Keeps crashing on cinematic camera - lastSplitTerrainOnly + Large Shadow Distance

Cliff Notes: When you have, "lastSplitTerrainOnly" set to false, AND a shadow distance of 3500 (maybe even less, dunno) it will crash on the cinematic camera. It took me 101 tests to figure this out, read below if you're interested =)

I'm running into an issue suddenly where when I'm using the cinematic camera on a car in one of my tunnels, the game crashes.

At first I thought it was because I wasn't exporting the tunnel as a single object (all parts were left alone, not combined as one) but then it is happening regardless of how I export it.

Two things:

1.) Too many polys? I'm not using a collision mesh right now, just using the "visible mesh" collision and the ground surface may be a total of 500 flat polys.

2.) My level seems to suffer recently when facing towards the middle of it, fps gets kicked in the butt. When driving normally facing away from the center I get 80+ fps at 4k, but when facing it I get 40fps. Even though draw calls doesn't change.

I'm worried the reason it crashes is because it switches the cinematic camera to a view facing towards the center and skips out on some physics calcs as a result and bingo bango bongo it's crashed.

Drawcalls are averaging 4-5000 depending on where I am in the map, the highest I can get it is when I'm in the most detailed area, facing the center and it gets upwards of 15,000!! But ONLY there, and that's not where it's crashing.

The way I've been exporting is using open collada and I haven't had any issues like this until now.
--- Post updated ---
Strange! I kept trying to zero in on where the slow point was, and nothing would lead me there.

I looked at the performance graph and my GPU (1080ti) was constantly at GPU Present of 40! I always run windowed but full screen so jusssst under 4k resolution.

I shrunk the window down to about 1440p and nothing, then shrunk it down to like 800x600 then blamo 90fps. Went full size again, and still 90fps. So what the heck!? Is that a windows bug? All I know. . . resizing the window fixed my horrible fps. Now to get back and try to crash things with that cinematic camera.
--- Post updated ---
Yuuuuuuuup, crashed again, at 72fps. :'(

 

The poly count is only about 1500 in total with all the meshes in view (tunnel, fans, lights, etc..) so that's not it.

I've just noticed it slowed down three times, and I resized the window and it fixed it each time. Nothing to do with my model being present or not.

Then, I've had it crash 5 times in a row with the cinematic camera looking at the same spot EACH time. Always as the car is towards one end of the tunnel. So I don't know if the camera is getting stuck in some funky geometry - I assume it doesn't teleport but actually MOVES across the map, just very quickly and if so that would make sense that it gets jammed somewhere. I'll try to change the cinematic settings and see if that does anything. Based on what I just said it SHOULD but we'll see. Such a pain, takes 2 minutes to reload each time
--- Post updated ---
Poly count is 1368, so hardly any issue

 

Changing the settings, it didn't crash this time! BUT once it switched from where it continually crashed, it then. . crashed =D It DID spawn inside a bridge (not my model!) and it shouldn't have, because. . there's a bridge there
--- Post updated ---
Well - about time - I just tested the cinematic camera elsewhere, and sure enough it crashed, so it's nothing to do with the AREA the camera is in. Now to see if it crashes on other levels.
--- Post updated ---
Also, I keep forgetting to check the damn crash status! =D
--- Post updated ---
Yup only in my level. I tried recording a replay and playing it back in slow motion, same thing, it crashes right when the camera would switch to another point. So it's not getting stuck in any geometry anywhere because there isn't any where I was just testing it.

Man this . . . is quite a let down as I kind of need the cinematic camera to work on this level hahah! Kinda the WHOLE REASON I'M MAKING IT. I'll go back to an earlier version and see if it does then too or if it's something new.
--- Post updated ---
Nooooooope, crashed on a version from 2 days ago too, and it wasn't doing that before! This isn't . . great.

Crash code is just 0000000000001
--- Post updated ---
WELL.

Fixed - I believe.

I went back to a version from Jan 28th 530am and finally the camera worked!

SO SOMETHING was changed at that time. I couldn't figure it out, and there was so much back and forth between files, what I ended up doing was taking my primary level info (that I have in it's own sim group for cleanliness, and it paid off) and pasted it over my current code, and sure enough it fixed it.

