[Cactus] 2023-08-23-1430. Updated cnc-ddraw and documentation.

[fearedbliss]

Hello all,

I’ve just released a new Cactus package (2023-08-23-0800) which updates cnc-ddraw from version 5.1.0.0 to 5.6.0.0. There have been many compatibility improvements, fixes, and feature updates (borderless window / toggle for that) implemented from upstream. I notice that on version 5.1.0.0 on Windows 10 22H2 (OS Build 19045.2965 w/ no additional Microsoft Updates) loading Diablo II and creating/exiting games was taking a while. It would stay on the black screen for about 3-5 seconds every time. Upgrading to version 5.6.0.0 fixes this issue and allows Diablo II to transition between screens instantly~. I highly recommend everyone to upgrade to this new version of cnc-ddraw. You can read all of the release notes for cnc-ddraw here.

In addition to the above, I’ve updated the documentation to:

- Better state what MPQ files are needed depending on the version.
- Documents the VCRUNTIME140.dll error message if you forget to install the Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86) that the 3D Sound system requires (DSOAL w/ OpenAL Soft).

Lastly, I’ve started including the Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86) (vc_redist.x86.dll) in Cactus (it’s in the \"1. Files\" folder). This means you don’t need to download this from Microsoft directly and thus everything you need to get things up and running is already included (excluding .NET 4.6.2. This is already included in Windows 10, but not in Windows 7). Including the Visual C++ redistributable increases the archive size from 28 M to 40 M, but I think the tradeoff is worth it. I’m also mirroring (now included by default in Cactus - read the next post) the .NET Framework 4.6.2 Offline Installer for Windows 7 as well but keeping it outside of Cactus for now to keep the Cactus archive size down. I think most people are on Windows 10 anyways so keeping it separate but still mirrored on my server is fine. Let me know if you think I should just include it in a single pack for simplicity. I may change my mind on this in the future and ideally I would just like to have one pack to rule them all, haha.

Let me know if you experience any issues. Besides that, I need to update my PGP key since it expired. Once I update the key, I’ll publish the signed hash manifest as well.

You can Download Cactus at the usual location.

- fearedbliss

 

[fearedbliss]

I’ve just pushed build 2023-08-23-1430. I decided to include the .NET Framework 4.6.2 Offline Installer for Windows 7 inside the bundle. It only brought it up from 40 MB -> 99 MB, which is not too much. The important thing is to allow Cactus to continue to be independent as time moves on, so it should include anything that it needs for it to function on Windows 7 and Windows 10, and also for any of its dependencies to function (like cnc-ddraw and DSOAL / OpenAL Soft). Having everything in one bundle allows me to more easily maintain the project, and is easier for people downloading it since you don’t need to go to multiple places/links to collect what you need.

Since we now have a bit more files in the bundle, I’ve slightly restructured the file layout a bit so there is now a \"3. Other\" folder which includes:

• MpqFixer
• .NET Framework 4.6.2 Offline Installer
• Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable

This should help keep the Diablo II Root Directory a bit cleaner since not everyone needs to fix their MPQs or install .NET.

Lastly, I added a small clarification in the README-RENDERERS to make clearer which line needs to be changed in ddraw.ini to change the shader.

- fearedbliss

 

[Manny]

[mention]fearedbliss[/mention]

Great update! I gave it a go yesterday and immediately noted the increased speed (virtually instant now!) of creating & exiting games.

 

[fearedbliss]

[mention]Manny[/mention] Nice , thanks for the feedback. I’m happy to hear it’s faster for you as well.