                              JETFIGHTER III
                          3Dfx / MMX UPDATE #2

By popular demand, here is the first 3Dfx / MMX version of JetFighter 
III.  This version is being provided on an "as-is" basis and is 
considered an "Alpha" release.  Please read this entire document for 
VERY IMPORTANT information about this version.

INSTALLATION
------------
- Thoroughly read this document!!  Very, super, MEGA important!
- Download JF33DFX2.EXE (it is about ?? size)
- Copy the update file into your JetFighter III directory by typing:
      COPY A:\JF33DFX2.EXE C:\JF3 [Enter]
- Switch into the JetFighter III directory: CD \JF3 [Enter]
- Decompress the update by typing: JF33DFX2 [Enter]
- Apply the patch by typing: UPDATE [Enter]

RUNNING JETFIGHTER III
----------------------
- Run JetFighter III as normal, and press [Shift][V] when in the 
simulator to enter 3Dfx mode.

This version is a "quick port" and does not necessarily take FULL 
advantage of either the 3Dfx or MMX technologies.  However, it does run 
MUCH faster!  We wanted to post this version as soon as possible to let 
our customers enjoy JetFighter III at a MUCH higher frame rate. 

3Dfx INFORMATION
----------------
This version of JetFighter III should run on any 3Dfx based graphics 
accelerator.  In general, you should see a performance increase of 400% 
or better.  Because we wait for the vertical retrace synch to reduce 
flicker, you will see a maximum frame rate of 60 frames per second.

[Shift][V]  Toggles between 3Dfx mode and VGA mode.  Great to show off 
your new graphics card!
[Ctrl][B]   Toggles bilinear filtering on and off.  Bilinear filtering 
will reduce the texture "aliasing" or jittering in the background.  This 
will make the image look softer and a bit "blurrier".

MMX INFORMATION
---------------
This version of JetFighter III will automatically detect and use MMX 
instructions if your computer supports them.  MMX provided between 5 and 
15% performance increase over the non MMX version.  Because MMX code is 
currently only used in the graphics rendering portion of JetFighter III, 
MMX will not currently speed up the game if you are already using a 3Dfx 
graphics accelerator.

DISCLAIMER / FEEDBACK
---------------------
This is an "alpha" 3Dfx version of JetFighter III.  This means that not 
all of the features have been implemented, and problems may still exist.  
We have tested this 3Dfx / MMX version of JetFighter III in-house and 
have corrected any problems that we have found.  However, problems may 
still occur and we are looking for your feedback.  Please send any 
comments or suggestions to jf3team@missionstudios.com.  DO NOT send 
regular JetFighter III technical questions to this address!

REQUIREMENTS
------------
-  An original retail version of JetFighter III installed and working 
properly on your hard disk.  
-  16 Meg of RAM.  The original JetFighter III would run in 8 Meg, but 
this update, and all subsequent versions of JetFighter III will require 
16 Meg of RAM.
-  A 3Dfx based 3D graphics accelerator card installed and working in 
your system.  These include:
      - Diamond Monster 3D
      - Orchid Righteous 3D
      - RealVision Flash 3D
      - Hercules Stingray 128-3D
      - Quantum3D
      - Guillemot MaxiGamer 3Dfx


LIMITATIONS / BUGS / UNFINISHED ITEMS
-------------------------------------
- VERY IMPORTANT: Some installations of the 3Dfx card create DOS 
environment variables which prevent the simulator from running.  We have 
attempted to remove these automatically, but we may not be aware of all 
the possibilities.  If you have trouble running the game, or see the 
message "grSstSelect: non-existent SST", or see garbage in the upper 
left of the screen when you attempt to fly, then you must remove these 
environment variables manually.

These environment variables look like:

    set SST_RGAMMA=1.75
    set SST_BGAMMA=1.75
    set SST_GAMMA=1.75
    set SST_VIDEO_24BPP=1
    set SST_SCREENREFRESH=75
    (and so on)

These variable may also be set by a batch file called TWEEKS.BAT or 
something similar.

If you have problems as mentioned above, YOU MUST REMOVE THESE 
environment variables!  This can be done by putting a REM in front of 
all the lines that begin with SST_ or FX_.  Or, you can simply run the 
batch FIX3DFX and it will "nullify" any 3Dfx environment variables.

It is possible that we have not "nullified" all possible environment 
variables in our batch file below.  If JetFighter III still won't run, 
you should check your autoexec.bat file for any SET commands we missed 
and add them to the batch file.

Of course, the next 3Dfx update for JetFighter III will not require any 
changes to your environment variables.

