[REL] Horizon Extension for GWX3 16km

[onelifecrisis]

This mod turned out to be a massive FPS killer even on powerful machines, so I removed it.

[Hitman]

Thanks, will try it

One thing worth taking a look at, would be the 20.000 metres environment from SH4. The model is already there, I just don't know how to export it from SH4 and import it into SH3 , but if you get modelling software I would certainly like to see the SH3 world expand to 32.000 metres (4x the original). In tests I have conducted so far, it seems to me that reducing the amount of detail could suffice to make it well playable on average systems.

[onelifecrisis]

Depends... what are you calling an "average" system?

I doubt I could run even a training mission at 32km at 1fps, and as a general rule I don't make mods that I can't use (unless it takes 20 seconds like this one did).

In the past I've had real difficulties with the SH3 sky dome model. It's just plain twitchy AFAIC, and since it would need to be modified to extend the atmosphere past 16km... well you can see how making such a mod would quickly turn into a big development and testing headache for me. Prolly a job for someone else I'm afraid.

[Hitman]

Hmmm I just tested your mod and my system also hardly managed it

I will take a look later at it from inside, and I will send you tomorrow an alternative file with an idea or two I have.

Must go now

[onelifecrisis]

Crap. In my haste I uploaded the wrong one. That version is broken, don't use it. I've uploaded the right one now. Sorry.

See post #1 for a new link.

@Hitman
Jst so you know, this version doesn't improve the FPS any.

[mr chris]

Hmm will give that a go OLC.
Am going to have to reinstall everything when i get install Windows 7 RC which iam downloading now.

[Hitman]

OK, I just sent you a revised file to the btinternet server mail adress I had from you,

tell me what you think

[Seeadler]

Originally Posted by Hitman

One thing worth taking a look at, would be the 20.000 metres environment from SH4. The model is already there, I just don't know how to export it from SH4 and import it into SH3 , but if you get modelling software I would certainly like to see the SH3 world expand to 32.000 metres (4x the original).

As a result of tests in the past, it does not matter how big the skydome is modeled, in SH3 there is a hardcoded limit of 20km, from there the units will be rendered first in the scene by the engine. Even if you have a world of 32km you will notice the units only when the game engine calculates that the units now cross the 20km border.

[Hitman]

Ahh cheers Frank! Do you have an idea if it would be very complicated to import the SH4 sky into SH3, so we could have at least that 20km environment?

[Seeadler]

Originally Posted by Hitman

Do you have an idea if it would be very complicated to import the SH4 sky into SH3, so we could have at least that 20km environment?

It's not complicated
- extract the obj mesh for skydome and clouddome from the SH4 scene.dat and env\*.dat's with S3d
- import the meshes into the same dat's of SH3

Alternatively, the skydome and clouddome of SH3 can also be used and increased in a 3D program, because there is no difference between the 3D mesh of SH3 and SH4, except the size

In both cases:
- tweak all other dat files which might have to do with the new distance to the horizon e.g. sensors, lookout etc. (I don't know which files)

[Hitman]

Excellent!! Will give it a try ASAP

[Hitman]

Hummm something weird is happening here

I have exported the 3D model for sky and clouds from the SH4 files and imported it into the SH3 ones, both into the standard and into the 16k environment mod. No crashes, no problems....but the game reverts to the 9500 metres visibility limit

I have the feeling that SH4 might be re-scaling the whole model via harcoded parameters in the exe file, starting form the 8k model. Otherwise I can't explain how it is positively noticed that the model has changed when the SH4 stuff is imported, but instead of incresing visibility, the game actually lowers it!!

Frank, if you have some minutes, could you take a look at the model in the SH4 files and confirm if it is 20k or 8k? Oh, and another question: Is there any free software that would allow me to resize the sky dome from the 16 or 8k mods to 20k?

Thanks

[Alex]

Originally Posted by onelifecrisis

In the meantime give this a try and let me know what you think.

I've just seen the price you got to pay to run the game with this mod enabled , the biggest impact on the number of FPS that I've ever noticed so far.
Like you said, it looks good. Though just being on the bridge with no visual contact makes the computer ask for pity and mercy...

I simply didn't expect such a big impact on the FPS.

[onelifecrisis]

Originally Posted by Alex

I've just seen the price you got to pay to run the game with this mod enabled , the biggest impact on the number of FPS that I've ever noticed so far.
Like you said, it looks good. Though just being on the bridge with no visual contact makes the computer ask for pity and mercy...

I simply didn't expect such a big impact on the FPS.

Actually I said I don't think it looks good. For my taste, I prefer a more "hazy" horizon.

And yes, the FPS hit is huge, which is why I never implemented this change before. I wondered if maybe a modern machine could manage it, but it sounds like the answer is no.

Hitman has made a version with zero impact on the framerate, maybe he'll post a link to it...

[Alex]

Originally Posted by onelifecrisis

Actually I said I don't think it looks good.

At least, this mod is worth being there... It will certainly fit the tastes of some people.

Originally Posted by onelifecrisis

For my taste, I prefer a more "hazy" horizon.

I do too.

But let's see what Mr Hitman can come up with...