I'm going to post both the old one, and the one that kept crashing, and hopefully find the issue here, if not someone else might:

Old one that I'm using again, that works:

Code:

{"name":"BeachTunnelZoneAndPortals","class":"SimGroup","persistentId":"bc86cb50-72d8-4bd1-a343-42385c7cb503","__parent":"Level_objects"}
{"name":"BeachLotSpawn","class":"SpawnSphere","persistentId":"b7b3eb81-2211-4a23-90cd-86ef800d57f5","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[577.9510498046875,3802.41845703125,461.7700500488281],"SpawnClass":"Player","datablock":"SpawnSphereMarker","radius":1,"rotationMatrix":[-0.9755401015281677,-0.2198216170072556,0.0001517943310318515,0.2198216319084167,-0.9755398035049438,0.0006736436625942588,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"sphereWeight":"1"}
{"name":"VistaLotSpawn","class":"SpawnSphere","persistentId":"706db525-02b7-43a5-94ab-912e1ea5e9c9","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-699.9274291992188,3749.74169921875,603.3339233398438],"SpawnClass":"Player","datablock":"SpawnSphereMarker","radius":1,"rotationMatrix":[-0.779339075088501,0.6266024708747864,-0.0004326904600020498,-0.6266025900840759,-0.7793388962745667,0.0005381602677516639,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"sphereWeight":"1"}
{"name":"spawn","class":"SpawnSphere","persistentId":"aa382687-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-832.6762084960938,1602.194580078125,527.4835205078125],"SpawnClass":"player","SpawnDatablock":"DefaultPlayerData","datablock":"SpawnSphereMarker","radius":1,"rotationMatrix":[-0.9993172287940979,0.0369364432990551,0,-0.0369364432990551,-0.9993172287940979,0,0,0,1],"sphereWeight":"1"}
{"class":"ForestWindEmitter","persistentId":"4eab870d-5ffc-47ad-85d8-f806e1524197","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[0,0,1.872549414634705],"rotationMatrix":[1,0,0,0,0.9999997615814209,-0.0006905338959768414,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"strength":0.5}
{"name":"rain","class":"SFXEmitter","persistentId":"aa399a63-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[225,494,167],"fadeInTime":0,"fadeOutTime":0,"scale":[100,100,100],"volume":0}
{"name":"rain_coverage","class":"Precipitation","persistentId":"aa399a65-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[0,0,306.7619934082031],"boxHeight":10,"boxWidth":16,"datablock":"rain_medium","dropSize":1,"fadeDist":5,"fadeDistEnd":10,"maxMass":5,"maxSpeed":0.5,"minMass":4,"minSpeed":0.4000000059604645,"numDrops":0,"splashMS":80,"splashSize":0.25,"useTurbulence":true,"useWind":true}
{"name":"theTerrain","class":"TerrainBlock","persistentId":"157d5cca-2f5f-48ca-a705-d61be90f7067","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-2717.88916015625,1749.047119140625,408.4291076660156],"baseTexSize":4096,"lightMapSize":1024,"maxHeight":622,"minimapImage":"levels/KrallSpace/italy_minimap.png","screenError":6,"terrainFile":"levels/KrallSpace/theTerrain.ter"}
{"name":"clouds2","class":"CloudLayer","persistentId":"8870ed07-3652-4df6-924f-7268c4ca548e","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-1129.713989257813,1384.197509765625,551.786865234375],"Textures":[{"texDirection":[1,0.5]},{"texDirection":[0.5,1],"texScale":5},{}],"baseColor":[0.8549020290374756,0.8549020290374756,0.8549020290374756,2],"coverage":0.2000000029802322,"exposure":4,"height":1.5,"rotationMatrix":[1,0,0,0,0.9999997615814209,-0.0006905338959768414,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"texture":"levels/KrallSpace/art/skies/SkyNormals_05.dds","windSpeed":0.2000000029802322}
{"name":"clouds1","class":"CloudLayer","persistentId":"0066e259-97dd-4dd8-b878-4f42ec7a42d0","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-963.0203857421875,1032.6826171875,-167.3065795898438],"Textures":[{},{"texScale":2},{"texScale":2}],"baseColor":[0.8980389833450317,0.8980389833450317,0.8980389833450317,1],"coverage":0.1000000014901161,"exposure":2,"rotationMatrix":[1,0,0,0,0.9999997615814209,-0.0006905338959768414,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"texture":"levels/KrallSpace/art/skies/SkyNormals_05.dds","windSpeed":0.1000000014901161}
