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Unread 02-08-2005, 09:37 PM
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Vampiro Vampiro is offline
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Default Map Mod...Slowdown?

Guys I have searched and can't find any info on this. Will this mod have any adverse affect on loading of zones?

Sorry if its a noobish question.
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Unread 02-08-2005, 09:45 PM
Killarny Killarny is offline
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It seems to me that the UI is loaded only when you first start the game, not every time you zone, so there shouldn't be any extra work done when zoning regardless of what UI mod you install.

Correct me if I'm wrong, someone
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Unread 02-08-2005, 09:52 PM
Quib Quib is offline
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We use a pretty compressed DDS format so the memory overhead is low and I'm keeping the XML in tip-top shape, but the mod IS more taxing on your system (than default) simply because there's much more data there. Depending on your system you might lose 1 or 2 FPS. I have a really low end system as far as EQ2 goes and don't lose any framerate, someone with a very very high framerate MIGHT be able to see a loss in framerate.

As for load times, you'd need to test yourself also. My load times vary too much to get reliable numbers so I don't know if it's adding 1 second or 20.

Really, the most accurate test is to get fraps (a framerate utility, fraps.com) and get a nice average on your system by looking at a particular place where you get a high framerate with the default UI, then again with EQ2MAP loaded. Because there are so many factors that affect load times and framerates, different people will get different results.

Why look somewhere where your framerate is high? Because you're testing the UIs impact on your framerate, and so should avoid 3D stuff dropping your framerate. Also at a higher framerate, a difference will be easier to notice/detect.

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Last edited by Quib : 02-08-2005 at 09:54 PM.
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Unread 02-11-2005, 09:27 PM
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Unless I'm mistaken, all images from disk and XML files from disk are loaded to memory once at login. Map images from disk are not reloaded upon zoning, so additional maps included with mods should only impact initial login times, not zone times. I'm positive about the map images since my MiniMap mod allows me to load any map from disk while in any zone with no disk activity.

However... the map XML file is regenerated in memory to include icon and style references sent by the server each time you zone. Map XML file sizes might have a small impact on load times, but honestly I haven't noticed any. The advanced map file is currently only about 300k larger than the original map file. Regenerating 300k worth of data from memory is negligable.
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Unread 02-12-2005, 01:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zonx
Unless I'm mistaken, all images from disk and XML files from disk are loaded to memory once at login. Map images from disk are not reloaded upon zoning, so additional maps included with mods should only impact initial login times, not zone times. I'm positive about the map images since my MiniMap mod allows me to load any map from disk while in any zone with no disk activity.

I think you may be mistaken on this.. I looked into this a little with Filemon..

I believe: (may not be 100% correct)
All Images and EQ2UI files are checked for existence on login..
Nothing is loaded into memory until needed..


The way I tested it was I made a directory with just the EQ2Map mod in it..
Loaded up EQ2 using this as my UI..

Logged in and got this before I'm even in the world..
8238 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_sunkencity.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8239 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_sunkencity.dds SUCCESS
8240 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_graveyard.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8241 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_graveyard.dds SUCCESS
8242 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_thesprawl.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8243 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_thesprawl.dds SUCCESS
8244 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_theruins.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8245 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_theruins.dds SUCCESS
8246 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_thethievesway.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8247 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_thethievesway.dds SUCCESS
8248 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_serpentsewer.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8249 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fprt_serpentsewer.dds SUCCESS
8250 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_oakmystforest.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8251 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_oakmystforest.dds SUCCESS
8252 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_theforestruins.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8253 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_theforestruins.dds SUCCESS
8254 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_blank.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8255 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_blank.dds SUCCESS
8256 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thecaves.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8257 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thecaves.dds SUCCESS
8258 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thecaves2.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8259 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thecaves2.dds SUCCESS
8260 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thepeatbog.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8261 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thepeatbog.dds SUCCESS
8262 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8263 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS
8264 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_verminssnye.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8265 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_verminssnye.dds SUCCESS
8266 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_crowsrestingplace.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8267 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_crowsrestingplace.dds SUCCESS
8268 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_tradeskill.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8269 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_tradeskill.dds SUCCESS
8270 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_firemystgully.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8271 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_firemystgully.dds SUCCESS
8272 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_clear.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8273 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_clear.dds SUCCESS
8274 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_stormhold.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8275 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_stormhold.dds SUCCESS
8276 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_stormhold2.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8277 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_stormhold2.dds SUCCESS
8278 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_stormhold3.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8279 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_stormhold3.dds SUCCESS
8280 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_blackburrow.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8281 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_blackburrow.dds SUCCESS
8282 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_blackburrow2.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8283 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_blackburrow2.dds SUCCESS
8284 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_blackburrow3.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8285 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_blackburrow3.dds SUCCESS
8286 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fallengate.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8287 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_fallengate.dds SUCCESS
8288 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_varsoon.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8289 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_varsoon.dds SUCCESS
8290 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_varsoon1.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8291 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_varsoon1.dds SUCCESS
8292 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_varsoon2.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8293 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_varsoon2.dds SUCCESS
8294 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_thewailingcaves.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8295 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_thewailingcaves.dds SUCCESS
8296 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_thewailingcaves2.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
8297 11:50:02 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_thewailingcaves2.dds SUCCESS

