Apcd/ Windows 11 issues.

[OllieW]

I've been trying to learn the APCD and build a course since I bought the game when it came out (and I was 13!). Having problems getting the game to run consistently no doubt due to my Geforce GPU. Might have to have another proper go now.

[pmgolf]

Geforce is a name associated with some very good nVidia Video Cards.

Have you downloaded and played/read "APCD From Start To Finish - Video Tutorial Series - Links Corner Forum"?

Visit the "Designers Corner" Forum.

Pete

[FOOOOORE!]

That is one solution but a real pain in the ass for workflow................having to reboot for one app or the other is annoying.

Another option (though more expensive) is to run a second PC with W10, and use it only for software that doesn't run well under W11. It wouldn't need to be as "beefy" as your main system, and it could even use the same monitor, just swap the cable over as needed (ditto for mouse and keyboard, but those are relatively cheap). That gets you away from setting up a double boot.

[dwg]

I have one notebook that still has Windows 10 on it, although rarely booted now, I was not able to get it to used its Nvidia chipset under Windows only the Intel, it has both. I do have to use the wrapper naturally with Windows/Intel.

My newer machines have Windows 11 and just have the embedded graphics and work well with Links.

Given the age of Links, pretty much any graphics chipset should run it, as should any modern machine, but I have noted that on Linux the performance of Links with Nvidia has been poor.

Yes on Windows using the wrapper I do lose translucent shadows, but I think that is relatively minor, I do not use the wrapper on Linux, yet with Intel I do have the translucent shadows.

[Colin Jones]

I am a little apologetic about my comments earlier in this thread. They were overly harsh and lacking any balance. The truth is that nearly all of the people who have tested and given me feedback about the (small number of) courses I have released over the years have been extremely kind and generous folks.

Just wish there was more of them giving me some feedback, which was the real issue I think I was moaning about. Kinda interesting that Ian and Sage jumped on board with my comments tho! So I sense they might share some of the same frustrations. So much effort effort for so little return these days, perhaps?

I haven't retired because I have some beautiful courses from Linkster that are unfinished. They will be wonderful when done so I can't give up just yet. I have some updates to complete too - Pete and Adelade: you boys are not forgotten. But I am struggling for APCD motivation, so not sure anything new will ever see the light of day.

[dwg]

To refine my earlier post, I have installed an Nvidia GT1030 in my Windows 11 desktop and Links is much happier, the wrapper still works, but I removed it and Links is working better. Links does not need anything more than a low end HBA, and the machine itself is a SFF system and will not take any larger HBA or that will draw any more power than the slot can provide.

The wrapper however is a must if you only have an Intel embedded GPU with Windows, but I have found 10 course files that cause a crash with the combination but are quite happy with Nvidia, to-date I have not found a solution. I have tried many settings in Videocard.txt and in the wrapper itself, and multiple versions of the wrapper.

I do wonder if the APCD would run well under Linux, but alas my knowledge of how to drive the APCD fits on a postage stamp with plenty of free space left.

Des

[aeerph]

Hi Colin,

I don't think you need to walk back your earlier comments on the thread as all. I can understand the frustration of the designers, as you spend many hours on a course, and then receive little to no feedback on it, unless someone finds a problem. There are many designers who have left due to the difficulties with the APCD tool, but I am sure many left due to a lack of appreciation for the amount of work they have put in. I am certainly guilty of not providing enough feedback on how much I enjoy the courses that I downloaded.

I played your Banff Springs 2025- Thompson 18 a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed every minute of it. I've also played Ian's Victoria National course recently and loved it. I know I should do a better job of logging into Links corner and just post my appreciation for the work that went into the course I just played.

I think to be a designer, you have to the love the process of creating and seeing how the course comes together, but if that work is met with silence or complaints, that definitely lessens the desire to keep designing. I will try to do better at providing feedback even if it is a little delayed until I have a chance to play the course.

Andy

[dwg]

Beta testing has never been really my forte, I do not have the patience to look at everything and test everything, but I will do some wild rounds and see where I end up, my interest is really in getting things to work, sometimes where they have no right in working.

That being said, I do try to leave a comment or two on any new course I play. I also try to play them on each machine I have in case they show any problems in a specific environment.

I would certainly encourage anyone who plays a course to leave a comment, even if it is only a line or two.