Volumetric Lighting Creates Horizontal Lines in SuperTuxKart

[MTres]

Reported on the SuperTuxKart issue tracker: https://github.com/supertuxkart/stk-code/issues/1916 https://github.com/supertuxkart/stk-code/issues/1916

Hardware: HD Graphics 4600 (NOT an Optimus system), i7 4710HQ

This only appeared after I upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1. It also does not appear on Arch Linux as of the time of this writing. My Windows graphics drivers are up-to-date. (I updated them yesterday.)

This is how it appears on Linux, effects level 5 (no artifacts):

On Windows, effects level 4. Note the faint horizontal lines surrounding the lights (they are especially visible against the left-most mermaid's tail):

A clearer picture, also on effects level 4 on Windows, from a different track:

On Windows, effects level 5. The artifacts are much worse:

Separate testing revealed that bloom, which is enabled in effects level 5 but not effects level 4, is the cause of the worsened artifacts in effects level 5. Note that the Advanced Pipeline, which is required for this bug to appear, requires at least OpenGL 3.1. It's enabled by default for me, but it might not be for older GPUs. (The legacy OpenGL 2.1 pipeline is deprecated anyway.)

If anyone would like to help test, the is game freely downloadable. The screenshots here are from the tracks Antediluvian Abyss and Zen Garden. You might have to unlock them first unless you plan to play Story Mode. Instructions can be found at the bottom of the https://supertuxkart.net/FAQ FAQ page.

Thanks,

—

[idata]

Hello MTres19:

In order for us to further assist you, we just need to verify a few details: Please provide the model of the board. If this is a laptop, please provide the model of it? Please try the following driver, it is version 4474, it works with 4th generation processor like the one you have, for Windows® 10: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26099/Intel-Beta-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-10-and-Windows-7-8-1-15-40-?product=88345 https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26099/Intel-Beta-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-10-and-Windows-7-8-1-15-40-?product=88345 Please let me know the results. Any questions, please let me know. Alberto

[MTres]

The GPU is HD Graphics 4600, as mentioned previously.

The laptop model is Toshiba S55t-B5233.

I'm sorry, but neither the HD Graphics 4600 GPU nor the i7 4710HQ CPU is listed where it says "This download is valid for the product(s) listed below." Are you sure this will work with Haswell GPUs? I only see Broadwell and Skylake processors and GPUs listed...

Thanks,

—

[idata]

Hello MTres19:

Thank you very much for that information. Actually try the following driver first, it is version 4463: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26079/Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-10-15-40-4th-Gen- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26079/Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-10-15-40-4th-Gen- If that does not work, then try the 4474. Please uninstall the driver manually: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005598.html http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005598.html And then install it manually as well: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005629.html http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005629.html Also, before upgrading the laptop to Windows® 10, did you check with Toshiba to make sure it is fully compatible?

I look for a graphics driver at Toshiba's web site but nothing is showing:

http://support.toshiba.com/support/driversResults?freeText=1200009026 http://support.toshiba.com/support/driversResults?freeText=1200009026

Please let me know the results of the installation of the drivers.

Any questions, please let me know.

Alberto

[MTres]

Thank you for your efforts.

Version 4463 was the version I already had installed, so I installed version 4474. While 4474 does indeed work on my hardware, it did not solve the problem with the horizontal lines in SuperTuxKart.

I did not check with Toshiba prior to upgrading to Windows 10. However, I would like to (politely) point out that I feel that this is a problem with the driver itself. As I mentioned earlier, there are no rendering artifacts in Linux—why should there be any in Windows either? It's the same hardware. If possible, could you please report this issue to the driver development team or someone else who is able to fix the problem?

Thank you.

[idata]

Hello MTres19:

Thank you very much for that information. What we are going to try to do is to replicate this same problem in our lab. For us to be able to do that, if you do not mind, we need to get some details from you: First thing we need is the report from the Intel® HD Graphics control panel, once you open the panel, choose "options and support", then choose "information center", and then choose where it says "file" at the bottom, you will get a text file, please attach it to the thread. Besides that, please install the SSU tool (System Support Utility), so we can see the system report: You will be able to download it on the following link: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility Once you do that, the tool will allow you to save the information as a file, so, once you save it, please attach it to this thread. Ann finally we need for you to fill the following chart: CategoryQuestionsAnswers (N/A if not applicable)DescriptionProvide a detailed description of the issue Please place an X to the right of the option showing how often you see this issue using specific steps. (Ex: 'Every few times a game is started it flickers.' <- This would be "Often")</span> Always (100%): Often (51-99%): Sporadic (20-50%): Very Sporadic (<20%):</span>Hardware (HW)Brand and Model of the system. Hybrid or switchable graphics system? ie Does it have AMD or NV graphics too? <span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in; color: # 3D3D3D; font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: arial,sans-seri...

[MTres]

Thank you. I've attached the files you requested. The one from the Intel System Support Utility is named "ssu.xml". The other one is from the Intel HD Graphics Control Panel.

I've filled out the table below. However, as you did not include some of the notes, I put "N/A" in the "Hardware Stepping" and "VBIOS" boxes, since I could not find this information anywhere.

Category

QuestionsAnswers (N/A if not applicable)DescriptionProvide a detailed description of the issueHorizontal lines appear wherever fog is lit by lights (Volumetric lighting) in the game SuperTuxKart. These rendering artifacts are worsened by enabling Bloom. However, this problem does not occur on Arch Linux, as of a few days ago.Please place an X to the right of the option showing how often you see this issue using specific steps. (Ex: 'Every few times a game is started it flickers.' <- This would be "Often")</span> Always (100%): X Often (51-99%): Sporadic (20-50%): Very Sporadic (<20%):</span>Hardware (HW)Brand and Model of the system.Toshiba S55t-B5233Hybrid or switchable graphics system? ie Does it have AMD or NV graphics too?No.Make and model of any Displays that are used to see the issue (see note2 below). LFP = Local Flat Panel (Laptop panel) EFP = External Flat Panel (Monitor you plug in)LFP, connected via internal DisplayPort.<span style="color: # 3d3d3d; font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: arial,sa...

[idata]

Hello MTres19:

Thank you very much for that information. The next thing for us to do will be to try to replicate the issue, we will try to use the closest configuration and PC components based on the system you are using. As soon as I get a possible solution to fix this problem, I will post it on this thread as soon as possible. Any questions, please let me know. Alberto

[idata]

Hello MTres19:

I just wanted to let you know that we are still trying to replicate the issue with the game. As soon as I get any possible fix for this problem, I will post all the details on this thread. Any questions, please let me know. Alberto

[idata]

Hello MTres19:

I just wanted to let you know that we could not duplicate the issue using the Intel® HD Graphics 4600. Based on the fact that we could not replicate the issue, from our part, the best thing we can do right now, is to recommend to the game developer to optimize this game with Intel® HD Graphics 4600, in order to fix this issue. You will be able to see the updates on the following thread: https://github.com/supertuxkart/stk-code/issues/1916 https://github.com/supertuxkart/stk-code/issues/1916 Any questions, please let me know. Alberto