{"name":"vegetation","class":"SimGroup","persistentId":"aa39adea-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects"}
{"name":"theLevelInfo1","class":"LevelInfo","persistentId":"ae22efce-6efc-40c5-9b3a-4cbe9e86474b","__parent":"Level_objects","Enabled":"1","advancedLightmapSupport":true,"canvasClearColor":"black","fogAtmosphereHeight":1200,"fogColor":[0.8196079730987549,0.9647060036659241,0.992156982421875,1],"fogDensity":0.0002500000118743628,"fogDensityOffset":1,"globalEnviromentMap":"BNG_Sky_02_cubemap","gravity":0.1000000014901161,"soundAmbience":"AudioAmbienceDefault","temperatureCurveC":[0,27,0.2000000029802322,26,0.5,23,0.800000011920929,24,1,27],"visibleDistance":15000}
{"name":"theForest","class":"Forest","persistentId":"aa38136b-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[363.8873901367188,0,573.01416015625],"Locked":true,"lodReflectScalar":0}
{"name":"Ocean1","class":"WaterPlane","persistentId":"ec58856a-37d3-4dba-8a8d-1b5c8be96dd9","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[0,0,457.7506103515625],"Foam":[{"foamDir":[0.5,1],"foamOpacity":1,"foamSpeed":0.001000000047497451,"foamTexScale":[32,32]},{"foamDir":[5,5],"foamOpacity":1,"foamSpeed":0.002000000094994903,"foamTexScale":[8,8]}],"Ripples (texture animation)":[{"rippleDir":[0,-1],"rippleSpeed":0.0008999999845400453,"rippleTexScale":[256,256]},{"rippleDir":[1,1],"rippleSpeed":0.008999999612569809,"rippleTexScale":[64,64]},{"rippleDir":[0.5,0.5],"rippleMagnitude":1,"rippleSpeed":0.003000000026077032,"rippleTexScale":[128,128]}],"Waves (vertex undulation)":[{"waveDir":[0,-1],"waveMagnitude":0.800000011920929,"waveSpeed":1},{"waveDir":[0.300000011920929,-1.200000047683716],"waveMagnitude":0.5,"waveSpeed":3},{"waveDir":[-0.300000011920929,-0.800000011920929],"waveMagnitude":0.699999988079071,"waveSpeed":1.5}],"baseColor":[253,254,254,255],"clarity":0,"cloneOrigin":"Ocean2","cubemap":"GreySkyCubemap","density":1500,"depthGradientMax":100,"depthGradientTex":"levels/KrallSpace/art/water/depthcolor_ramp_italy_ocean2.png","distortEndDist":10,"distortFullDepth":5.5,"emissive":true,"foamRippleInfluence":0.001000000047497451,"foamTex":"levels/italy/art/water/foam2.dds","fresnelBias":2,"fresnelPower":0.5,"gridElementSize":0.800000011920929,"gridSize":200,"hidden":true,"overallFoamOpacity":0.75,"overallRippleMagnitude":0.8500000238418579,"overallWaveMagnitude":0.07999999821186066,"reflectDetailAdjust":2,"reflectMaxRateMs":2,"reflectTexSize":1024,"reflectivity":0.2000000029802322,"rippleTex":"levels/italy/art/water/ripple4.dds","specularPower":60,"underwaterColor":[255,15,0,253],"viscosity":0.001000000047497451,"waterFogDensity":0.1500000059604645,"waterFogDensityOffset":0.1000000014901161,"wetDarkening":0.1000000014901161,"wetDepth":0.4000000059604645}
{"name":"sunsky","class":"ScatterSky","persistentId":"aa399a67-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-1509.87255859375,1554.193969726563,521.9990234375],"ambientScale":[0.3725489974021912,0.3725489974021912,0.3725489974021912,1],"azimuth":320,"brightness":1.200000047683716,"colorize":[0.3470590114593506,0.5098040103912354,0.6078429818153381,1],"colorizeAmount":2.200000047683716,"elevation":45,"exposure":2,"flareScale":15,"flareType":"BNG_Sunflare_2","fogScale":[0.9176470041275024,0.9411770105361938,0.9725490212440491,1],"lastSplitTerrainOnly":true,"logWeight":0.9900000095367432,"mieScattering":0.0005249999812804163,"moonLightColor":[0.1960780024528503,0.1960780024528503,0.1960780024528503,1],"moonMat":"Moon_Glow_Mat","moonScale":0.02999999932944775,"nightColor":[0.02352939918637276,0.02352939918637276,0.02352939918637276,1],"nightCubemap":"BlackSkyCubemap","nightFogColor":[0.003921569790691137,0.003921569790691137,0.003921569790691137,1],"overDarkFactor":[40000,12000,5100,800],"rayleighScattering":0.01499999966472387,"shadowDarkenColor":[0.749019980430603,0.749019980430603,0.749019980430603,0.00800000037997961],"shadowDistance":3500,"shadowSoftness":0.4000000059604645,"skyBrightness":11,"sunScale":[0.9960780143737793,0.992156982421875,0.9411770105361938,1],"texSize":2048,"useNightCubemap":true}

