CC3 and Memory Resource

SlaveOne

Ok apologies if this has been neat to death, but i did do a quick search on the topic and found some old threads so wasn't sure if there was anything newer.

So just this weekend i tried to save my map to as a rectangular png file. The map size was a Dungeon 200x150. The values i was saving as, were 2000x2400 with the idea that it was going to , crop to aspect ration and restrict to a map border, 75% png and AA turned up to 75% png compression maxim. While i assumed it was going to a take considerable time to render (I was later going to convert to JPG in GIMP.) I was surprised that after an hour the program crashed. Further insult to injury was all the work i had done on the map was gone. It seemed the save file was reverted back to just the background and a single outside bit map, all my symbols and effects were gone. Needless to say, i lost hours of work.

So i came to the resolve maybe my settings were too high, then i read CC3 should be able to handle up to 6000px dimensions. So i assume im not doing something right.

MY goal is to save at a high resolution so i can import them into my VTT and not lose any quality when zooming.

I have read about the pdf export method and will try that tonight when i get home. But was hoping for other suggestions.

Below are my specs.

CPU i5
8GB RAM
770 Nvidia GTX 4GB (Not Sure if the GPU matters?)

Nagorak

First of all, were you using autosave? If so, your work should still be stored in a map called autosave if you haven't overwritten it. The autosave doesn't save to your actual map file, so that may seem to be why you reverted to the original map. If you weren't using autosave, you should enable it as it's not that uncommon in my experience for the program to crash. In addition to that, I recommend saving to incremental files every so often (I've had it happen where my file was corrupted in such a way that it caused the program to constantly crash).

I've exported larger files than that so I know it's possible. That being said, my experience with CC3 is it is somewhat unstable (this is about CC3, not CC3+ which I haven't used yet). I don't think I've ever worked with a large map file for any length of time without having it crash at least once or twice. So, the fact it crashed in itself isn't that noteworthy.

After hopefully recovering your autosave, you might try exporting at one of the predefined settings and see if it works. Then you can slowly change settings until it stops working.

Shessar

AntiAlias of 75% is what is crashing it. I wouldn't go over 50%. Most of the time 25% is plenty.

Did you try looking for your map through the file> open menu? If you saved it, CC3 crashing won't erase the save.

SlaveOne

Thanks Nagorak!

I do have Auto Save turned on.

I'll have to look when i get home but i didn't see a file called autosave in my saved files directory. Or is it stored elsewhere in the program folders. It may be moot though as i have since started a new map or began rebuilding my old... again i have to check.

This actually happened to me last week when working on another map. I was doing as you suggested and saving to an incremental file, "just in case." I guess i like to gamble since i didn't do it this time around.

But I could deal with these setbacks as long as i can figure out the how to save a large hi res file... this makes me nervous as I have a large underground temple complex i want to work on for an adventure my group is playing, and up until now i have only created relativity small maps in DD3.

SlaveOne

Thanks Shessar! So i assume you are implying, if i went with a higher resolution but lower AA i would get good results with no crashing?

Yes i did try the file>open function, but my save directory is in a separate folder outside the program folders, not sure if that would make a difference?

I should add, i have pressed the "save Now" button when prompted by auto save as well as the save button in the top left corner of the program. Do they overwrite each other?

Nagorak

Yes, the autosave should be in the program directory. It should be called AUTOSAVE.FCW. I will agree that it's not an entirely intuitive system. Don't get me wrong though, while I've had my share of issues with CC3 and find some aspects of it to be a bit clunky, it's still a really great tool for the most part.

Shessar

Posted By: SlaveOneThanks Shessar! So i assume you are implying, if i went with a higher resolution but lower AA i would get good results with no crashing?

That is correct.

Yes i did try the file>open function, but my save directory is in a separate folder outside the program folders, not sure if that would make a difference?

If you saved your file then it should be where you saved it.

I should add, i have pressed the "save Now" button when prompted by auto save as well as the save button in the top left corner of the program. Do they overwrite each other?

They do not overwrite each other, but are two separate saved files. As Nagorak has said, if you installed in the default location, the auto save is in C:\Program Files (x86)\ProFantasy\CC3\AUTOSAVE.fcw

Edited to Add: There is only one autosave file, so if you've started a new map and used auto save, the new map is what is in the autosave.

SlaveOne

WOOT! So my Auto Save had all my work i had previously done! I have since backed it up and am going to try and save using your guy's suggestions!

Thanks for the help you two!

I raise a glass in your honor!

Simon Rogers

In order to antialias a drawing, CC3 needs to create a much bigger drawing. When you set the options and add anti-alias, you'll see "True Image Dimensions" - use that size. There doesn't appear to be much benefit in going over 25%.

SlaveOne

Thanks Simon, yea i have since been able to figures things out better and have been experimenting with the options. As you all have suggested i have greatly reduced the AA and up'd the resolution in general. I am now getting better results with less issues.