.
#------------------------------------------------------------------------
# LogSize 1000

}


[Chuft-Captain]

What text editor are you using? It (or something else) has inserted an extra CR (carriage-return) before every LF(line-feed) character:

winmerge.jpg

I strongly suggest you download and use Notepad++ exclusively for editing CFG files. (You won't regret it.()

Also, I repeat the advice to "attach" the file to your posting, rather than pasting between CODE tags, to ensure that we can see an exact copy of your file. ie. not tainted in any way by any other actions in the process of cut/paste/post.
(WORDPAD is also generally OK to use, but you should NEVER use NOTEPAD.)

[krypton]

I posted the .cfg file because John asked me to do so. But I've made note of your instructions.

I originally used Wordpad, always making sure that I saved the file as plain text.

After your advice, I downloaded Notepad 2 and have been using it since, with no luck. Maybe the initial save in Wordpad inserted all the carriage returns, and unbeknownst to me, they were still in there when I tried to save the file again in Notepad? In any case, I took my original backup version of the .cfg file, which I never even opened with any word processor, made a copy of it, swappped it into the Celestia file, brought it up with Notepad, made my changes, saved it, and nothing happened.

I hate to take up your time, and I appreciate your patience and advice. If you want to just sit and ponder on this for a while It's ok by me. I mean, the program is working perfectly. Maybe it's something in my system. I had a hard drive crash a couple of months ago and luckily got everything back from my backups. But there's one program, a desktop wallpaper animation program that absolutely refuses to run. I was back and forth with technical support for weeks and they finally gave up. So who knows?

[Chuft-Captain]

After your advice, I downloaded Notepad 2 and have been using it since, with no luck.

Be careful, Notepad 2 is not the same as Notepad++.
Notepad++ is recommended, and is here: http://notepad-plus-plus.org/

Maybe the initial save in Wordpad inserted all the carriage returns, and unbeknownst to me, they were still in there when I tried to save the file again in Notepad?

Of course, once those characters are in the file, another editor is unlikely to remove them. It's also possible that they were already present in your recovered backup file.
I suggest you download a completely fresh copy of the config file form here (assuming you are using version 1.6.1): http://celestia.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/celestia/branches/ver1_6_1/celestia/celestia.cfg?view=log&pathrev=5225
Then make your changes with NOTEPAD++.
If that doesn't work, do a full re-install of Celestia. If one file has been corrupted for whatever reason, it's likely there are others as well.

[krypton]

Ok. Downloaded Notepad++.
Opened the .cfg file in Notepad++, and saved it.
Launched Celestia, but there were no changes.

I then went and got my backup copy of the .cfg file, opened it Notepad++, and saved it.
I swapped it back into the Celestia folder.
Launched Celestia, but there were no changes.

Then, according to your instructions, I downloaded a new copy of the .cfg file from the link you provided.
I made my changes to it in Notepad++, and swapped it with the .cfg file currently in the Celestia directory.
Launched Celestia, but there were no changes.

So, and I was planning on trying this today anyway, I saved my Extras folder to my desktop, and uninstalled Celestia.
I made sure there was nothing left in the directory. Not only was there nothing left, the C:/Celestia directory itself was gone.
I downloaded a new installation file from the main download page and re-installed Celestia.
I used Notepad++ to open the .cfg file and made my changes and saved the file.
Launched Celestia, but there were no changes.

Okay, now am I thinking right in that if I change the FaintestVisibleMagnitude from 6.0 to 9.0 then the program should stop at 9.0 when I use the ] key? Because it doesn't. It goes all the way from 0.85 to 15.05. And when I hold the right mouse button down and move the mouse, the speed at which I orbit the planet should be different? Because it's the same, as is the speed at which the planet turns in front of me when I hold both mouse buttons down and move the mouse.

It must be my system.

[krypton]

Ok. Wait.
It seems that just now I was accidentally saving my backup .cfg file instead of the one in the new Celestia folder. Too many windows open at once.
I saved the .cfg file in the new Celestia folder in Notepad++ and it worked!

Man! Things like this are not fun.
So, I guess we should chalk it up to a corrupted .cfg file possibly caused by using the wrong word processor even though I was always careful to save things in the right format. Thanks to all for your time and patience. It is much appreciated.

[krypton]

Ok Krypton, well !

There must be the kryptonite in the corner !

kryptonite.jpg

Sorry...

Or it could have been that. You never know.