Difference between revisions of "The American Girls: Dress Designer"
From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (→Run the game straight from the hard drive: updated template usage) |
|||
(20 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
|release dates= | |release dates= | ||
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|1999}} | {{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|1999}} | ||
+ | |taxonomy = | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series | American Girl }} | ||
|steam appid = | |steam appid = | ||
− | |gogcom | + | |gogcom id = |
+ | |mobygames = | ||
|strategywiki = | |strategywiki = | ||
|wikipedia = American Girl (video game series)#Edutainment games | |wikipedia = American Girl (video game series)#Edutainment games | ||
|winehq = 17566 | |winehq = 17566 | ||
+ | |license = commercial | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 17: | Line 32: | ||
{{--}} The game has issues on modern versions of Windows. See [[#Issues fixed|Issues fixed]]. | {{--}} The game has issues on modern versions of Windows. See [[#Issues fixed|Issues fixed]]. | ||
{{--}} Does not scale at all with higher resolutions; ''Dress Designer'' is fixed to run at 640x480, and playing it at 800x600 or higher introduces black borders around the screen. | {{--}} Does not scale at all with higher resolutions; ''Dress Designer'' is fixed to run at 640x480, and playing it at 800x600 or higher introduces black borders around the screen. | ||
+ | {{--}} While the game remains playable, ''Dress Designer'' appears to be poorly optimised when it comes to CPU utilisation, as it consumes too much processor time even on a modern systen. | ||
'''General information''' | '''General information''' | ||
Line 29: | Line 45: | ||
==Essential improvements== | ==Essential improvements== | ||
===Run the game straight from the hard drive=== | ===Run the game straight from the hard drive=== | ||
− | {{Fixbox| | + | {{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://agplaythings.proboards.com/thread/122467/american-girls-dress-designer-retired|title= American Girls Dress Designer (requires membership)|date=2016-11-08}}</ref>|fix= |
− | |||
# Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file(s) location]]. | # Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file(s) location]]. | ||
# Open {{code|Dress Designer.ini}}. | # Open {{code|Dress Designer.ini}}. | ||
Line 41: | Line 56: | ||
===Configuration file(s) location=== | ===Configuration file(s) location=== | ||
{{Game data| | {{Game data| | ||
− | {{Game data/ | + | {{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\Dress Designer.ini}} |
}} | }} | ||
===Save game data location=== | ===Save game data location=== | ||
{{Game data| | {{Game data| | ||
− | {{Game data/ | + | {{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\Data}} |
}} | }} | ||
− | ==Video | + | ==Video== |
− | {{Video | + | {{Video |
|wsgf link = | |wsgf link = | ||
|widescreen wsgf award = | |widescreen wsgf award = | ||
Line 74: | Line 89: | ||
|antialiasing = n/a | |antialiasing = n/a | ||
|antialiasing notes = | |antialiasing notes = | ||
+ | |upscaling = false | ||
+ | |upscaling tech = | ||
+ | |upscaling notes = | ||
|vsync = unknown | |vsync = unknown | ||
|vsync notes = | |vsync notes = | ||
Line 80: | Line 98: | ||
|120 fps = false | |120 fps = false | ||
|120 fps notes = | |120 fps notes = | ||
+ | |hdr = false | ||
+ | |hdr notes = | ||
|color blind = false | |color blind = false | ||
|color blind notes = | |color blind notes = | ||
Line 85: | Line 105: | ||
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]=== | ===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]=== | ||
− | {{Fixbox| | + | {{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://tcrf.net/The_American_Girls_Dress_Designer|title=The American Girls Dress Designer - The Cutting Room Floor|date=2016-11-08}}</ref>|fix= |
− | |||
# Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file(s) location]]. | # Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file(s) location]]. | ||
# Open {{code|Dress Designer.ini}}. | # Open {{code|Dress Designer.ini}}. | ||
Line 92: | Line 111: | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | ==Input | + | ==Input== |
− | {{Input | + | {{Input |
|key remap = false | |key remap = false | ||
|key remap notes = | |key remap notes = | ||
Line 104: | Line 123: | ||
|invert mouse y-axis = n/a | |invert mouse y-axis = n/a | ||
|invert mouse y-axis notes = | |invert mouse y-axis notes = | ||
+ | |touchscreen = false | ||
+ | |touchscreen notes = | ||
|controller support = false | |controller support = false | ||
|controller support notes = | |controller support notes = | ||
Line 114: | Line 135: | ||
|invert controller y-axis = n/a | |invert controller y-axis = n/a | ||
|invert controller y-axis notes= | |invert controller y-axis notes= | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|controller hotplug = false | |controller hotplug = false | ||