Notice how they were opened and closed just as quick.. That's how you check the existence of the file..


I'm logged in and standing in Qeynos so I go to Down Below..
The D:\EQ2\\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds file isn't read during zoning..

Now standing in the down below without map window open and the dds still not read into memory..

Open the Map window and this happens:

38164 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 OPEN D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Options: Open Access: All
38165 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D: SUCCESS
38166 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 QUERY INFORMATION D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS FileStandardInformation
38167 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 READ D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Offset: 0 Length: 16384
38168 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 READ D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Offset: 0 Length: 16384
38169 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 READ D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Offset: 0 Length: 16384
38170 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 READ D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Offset: 81920 Length: 49152
38171 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 READ D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Offset: 16384 Length: 114688
38172 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 READ D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Offset: 131072 Length: 4096
38173 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 READ D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Offset: 131072 Length: 16384
38174 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 QUERY INFORMATION D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS Length: 131200
38175 11:53:40 PM EverQuest2.exe:1328 CLOSE D:\eq2\ui\eq2map\images\maps\map_qey_thedownbelow.dds SUCCESS

Thats when the map is loaded into memory..

The reason the mini map can view them all is because it's loaded when you press the button to view another map.. It probably stays in memory until it's not needed anymore and then is slowly pushed out by new resources..
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Last edited by Talyns : 02-12-2005 at 04:16 AM.
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  #6  
Unread 02-12-2005, 01:37 AM
Quib Quib is offline
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Well, that explains the tiny pauses I experience the first time I switch to the city and world map tabs for the first time after logging in. I had suspected images were either being loaded each time you zone, or once when asked for.

This system is pretty dang efficient, if map graphics are only loaded when needed. I'm 99% sure the XML only gets parsed when you log in, so that means, since graphics are only called up once needed, EQ2MAP shouldn't cause any extended zone time or extra RAM usage.

Thanks for posting all that Talyns; I had been wondering why I could alter a map .DDS file while in-game, and sometimes I'd see the new change in-game (because I hadn't opened the map window yet).

Quib
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Unread 02-12-2005, 01:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quib
Well, that explains the tiny pauses I experience the first time I switch to the city and world map tabs for the first time after logging in. I had suspected images were either being loaded each time you zone, or once when asked for.

This system is pretty dang efficient, if map graphics are only loaded when needed. I'm 99% sure the XML only gets parsed when you log in, so that means, since graphics are only called up once needed, EQ2MAP shouldn't cause any extended zone time or extra RAM usage.

Thanks for posting all that Talyns; I had been wondering why I could alter a map .DDS file while in-game, and sometimes I'd see the new change in-game (because I hadn't opened the map window yet).

Quib

Looking at the logs and yes.. It looks like all XML is read on login..

I agree that it shouldn't cause longer zoning times or eat up ram.. Unless you view every map But even then they Should be slowly pushed out of memory!

You're welcome and I love the mod!!
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Unread 02-12-2005, 04:36 AM
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Hmm... yah I guess its pulling map images to memory on first request. On closer inspection I do see a split second blip of disk activity when first calling a map style. The main point though is that it doesn't load map images when zoning.

FYI, MiniMap loads the maps from disk on request even if you haven't zoned there yet or opened the main map

The reason I think the Map file is regened on Zoneing to include maps and styles sent by the server is that MiniMap can't load server sent images befor you've zoned there. Also the Map window closes on zoning. This leads me to believe the map styles for server sent zones simply aren't there to be referenced. If they were, giving MiniMap the right style ref should request the map be sent down from the server.

Its possible all the styles are inserted when you log in and the server's map images are only loaded when you zone there.

In either case, none of that changes due to the Map mods. In fact its possible you'll zone faster since the server obviously uses local styles/images rather than sending down its version.
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