Optional Cloud Mod 4.0 Update

[HarryH]

With all the recent additions to this venerable sim by OBD, along with BB's excellent cloud mod, I'm gradually falling back in love with WOFF. For some reason I thought I still had my custom preload file running, but it turns out I did not! I've updated it to include the newly added cloud.dds files. If anyone is curious to try it, it's here...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eGe4ZaKYw24a6TofBHgUNmYB3jEFCYWd/view?usp=sharing

I believe it adds a further degree of smoothness to the performance the SIM, and compliments BB's cloud mod quite well I think, possibly reducing cloud popping even further (although it does nothing to help with the occasional patterning from the darker clouds). Mission load times are a little longer, and you need to have a decent amount of RAM installed in your PC. Your mileage may vary. Simply rename the existing preload.xml and copy my replacement file in its place here: C:\OBDSoftware\WOFF\OBDWW1 Over Flanders Fields\preload.xml  

[+VonS]

Thank you for this Harry - one of these days I will roll your improved/refreshed preload.xml file into my various enhancement packs and tuner packages for WOFF/WOTR, since I currently have an older preload.xml file in those - WOFFers/WOTRers can of course replace the slightly older preload.xml file available in my various tuner/enhancement packages with your newer one, if they like, prior to loading said packages via JSGME.

Happy flying all,

Von S 

[BuckeyeBob]

Thanks, Harry. I can confirm that Harry's mod works fine with the cloud mod and may indeed help improve popping, although not everyone will get the same results. I am also convinced that those with very good graphics cards may experience less popping than those of us with weaker cards. 

Speaking of the cloud mod, the update to 4.2 is finished and is currently being tested. The readme file will list most of the changes, but the main focus is on improved performance and visual appearance of various cloud types. A few cloud files that were still producing cloud popping in some weather types have been removed. Several "heavy" weather types were also revised in order to improve visual appearance and reduce cloud popping and flashing. Finally, several fog and mist weather types have been further adjusted to reduce flashing and popping, particularly at low levels. BB Fog Heavy was also removed from the campaign due to flashing issues.

The new version will also contain a "light" version of the mod, which removes several weather types that still have some flashing and popping issues. Users who are particularly sensitive to this issue may prefer to use this light version of the mod. Thanks goes to Robert Wiggins for his many fine suggestions on the development of this light version. 

Cheers!

Edited January 25, 2022 by BuckeyeBob

[BuckeyeBob]

Version 4.2 of the Optional Cloud Mod has been sent to Sandbagger and will soon be posted on his web page. You can also find a link to the mod at the end of my first post in the Optional Cloud Mod thread at simhq. 

I recommend that everyone upgrade to this version as it contains a number of important fixes and improvements. 

Thank you to all of my beta testers and to Robert Wiggins for the development of the light version of the mod. 

[BuckeyeBob]

It's coming!

Version 4.4 of the Optional Cloud mod is almost ready for download!

The new version should cure most of the strobing problems introduced back in version 4.0 of the mod (note: this problem did not affect all users). It also corrects a few problems with clouds not displaying correctly, and removes a few clouds from the campaign that still had excessive flashing problems. Most of my haze cloud files have been revised so the haze effect is more subtle and less noticeable, particularly when mixed with other clouds. The Weather folders, which determine which clouds are displayed according to the overall weather conditions (Good, Changeable, Heavy, etc.) have also been revised to produce more consistent results.

I also took care not to rush this update out the door. In the past, I probably rushed a few updates after finishing my main tweaks without adequate campaign testing. This time, I have spent roughly the last month testing various cloud types in many different actual campaign missions. As a result, several cloud types that looked okay in QC flights but not so much in the campaign, particularly when combined with other clouds, have been improved. Note: some cloud flashing when entering or leaving a bank of clouds still remains, but this is a limitation of the game engine. 

While the mod is not perfect, I think it is the best work I have done to date on the clouds in WOFF. I hope you will agree. Thanks.

BB

Edited August 26, 2022 by BuckeyeBob

[BuckeyeBob]

Version 4.4 of the Optional Cloud Mod is now available for download, either at simhq or at Sandbagger's web site. This version contains several significant fixes and improvements, so everyone on 4.2 should update to the new version. Although most clouds will look roughly the same, or perhaps just a little less cloudy, I have revised the fog and haze clouds, so they should look better when combined with other clouds in the campaign. For additional hints about reducing possible cloud flashing during the campaign, including specific details about editing the OFFDynamicMissionWeather.xml file, please see the readme file for 4.4. 

If you have any comments or suggestions for further improvements, please do not hesitate to ask. Happy flying!