|controller hotplug notes = | |controller hotplug notes = | ||
|haptic feedback = false | |haptic feedback = false | ||
|haptic feedback notes = | |haptic feedback notes = | ||
− | | | + | |simultaneous input = unknown |
− | | | + | |simultaneous input notes = |
+ | |steam input api = unknown | ||
+ | |steam input api notes = | ||
+ | |steam hook input = unknown | ||
+ | |steam hook input notes = | ||
+ | |steam input presets = unknown | ||
+ | |steam input presets notes = | ||
+ | |steam controller prompts = unknown | ||
+ | |steam controller prompts notes = | ||
+ | |steam cursor detection = unknown | ||
+ | |steam cursor detection notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | ==Audio | + | ==Audio== |
− | {{Audio | + | {{Audio |
|separate volume = true | |separate volume = true | ||
|separate volume notes = Not actually a volume control per se, but background/theme music can be toggled on or off by clicking the Music button. | |separate volume notes = Not actually a volume control per se, but background/theme music can be toggled on or off by clicking the Music button. | ||
Line 139: | Line 166: | ||
|mute on focus lost notes = | |mute on focus lost notes = | ||
|eax support = false | |eax support = false | ||
− | |eax support notes = | + | |eax support notes = |
+ | |royalty free audio = unknown | ||
+ | |royalty free audio notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 145: | Line 174: | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = English | |language = English | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = true |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = false |
|notes = | |notes = | ||
|fan = | |fan = | ||
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 157: | Line 185: | ||
===Windows NT popup window crash fix=== | ===Windows NT popup window crash fix=== | ||
{{Image|AmGirls Dress Designer hMenu fail.png|The dreaded error message that shows up whenever the player attempts to quit the game or bring up the options menu. See [[:File:HMenuFail.gif|this GIF]] for an animated demo of the error.}} | {{Image|AmGirls Dress Designer hMenu fail.png|The dreaded error message that shows up whenever the player attempts to quit the game or bring up the options menu. See [[:File:HMenuFail.gif|this GIF]] for an animated demo of the error.}} | ||
− | {{Fixbox| | + | {{Fixbox|description=Install the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/949-american-girls-dress-designer-popup-crash-fix/ unofficial AG Dress Designer patch]|ref={{cn|date=November 2016}}|fix= |
− | |||
'''Notes''' | '''Notes''' | ||
− | {{ii}} This fixes the "An error occurred while opening a window" message when the game is played on an NT-based Windows OS, e.g. Windows 7, Vista or 10. Interestingly, the aforementioned error also occurs on operating systems as far back as Windows NT 4.0, an OS released a few years ''before'' the game. It can be presumed that the business-oriented nature of NT at the time accounted for why support for it was overlooked,<ref> | + | {{ii}} This fixes the "An error occurred while opening a window" message when the game is played on an NT-based Windows OS, e.g. Windows 7, Vista or 10. Interestingly, the aforementioned error also occurs on operating systems as far back as Windows NT 4.0, an OS released a few years ''before'' the game. It can be presumed that the business-oriented nature of NT at the time accounted for why support for it was overlooked,<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://tcrf.net/Notes:The_American_Girls_Dress_Designer|title=Notes:The American Girls Dress Designer|date=May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://gtaforums.com/topic/865302-using-detourseasyhook-in-an-asi/|title=Using Detours/EasyHook in an .ASI?|date=May 2023}}</ref> only to end up being met with negative reviews on Amazon from irate parents whose children were unable to play the game on their computers.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.amazon.com/American-Girls-Dress-Designer-PC/product-reviews/B00002R2AQ/|title=Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: American Girls Dress Designer - PC|date=2016-11-08}}</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.amazon.com/American-Girls-Dress-Designer-PC/product-reviews/B000B75M7S|title=Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: American Girls Dress Designer - PC|date=2016-11-08}}</ref> |
− | {{ii}} You can also download the patch | + | {{ii}} You can also download the patch [http://www.strawberryforum.org/dressdesigner/ here]. |
}} | }} | ||
===Audio stutters on newer operating systems=== | ===Audio stutters on newer operating systems=== | ||
− | {{Fixbox| | + | {{Fixbox|description=Use the latest [http://filehippo.com/download_quicktime_alternative/ QuickTime Alternative] runtime instead of the bundled QuickTime codec.}} |
− | + | ||