One that kept crashing the game, somewhere in here has to be some setting that the game hated:

Code:

{"name":"BeachTunnelZoneAndPortals","class":"SimGroup","persistentId":"bc86cb50-72d8-4bd1-a343-42385c7cb503","__parent":"Level_objects"}
{"name":"BeachLotSpawn","class":"SpawnSphere","persistentId":"b7b3eb81-2211-4a23-90cd-86ef800d57f5","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[582.8251342773438,3869.3115234375,460.2834167480469],"SpawnClass":"Player","datablock":"SpawnSphereMarker","radius":1,"rotationMatrix":[-0.9391606450080872,-0.3434782028198242,0.0001517942437203601,0.3434782922267914,-0.9391603469848633,0.000673643546178937,-8.882283145794645e-05,0.0006847975892014802,0.9999997615814209],"sphereWeight":"1"}
{"name":"VistaLotSpawn","class":"SpawnSphere","persistentId":"706db525-02b7-43a5-94ab-912e1ea5e9c9","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-699.9274291992188,3749.74169921875,603.3339233398438],"SpawnClass":"Player","datablock":"SpawnSphereMarker","radius":1,"rotationMatrix":[-0.779339075088501,0.6266024708747864,-0.0004326904600020498,-0.6266025900840759,-0.7793388962745667,0.0005381602677516639,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"sphereWeight":"1"}
{"name":"spawn","class":"SpawnSphere","persistentId":"aa382687-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-832.6762084960938,1602.194580078125,527.4835205078125],"SpawnClass":"player","SpawnDatablock":"DefaultPlayerData","datablock":"SpawnSphereMarker","radius":1,"rotationMatrix":[-0.9993172287940979,0.0369364432990551,0,-0.0369364432990551,-0.9993172287940979,0,0,0,1],"sphereWeight":"1"}
{"class":"ForestWindEmitter","persistentId":"4eab870d-5ffc-47ad-85d8-f806e1524197","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[0,0,1.872549414634705],"rotationMatrix":[1,0,0,0,0.9999997615814209,-0.0006905338959768414,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"strength":0.5}
{"name":"rain","class":"SFXEmitter","persistentId":"aa399a63-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[225,494,167],"fadeInTime":0,"fadeOutTime":0,"scale":[100,100,100],"volume":0}
{"name":"rain_coverage","class":"Precipitation","persistentId":"aa399a65-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[0,0,306.7619934082031],"boxHeight":10,"boxWidth":16,"datablock":"rain_medium","dropSize":1,"fadeDist":5,"fadeDistEnd":10,"maxMass":5,"maxSpeed":0.5,"minMass":4,"minSpeed":0.4000000059604645,"numDrops":0,"splashMS":80,"splashSize":0.25,"useTurbulence":true,"useWind":true}
{"name":"theTerrain","class":"TerrainBlock","persistentId":"157d5cca-2f5f-48ca-a705-d61be90f7067","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-2717.88916015625,1749.047119140625,408.4291076660156],"baseTexSize":4096,"lightMapSize":1024,"maxHeight":622,"minimapImage":"levels/KrallSpace/italy_minimap.png","screenError":10,"terrainFile":"levels/KrallSpace/theTerrain.ter"}
{"name":"clouds2","class":"CloudLayer","persistentId":"8870ed07-3652-4df6-924f-7268c4ca548e","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-1129.713989257813,1384.197509765625,551.786865234375],"Textures":[{"texDirection":[1,0.5]},{"texDirection":[0.5,1],"texScale":5},{}],"baseColor":[0.8549020290374756,0.8549020290374756,0.8549020290374756,2],"coverage":0.2000000029802322,"exposure":4,"height":1.5,"rotationMatrix":[1,0,0,0,0.9999997615814209,-0.0006905338959768414,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"texture":"levels/KrallSpace/art/skies/SkyNormals_05.dds","windSpeed":0.2000000029802322}
{"name":"clouds1","class":"CloudLayer","persistentId":"0066e259-97dd-4dd8-b878-4f42ec7a42d0","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-963.0203857421875,1032.6826171875,-167.3065795898438],"Textures":[{},{"texScale":2},{"texScale":2}],"baseColor":[0.8980389833450317,0.8980389833450317,0.8980389833450317,1],"coverage":0.1000000014901161,"exposure":2,"rotationMatrix":[1,0,0,0,0.9999997615814209,-0.0006905338959768414,0,0.0006905338959768414,0.9999997615814209],"texture":"levels/KrallSpace/art/skies/SkyNormals_05.dds","windSpeed":0.1000000014901161}
