Zoom Out Portrait Bug

[rrr_r]

Hello all.

I searched the forums for anything like this, but I have none. My brother uses the Mac version of Civilization IV, and there is a bug that affects the globe when fully zoomed out. Instead of the world that is usually displayed, there is instead the portrait of a civilization, actually wrapped around the globe. Also included is the minimap wrapped in the upper part of the globe. It is really strange.

I will get a screenshot, but can someone please tell me how to take a screenshot on a Mac?
Thanks!

 

[AlanH]

Hello, welcome

1. This is a well-documented feature of the game. I believe it became much rarer after Aspyr issued the patches, so the first question has to be - has your brother patched the game yet? See this sticky thread for links to the patches for Civ4 and Warlords. My second question is what sort of Mac is your brother playing on? Civ4 demands high performance graphics hardware, and many older ... and some modern ... Macs don't measure up.

2. There's no need for a screenshot on this occasion, as you have described a well-known effect. However, you can take screenshots in any Mac program -

Command-Shift-3 for a full screen shot to file

Command-Shift-4 for a selection to file

Control and either of the above to put the screenshot on the clipboard instead of creating yet another file on the desktop

Note that the selection options don't always give you all the layers.

 

[s.bernbaum]

I used to have the same problem but after using the "C" patch for vanilla CIV and updateing Mac OSX to 10.4.9, the problem went away. I am using an older G4 Minimac. Other than the speed, it now runs fine (with sound OFF to increase speed of graphics). Make sure youhave the latest OSX and CIV Mac patch "C".

 

[rrr_r]

Thanks!

He has v1.61 on a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo Macbook running Mac OS 10.4.9

Hope that's all you need.

 

[AlanH]

1. The MacBook (non-Pro) uses Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics, and Aspyr don't recommend running Civ4 on that chipset. However, I believe others do manage to play on MacBooks, though the late game on large maps with lots of civs crawls a bit, and it may be worth turning down the graphics settings.

2. There has only ever been v1.61 for Mac. However, there have been three patches since it was first released. We are currently on patch C. The full version information can be obtained by right clicking the Civ4 application and selecting Get Info - this is equivalent to the "Properties" option in Windows. If his Civ4 is patched to level C the version info will show:

Version: 1.61 (25318)

If the number in brackets is lower than this then he has not patched it up to the latest level. My previous post gives a link to the post that points to the latest patch.

NOTE: You cannot use the in-game version checker, as it thinks it's the Windows version and goes to GameSpy to check for updates, and lies that it's up to date at version 1.61. This is not helpful. You *have* to get the Mac patch manually.