[REL] Stop the rain! A definitive solution for bad weather!

[Rubini]

march 2008
Stop the rain! for GWX2.0 V2
=========================
http://rapidshare.com/files/99134988/Stop_the_rain__GWX2_v2.rar.html
http://www.mediafire.com/?tmbgqjynznm
UPDATED: now it also supports 16km environments. Read below.

=========================

This mod raises from an old wish of all SH3 players: stop that annoying persistent bad weather that plague SH3 since it´s release. Alot of attempts were done to solve the problem, but neither one solved it until now. Stiebler&Subtype zero made the last attempt with excellents results but in truth just achieve to diminush the number of days per patrol with heavy rain & heavy fog, but with some frequency, the persistent bad weather is yet there.

The main problem with this condition is that apart it last for several days (a true deluge!) this weather conditions don´t allow the player to really play the game, it´s almost impossible to hunt on this type of weather.

So, what this mod does?
It cuts the bad weather if necessary, instantenously!

Before mod:
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4928/storm1sw9.jpg

After mod:
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5364/aftermod1ci2.jpg

When I may use it?
This mod is a "definitive" (and a bit dirty) solution for the persistent bad weather problem. It's main intention is to be only used if you have at least 48hrs of continue rain/heavy fog and/or if for any motive you don´t want to wait more for a bad weather changes that never comes. Another moment to use it is if for any motive you need to save a campaign game when in a storm. The chances of that storm becomes endless increase when you save reload a game in these conditions...I just suggest to you only use it if really necessary to avoid cheat the game (anyway the problem is a true bug, unfixed by the devs...)

How it works?
This solution will give to the player an immediate stop on the heavy fog/rain and the game will continues from that point (saved game) with now a medium fog without rain. It may be enable without exit sh3. After 48 to 72 hours (in game), the game itself will change the weather for the first time. At this point you may save your game, disable the mod without exit sh3 and reload your saved game with now your new weather and with yours original files. Like I said "it´s a bit dirty" but always works (100%) and it is the better "complement" to be used with your prefered normal weather mod or even with an unmodded game.

How you did it?
This mod is based on just one file: scene.dat that is tweaked to fool the game. Then the heavy fog/heavy rain state is now interpreted as a normal Medium fog/no rain by the game. Also the sea state is tonned down a bit (to allows you to really hunt again). All works as before, the visual and eletronics sensors, so you can hunt normally when using the mod until the game itself changes the weather and you return to the normal game again as described above. The scene.dat is one of the few .dat files that can be enable between patrols without problems.

Any side effect?
None that I have noticed until now.
Obviously it's a very new mod, only the feedbacks by users will show all it's good and also some problem if any. If you call a weather report when using it, you will notice that the Fog(visibility)/Preciptation are yet called Poor/Heavy. This is why i provide also an en_menu.txt into the mod (optional, just rename it), but en_menu.txt isn't enable by the game if you just alt tab, so to really correct this small flaw will be then necessary to restart the game. I dunno if it justify the effort, but the en_menu is there if you are very perfectionist and want a "without any flaw" mod. Anyhow I recomend to make a backup of your last saved campaign game before try this mod.

Speaking about compatibility...
I used the default 8km/16km GWX2.0 scene.dat for this first release. The default is for 8km - if you use 16km environment you need first to rename the scene.dat (on the mod) to scene.pat (as an example) and then rename the scene_16km.pat to scene.dat and then it's ready to be used. Even using the GWX2.0 scene.dat, it probably remain compatible with any game. Even stock or NYGM ones (just use the correct one for 8km or 16km environment). The game don't use the scene.dat info after you start the game/patrol. So nothing will "stay" in your game when you save it again and disable the mod. Anyhow if someone found something problematic for this or that mod i can provide special version for it.

How to install?
JSGME ready. Follow the conditions described below.
No SH3CMDR rollback is needed if you use it as described on this readme.

How to use it?
When you are in that bad weather endless situation you then may save&exit your patrol. Alt tab to windows and use JSGME to enable the mod. Alt tab again and reload that last saved patrol. Voila!. no more bad weather now! Then play normally (hunt if you want) and when the game itself start to change the weather 48 to 72hrs ahead (even a wind heading change is enough...) save&exit again, Alt tab, disable the mod, alt tab again, reload your patrol and continue to play normally! That is it!

What happens if I just forget to save&reload again?
Well, no problems at wall. You only will not have more Heavy fog and rain and your waves will be a bit less high on heavy winds until you reenable your original scene.dat. You in truth can switch back to your original files at any time as described above.

A last comment...
The mod already have the RealWeatherfix from Stiebler&Subtypezero applyed. Note that the main weather change will occur between 48 to 72 hours average, but this depends on your WeatherRndInterval setting in campaign .mis files. According to Stiebler's research and also from my observations the main weather change will occurs each 12/16 hours x your WeatherRndInterval setting at .mis files x 1 (for inside tropical lines) or x 2 (outside tropical lines). Sometimes it just changes for the same state, just varing abit the wind direction and it´s velocity. It´s up to you to continues with the mod scene.dat until you are happy again with the weather. Then you may disable the mod.


