Flickering, blocky shadows on sims

[LittleMrs]

The sims 3 has been running with no problems at all for a long time. However, recently, the shadows on sims (particularly on their faces) have become very pixelated and constantly flicker while the sim is outside.

It seems this person from the sims 3 forums has the same problem (there is a picture here too):

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/463034.page

She seems to think it was from patching the 1.26, but this isn't the case for me. My game looked fine with that patch.

The problem has started since one of these events:
Patching to 1.31
Installing generations
Removing a default skin

I have searched everywhere for an explanation with no luck! It's not a major problem, I'll admit, as the problem goes away when I adjust the lighting settings to low, but I miss having pretty lighting in my game :(

I have also tried running the game without CC, which didn't solve the issue.

Thanks for reading :)

[ellacharmed]

General - Post System Specs
We need more information before we can help with your issue.
Please post a Quick summary of your System Specs
Instructions on finding them are here: Game Help:System Specs.
Please Do NOT post your complete DxDiag report in your thread.


Sims 3 - Game Problems
Please go through this FAQ and follow the instructions, doing each step in order and not skipping anything:

Game Help:Sims 3 Game Problem
Most issues with the game can be resolved by following those steps.


Did the Sim also have tattoos - default or custom?
Did you reset the Sim itself to use default skin by going back to CAS? This might help - 377514 If you don't already have a mod to allow the "editsim" / "edit in cas" command (like Awesomemod or Mastercontroller), then you need one as the EA command is buggy. For further info on each mod, visit the respective sites and read their FAQs/RTFM.

I have also tried running the game without CC, which didn't solve the issue.If above suggestions don't help, what do you mean by the above? Tested on new game, with no cc on new user folders on default EA world? Or just disabled CC with existing user folders and CC files and caches still intact? Then you need to do the Game Problem FAQ.

If that didn't solve it, post specs.

[LittleMrs]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/10/2012, 15:31:49
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/05/10 19:13:52 Ver: 08.00.10
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Memory: 16384MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 16366MB RAM
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 570
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1081&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4064 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1248 MB
Shared Memory: 2815 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: PL2273HD
Monitor Id: IVM561A
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.8026 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.8026
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/3/2011 11:50:00, 15064168 bytes



-------------
Sound Devices
-------------

Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0887&SUBSYS_10438444&REV_1003
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6402 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 6/28/2011 11:15:22, 2905832 bytes


------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------

Drive: C:
Free Space: 367.8 GB
Total Space: 476.8 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST500DM002-1BD142 ATA Device

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I went through the steps of the game problem section. Sorry for not being clear on that!
And no, my sims don't really have tattoos. I guess I could try putting the default skin back in my game! I'll go try now.
Thanks for the quick reply!

[ellacharmed]

You have outdated graphics drivers, update that too. Current version is 295.73.
If you need help in getting the updates, let me know.

[LittleMrs]

Oh thanks for spotting that! I have updated them now. Will test game now and see if there is any improvement. Thank you! :)

Edit: No such luck! Still have those unattractive flickering shadows on all my sims. Looks like I'll just have to stick with my lighting and shadows setting on low for now! Thank you for your advice :)

[ellacharmed]

Try with fresh options.ini (move to Desktop first instead of outright deletion, or a simple rename also works; as long as it is no longer being read and a new one is regenerated). Sometimes the old data sticks. Retweak them as you want with the fresh options.

System reboot after the updates? Reran DxDiag to confirm version and date changed?

[LittleMrs]

Yep, I tried all those things. It's very odd how this has just sprung up, seemingly out of nowhere! Oh well. Thanks again for your advice! :)

[ellacharmed]

Is Advanced Rendering already on? That card shouldn't be having any graphical issues.

[LittleMrs]

Yep, advanced rendering is on. Yeah, I don't think it's the card. I can't think what it is!

[ellacharmed]

Do you still have the Sim or cc skin (or whatever item) that you suspect may have triggered this? I can test to see if it affects my card the same.

Last resort is an Uninstall, I suppose. It is entirely possible the issue is caused by borked/incomplete patching or the file transfer during installation of new addons and not by any CC, as removing them has no effects.

[LittleMrs]

All sims in my game are affected by the ugly shadow. I don't think there is a problem with CC either tbh. I only mentioned the removed skintone just to be thorough, as around the time of removal is when the problems started. The skintone I removed is this one: http://neuroticrobotic.dreamwidth.org/17081.html?#cutid1
I will try an uninstall when I have time- probably at the weekend. Will post back here when I have done so!