Reclined Fizzler causes leaks in a "Mysterious Way"

[philhzss]

Hi,

I did multiple searches and read the FAQs, but if I'm breaking any rules / if this is already known, sorry that I missed it.

Settings used

I haven't tested this in multiple styles yet, nor multiple skyboxes, but here are the settings I used when I was getting it. Style: 1980's Old Aperture Skybox: Sphere Exterior (recommended for the style) Also, the bug presents itself in different ways, depending on if I have "Opened Enrichment Sphere: Switches to a partially-constructed Enrichment Sphere" checked in the style properties.. more details to follow.

Issue

After quite a lot of recompiling my level, I've found that the bug is caused by having any of the two columns of the reclined fizzler (I haven't tested with the standing fizzler yet) inside a default in-game wall block. Whenever there is a reclined fizzler column within a game block, there seems to be a massive "light leak" but this only appears when you're outside of the test chamber (before entering or after exiting). If I UNCHECK "Opened Enrichment Sphere", the "exterior view" between the elevator and test chamber looks ok, except for the fact there is no goo. It just doesn't render. I tried to "noclip" my way down there, and I did die, so the goo is there, it's just invisible.

If I DO CHECK "Opened Enrichment Sphere", well then its even worse, because the bottom of the "exterior view" (between elevator and chamber) becomes all white and bright, unless you move the mouse.. like a light leak, basically. Oddly enough, if this is the case (and this is how I discovered the bug), you can't publish your level. Pressing F9 to rebuild the level works fine, and you can play it (except its ugly), but clicking publish makes Portal generate an error, saying the level can't be built. I was finding it odd that it could build it with F9 but not when publishing, but all was fixed when I deleted my reclined fizzler... so I messed around and discovered you must have an empty space around the two columns that support the reclined fizzler.

Fix

Interestingly enough (and this was my workaround for my level), you can easily place BEEMod's angled surface blocks and have them cover up the reclined fizzler's columns, no issue. My fizzler was in the corner of a room, so I simply deleted the in-game block and placed a 60 degree angled surface block on the side. This looked exactly the same in-game, but I no longer had my lighting issue and everything was fine. I tested again in a brand new and empty test chamber, simply placing the reclined fizzler with a column stuck into a wall and I get the bug.

I had read on the standing fizzler's wiki page that the column was free of texture overlaps if placed inside a block, so I assumed it was the same for the reclined fizzler. Maybe it is and this is just a bug, maybe it isn't and I'm an idiot for placing columns inside of blocks. Either way, that's all I've figured out so far! Sorry if this was too long and sorry if it was already known. I can post pictures later if you need them. I hope this was somewhat useful to someone!

Thanks Phil

[LautaroL20]

Hello, i am the author of the Standing & Reclined fizzler, it would help me if you post pictures doing a comparison between a normal compiling situation and the issue, and if possible, do the same with the puzzlemaker to see how do you arrange the stuff in the editor because all what you mention is pretty weird.

[philhzss]

Hello Lautarol, thanks for your comment. I’m not at home right now but as soon as I have access to my computer, I shall take pictures / record a video and post here. Thank you!

[TeamSpen210]

I can understand from the description, the problem is the side columns must have some entity origin inside them, so placing them through a wall will cause a leak.

[LautaroL20]

If any of the pillars are inside of a block, that part of the pillar will not be generated to avoid texture overlaps. So, the problem must be caused by something else.

[philhzss]

Hi again all,

Here's a short video I made to demonstrate.

Sorry for not cutting out the game loading screen, I didn't have much time and I wanted to post this before I left this morning. If it's missing key parts/aspects you wanted to see, let me know and I'll gladly make another one later. As you can see, everything is fine inside the test chamber, the leak is only outside... also, I probably should've demonstrated it but the bug doesn't occur if the pillars are inside a BEEMod angled surface block. Only occurs with main in-game blocks.

Also, here's what my editor looked like right before the export, if it helps.

Thanks for your time!

[LautaroL20]

Alright, it seems that this happens in all styles and the cause of the issue has to do with the unexploitable system done with invisible fizzler bars that are crossing the voxel, i will have to re-align them thru hammer...

The Standing Fizzler works like a charm though.

[Konclan]

That title makes me Angery

[FrozenDragon0]

@Konclan You mean angry.

[HugoBDesigner]

Actually, he means Thonkery

[Konclan]

@ZombiePwner1 Worng

[CubieJudy]

But what if they're rihgt

[philhzss]

Thank you Laurato for your time and efforts.

[LautaroL20]

No problem, it is just a matter of responsibility for me to keep supporting my items. I still need to make some wiki pages for some of them, it takes me time because of my poorly english skills, otherwise each items of mine would have already their corresponding page.

[FrozenDragon0]

@LautaroL20 Well wheels that's why i'm trying to help you improve your english.

[LautaroL20]

Wheels, i did not know you are a liar... everytime you find me on steam, the only you want to do is just play TF2...

[FrozenDragon0]

@LautaroL20 Wheels you don't notice?

[LautaroL20]

It was just only a few words, if you think that made you to become an english teacher then i am Spiderman...

[philhzss]

I wouldn't mind helping you write the wiki pages Laurato. I don't know much about custom items & Hammer, but I think I know English and Portal well enough! Anyway thanks for your edits.

I assume several changes need to be made before a new pre-release is published? No rush, just wondering!

[vrad-exe]

This would probably be caused by one of the "anti-exploit" triggers having its origin outside the map, it'd be fixed in the geometry branch.