Init.SQF Optimization

[Kydoimos 916]

Hey all! Wondering if someone can help me with my frankly noobish scripting. Basically, I'm running an init.sqf that calls a couple of SQF files and contains a 15 second sleep, along with a bundle of animations etc. Now, my problem is, the first time I run the mission in the editor (and only the first time), the mission is sluggish and the OSD text appears later than it should and dialogue is getting delayed. I suspect the init.SQF is getting clogged.

How can I run a series of sqfs for an intro without this happening? Strangely, I've used sqfs and sleeps in other missions, and have not had this problem. Any suggestions? Thanks very much in advance!

---------- Post added at 20:58 ---------- Previous post was at 20:52 ----------

The strangest thing is - it ONLY happens when I load Arma 3 and load the mission the first time! :p

---------- Post added at 21:03 ---------- Previous post was at 20:58 ----------

Scheduled scripts always start with slight delay, subject to engine load.

I wonder if this is my problem?

[Jigsor 176]

Not sure what the problem is exactly, but you may look into uiSleep. I've used it before in init.sqf and it helped delay map at briefing until everything was loaded. Had to play with exact amount of sleep. The A2 mission in my sig uses it.

[R0T 1]

Are you getting any skript errors when you start it the first time ? Had the same problem with one of my scripts solution was just too wait for a function too get initialized

Maybe this helps !

https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Functions_Library_(Arma_3)#Initialization_Order

[Kydoimos 916]

Interesting! I'll look into that! Thanks!

[R0T 1]

Her is the thread with my problem !

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=179037

[Kydoimos 916]

Hi, ROT - no, there's no script errors or anything - thanks for the link!

[zooloo75 834]

Can you post the mission here or your init.sqf?

[Grumpy Old Man 3549]

Have you tried to launch all your scripts from a seperate .sqf file?

[Kydoimos 916]

Hi Grumpy Old Man, I've tried that - yeah, doesn't seem to matter! ZooLoo75, might do that after work today. Thanks for your responses!

[dna_uk 30]

The issue here is that on the first time you launch the mission the game is loading all the textures and objects for the first time, so the initial load is longer. Unfortunately while it's loading init.sqf has already been called and is executing.

The only nice workaround I can think of right now is to use BIS_fnc_blackOut and BIS_fnc_blackIn;

Try this at the very top of your init.sqf or initPlayerLocal.sqf:

[ "BIS_ScreenSetup", false ] call BIS_fnc_blackOut;
sleep 5;
[ "BIS_ScreenSetup", true ] call BIS_fnc_blackIn;

I actually use this in most of my missions just because it looks nicer anyway. Give it a go.

[terox 316]

This may help.

It will explain timings of some scripts and what occurs when.

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?176096-Zeu-Debugging-Tutorial-amp-Foundation-Template

Specifically, the following sections:

• Flow of code (Timing)
  
• A Little about code optimisation
  

Edited June 14, 2014 by Terox

[ceeeb 147]

You can use finishMissionInit, startLoadingScreen and endLoadingScreen to make sure as much initialisation as possible gets finished prior to the mission intro starting.

[Azza FHI 50]

How do u use finishmissioninit?

[Kydoimos 916]

Thanks everyone for your responses - yes, as Azer1234 asks, how exactly can the finishMissionInit be used? That sounds like it might do the trick!

[katipo66 94]

The issue here is that on the first time you launch the mission the game is loading all the textures and objects for the first time, so the initial load is longer. Unfortunately while it's loading init.sqf has already been called and is executing.

The only nice workaround I can think of right now is to use BIS_fnc_blackOut and BIS_fnc_blackIn;

Try this at the very top of your init.sqf or initPlayerLocal.sqf:

[ "BIS_ScreenSetup", false ] call BIS_fnc_blackOut;
sleep 5;
[ "BIS_ScreenSetup", true ] call BIS_fnc_blackIn;

I actually use this in most of my missions just because it looks nicer anyway. Give it a go.

Cool thanks.

[Kydoimos 916]

Also, it seems the audio takes a while to process - for instance, the digital text sound on the OSD takes a while to materialise.

[Kydoimos 916]

As a matter of fact, the OSD seems to take a lot of effort to process - even when I pre-process it. Really odd, that!

[Kydoimos 916]

Plus, all the KB conversations are delayed at mission load. It's like there's a pause and then the audio needs to catch up.

[ceeeb 147]

Thanks everyone for your responses - yes, as Azer1234 asks, how exactly can the finishMissionInit be used? That sounds like it might do the trick!

I am not 100% certain, but my understanding is finishMissionInit is a nullary command, used in the same way one would use "waitUntil {scriptDone _scriptHandle}". It presumably suspends execution of the code until the mission initialisation is complete.

[Kydoimos 916]

---------- Post added at 12:00 ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 ----------

Thanks Ceeeb - that really helpful! Good to know!

Edited June 16, 2014 by Kydoimos

[neokika 62]

Hi there,

This might be, because the rendering is still being loaded.

Try:

// Add event handler that fires once all systems (rendering, simulation etc) have been loaded and player is in control of character
["BIS_introPreload", "onPreloadFinished", {
// Remove event handler
["BIS_introPreload", "onPreloadFinished"] call BIS_fnc_removeStackedEventHandler;

// Flag
missionNamespace setVariable ["BIS_readyForIntro", true];
}] call BIS_fnc_addStackedEventHandler;

waitUntil {
!isNil { missionNamespace getVariable "BIS_readyForIntro" };
};

// YOUR CODE GOES HERE