Thanks to:
skwas' S3D, the best tool for SH3 ever!
Stiebler&SubTypezero for their research on the SH3 weather issue.

================================================== =======
Updated to version 2, probably the last one:
- en_menu.txt is now optional (need to rename first if you want to use it)
- added the two lowered rain sounds to also not have rain sounds when use the mod
- small adjusts on scene.dat to make it totally compatible with RWF mod
================================================== =======

Have fun!
Rubini.

[Wolfehunter]

But doesn't Sh3weather 1.5 also allow you to control the weather. I've used it on a patrol forcing it to change the weather. Takes a few minutes but the sky clears up and presto nice sunny weather? Is this different?:hmm:

[Rubini]

But doesn't Sh3weather 1.5 also allow you to control the weather. I've used it on a patrol forcing it to change the weather. Takes a few minutes but the sky clears up and presto nice sunny weather? Is this different?:hmm:
No, it don't made this. It's just your impression. The weather change is very complicated an bugged on Sh3. it's also random. This is what you saw.

[Wolfehunter]

Reguardless Rubini thanks for the mod. I will keep it just in case.:up: I'm still convinced that I can force change the weather with SH3weather. I've done it too often not to believe. But the results are slightly different.

Thanks

Rubini;)

[Philipp_Thomsen]

Well I've never heard of bad weather problem in sh3. I always get from lorient to all east cost of england and all grid BE and south til gibraltar and always crispy lake like ocean. No rain, no fog. Sometimes north of scapaflow there's a little storm, but SOMETIMES. Other then that, everywhere I go is 10 sunny days for each 1 stormy day condition. And I didn't edit anything, I use GWX 2.0.

[danlisa]

Rubini mate, which scene.dat is this? 8km or 16km?

Also, is it really OK to change a DAT file while on patrol? The general rule is no DAT changes unless in port before/after a completed patrol.

Also, might I suggest that you tell SH3 Commander users to rollback, otherwise they might experience a corrupted scene.dat resulting in the black sky bug.

Sorry.:rotfl:

[Rubini]

Rubini mate, which scene.dat is this? 8km or 16km?

Also, is it really OK to change a DAT file while on patrol? The general rule is no DAT changes unless in port before/after a completed patrol.

Also, might I suggest that you tell SH3 Commander users to rollback, otherwise they might experience a corrupted scene.dat resulting in the black sky bug.

Sorry.:rotfl:

Hi danlisa,

I need to put more info on the first post today when i have time.
Yes, the scene.dat is absolutelly secure to change between patrol without problems.

I used the default scene.dat from GWX2.0. I guess that it's then for 8km. As far I know and tested, you can use it with any 8km insatllation, from stock to NYGM, without problems for the short period that you will use it. Anyway i will try to make specific versions for at least stock and NYGM. And you are right, a 16km version need to be done to avoid that black skies.

But the most interesting is that some ppl say that didn´t have problems with persistent storms...well I guess that they arent´playing much the game! :D

[Rubini]

Well I've never heard of bad weather problem in sh3. I always get from lorient to all east cost of england and all grid BE and south til gibraltar and always crispy lake like ocean. No rain, no fog. Sometimes north of scapaflow there's a little storm, but SOMETIMES. Other then that, everywhere I go is 10 sunny days for each 1 stormy day condition. And I didn't edit anything, I use GWX 2.0.

Are you playing the game my friend?:D
Well, this is an old sh3 bug that can eventually ruin some of yours patrols, an annoying issue without solution until now.

These persistent storms bug is more easy to happens in long patrols but sometimes also in short/medium ones. I'm playing now in 1943 10th flotilla, my grids are frequently in the Africa coast or Sul america coast...then pratically in all patrols I have 4, 5, 7 days of continue storm, sometimes more than one time per patrol. A true deluge LOL

Anyway at the first time that you enconter this annoying and bored condition you will remember about this mod! You will see!

[danlisa]

then pratically in all patrols I have 4, 5, 7 days of continue stormy, sometimes more than one time per patrol.

That's what I find too. Long patrols seem to suffer more from the long storms.

Thanks mate.:up:

[robbierob2005]

Well I've never heard of bad weather problem in sh3. I always get from lorient to all east cost of england and all grid BE and south til gibraltar and always crispy lake like ocean. No rain, no fog. Sometimes north of scapaflow there's a little storm, but SOMETIMES. Other then that, everywhere I go is 10 sunny days for each 1 stormy day condition. And I didn't edit anything, I use GWX 2.0.

I have this problem. When I'm leaving port the weather is just fine. But in a couple of hours it will change in a big storm (13 - 15 m/s) with rain. It doesn't end until I end the game.

[irish1958]

Hi Rubini
Thanks for this mod; the weather is the most frustrating feature of SH3. I have often spent hours of game time patrolling and as soon as I contact a convoy the weather changes to heavy rain, fog, 15m/s wind, heavy seas and visibility beyond 50 meters; and no matter how long I follow the convoy, the weather won't change.
And then when it finally changes, I get 15m/s wind and very heavy seas.
Does you mod change the wind?
I assume you will update this to theGWX 2.1 when it becomes available.

