PE2 Vs Environment 4??

[swdw]

Originally Posted by exponent8246

Excellent info chaps!!

Nice to know that Enviro 4 is a derivative of PE2!! Must be good!

Downloading now.

Thanks again!

I don't know if I'd call it a derivative. Although Kriller2 and W_clear have shared some things, in some areas they have taken distinctly different approaches to accomplishing an effect.

[Digital_Trucker]

Also note that there are optional parts to install inside the new PE for those who have slower machines (like me) and for those that have faster machines (like me, next month when I upgrade). So, it's a have your cake and eat it, too, type thing.

[M. Sarsfield]

I just ordered a second video card to run SLI mode because of these environmental mods. Thanks for giving me an excuse to upgrade, again.

[DrBeast]

Originally Posted by Digital_Trucker

...and for those that have faster machines (like me, next month when I upgrade)...

Beware the upgrades! They are a tiring business! I've been tinkering with my new rig for a week now, and the results are still not satisfactory!

@Von_Virus: sadly, you'll never see a proper sun glare effect on an old ATi card (only through workarounds, but they could be taxing on your system and produce other side-effects). Only ATi cards from HD2xxx and up produce that effect. I chose an ATi 3650 for my new rig, and it's a pretty decent card for its cost...but I've run into inexplicable slowdowns on SH4. Something in PE_1 is causing a MASSIVE slowdown whenever I torpedo a ship. I hope this has been remedied in PE_2, which I've just downloaded.

Regarding PE vs. Environmental mod, I have to admit I'm biased. As long as Dave's spirit carries on in PE, there's no second choice for me. And kriller2 has made an amazing job with keeping the legacy of Dave alive...

[ReallyDedPoet]

Originally Posted by DrBeast

Regarding PE vs. Environmental mod, I have to admit I'm biased. As long as Dave's spirit carries on in PE, there's no second choice for me. And kriller2 has made an amazing job with keeping the legacy of Dave alive...

I have tried the Environment Mod, mainly through the new Trigger and have to admit, it was difficult not incorporating PE because of the reasons you mentioned Beast. But I also think that if Dave were here he would want folks to try other stuff and like kriller, probably would have collaborated with W-Clear. As you know and I know, and others here, Dave was just that kind of guy. At the end of the day his influence here will be felt far beyond the reaches of modding. He was such an outstanding person, I really miss him.

All that said ^^^^, I enjoyed the testing I did with the new PE, and now that it's done look forward to adding it to my current install. Again, hats off to you kriller, thanks for all that you have done


RDP

[kriller2]

Something in PE_1 is causing a MASSIVE slowdown whenever I torpedo a ship. I hope this has been remedied in PE_2, which I've just downloaded.

Dr. Beast I noticed this to and will investigate it, but it seems to have something to do with the reflections from the fire. Try install the "more FPS" mod from the options folder and see if i helps? If not it must be something with the new particles file from the addon I used :hmm:

[DrBeast]

Originally Posted by kriller2

Dr. Beast I noticed this to and will investigate it, but it seems to have something to do with the reflections from the fire. Try install the "more FPS" mod from the options folder and see if i helps?

I'll keep that in mind, thanks. Do I need to uncheck Normal Textures from the Graphics Options for the game to switch to those textures? The mod is still being downloaded (had a network glitch and had to start all over...there are days I HATE computers!), so I don't know if they're in TNormal or TLowRes.

Originally Posted by reallydedpoet

I have tried the Environment Mod, mainly through the new Trigger and have to admit, it was difficult not incorporating PE because of the reasons you mentioned Beast. But I also think that if Dave were here he would want folks to try other stuff and like kriller, probably would have collaborated with W-Clear. As you know and I know, and others here, Dave was just that kind of guy. At the end of the day his influence here will be felt far beyond the reaches of modding. He was such an outstanding person, I really miss him.


RDP

You're absolutely right there, but I can be sentimental like that some times!

[kriller2]

No the more FPS mod will force the game to use a lowres / stock SH4 size of the reflection textures, so no need for swithing in the options.

[DrBeast]

Got it, cheers!

[ReallyDedPoet]

Originally Posted by swdw

I don't know if I'd call it a derivative. Although Kriller2 and W_clear have shared some things, in some areas they have taken distinctly different approaches to accomplishing an effect.

Better explanation


RDP

[Von_Virus]

I have Ati X1800XT, in game without any mods or in Enviro 4. i have no sunglare effect. With PE 2 i got this damned effect.
Screen without mods:


Screen with PE 2:

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by Von_Virus

I have Ati X1800XT, in game without any mods or in Enviro 4. i have no sunglare effect. With PE 2 i got this damned effect.
Screen without mods:


Screen with PE 2:

If you study the pics, the "damned effect" is by far the superior shot. Your original has the sun six times its actual size in the sky, the "damned effect" has the sun much closer to actual size. If the people remained the same size but the submarine was rendered at six times actual size you would certainly get my point.

The "damned effect" shot has transparent water and the original shot has water made of dirty motor oil or something that is not transparent. The "damned effect" shot recognizes the inverse square effect of light propogation and the original thinks that the sun distributes light uniformly across the frame.

Finally, if you look at the reflection of the sun on the water in the original shot, you can see a dull, lifeless wash lacking color or dimension. A light bulb would produce a better reflection. Maybe the water is dusty and doesn't reflect very well. In the "damned effect" shot the colors are appropriate for the time of day and the reflection has a brightness that would come from a reflection off water, one of the most reflective surfaces there is.

In every respect, the "damned effect" is far superior to what you had before. Perhaps you see something that I had not noticed?