SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - Water transparency?

The env. option checked is basically the switch that activates the waterTransPS.fx, the shader that deals with transparency. It may be that volumetric fog activates it as well or activates another shader that allows transparency. I would guess like most games, the shader is activated based on certain enviroment or weather conditions. I can activate both settings and still have transparent water on a day with no fog.

They're are several values in scene dat that tweak or adjust how much transparency takes place, but I'm guessing that some values work with one shader, some another. Heck, some may be there and have no effect at all.

// WaterParams.x = ReflectionDeformation;
// WaterParams.y = Fresnel;
// WaterParams.z = ReflectivityScale;
// WaterParams.w = HighlightThreshold;

Not sure what PS your card uses, probably 4, but pixel and shader models relate to a cards DX compliance Pixel and shader model relates to a cards DirectX compliance. DirectX can be divided into two specifications, the Pixel Shader Model, and the Vertex Shader Model. Each model has different hardware requirements, and when you take both into account you can determine the overall DirectX version.Think of this number as a more specific description of the DirectX version. Specifically, what pixel manipulation capabilities it has. This number may directly affect the features that will be available to you in certain games. Most agree it's
best to use the DX used the game was made off of and obvious drivers have an overall effect as well. Often older games start having issues with newer hard/soft ware. IMO, you can almost always use the newer stuff, but it may take some tweaking with hard and soft ware to get the desired look.