[Rubini]

Hi Rubini
Thanks for this mod; the weather is the most frustrating feature of SH3. I have often spent hours of game time patrolling and as soon as I contact a convoy the weather changes to heavy rain, fog, 15m/s wind, heavy seas and visibility beyond 50 meters; and no matter how long I follow the convoy, the weather won't change.
And then when it finally changes, I get 15m/s wind and very heavy seas.
Does you mod change the wind?
I assume you will update this to theGWX 2.1 when it becomes available.

Hi irish1958,

Yes, my intention was to give to the player at least a playable game again while it uses the mod. As playable I mean that you can hunt again. I should fool the game for any weather state (even clear no fog)...but I choose medium fog/no rain just because it's the more near state from what the player was before need to use the mod. As per the wind what i made was a slight tweak over sea state (waves and lighting) to allow the player to start hunt but yet with some restrictions. The change means that you pull out of an endless storm with heavy fog (300m at best of visibility with high waves) for a 2000m visibility, no rain, smallest waves but yet on an overcast condition. The game itself shall do this automatically in a better way after some time in storm but don't do, what makes the weather code just broken on SH3.:up:

Just don't forget that the game in truth continues with the same weather state than before...what the mod do is just fool it and press for a change in weather asap.

[Rubini]

Well I've never heard of bad weather problem in sh3. I always get from lorient to all east cost of england and all grid BE and south til gibraltar and always crispy lake like ocean. No rain, no fog. Sometimes north of scapaflow there's a little storm, but SOMETIMES. Other then that, everywhere I go is 10 sunny days for each 1 stormy day condition. And I didn't edit anything, I use GWX 2.0.

I have this problem. When I'm leaving port the weather is just fine. But in a couple of hours it will change in a big storm (13 - 15 m/s) with rain. It doesn't end until I end the game.
Hi robbie,
Yes this is really an annoying bug. Always that i start to play Sh3 and enters in an storm that last more than 2 days I really becomes bored (frequently sleep in front of my monitor...it's my age lol) and this frequently ruins my game. In several times this just happens when I found finally a convoy in a "so long without any other contact patrol"... Now we have this mod to "fix" it!:yep:

[Captain Nemo]

Hi Rubini
Thanks for this mod; the weather is the most frustrating feature of SH3. I have often spent hours of game time patrolling and as soon as I contact a convoy the weather changes to heavy rain, fog, 15m/s wind, heavy seas and visibility beyond 50 meters; and no matter how long I follow the convoy, the weather won't change.
And then when it finally changes, I get 15m/s wind and very heavy seas.
Does you mod change the wind?
I assume you will update this to theGWX 2.1 when it becomes available.

I maybe mistaken, but I thought the weather bug was being addressed in GWX 2.1?

Nemo

[Rubini]

Hi Rubini
Thanks for this mod; the weather is the most frustrating feature of SH3. I have often spent hours of game time patrolling and as soon as I contact a convoy the weather changes to heavy rain, fog, 15m/s wind, heavy seas and visibility beyond 50 meters; and no matter how long I follow the convoy, the weather won't change.
And then when it finally changes, I get 15m/s wind and very heavy seas.
Does you mod change the wind?
I assume you will update this to theGWX 2.1 when it becomes available.

I maybe mistaken, but I thought the weather bug was being addressed in GWX 2.1?

Nemo
Nope. GWX 2.1 only probably will have RWF mod applyed to its scene.dat. But unfortunally RWF mod alone don't achieve to fix the endless storm conditions, this is why i made this mod. Also is certain that scene.dat from GWX2.1 will be different from the GWX2.0 one, so I will provide a adaptation to it in time

BTW, I just update the first post&link: Stop the rain! mod now also supports 16km environments!:up:

[irish1958]

GWX 2.1 makes it a lot better, but the 15m/s wind with very heavy seas is still a problem.

[Rubini]

GWX 2.1 makes it a lot better, but the 15m/s wind with very heavy seas is still a problem.

Probably because it already have RWF inside it?

BTW, I just update the mod for version 2, the last one (just small changes). See first post.;)

[Venatore]

Rubini,

Thank you for your hard work on this mod and again for the detailed post at the beginning explaining everything.

This mod may not have all the sexy pictures that are usually associated with mods, but this mod can deliver more than most mods because it allows players to enjoy the game instead of looking at little rain streaks on the PC screen for days on end.

I thank you very much.

Ven :up:

[Subtype Zero]

Fantastic job, Rubini!

It is getting much past my siesta time, so I won't say much here, but this mod sounds intriguing, to say the least. I will resolve to d/l and test it as soon as possible.

Rubini, I am curious as to how you "fool" SH3 into changing the weather conditions from heavy rain, wind, and fog to medium fog. This is more than just a graphics trick, isn't it? For example, does the wind decrease from 15 m/sec to a slower speed, or is the wind still the same but the waves reduced in intensity to look like there is less wind? You may PM me if you wish to avoid revealing any state secrets!

I'll write later with more general impressions, but so far I approve of this mod! :up:

[Philipp_Thomsen]

So, what this mod does?
It cuts the bad weather if necessary, instantenously!