{"name":"vegetation","class":"SimGroup","persistentId":"aa39adea-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects"}
{"name":"theLevelInfo1","class":"LevelInfo","persistentId":"ae22efce-6efc-40c5-9b3a-4cbe9e86474b","__parent":"Level_objects","Enabled":"1","advancedLightmapSupport":true,"canvasClearColor":"black","fogAtmosphereHeight":1200,"fogColor":[0.8196079730987549,0.9647060036659241,0.992156982421875,1],"fogDensity":0.0002500000118743628,"fogDensityOffset":1,"globalEnviromentMap":"BNG_Sky_02_cubemap","gravity":0.1000000014901161,"nearClip":0.02500000037252903,"soundAmbience":"AudioAmbienceDefault","temperatureCurveC":[0,27,0.2000000029802322,26,0.5,23,0.800000011920929,24,1,27],"visibleDistance":15000}
{"name":"theForest","class":"Forest","persistentId":"aa38136b-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[363.8873901367188,0,573.01416015625],"Locked":true,"lodReflectScalar":0}
{"name":"sunsky","class":"ScatterSky","persistentId":"aa399a67-e9f8-11e6-96ae-bcd60d6fa220","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[-1509.87255859375,1554.193969726563,521.9990234375],"ambientScale":[0.2000000029802322,0.2000000029802322,0.2000000029802322,1],"azimuth":320,"brightness":1.200000047683716,"colorize":[0.3470590114593506,0.5098040103912354,0.6078429818153381,1],"colorizeAmount":2.200000047683716,"elevation":45,"exposure":2,"flareScale":15,"flareType":"BNG_Sunflare_2","fogScale":[0.9176470041275024,0.9411770105361938,0.9725490212440491,1],"logWeight":0.9900000095367432,"mieScattering":0.0005249999812804163,"moonLightColor":[0.1960780024528503,0.1960780024528503,0.1960780024528503,1],"moonMat":"Moon_Glow_Mat","moonScale":0.02999999932944775,"nightColor":[0.02352939918637276,0.02352939918637276,0.02352939918637276,1],"nightCubemap":"BlackSkyCubemap","nightFogColor":[0.003921569790691137,0.003921569790691137,0.003921569790691137,1],"overDarkFactor":[40000,12000,5100,800],"rayleighScattering":0.01499999966472387,"shadowDarkenColor":[0.749019980430603,0.749019980430603,0.749019980430603,0.00800000037997961],"shadowDistance":3400,"shadowSoftness":0.4000000059604645,"skyBrightness":11,"sunScale":[0.9960780143737793,0.992156982421875,0.9411770105361938,1],"texSize":2048,"useNightCubemap":true}
{"name":"Ocean1","class":"WaterPlane","persistentId":"ec58856a-37d3-4dba-8a8d-1b5c8be96dd9","__parent":"Level_objects","position":[0,0,457.7506103515625],"Foam":[{"foamDir":[0.5,1],"foamOpacity":1,"foamSpeed":0.001000000047497451,"foamTexScale":[32,32]},{"foamDir":[5,5],"foamOpacity":1,"foamSpeed":0.002000000094994903,"foamTexScale":[8,8]}],"GridSize":200,"Ripples (texture animation)":[{"rippleDir":[0,-1],"rippleSpeed":0.0008999999845400453,"rippleTexScale":[256,256]},{"rippleDir":[1,1],"rippleSpeed":0.008999999612569809,"rippleTexScale":[64,64]},{"rippleDir":[0.5,0.5],"rippleMagnitude":1,"rippleSpeed":0.003000000026077032,"rippleTexScale":[128,128]}],"Waves (vertex undulation)":[{"waveDir":[0,-1],"waveMagnitude":0.800000011920929,"waveSpeed":1},{"waveDir":[0.300000011920929,-1.200000047683716],"waveMagnitude":0.5,"waveSpeed":3},{"waveDir":[-0.300000011920929,-0.800000011920929],"waveMagnitude":0.699999988079071,"waveSpeed":1.5}],"baseColor":[253,254,254,255],"clarity":0,"cloneOrigin":"Ocean2","cubemap":"GreySkyCubemap","density":1500,"depthGradientMax":100,"depthGradientTex":"levels/KrallSpace/art/water/depthcolor_ramp_italy_ocean2.png","distortEndDist":10,"distortFullDepth":5.5,"emissive":true,"foamRippleInfluence":0.001000000047497451,"foamTex":"levels/italy/art/water/foam2.dds","fresnelBias":2,"fresnelPower":0.5,"gridElementSize":0.800000011920929,"hidden":true,"overallFoamOpacity":0.75,"overallRippleMagnitude":0.8500000238418579,"overallWaveMagnitude":0.07999999821186066,"reflectDetailAdjust":2,"reflectMaxRateMs":5,"reflectTexSize":1024,"reflectivity":0.2000000029802322,"rippleTex":"levels/italy/art/water/ripple4.dds","specularPower":60,"underwaterColor":[255,15,0,253],"viscosity":0.001000000047497451,"waterFogDensity":0.1500000059604645,"waterFogDensityOffset":0.1000000014901161,"wetDarkening":0.1000000014901161,"wetDepth":0.4000000059604645}

