[aonyn]

Hi Pete,

This seems to be working ok.
I tested it with a few effects, the same ones as the previous build, and it worked as expected every time.

If I come across anything that breaks it, I will of course let you know, but I think this build is safe to release.

Thanks for all your help.

regards,
Dave

[aonyn]

Hi Pete,

This is better, although I am sorry to say, still needs an adjustment somewhere.

Here is what happens. (and I reproduced this exactly several times, including with some of your sample effects.)

On first attempt to export animation as png full color and transparency, the alpha is now correct on all subsequent frames, only now the first frame has 100% alpha and no image.

If on your 1st attempt you render without transparency, then re-render with transparency the second time, it seems to work correctly.
This was consistent with several tests on several eff files.

So the output is usable now, with a workaround procedure, just a bit of adjustment and it will be perfect.

Thanks again,
Dave

[aonyn]

Hi Pete,

Sorry to here you are having the problem now, and were not before, but I guess that is good news for me.
Now that you can reproduce the bug, it should be possible to track down the culprit.

@ GfK – Thanks for the input to possibly assist Pete in solving the problem I am having.

regards,
Dave Marconi

[aonyn]

Hi Pete,

Here is the log and the resulting png file.
When I looked through the log myself, the top left pixel colour return on the 1st loop was 0, and all subsequent loops were -16777216, which looks like suspicious data (although of course I don’t know without looking at what the code is doing internally), it just looks odd, especially the negative.

The good news is that all the subsequent values were the same, so here is a sign of consistency with this bug.

I also ran the same test with one of my eff files, and checked that output.
It was identical, same value.

I think this is good news.
In my experience, once I can find consistency, the bug is soon squashed.

Thanks again,
Dave

[aonyn]

Yes, that sounds good. Thanks Pete

[aonyn]

Hi Pete,

Same behavior again.
I also experimented with various settings, both within the animation properties dialog, as well as in the main UI.
A couple times I exported after changing a setting, and all frames were opaque, even the 1st frame.
The settings which triggered this were, seed, precise rendering

Unfortunately though, these were not even consistent results.
I was unable to find any specific trigger which would have the same result every time.
Not even enough so to be sure any specific setting change had a direct relation to the output results.
It may be simply that randomly, alpha is lost altogether.

About testing, it is no problem at all, I am glad to help.
Your program is very promising indeed, and I too hope to see all the wrinkles smoothed out.

Btw, there is another less serious bug, but it is possible that it is related.
In the animation properties dialog, when update is pressed, the function seems to work, but the requester with the status bar doesn’t close automatically. It only closes when you attempt to move it by the title bar.

[aonyn]

Hi Peter,

I ran the new version, same behavior.
Out of curiosity, are you calling any dll’s or anything of this sort which I may have a different version installed than you?

regards,
Dave

[aonyn]

yes, I am using 190.38.

Thanks,
Dave

[aonyn]

Hi Pete,

I uninstalled and reinstalled the new version.
The png export behavior is the same.

Full color mode saves the first frame with alpha, all subsequent frames are opaque.
Also, as before, 1 color alpha and grey alpha work correctly.

regards,
Dave

[aonyn]

Thanks Pete,

I will post my results.

regards,
Dave

[aonyn]

OK, the results when exported as a strip are the same.
In full color mode, the 1st frame has alpha, subsequent frames do not.

Perhaps this is good news, at least the error is consistent.

regards,
Dave

[aonyn]

Hi Pete,

I will try that, I had not previously, because my application specifically uses a grid layout.
After I export to strip, I will return and post the results.

Thanks,
Dave

[aonyn]

Thank you for all your help Pete!

I hope perhaps this helps you with a real bug that may help future users, and not just some quirk on my system.

regards,
Dave

[aonyn]

Hi Pete,

Thanks, I was able to use both versions, and both worked correctly.
All frames had alpha.

regards,
Dave

[aonyn]

I assume .bmx is a blitzmax file.
I am downloading the blitzmax demo to see if it will allow me to compile and run this.

Problem is, I am actually a blitz3d sdk for Purebasic guy.
Anyway, I will be back shortly to let you know if I am successful.

Thanks,
Dave

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