Cheater... :rotfl:

[mikaelanderlund]

Hi Rubini
Thanks for this needed mod:up: :up: :up: . A normal storm in atlantic last for one or maybe two days, no more. I know.

Mikael

[Tomi_099]

Very much Very much property, but gives me snow !!:D

[Rubini]

Fantastic job, Rubini!

It is getting much past my siesta time, so I won't say much here, but this mod sounds intriguing, to say the least. I will resolve to d/l and test it as soon as possible.

Rubini, I am curious as to how you "fool" SH3 into changing the weather conditions from heavy rain, wind, and fog to medium fog. This is more than just a graphics trick, isn't it? For example, does the wind decrease from 15 m/sec to a slower speed, or is the wind still the same but the waves reduced in intensity to look like there is less wind? You may PM me if you wish to avoid revealing any state secrets!

I'll write later with more general impressions, but so far I approve of this mod! :up:

Hi Subtype,

Nice to talk with you. We are at the same matter, I really should like to talk with you and Stiebler. First of all, as you read, the "Stop the rain!" mod is just an emergency mod, aimed to be used only eventually if you are really stuck at that endless storms.

As I have no secrets in mods matter, I always tried to share the most that i can. So, what i made on scene.dat is just fool the game: the heavy fog environments settings are swap by the medium fog ones. About the wind, yes, i just tonned down the waves state not the wind itself. Only for the rain that i discovered how to not generate (it's now in truth just a drizzle). But nothing more was discovered on the weather issue. I know the same as you after that excellent research that you and Stiebler's did.:up:

The beautiful of the Stop the rain! is exactly how it can fool the game without any side effect. It's a shame that the devs never fixed this problem.

I used the Stop the rain! in my last two long trip patrols (twice) and it really save my patrol and my patient with the game. That endless storms are really annoying and boring.

Cheers mate!

Rubini.

[Rubini]

Rubini,

Thank you for your hard work on this mod and again for the detailed post at the beginning explaining everything.

This mod may not have all the sexy pictures that are usually associated with mods, but this mod can deliver more than most mods because it allows players to enjoy the game instead of looking at little rain streaks on the PC screen for days on end.

I thank you very much.

Ven :up:
Thanks mate for the comment. What you said is exactly for what this mod is.:up:

[Uber Gruber]

Hi Rubini,

Maybe i'm a little confused (very possible) but is this compatible with Reece's SH4 Scene for SH3 mod (16K version) ? I.e. does it modify the scene.dat file or completely replace it ?

Cheers:-?

[Rubini]

Hi Rubini,

Maybe i'm a little confused (very possible) but is this compatible with Reece's SH4 Scene for SH3 mod (16K version) ? I.e. does it modify the scene.dat file or completely replace it ?

Cheers:-?
Hi UG,

The mod will replace the entire scene.dat. Oviously only for a "short time" while you wait by some change on the weather. So, during this time you can notice some differences (in color/reflection) from your preferred scene.dat. But as it is in the medium fog (an already almost grey environment) I guess that you probably will not notice it.;)

[irish1958]

Down with Hillary and Obama; RUBINI FOR PRESIDENT! :rock::rock::rock:

[Madox58]

Sorry Irish,
He's not native born to the U.S.A.
Same reason "The Terminator" can't run.
;)
:rotfl:

[Rubini]

Down with Hillary and Obama; RUBINI FOR PRESIDENT! :rock::rock::rock:

LMAO!!!

[Subtype Zero]

So, what i made on scene.dat is just fool the game: the heavy fog environments settings are swap by the medium fog ones. About the wind, yes, i just tonned down the waves state not the wind itself. Only for the rain that i discovered how to not generate (it's now in truth just a drizzle). But nothing more was discovered on the weather issue. Can you share with us how you swapped the heavy fog with medium fog? Stiebler and I did not find any specific fog settings in scene.dat, just different variables such as RainIntensityChangeSpeed, etc. for controlling the speed of change for rain, wind, etc. Can you point me to the name of the variable that controls the intensity of the fog? Secondly, and on the same note, how did you "turn off' the rain? What setting controls that?

Finally, to avoid the temptation to use this mod as a cheat, I would recommend using a six-sided die to roll for a improvement in the weather in cases when it has been raining for more than 2 days. For example, at the beginning of the third day of heavy rain, roll a die. If you roll a 5 or 6, apply Rubini's mod. If not, continue with heavy rain for 24 hours or until the weather naturally improves. If the weather still has not improved, roll the dice again. This time, apply Rubini's mod unless you roll a 1 or a 2. After that, roll the dice every 24 hours and do not apply the mod only if you roll a 1. This way, you have a one-third chance of ending the rain after 2 days, a two-thirds chance of ending the rain after 3 days, and a five-sixths chance (83.33%) of ending the rain after 4 or more days. At most, you will get a run of 5 or 6 days of bad weather (rare, but not unheard of in the North Atlantic).

I still haven't had time to test the mod, but it still sounds very interesting.

[Stiebler]

Hallo again Rubini, it's great to see you making mods again! I have also sent you PM.

