If this topic is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it. Thank you.
Alright, so this has been on my mind for a while now. I've attempted an outlined preset three months ago and found that the extra material files aren't exported with the preset. The preset still requires and depends on them though. So when/if you remove these extra files from anywhere in your FH folders, the preset will crash. As soon as I logged in or tried to access any feature where my preset would be seen, the game would freeze until I deleted the file.
In light of this, I have begun work on a program that would allow users to insert extra files into their .fhp file, and that did fix the issue, so the problem was the lack of access to the required files. The program still has kinks and other stuff to work out, which is why I didn't release it yet.
However, as of currently, it seems that presets with an outline cause crashing when people without those files attempt to view them. It makes sense logically; the preset needs extra files to work and the files aren't there. There isn't anything that tells the preset to skip the effect if the files aren't there, so it encounters an impasse and the game stops working.
This will naturally cause a few issues in the game, especially if we're going to consider the impact on players. We have a few choices here:
1. The staff should add the required files in a new community patch.
Probably the best solution would be to have the staff make a new game installation with the files included. This would still present a minor issue to those who aren't aware of a new patch or game pack.
2. The special effect files should be downloaded via Preset Sync.
The second best solution; the preset sync would automatically download all of the required files for the special effects. This would fix the problem for the people most affected by it.
3. Presets with special effects that crash should not be uploaded to the Preset Sync.
A more restrictive solution, it would involve disallowing people to upload their presets if they include special effects. There wouldn't really be a way to enforce this other than monitoring in-game.
4. There should be a separate Sync to upload any effect files and presets that use them.
A solution that entails creating a separate "Preset Sync" where users upload their custom effect files and presets that use them. User will have to rename their effect files to something like "Cel_Shading_username_1" in both the preset .mat file and in the folder, to prevent overriding effects.
5. I don't want special effects to be used at all if they cause crashing.
The very limiting ("no fun allowed") solution. Again, no proper enforcement other than constant monitoring.
6. The current situation is fine.
The current situation is fine; whoever doesn't want to inadvertently crash should download the files or get rid of preset sync and whoever wants to have special effects should be free to do so.
7. I don't have Preset Sync / I don't experience crashing.
I don't experience this problem; if you downloaded a preset with special effects, then deleted the extra files from your computer and don't experience crashing, please reply and explain your situation. It would be great to see if maybe the crashing isn't because of the extra files after all.
8. I propose a different solution (write it down below in the replies).
I have a different idea that I think would be better and I'd like to share in the replies below.
It'd be great to get your input on this issue and how you feel about this, so please don't feel like your opinion is useless or inadequate.
Poll