Forum Discussion

Re: Graphics issue with any reflective/shiny surface

Yeah, I tried the new, clean game folder when I did the full uninstall/reinstall. And I've got my TS4/Origin apps in my main Applications folder, rather than my user Applications folder, so the new user thing wouldn't work I don't think. I did set up a Test User when I was troubleshooting with an Apple rep but we didn't see any differences in the issues I was having. 

I could always do another uninstall/reinstall, plus a SMC reset and then try again.

What's frustrating me is just not understanding the issue. It helps that I can tell it's a problem with the cube maps, so I'm so happy you linked that post. At least now I have the right terminology for what I'm seeing. But I just don't understand what's happening with those cube maps - if they're multiplying, if it's a problem with the cube map resources within the package files of the CC I'm having problems with, or if it's a problem with how the game itself is reading/rendering those cube maps. Because you haven't been able to replicate the issue with Peacemaker's CC, and because he's such a trusted creator, I'd guess that it's a problem with how the game itself is rendering cube maps. But that doesn't explain why the effect is more visible on certain objects over others...

9 Replies

  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    6 years ago
    @ajduckie

    A new user account generates a new Library folder for that user, it’s always a good troubleshooting step and requires little effort.

    As the problem is CC related I’m not sure how a SMC reset would fix it? The issue is with specific files on your Mac and they will still be there 🙂
  • ajduckie's avatar
    ajduckie
    6 years ago

    @Bluebellflora

    the thing is, i don't think we can be entirely sure that it's actually just a case of some bad cc... because previously, everything worked fine in my game, including the items that are now being rendered improperly. when this issue appeared, updates and hotfixes were the only things to have changed about my game.. no new cc or mods. additionally, the 50/50 process pointed me repeatedly to those five items by Peacemaker and LittleDica, so those items should be the bad cc, but we're pretty much positive that those items themselves aren't broken because they're working for other people.. 

    so i guess i'm confused about why those items, without ANY other cc or mods in my game, aren't appearing properly for me when they appear fine for other people.. we've established that it's not a hardware issue by monitoring my gpu/cpu during gameplay

    to me, it looks like the game is failing to properly render cube maps. instead of the normal proper cube map, i'm getting a grid of lots and lots of little cube maps?

  • ajduckie's avatar
    ajduckie
    6 years ago

    @Bluebellflora 

    I guess what I'm trying to say is, if those items by Peacemaker are appearing with the glitch, with a brand new reinstalled game and absolutely no CC or mods, then the problem should theoretically be with those items by Peacemaker. But we established that those items aren't broken... so I don't understand how it could be a problem with a file on my computer if the issue appeared with absolutely no files other than the Peacemaker ones in a completely fresh game folder?

  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    6 years ago
    @ajduckie

    But if what you're saying is true then all of us Mac users with the same GPU as you, running the same version of macOS, would be experiencing the issue and we're not. I have tried to repeatedly reproduce your issue over the last few days and I can't. I've tried on 3 different Macs running Catalina, Mojave and High Sierra. You can send me a save if you like and I can test it in my game?

    For CC issues you really are much better off posting at S4S or similar 3rd party sites about 3rd party content.
  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    6 years ago

    @ajduckie 

    Success! It finally happened in my game on a CC TV:

    I also discovered what I think is causing it.... If you quit the game in Live Mode, paused or unpaused it doesn't matter, the next time you open it and load the household it is unpaused and the glitch occurs. If you quit the game in Build/Buy mode the game is paused when you next load it and the glitch doesn't occur. Can you try that and let me know if it's the same for you?

  • ajduckie's avatar
    ajduckie
    6 years ago

    @Bluebellflora 

    That's the problem that I'm not understanding - it shouldn't even be possible... but I tried it again last night with three different tests: one with a repaired game, one with a brand new game folder, and one with a full uninstall/reinstall. For each test I put absolutely nothing in my game except the Peacemaker Caine Living TV (fresh download from Peacemaker, as the package file isn't in my mods folder anymore anyways since the start of this problem). No mods, cc, saves, or tray files. Loaded up the game, started a new save, loaded a lot, and placed the Caine TV, and the glitch showed up. For each of the three tests I tried this process twice - once by loading into live mode, then entering build/buy, and once by loading directly to build/buy from the map view.

    I'm absolutely stumped.. because you're right - using the same steps we should be able to reproduce the issue and find common denominators. But so far, the only common denominators are that we're running The Sims 4 on Mac and that the problem starts by appearing on CC objects.. beyond that, it's a mystery to me.

    By the way, I also posted on S4S forums last night with some details and a link back to the thread here. Didn't want to repeat everything in case I was posting the message in the wrong thread/board at first, or in case posting the same super long thread on two different forums is considered bad etiquette. Either way, no one has replied yet, but I'm hoping that because there are a good deal of CC-creators over there, someone may have a clue about what might be going on. Especially because LittleDica and Peacemaker themselves both seem to be pretty familiar with the mechanics of cube maps, according to the threads I've found over there (the one you linked as well as another where Peacemaker gave some advice to another creator about a cube map issue).

    Anyways, I'm going to go in game and do more testing with the variables you mentioned in your second message. So far, I've gotten the glitch when quitting the game from build/buy as well as live mode. But I'm going to lay out a few more tests to try to isolate the different variables that could be affecting the issue, and I'll go from there and report back. 

    Also did some exploring in S4S last night, taking a look through the warehouse tab at the resources associated with the package files of Peacemaker's Caine TV and a base-game EA TV. Didn't find any differences that jumped out at me as clues, but I can keep looking at some of the other objects that have appeared with the glitch and maybe I'll find something worth noting.

    Last, just wanted to make sure you know how grateful I am that you've been working so hard to help me with this problem. It's certainly not an easy one, and it means a lot that you're spending your time helping me figure this out. Your work is deeply deeply appreciated, seriously. Not just with this case, but with all the work you do on the forums here.

  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    6 years ago
    @ajduckie

    Thanks *blushing*, I enjoy it 🙂

    Let's see if anyone comes up with anything else, at least it's not a game breaker.
  • ajduckie's avatar
    ajduckie
    6 years ago

    @Bluebellflora 

    Yeah, despite the frustration I've tried to remind myself that I'm lucky my game at least can start up and run! 🙂

  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    6 years ago

    @ajduckie 

    So...... I've just updated to Catalina from Mojave and now I'm getting the same as you:

    Definitely a CC issue and looking like just a Mac issue. We need someone with an NVIDIA GPU and someone with an Intel chip to test too 🙂