For the benefit of other users:

I'm very concerned to hear that you are still getting protracted long 'rainy-storms' in GWX, despite installing the mod.

Let me say right away that this event should not happen. In lengthy trials, with the Real Weather Fix, most 'rainy-storms' (defined as thick fog, heavy precipitations, wind 15 m/s) should last for no more than two days. Because of the random nature of the creation of these storms, one can never be definite, let us just say that there is a better than 90% probability that rainy-storms will not exceed two full days (48 hours), and about a 95% probability that rainy-storms will not exceed 72 hours. I'm speaking from memory, this is not a formal statistical analysis. Also, I'm assuming that users have not modified the campaign files away from the default SH3 weather parameters re-installed by Real Weather Fix.

However...
We cannot deny that just occasionally, despite these long odds, we have seen occasional protracted rainy-storms that seem never to end.

I believe that these never-ending rainy-storms are due to corruption of computer RAM while the game is playing. There can be many causes of this, but a very common cause (for me) is to be in a sea area where two convoys spawn in quick succession.

This corruption of RAM can have many effects. One effect, certainly, appears to be to generate everlasting rainy storms. Another side effect can be a simple crash-to-desktop (CTD), whose effect is obvious. Another subtle effect is to damage the save/reload mechanism (probably the data that are saved and reloaded, not the code itself). Thus, when you save the game, then reload it, you get a CTD. And sometimes, even if you don't save the game, you travel safely all the way back to base - and then the game CTD's as it tries to make an auto-save as you approach harbour.

What I have found to be an effective method to un-jam never-ending bad weather is to save and reload the game. Nothing more. For a further 3 days or so, you get the weather you saved. Then everything reverts to the normal weather behaviour that we expect from the Real Weather Fix mod.

But - and this a big, big BUT! - sometimes when you try to reload your saved game as above, you get the CTD instead. So this is a very risky solution.

Rubini is a very talented modder. He has helped me on several occasions. I have no doubt that his weather solution works exactly as described. But I consider the practice of saving and reloading the game to apply the mod to be very risky. There is a high chance you will get a CTD instead! Remember - you should not be getting continuous storms with the Real Weather Fix correctly installed, unless something has been corrupted in your game. And who knows where that corruption may show itself next?

You have made a great mod, Rubini, old friend, and a very clever mod, but it is too dangerous for me. However, clearly it will be very useful for those who are tired of continuous bad weather and are prepared to risk the chance of a CTD in order to end the storms. Also, the way the weather algorithm in SH3 is set up means that those who deploy the mod without getting a CTD will benefit for many days to come (on average) from good weather. I personally would prefer to take the lesser risk of returning at once to base, especially if I had already a good shipping score and the base is near.

Stiebler.

@SubtypeZero: Stiebler and I did not find any specific fog settings in scene.dat I think you've forgotten that fog, but not clouds, can be adjusted in scene.dat. Excellent idea about the dice throwing before using Rubini's mod, though.

[irish1958]

Stiebler
Would the use of a "memory cleaner/defreagmenter" by alt-tab be of use to restore memory, instead of saving and reloading?

[Rubini]

Hi Stiebler,

Thanks for your reply/post.:up:

Yes, I tried RWF correctly installed in two long patrols and unfortunately had that "endless storms" on both. I can say that before RWF in a very long patrol (my preferred type of patrols, I like milkcow , etc) I really could find continuous storms a lot more frequently. So RWF really works , reducing the probability/frequency of endless storms. This is a fact.

I guess that the motive for which I have "frequently" these endless storms is just because I save/reload the game often to adjust it to my RL possibilities, reseting the weather again and again. But this is the unique way to me to play SH3.

I should like to say that i can't agree with the CTD argument just because (IIRC) i never heard anybody complaim about it before at those specific conditions and I also NEVER had a CTD in my "normal" game (save/reload, etc), even in storms, in the last 3 years. So, perhaps the CTDs that you experienced with long storms could happens only in some systems.??:hmm:

Then, from my experience with the game, the Stop the rain! mod have no problems to be used if you really need it. It's aimed just as an emergency mod, nothing more. With dice or not, it's up to the player.

Another use of it is just for ppl that yet want to play the game with another weather mod or even with it's personal weather adjust with a more dinamic weather because RWF can push the weather sometimes so much for a stable good weather side (as far i can noticed until now).:up:

The big flaw on Stop the rain! is in truth that I can't make a special scene.dat for each mod out there or even for the (for sure) big number of ppl that have small self adjusts to his own scene.dat. But as I said it may be used only for short time and only eventually...so, for the majority of ppl this could be also not a problem at all.

@SubTypeZero: i will PM you with the settings soon (some RL issues since yesterday...):up:

[ReallyDedPoet]

Great idea Rubini, nicely done :yep:


RDP

[Subtype Zero]

Stiebler,

Did you receive my email earlier today?

Cheers!