+ | ===Game does not fill the entire screen on higher resolutions=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use {{store link|steam|993090|Lossless Scaling}} along with windowed mode. | ||
+ | '''Notes''' | ||
+ | {{ii}} This isn't without its drawbacks, however: clicking on Exit or Print results in the main game window scaling back to its normal size. Also, you'll have to launch the tool and activate it every time you play the game as well. | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 187: | Line 218: | ||
|metal support = | |metal support = | ||
|metal support notes = | |metal support notes = | ||
− | |vulkan | + | |vulkan versions = |
− | |vulkan | + | |vulkan notes = |
|dos modes = | |dos modes = | ||
|dos modes notes = | |dos modes notes = | ||
|shader model versions = | |shader model versions = | ||
|shader model notes = | |shader model notes = | ||
− | |64-bit executable | + | |windows 32-bit exe = true |
− | |64-bit executable notes= | + | |windows 64-bit exe = false |
+ | |windows arm app = unknown | ||
+ | |windows exe notes = | ||
+ | |macos intel 32-bit app = | ||
+ | |macos intel 64-bit app = | ||
+ | |macos arm app = unknown | ||
+ | |macos app notes = | ||
+ | |linux 32-bit executable= | ||
+ | |linux 64-bit executable= | ||
+ | |linux arm app = unknown | ||
+ | |linux executable notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:43, 3 June 2023
Developers | |
---|---|
Mattel Interactive | |
Release dates | |
Windows | 1999 |
Taxonomy | |
Series | American Girl |
Key points
- The game has issues on modern versions of Windows. See Issues fixed.
- Does not scale at all with higher resolutions; Dress Designer is fixed to run at 640x480, and playing it at 800x600 or higher introduces black borders around the screen.
- While the game remains playable, Dress Designer appears to be poorly optimised when it comes to CPU utilisation, as it consumes too much processor time even on a modern systen.
General information
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | Used copies of the game can be found on eBay and other online sellers. |
Essential improvements
Run the game straight from the hard drive
Instructions[1] |
---|
|
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\Dress Designer.ini[Note 1] |
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\Data[Note 1] |
Video
Graphics feature | State | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | |||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | |||
4K Ultra HD | |||
Field of view (FOV) | |||
Windowed | See Windowed. | ||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | |||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | |||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | |||
High-fidelity upscaling | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | |||
60 FPS | |||
120+ FPS | |||
High dynamic range display (HDR) |
Windowed
Instructions[2] |
---|
|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | |
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support |
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | Not actually a volume control per se, but background/theme music can be toggled on or off by clicking the Music button. | |
Surround sound | ||
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
Royalty free audio |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English |
Issues fixed
Windows NT popup window crash fix
The dreaded error message that shows up whenever the player attempts to quit the game or bring up the options menu. See this GIF for an animated demo of the error.
Install the unofficial AG Dress Designer patch[citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Audio stutters on newer operating systems
Use the latest QuickTime Alternative runtime instead of the bundled QuickTime codec. |
---|
Game does not fill the entire screen on higher resolutions
Use Lossless Scaling along with windowed mode.
Notes
|
---|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
DirectDraw | 7.0 |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Cutscenes | QuickTime | Earlier runtime versions may cause the audio to stutter; see above fix for details |
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | 95 | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium 166 MHz | |
System memory (RAM) | 32 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 75 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | 16-bit colour |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details).
References
- ↑ American Girls Dress Designer (requires membership) - last accessed on 2016-11-08
- ↑ The American Girls Dress Designer - The Cutting Room Floor - last accessed on 2016-11-08
- ↑ Notes:The American Girls Dress Designer - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Using Detours/EasyHook in an .ASI? - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: American Girls Dress Designer - PC - last accessed on 2016-11-08
- ↑ Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: American Girls Dress Designer - PC - last accessed on 2016-11-08