Specular maps on Earth

General discussion about Celestia that doesn't fit into other forums.
Topic author
Austin

Specular maps on Earth

Post #1by Austin » 25.05.2003, 02:16

I have recently noticed in Celestia that the Earth has specular reflections from the Sun (quite impressive if you ask me :) ). First, let me say that I have two separate Windows desktop systems, both containing Celestia 1.3.0, and each with a Windows XP OS. I wouldn't actually consider this to be a bug, but I will tell you my system configurations and so forth. One system is a Dell Dimension 4450, with a Pentium 4 processor speed of 2.6 gHz, along with a NVIDIA graphics card of 64meg. (I'm not sure if this is enough information, but that is not the point). Anyway, the other system is an IBM NetVista with also a Pentium 4 and NVIDIA Vantage graphics card. The conflict is that on one machine I can see the specular reflections, and the other, I cannot. Is this simply an option integrated into Celestia, a graphic whose directory does match those which is indicated in the .ssc file, or a system requirement that I do not have that enables such rendering of Earth's texture? Please excuse me if this is not enough information; all I need is an answer of an ideal configuration to make specular reflections possible.

Don. Edwards
Posts: 1510
Joined: 07.09.2002
Age: 59
With us: 22 years 3 months
Location: Albany, Oregon

Post #2by Don. Edwards » 25.05.2003, 03:24

The NVidia card in the IBM is not capable of rendering specular lighting effects as it is based on a hobbled TNT chipsset design. The Card in the Dell is most likely a Quadro 2 card. Its based on the GeForce 2 GTS chip I believe. This is why you can see the specualr lighting effects. Actually specular lighting has been Celestia for over a year now. I hope this help answer your question. If you want your IBM to show specular lighting you need to upgrade to at least a basic GeForce2 card.

Don.
I am officially a retired member.
I might answer a PM or a post if its relevant to something.

Ah, never say never!!
Past texture releases, Hmm let me think about it

Thanks for your understanding.

Topic author
Austin

Post #3by Austin » 25.05.2003, 03:40

Thanks for the info. I'll check on getting an upgrade sometime soon. :)


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