[Stiebler]

After an exchange of PMs with Rubini, he and I have agreed that the CTDs sometimes seen after the player has made a save and reload may be due to differing computer specifications, and may be nothing to do with weather problems. The nature of my work is that I produce computer programs for clients where, almost by definition, the average client must own an average computer. So I program *and test* on as average a computer as I can manage. (Other software companies, please note.) My computer does, however, somewhat exceed the stock SH3 recommended specification.

If our joint view is correct, then clearly the 'Stop The Rain!' mod will work perfectly for many users, but a lot less well for those with average computers where there will be the real possibility of a CTD.

So we suggest that all users of SH3 should try out 'Stop the Rain', to see how they get on with it. I have also taken up Rubini on his kind offer to make a variant of the mod specific to NYGM - with the proviso that there will have to be a warning to players about its use.

@SubtypeZero:
Yes, I got your e-mail, and replied within ten minutes of seeing it, with auto-reply to the sender's e-mail address. If you still haven't had it, please send a PM.

Stiebler.

[Rubini]

After an exchange of PMs with Rubini, he and I have agreed that the CTDs sometimes seen after the player has made a save and reload may be due to differing computer specifications, and may be nothing to do with weather problems. The nature of my work is that I produce computer programs for clients where, almost by definition, the average client must own an average computer. So I program *and test* on as average a computer as I can manage. (Other software companies, please note.) My computer does, however, somewhat exceed the stock SH3 recommended specification.

If our joint view is correct, then clearly the 'Stop The Rain!' mod will work perfectly for many users, but a lot less well for those with average computers where there will be the real possibility of a CTD.

So we suggest that all users of SH3 should try out 'Stop the Rain', to see how they get on with it. I have also taken up Rubini on his kind offer to make a variant of the mod specific to NYGM - with the proviso that there will have to be a warning to players about its use.

@SubtypeZero:
Yes, I got your e-mail, and replied within ten minutes of seeing it, with auto-reply to the sender's e-mail address. If you still haven't had it, please send a PM.

Stiebler.

You and SubType zero have a PM!;)

[CapZap1970]

Rubini:
Thanks a lot for your mod!!! :up:
I was having 18+ days of this wheather in a row until I got sick of it...
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/capzap1970/screenshots/Storm.jpg

I enabled your mod and it turned into this, after reloading, some minutes after that the rain just stopped!!! :up:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/capzap1970/screenshots/Storm2.jpg
Thanks a lot my friend!!!
CapZap

[Rubini]

Hi CapZap1970,
thanks to try it and post a feedback!:up:

Some comments:
See the pics bellow. What I expected with the mod was a totally rain free effect at first. Also a change from Heavy fog to Medium fog. Is this what you have?:hmm:

I also noticed that you have (on your first pic) an old sea foam effect that I developed for GWX 2.0 but wasn´t used in the end. I in truth have in my game a much better sea foam effect. I will try some pics later.:up: In the pics bellow the wind was at 8m/s so no sea foam on them.

Before mod:
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5042/storm2xc7.jpg

After mod:
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5861/aftermod2fb2.jpg

[Rubini]

Here my old mod never released with new foams. The first two was made using the ROW SH4 textures (with permission by our great friend Leovampire). The last two are inside GWX2.0 but some tweaks are needed to you see them.;)

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2997/shot4og2.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5341/shot2ot9.jpg


http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3037/foamke3.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6028/foam2lq7.jpg

:up:

[CapZap1970]

Rubini:
After enabling your mod, the rain didn't dissapear imediatelly, but took some minutes, but eventually it ceased... Just in case, what i did was to enable your mod and stay with it enabled until i finished my patrol. I don't know if that's what i was supposed to do, so any comments or further tips will be very welcome!! :up: I don't know if i did it correctly, but now that you say that there should be no rain at all, maybe i screwed it up somehow and didn't get the full effect.
About your foam, is there a way i can get it somehow? it looks very nice indeed and would like to have it too (if possible)
Thanks again my my friend.
CapZap

[Rubini]

Rubini:
After enabling your mod, the rain didn't dissapear imediatelly, but took some minutes, but eventually it ceased... Just in case, what i did was to enable your mod and stay with it enabled until i finished my patrol. I don't know if that's what i was supposed to do, so any comments or further tips will be very welcome!! :up: I don't know if i did it correctly, but now that you say that there should be no rain at all, maybe i screwed it up somehow and didn't get the full effect.
About your foam, is there a way i can get it somehow? it looks very nice indeed and would like to have it too (if possible)
Thanks again my my friend.
CapZap

Hi CapZap,

I just tested the mod again with any wind or rain state: the mod really stop the rain since the first second that you reload yout patrol. Please do a check on your mod structure and check about that special scene.dat that i sent to you (if needed send it again).

Also check if yours waves are a bit less intense (less high) and if you really get Medium Fog. Let me know all these.:yep:

[CapZap1970]

Rubini:
After enabling your mod, the rain didn't dissapear imediatelly, but took some minutes, but eventually it ceased... Just in case, what i did was to enable your mod and stay with it enabled until i finished my patrol. I don't know if that's what i was supposed to do, so any comments or further tips will be very welcome!! :up: I don't know if i did it correctly, but now that you say that there should be no rain at all, maybe i screwed it up somehow and didn't get the full effect.
About your foam, is there a way i can get it somehow? it looks very nice indeed and would like to have it too (if possible)
Thanks again my my friend.
CapZap

Hi CapZap,

I just tested the mod again with any wind or rain state: the mod really stop the rain since the first second that you reload yout patrol. Please do a check on your mod structure and check about that special scene.dat that i sent to you (if needed send it again).

