Installation Q:D3D9 installation and use

[BobB]

First time posting here, and I hope this isn't a common faq. Please excuse me if so.

I just finished installing Orbiter 2016 plus hi-res planet meshes. All runs fine. I also downloaded the D3D9 graphics package. As I understand, this will speed up rendering and graphics performance on Orbiter 2016. Is this correct?

I further understand that all I need do is unzip the D3D9 package in the Orbiter 2016 root directory, and that is all, everything is configured appropriately. Correct?

Last, it was unclear to me on how to use the D3D9 features in Orbiter. Do I open Orbiter with the orbiter_ng.exe instead of orbiter.exe? What further needs to be configured?

Thank you for your patience with my questions, and I look forward to helpful replies.

Your time is appreciated. Thanks!

Bob

 

[GLS]

Hi there, welcome!!!

I just finished installing Orbiter 2016 plus hi-res planet meshes. All runs fine. I also downloaded the D3D9 graphics package. As I understand, this will speed up rendering and graphics performance on Orbiter 2016. Is this correct?

Yes, D3D9 tends to provide better results.

I further understand that all I need do is unzip the D3D9 package in the Orbiter 2016 root directory, and that is all, everything is configured appropriately. Correct?

Last, it was unclear to me on how to use the D3D9 features in Orbiter. Do I open Orbiter with the orbiter_ng.exe instead of orbiter.exe? What further needs to be configured?

As far as I remember yes, just unzip and things should fall in their places. To use D3D9 you run orbiter_ng.exe, and the first time you do this you need to enable D3D9 in the Modules tab. After this the orbiter.exe will still run the default graphics client (a.k.a D3D7, a.k.a MOGE (Martin's Own Graphics Engine)), and the orbiter_ng.exe will run the D3D9 and it's goodies.

Heads-up: as D3D9 is in active development, you might find more than one release, so check if you are using a version that matches the Orbiter version.

 

[BobB]

Thanks. So, either .exe files can be used, depending on which graphics module one wishes to employ?

 

[GLS]

Thanks. So, either .exe files can be used, depending on which graphics module one wishes to employ?

Yes.

 

[ADSWNJ]

Orbiter.exe uses a built-in DirectX 7 graphics engine for max compatibility. Orbiter_ng.exe has no graphics engine built in, but has hooks to external engines. The most popular and best version is D3D9, based on DirectX 9. There is a D3D11, but afaik it's relatively dead.

Difference between the inbuilt engine and D3D9 - can be 10x or higher frame rates, especially around complex meshes like the ISS. Hit Ctrl-F to see the current framerate. (I forget - maybe you have to enable something for this?)

Basically: quick & dirty (e.g. when I'm debugging) ... use orbiter.exe. For pretty: use orbiter_ng.exe.