[REL] Improved Stock Environment

[Caustic]

Improved Stock Environment v3

Changes the water and sky mechanics of the stock environment to create a more realistic ocean environment that respects the original atmosphere of the game(SH 1.4/1.5). JSGME compatible. Scene.dat file modified from Real Environment Mod. ISE is compatible with TMO and RFB, just ensure that ISE is installed after your mod of choice. Improved Stock Environment is compatible with RSRDC.

As of version 3, the mod is officially compatible with TMO and RFB, just make sure to download the appropriate version.

Improved Stock Environment(ISE) v3
by Caustic and Traveller (Clouds v1.1)
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-New textures for in-game effects(Fog,Smoke,fire,Explosions,Debris, and Seafoam)
-Enhanced sky and cloud textures
-New water textures
-Added realistic moon texture with new shader
-Improved ship wakes with high resolution textures
-Reduced the amount of underwater impurities for cleaner visibility
-Increased the amount of debris from destroyed ships
-Added realistic environmental and sub sounds
-Greatly reduced the stock lightshafts for a more realistic appearence
-The sky is now visible from underwater
-Replaced stock terrain textures
-Modified env color file to provide more realistic night environments
-Reduced the size of underwater seaplants

Installation

-Extract to Generic Mod Enabler folder
or C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Silent Hunters Wolves of the Pacific\Data

New Moon Texture


Screenshots
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TMO + Improved Stock Environment


Download Links

Improved Stock Environment v3
Improved Stock Environment v3 - TMO&RFB

This is most likely the final version of this mod. As usual, the thread is open for comments and such; I hope you enjoy what I feel is the best that SH4 can offer in terms of immersion and realism.

Optional Mods
#1 ISE New clouds+Waves
#2 ISE Realistic Colors

These mods must be installed after Improved Stock Environment v3.

[TorpX]

It looks good. Can it be used with RFB without "breaking" anything?

[Caustic]

Originally Posted by TorpX

It looks good. Can it be used with RFB without "breaking" anything?

I did actually test this mod with RFB and TMO and it works completely, the new scene.dat would not mess up AI sensors or anything like that. Unfortunately, I did not like the new appearence after trying the mod with RFB and TMO but it's a matter of taste, feel free to try it for yourself.

Improved Stock Environment must be installed after RFB and TMO in JSGME for it to work properly.

[Caustic]

Work In Progress

[virtualpender]

The screenshots are beautiful! The last one is truly photo realistic. Can't wait to load this up in TMO.

[Caustic]

Originally Posted by virtualpender

The screenshots are beautiful! The last one is truly photo realistic. Can't wait to load this up in TMO.

It will appear differently in TMO because of the various shaders that are used. It will still look quite good, i'll post screenshots of this mod in TMO and RFB later. This mod was originally designed only to be used on the stock game and I made it because I got tired of Real Environment.

[iambecomelife]

Very nice. The sea doesn't have that cartoon, bright blue look that annoys me. Downloading now!

[Caustic]

Originally Posted by iambecomelife

Very nice. The sea doesn't have that cartoon, bright blue look that annoys me. Downloading now!

These changes will be coming in version 2, i'm testing some more things and waiting for more ideas.

[fitzcarraldo]

Originally Posted by Caustic

Changes the water and sky mechanics of the stock environment to create a more realistic ocean environment that respects the original atmosphere of the game(SH 1.4/1.5). JSGME compatible. Scene.dat file modified from Real Environment Mod. ISE is compatible with TMO and RFB, just ensure that ISE is installed after your mod of choice.

Version 2 Released!!!


Have fun hunting the new waters of the pacific. Version 2 Released!!!

Many thanks for the Version 2!!! SH4 is live!!!!

Best regards!

Fitzcarraldo

[ichso]

wow, that looks good will try it, thanks for the effort

[Caustic]

Originally Posted by ichso

wow, that looks good will try it, thanks for the effort

No problem, it was a pleasure to work on this mod as SH4 needed a new environmental mod. If there are any bugs, let me know. Feel free to post some screenshots as well.

[Caustic]

I figured out a way to greatly innovate the mod that allows for a unique appearence not featured in other environmental mods. The next update should be bigger than the last two combined as I'm deviating from the stock environment even more by using custom textures(For Ocean,Sky +More!) and sounds. ISE could possibly become a standalone environmental mod but i'm still using the stock sky and ocean colors at this time. Some early screenshots of my work.

Stock SH4 1.5 + Improved Stock Environment v2.1

[Dignan]

I agree that everything in this mod looks great. I especially like how you've toned down the water colors and kept the cloudy underwater look. My only complaint, just like Hylander, is that the fog is a bit too much. Would it be possible to make a version that matches the fog settings in TMO and one standalone for those who like your new fog settings?

[Caustic]

Originally Posted by Dignan

I agree that everything in this mod looks great. I especially like how you've toned down the water colors and kept the cloudy underwater look. My only complaint, just like Hylander, is that the fog is a bit too much. Would it be possible to make a version that matches the fog settings in TMO and one standalone for those who like your new fog settings?

I'd rather make one version with intermediate fog settings, a mixture of both per se. When you mention fog, you mean surface fog? Just to clarify...
I was testing the fog effects earlier and it's possible to see the silhouettes of ships from long distances but if the time of day is perfect, the fog looks less transparent.

[Hylander_1314]

Thank you Caustic! I can understand your point about just having one mod.

I asked, because this is what Ducimus has on his TMO page first post,

COMPATIBILITY:

Quote:
Trigger Maru is not compatible with any large modpack, to include enviromental mods.

The reason for envirornmental mod incompatability, has to do with how he has the sensors set for ships, subs, and aircraft.

So I'm guessing, you would have to compare files, and then change the settings in your files to corelate with TMO's settings.

If you get a chance to contrast and compare, and wish to, I would use it for sure! Just to mx things up a bit from the same old, same old.