Also check if yours waves are a bit less intense (less high) and if you really get Medium Fog. Let me know all these.:yep:
Rubini:
I just disabled and re-enabled your scene.dat file, I mean the one i sent and you modified for me. I don't know why 2 nights ago it didn't work, but this time it is working the way it should!!!! :rock:
no rain, medium fog and very acceptable waves. Thanks a lot again. I will post some screenies tonight to show you how it looked like before and after.
CapZap

[Rubini]

Good to know that it works as intend! Thanks for the feedback mate.:up:
I will take a go again in my old seafoam mod and then will contact you again.

[CapZap1970]

Rubini:
These were the results i was looking for:

without "Stop The Rain" mod:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/capzap1970/screenshots/st1.jpg

With the mod:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/capzap1970/screenshots/st2.jpg

This time it worked fine!! :rock:
I will use this mod from now on when chased by bad wheather... It's unbearable to have weeks and weeks of the same... :nope:
I got so excited that I was forgetting to take the screenies, that's why the one with bad wheather is at night (near dawn) and the other one 3 or 4 hours later... :damn:
Thanks a lot my friend.
CapZap

[irish1958]

I have a comment on Stiebler's post #31
If there is a five percent probably that the bad weather can last more than 72 hours, and that the chance of changing with a prolonged state stays the same, then if, say 10,000 people world wide are playing SH3 on any given day, there might be 500 people with this intolerable problem. So, in my opinion, even though Stiebler is right, there is a real need for this mod.
Amend the Constitution: RUBINI FOR PRESIDENT! :rock::rock::rock:

[Woof1701]

Hi Rubini,

Thanks for again a terrific mod. Will it also work when using Reece's SH4 Scene.dat for SH3 GWX mod? I mean use his file and just swap it for yours in bad weather? Or might I get black skies and similar problems associated with the scene.dat file?

Thx
Woof

[Rubini]

Hi Rubini,

Thanks for again a terrific mod. Will it also work when using Reece's SH4 Scene.dat for SH3 GWX mod? I mean use his file and just swap it for yours in bad weather? Or might I get black skies and similar problems associated with the scene.dat file?

Thx
Woof

Hi mate,

Thanks to try it!
I never tested it with Reece SH4 scene...but I guess that it will work (you just need to choose the correct 8km/16km version).

This mod is only to be used eventually, so, even if you have the old scene.dat environment (default GWX2.0) again will be only for a short time, so nothing that will really make a big difference into your game.;)

If you try it, please let us know if it worked over Reece's Sh4 Scene.:up:

[thehiredgun]

Will this weather mod work for GWX 2.1 too?

[Maraz]

Hi Rubini, thanks for this mod!
One strange effect I have very often, is that after a rainstorm (e.g. weather as reported by watch officer says "heavy rain") the reported weather turns to "no rain", but the game is still displaying heavy rain, and this rain lasts for some hours/days before disappearing.
Anyone else having this problem?
I have GWX2.1, 16 Km, OLCE
Mara

[3Jane]

Bad weather is part of the game. Use the hydrophone more.

[Delareon]

Bad weather is part of the game. Use the hydrophone more.

i agree but didnt u experienced the situation that storms will never end?
I have this often that storms want end for weeks in my current patrol
3 weeks storm, heavy rain and fog and no end in sight.
Using GWX2.1.

[Rubini]

Will this weather mod work for GWX 2.1 too?

-Yes, it's also GWX2.1 compatible.


Hi Rubini, thanks for this mod!
One strange effect I have very often, is that after a rainstorm (e.g. weather as reported by watch officer says "heavy rain") the reported weather turns to "no rain", but the game is still displaying heavy rain, and this rain lasts for some hours/days before disappearing.
Anyone else having this problem?
I have GWX2.1, 16 Km, OLCE
Mara

This is an old stock bug. Probably related to the change weather time.


Bad weather is part of the game. Use the hydrophone more.

- If in the RL we had so much rain lasting for so much days as in Sh3 the newspapers will show it as "new modern Deluge"!:D

[Murr44]

Would anyone know of an alternate download link? That :damn: :damn: Rapidshare one keeps telling me that I've entered the wrong access code! I'd really like to use this mod as I too, get sick of the seemingly unending bad weather in SH3.

Thanks...:)

[3Jane]

As part of a game it's quite suitable. How it would be in actuality doesn't really have any bearing.

[Murr44]

As part of a game it's quite suitable. How it would be in actuality doesn't really have any bearing.

I agree but it's not much fun to go through 2 weeks straight (sometimes longer) of awful weather; even if you running it at high TC. Sometimes I get so :cry: that I just pack it in & go home.

[Rubini]

Would anyone know of an alternate download link? That :damn: :damn: Rapidshare one keeps telling me that I've entered the wrong access code! I'd really like to use this mod as I too, get sick of the seemingly unending bad weather in SH3.