--- Post updated ---
Well looking at those in the SunAndSky I've changed shadow distance from 3400 to 3500. . . no biggy. I changed "lastSplitTerrainOnly" from false to true.

Then on the terrain I changed the screen error from 6 to 10.
On the OCEAN I seem to have something add, ""GridSize":200, I'll look into what that is/was.
HOWEVER, THIS one must be it: I changed NEAR clip from 0.1 to 0.02 and in all my experience in 3D, the #1 way to get errors is to make a very small nearclip (I did it so I could get the camera in some cool spots.)

I'm going to change it back to 0.02 and see if it crashes again!

Fingers crossed.
--- Post updated ---
It didn't crash with the near clip changed, but RIGHT after I changed "lastSplitTerrainOnly" to false, it crashed. So . . ONE LAST TEST (Was going to stop over an hour ago)
--- Post updated ---
That seems to be it!

Works flawlessly changing any other setting, but as soon as I change "lastSplitTerrainOnly" to FALSE it will crash on the cinematic camera. Now to just test this on a different level for peace of mind!

What a fun night =D
--- Post updated ---
It's a combination of lastSplitTerrainOnly AND a large shadow distance.

I opened GRID turned off lastSplitTerrainOnly and no crash. "Oh wait, maybe this isn't terrain."

Opened ECUSA turned off lastSplitTerrainOnly annnnnd no crash. "Oookay, maybe it's AHA it's for a 4K map!!"

Opened Italy. Turned off lastSplitTerrainOnly. No crash. WHAT?!!? So I thought, "The only other thing is I have a far shadow distance" put Italy to 3500, lastSplitTerrainOnly false, annnnnd CRASHO!

SO that's what it is.

lastSplitTerrainOnly false, and a large shadow distance = crash while in cinematic camera, I guess because the camera zooms in and brings the distance shadows into some weird calculations. Either way, problem solved!

. . thanks guys
--- Post updated ---
Another 15 minutes of testing, and 100% that's what was crashing it.

GOOD I'm not a terrible modeler afterall hahaha. I was SO bummed out about this.
--- Post updated ---
FWIW it turns out DEFAULT is to have lastSplitTerrainOnly AS false. Just doesn't work well when you have a large shadow distance.

This currently runs much better, crash-free, and looks good:



Also, for learning purposes, these two resources helped me understand so much more, so much clearer:

https://developer.nvidia.com/gpugems/GPUGems3/gpugems3_ch10.html
https://torque-3d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/world/scattersky.html