- This version DOES NOT include the F-14 and therefore SHOULD NOT be 
used with any of the missions on the Enhanced Campaign CD.  A version 
with the F-14 will be available soon.  Until then, DO NOT select the F-
14 in Free Flight or Instant Mission modes and DO NOT run any missions 
from the Enhanced Campaign CD!  You will get an error.

- This version does not check for a 3Dfx card, so don't hit [Shift][V] 
if you don't have a 3Dfx in your system.  The program will probably 
exit. A new version that automatically detects the 3Dfx card will be 
uploaded soon.

- The 3Dfx mode will only look correct in 640x480.  In other resolutions 
you will see the game in a small window on the screen.

- Due to the limited resolution of the 3Dfx Z-buffer, you may see some 
strange effects when clouds intersect the mountains, and when buildings 
intersect distant terrain.  We are working to reduce this effect and 
will post updates when it is remedied / reduced.

- This quick 3Dfx port uses EXACTLY the same textures and color palette 
as the original JetFighter III.  We are working on improved textures 
which will dramatically improve the look of the game when running on 3D 
hardware.

- With bilinear filtering turned on [Ctrl][B], you may see some textures 
exhibit "seams".  This is a problem with the texture art and we are 
working to solve this.

- In some cases you may see a "hesitation" or "tearing" appear in the 
scene.  This is due to an extremely fast frame rate, usually above 
45fps.  We are working to reduce this effect.

- The distant scenery may look strange at times due to incorrect 
textures being displayed.

- Very distant runways may be visible through some parts of the terrain.

- Some missions that start on the ground may cause the simulator to 
crash.

- You may see stray pixels from the HUD on the right edge of the screen.

- On some systems, the sound may become garbled.  We believe this is due 
to DMA conflicts between the sound board and 3Dfx texture uploads.  We 
are working to fix this situation.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
---------------------
Q.  I can't get into the aircraft!  I get garbage in the upper left of 
the screen.
A.  See the section above on how to remove the 3Dfx environment 
variables.  This will be fixed in future updates.

Q.  Hey, this looks just like VGA mode!
A.  Did you hit [Shift][V]?  You must press [Shift][V] to enter 3Dfx 
mode!

Q.  The 3Dfx version won't run on my computer!
A.  You must have a retail version of JetFighter III, and then update it 
with this 3Dfx version in order to run the game in 3Dfx mode.

Q.  I can't run any of the missions on the Enhanced Campaign CD!
A.  You're Right!  As mentioned above in this file, this first 3Dfx 
update does not include the F-14, which is required by many of the 
Enhanced Campaign CD missions.  Hang on, and the next update will 
include the F-14.

Q.  Why didn't you make the textures better?  It looks drab.
A.  As we mentioned at the beginning of this document, this is a QUICK 
PORT designed to give our users a FREE update to JetFighter III that 
runs 4 times faster than the original version.  We are currently working 
on exploiting the full capabilities of 3Dfx and MMX.  Later enhancements 
will include vastly improved texture colors, additional special effects, 
and possibly even higher frame-rates.

Q.  Will JetFighter III run even faster if I have a card with 2 3Dfx 
chips on it?
A.  No.  We don't use any dual-pass texturing techniques right now.  It 
is possible that later versions of JetFighter III will make use of 
multiple-chip accelerators.

Q.  Why did JetFighter III gain so much from 3Dfx acceleration while 
some products only seem twice as fast.
A.  Good Question!  The original "software only" version of JetFighter 
II used an extremely sophisticated software rendering system patterned 
after advanced image generators like those used in military simulations.  
This engine included the ability to do perspective correct texturing, 
light source shading, smooth shading, z-buffering, haze and transparency 
all at the same time.  This makes the image look fantastic, but slows 
the game down because of all the calculations required to draw the 
images.  Fortunately, the 3Dfx chip is capable of handling ALL of the 
features that we needed, and it does them VERY quickly, so it 
accelerated almost every part of our drawing.

Most other games don't use such a complex renderer and therefore don't 
take as full advantage of the 3Dfx chipset as JetFighter III does.

Q.  What do I have to do to get MMX working on my system?
A.  Nothing.  If your computer has a MMX chip in it, JetFighter III will 
automatically detect and use its MMX features.

QUESTIONS AND FEEDBACK
----------------------
If you have questions about this version, or have some suggestions for 
us, please send e-mail to jf3team@missionstudios.com.  Please understand 
we are a small company and due to the popularity of this update we may 
not be able to answer all of your e-mail directly, but we will note your 
comments and suggestions. 

For non-3Dfx related technical support, please e-mail our customer 
support staff at t2support@take2games.com.  Sending regular technical 
support questions to any address other than t2support@take2games.com may 
considerably delay the response.


