**RELEASED** Improved Skies & Reflections

Marhkimov · 10-23-05, 08:48 PM

**EDIT*** October 25, 2005 - COMPATABILITY ISSUES HAVE SURFACED

Marhkimov's Enhanced Ocean Reflections & Sky Mod v1.0
credit also goes to Beery

RapidShare Here:
http://rapidshare.de/files/6722112/M..._v1.0.rar.html

And by request, I have made a LIGHT NIGHT version for those who use dark monitors, or for those who just want lighter-blue nights.
RapidShare Here:
http://rapidshare.de/files/6729890/M...T_mod.rar.html

Check for availability on www.u-boot.realsimulation.com

******************************
WHAT IT DOES?
******************************

1. In short, I have altered Beery's sky files in an attempt to make a nicer looking sun reflection on the sea. IMOH, the default reflections were a little too bright, and it made the water look white when viewed from directly underneath of the sun (it looked exactly like milk). So I believe I have adressed that issue quite nicely. Scroll down for screenshots.

2. I also took the liberty of smoothing out the sea and water textures so that everything looks smoother and more blended together.

3. Both mods have light blue nights, but the LIGHT NIGHT mod is noticeably lighter... Choose whichever floats your boat...

******************************
TO INSTALL
******************************

1. use JSGME

2. manually place the included files into the correct folder. DON'T FORGET TO MAKE BACKUPS!

******************************
COMPATIBILITY ISSUES -EDIT-
******************************

if you are using a visibilty fix (such as rulle34's, Manuel Ortega's, etc.), or if you are using IUB, the weather will not work correctly. From what i am hearing, you won't be able to see rain or fog (I don't know the exact side effects for sure, but I know they are weird).

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT?

In the meantime, you can use a .DAT extractor and extract my tga's and insert them into the DAT's of the mod of your choice. That should work...
Here is a Dat Extractor if you need it: http://rapidshare.de/files/6715467/D...tract.rar.html. Then follow these steps:

1) Extract the TGA's from my DAT files. (the DatExtractor program has a built in readme, so use that to help you)

2) Then using my TGA's, insert those into the corresponding DAT files of your desired visibility mod (Rulle34's, M. Ortega's, etc.).

Done!

And as far as I know of, these files will not conflict or interfere with any other mod. I recommend that you install them on top of RUB, as they will work best.

However, if you have a 'basic' SH3 or a completely 'vanilla' SH3, you can still install this mod. There will be no problems.

And to anyone who has used timetraveller's color tool to change the underwater colors, this mod will not affect your changes. The underwater colors are controlled by seperate files.

Murkiness and visability are also unaffected by this mod.

AIL Sky mod will also work in conjunction with this mod.

******************************
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
******************************

-I think that realistic-enthusiasts, screenshot-takers, and scenery-enjoyers will all consider this mod to be a nice addition!!!

-This is just a simple texture fix, but IMOH it is very nice. It helps to give a good atmosphere to SH3.

******************************
EXTRA: TIPS FOR EXTRACTING
******************************

If you are a modder, feel free to extract and edit my textures. Just remember to ask permission before you release anything. And give credit where credit is due.

So, after you extract the TGA's, you can use any graphics editor to edit the textures. When you are done, remember that you MUST re-pack the files back inside of the DAT files, otherwise the sun reflections will not work correctly. In other words, just placing the TGA's into data\textures\tnormal\tex will NOT work.

Also, do not change the size of the textures. As of now, SH3 can only read 512x256 sky textures. Any other size of textures will not work correctly. If someone ever changes this, I have 2048x1024 textures ready and waiting

******************************
Some screenshots
******************************

Click here to view larger sizes...

Screenshots from the LIGHT NIGHT mod:

-Marhkimov

10-23-05, 08:48 PM	#1
Marhkimov Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bay Area, California, USA Posts: 2,377 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	RELEASED Improved Skies & Reflections EDIT* October 25, 2005 - COMPATABILITY ISSUES HAVE SURFACED Marhkimov's Enhanced Ocean Reflections & Sky Mod v1.0 credit also goes to Beery RapidShare Here: http://rapidshare.de/files/6722112/M..._v1.0.rar.html And by request, I have made a LIGHT NIGHT version for those who use dark monitors, or for those who just want lighter-blue nights. RapidShare Here: http://rapidshare.de/files/6729890/M...T_mod.rar.html Check for availability on www.u-boot.realsimulation.com **************************** WHAT IT DOES? ************************** 1. In short, I have altered Beery's sky files in an attempt to make a nicer looking sun reflection on the sea. IMOH, the default reflections were a little too bright, and it made the water look white when viewed from directly underneath of the sun (it looked exactly like milk). So I believe I have adressed that issue quite nicely. Scroll down for screenshots. 2. I also took the liberty of smoothing out the sea and water textures so that everything looks smoother and more blended together. 3. Both mods have light blue nights, but the LIGHT NIGHT mod is noticeably lighter... Choose whichever floats your boat... ************************** TO INSTALL ************************** 1. use JSGME 2. manually place the included files into the correct folder. DON'T FORGET TO MAKE BACKUPS! ************************** COMPATIBILITY ISSUES -EDIT- ************************** if you are using a visibilty fix (such as rulle34's, Manuel Ortega's, etc.), or if you are using IUB, the weather will not work correctly. From what i am hearing, you won't be able to see rain or fog (I don't know the exact side effects for sure, but I know they are weird). WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT? In the meantime, you can use a .DAT extractor and extract my tga's and insert them into the DAT's of the mod of your choice. That should work... Here is a Dat Extractor if you need it: http://rapidshare.de/files/6715467/D...tract.rar.html. Then follow these steps: 1) Extract the TGA's from my DAT files. (the DatExtractor program has a built in readme, so use that to help you) 2) Then using my TGA's, insert those into the corresponding DAT files of your desired visibility mod (Rulle34's, M. Ortega's, etc.). Done! And as far as I know of, these files will not conflict or interfere with any other mod. I recommend that you install them on top of RUB, as they will work best. However, if you have a 'basic' SH3 or a completely 'vanilla' SH3, you can still install this mod. There will be no problems. And to anyone who has used timetraveller's color tool to change the underwater colors, this mod will not affect your changes. The underwater colors are controlled by seperate files. Murkiness and visability are also unaffected by this mod. AIL Sky mod will also work in conjunction with this mod. ************************** ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ************************** -I think that realistic-enthusiasts, screenshot-takers, and scenery-enjoyers will all consider this mod to be a nice addition!!! -This is just a simple texture fix, but IMOH it is very nice. It helps to give a good atmosphere to SH3. ************************** EXTRA: TIPS FOR EXTRACTING ************************** If you are a modder, feel free to extract and edit my textures. Just remember to ask permission before you release anything. And give credit where credit is due. So, after you extract the TGA's, you can use any graphics editor to edit the textures. When you are done, remember that you MUST re-pack the files back inside of the DAT files, otherwise the sun reflections will not work correctly. In other words, just placing the TGA's into data\textures\tnormal\tex will NOT work. Also, do not change the size of the textures. As of now, SH3 can only read 512x256 sky textures. Any other size of textures will not work correctly. If someone ever changes this, I have 2048x1024 textures ready and waiting ************************** Some screenshots ************************** Click here to view larger sizes... Screenshots from the LIGHT NIGHT** mod: -Marhkimov __________________ It takes two to tango