Thanks...:)
http://www.mediafire.com/?tmbgqjynznm
First post actualized with this mediafire link too.;)

[Reece]

I haven't actually used the mod but sometimes I get the navigation officer to give me a weather report saying:
Wind 15 knots, Precipitation none, Fog Heavy.
Except that it's teaming down!:yep: Has anyone else noticed this?:-?

[Tomi_099]

http://www.1a-gifs.de/gifs/3d-symboleMetall%203d/3d-metall034.gifhttp://www.1a-gifs.de/gifs/Winter/ball.gif
RUBINI … PARTICEL magic MAN give as a Snow!!!
I known you know that!!!
http://www.1a-gifs.de/gifs/3d-symboleMetall%203d/3d-metall034.gif
<SCRIPT src="http://www.flashvortex.com/hosted.php?id=2_1210859706_48642_289_0_356_76_8_1_ 10" type="text/javascript"></SCRIPT>

[Maraz]

I haven't actually used the mod but sometimes I get the navigation officer to give me a weather report saying:
Wind 15 knots, Precipitation none, Fog Heavy.
Except that it's teaming down!:yep: Has anyone else noticed this?:-?

If "it's teaming down" means that it's raining, yes, see my post above in this thread.
Maraz

[Murr44]

I haven't actually used the mod but sometimes I get the navigation officer to give me a weather report saying:
Wind 15 knots, Precipitation none, Fog Heavy.
Except that it's teaming down!:yep: Has anyone else noticed this?:-?

I haven't downloaded the mod yet but yes. Sometimes I get a "precipitation none" report & when I look outside immediately afterwards, it's pouring. I'm pretty sure that this is a long term bug: I experienced it a number of times while playing stock & it has reared it's ugly head again in GWX.:eek: Guess it's one of those things that just can't be eliminated...

P.S. The Mediafire link is not working for me. I get to the "Processing download request" part & then nothing happens.

[Reece]

"Processing download request"
Actually I have had that a few times with mediafire, many hours later it usually works again!:doh:

[Murr44]

It tells me that I must have cookies enabled (which I do) & I still get the "Processing...request" message but nothing ever happens. Are there any other links other than the 2 that were provided. Neither will work for me..

[Lzs von swe]

I have one question on this mod.
If you use it to get better viewing distance in bad weather, will the AI see further too? As I understand it no:hmm:

I ask because you often miss out on "historical" battles because the visibility is so low that the ships don´t see each other and therefor don´t shoot at each other.
I have posted about this here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=904924&posted=1#post904924 , sorry to kind of double post..

[thehiredgun]

Can you tell me exactly how Stop the Rain mod works & what do you do with the mod in the game? I did the save on bad weather & put this mod in then reloaded my game & still have bad weather. Does it just stop the rain? Do you know how I can get good weather most of the time, I just got done with over 30 days of bad weather & I am just tired of it. Is there a place in the SH3 GWX configuration files I can change to get good weather ? I would appreciate any help.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Hi HG, strange :hmm: Sounds like you are following the directions as per the Mod Read-me below.

When you are in that bad weather endless situation you then may save&exit your game. Alt tab to windows and use JSGME to enable the mod. Alt tab again and reload your game. Voila!. no more bad weather now! Then play normally (hunt if you want) and when the game itself start to change the weather 48 to 72hrs ahead (even a wind heading change is enough...) save&exit again, Alt tab, disable the mod, alt tab again, reload your game and continue to play normally! That is it!

I have used used this before with success :yep:


RDP

[Rubini]

Can you tell me exactly how Stop the Rain mod works & what do you do with the mod in the game? I did the save on bad weather & put this mod in then reloaded my game & still have bad weather. Does it just stop the rain? Do you know how I can get good weather most of the time, I just got done with over 30 days of bad weather & I am just tired of it. Is there a place in the SH3 GWX configuration files I can change to get good weather ? I would appreciate any help.
The Stop the Rain! mod modifies some settings in scene.dat that don´t have any side effect for your game. It´s aimed to be used eventually if needed.
It´s possible to only have good weather acting on the same settings that I messed on the mod...but it´s a bit hard to explain how to do it and I guess that you will lose some good features of the game - the weather changes itself - even if it is a bit broken since SH3 release.

I suggest that you try the Real Weather fix, mod by Stiebler and SZero that really works to diminush that endless bad weather, and eventually this mod (Stop the Rain!) if needed. I guess that this way you will have the best scenario possible in this matter.

@Lzs von swe: (sorry for the so late reply, I'm a bit far from SH3 since some time now)
Notice that the Stop the Rain! Mod just fool the game...but it really works on the sensors side too (for the player and the AI). Then, the game will act as it was in medium fog with a bit less high waves for the player and the AI. So, it must work for what you asked; if you try/test it, let we know yours finds.:up:

It´s really a pleasure to take a look at this forum from time to time. Cheers to all you guys!:up:

Rubini.

[thehiredgun]

Well I would like to thank everyone for your help cause I have had my 1st success with this mod.