Dark blue water

[ZsoltB]

Unfortunately, I see that the water is dark blue, almost disturbing :dizzy:
There is a solution for the repair?

[stovall]

Been watching this thread but no one seems to have an answer for the dark blue or black water. FSX is much superior when it comes to water color. Couldn't find anything about dark water at the LM, P3D forum either.

[ZsoltB]

Been watching this thread but no one seems to have an answer for the dark blue or black water. FSX is much superior when it comes to water color. Couldn't find anything about dark water at the LM, P3D forum either.

question if the install REX 4 would anything change

[stovall]

Very good question. I have used REX in the past with FSX and P3D 1.4 but have not installed in P3D 2.4. Hoped with all the advances it would not be needed. The water needs something.

[roger-wilco-66]

I use the new REX texture direct package with P3D. It has a variety of water and wave textures and I found a combination which is, to me, very agreeable. Most important, the coral reef textures mate seamless now, that was always a problem with the with FSX and P3D.

Cheers,
Mark

[stovall]

Much appreciated Mark, I will see what I can do with REX to give the water a better look.

[ZsoltB]

I use the new REX texture direct package with P3D. It has a variety of water and wave textures and I found a combination which is, to me, very agreeable. Most important, the coral reef textures mate seamless now, that was always a problem with the with FSX and P3D.

Cheers,
Mark

Hi Mark,

Can you post a picture of the water?

Zsolt

[Crusader]

I also have been keeping an eye out on this thread . Agree with the dark water and all of the above . I think in another thread someone mentioned the lack of wave movement except when flying close over top . No wave animation at higher altitudes at least on my setup(obviously there has to be some sort of a limit- I understand that) . I have the water to full right and it doesn't make a difference . Water is a disappointment with P3D v2.4 but overall I love it .

Rich

[Crusader]

I don't want to misdirect this thread from the Dark Blue H2O discussion . I don't currently own REX Direct but from what I've read about it , how does the water animation work with P3D v2.4 ? As mentioned above , a definite improvement is sorely needed .

[ZsoltB]

Then the REX does not improve the water color?

[stovall]

Same here with REX not improving the dark water. Water at a distance is a nice blue color. Using REX you can change the color but only at a distance. As I fly nearer the streams and rivers they turn almost black once over them. This is something that definitely needs work. All else is fantastic.

[ZsoltB]

Yes!

http://www.image-share.com/upload/2731/152.jpg (http://www.image-share.com/ijpg-2731-152.html)

[Dimus]

I don't want to misdirect this thread from the Dark Blue H2O discussion . I don't currently own REX Direct but from what I've read about it , how does the water animation work with P3D v2.4 ? As mentioned above , a definite improvement is sorely needed .

The REX guys are supposedly working on a new water animation for P3D that will enhance things in that respect. It is due out very soon as a patch to REX4 Direct and patiently awaited. If you have an account in REX forums, this is the thread:

http://www.realenvironmentxtreme.com/forums/index.php?/topic/31491-p3d-water-textures/

[roger-wilco-66]

Sorry, I missed the image request.

Below are two images, one depicting ocean water (highest setting in P3D) against the sun with reflections, and one close up with the sun in the back. The latter doesn't really show all the beauty because of the lack of animation. I use REX texture direct, which is an improvement, expecially with tiled textures that finally match seamlessly after so many years.
One should keep in mind that there are different texture sets available, with different brightnesses. For deep ocean water I personally prefer the dark versions, simply because that's how the ocean looks from above (at least I have not observed anything else in the real world).

The only thing I miss or would love to see are white caps and waves (not the cartoon like legacy animations we have now).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3u3z924vaqvu551/JFAR-water1.png?dl=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qkwgl3w3q2dgc66/JFAR-water2.png?dl=1

[ZsoltB]

There is no doubt better!

Although, I think it may be too dependent on graphic card

I'm using the ATI

Otherwise what scenery in the background?
Available?

Thanks the pics!

Zsolt

[roger-wilco-66]

I think it also depends a bit on the monitor setting. No image looks the same on different monitors, unless they are equally calibrated ( I do that with the datacolor spyder). Even with that, color management can be a nightmare.

The scenery is something I work on for over half a year now. No end in sight, I'm haunted by a constant stream of ideas...


Cheers,
Mark

[Dimus]

Mark, can you tell me which water set and which animation set you are using from REX4?

Looking forward to that scenery!

[roger-wilco-66]

Dimus, I'm in Austria right now and can't exactly remember, but I'll check it as soon as I return in a few days!

Cheers,
Mark

[Adamski_NZ]

I've tried every permutuation of REX water themes, REX TextureDirect (new P3D textures), FEX water ... you name it. I get good wave animation and good colouration when looking away from the aircraft, more or less horizontally. However - as soon as the view gets more vertical, the water just goes oily black like insane treacle. When zoomed right back, the water is *very* much darker than the FSX/DX10 equivalent.

I have the FSX/DX10 and P3D on the same system, using identical scenery and REX textures. I'm fairly certain that it's *not* texture related (as changing them has little or no effect) - more likely to be the way P3D implements the .fx code and how it applies the water colour palette.

I have Steve's DX10 Fixer running on my FSX system and it gives you separate controls for horizontal and vertical reflectivity (as well as a global water lightness factor), so it really ought to be possible to achieve the same control in DX11 in P3D.

Adam.

[stovall]

Adam, I have the same problem. You described it perfectly. From a distance the water has the appropriate color. As you become more vertical, the water turns completely black. I also have tried all the fixes including REX etc. Has anyone any ideas how to change this or are we stuck with black water?

[Adamski_NZ]

Adam, I have the same problem. You described it perfectly. From a distance the water has the appropriate color. As you become more vertical, the water turns completely black. I also have tried all the fixes including REX etc. Has anyone any ideas how to change this or are we stuck with black water?
By pure luck, I think I've stumbled across the cause: it's to do with *tessellation*. If you disable it completely (needs a P3D restart) you'll find that the water goes back to "normal".

However - the water quality slider becomes non-operational and you'll get frequent runtime errors. In fact - I found any setting of less than maximum tessellation could produce these errors.

It may be driver and/or GPU related. I have the latest nVidia drivers and a GTX580 - and run with DSR set at 2x.

Adam.

[roger-wilco-66]

Hmmm. I had a close look and start wonder a bit. When I go into the locked spot position, and adjust the viewpoint top down, I still don't see any real black water (it gets a bit darker though). However, when zooming out / moving the viewpoint out, I see a dark spot which is always at the 12 o'clock monitor position. Here the water gets quite dark, but I still see the texture. However, this phenomena depends on the angle of view between my eyes and the monitor. If I tilt the monitor or adjust my viewing angle towards the monitor the dark spot is gone.

At least on my system the dark water only occurs in top down views and only at a certain viewing angle at my TN (twisted nematic) type monitor. This and the reduced display dynamics at dark colors is typical for that monitor type.
It would be interesting to hear observations from a member here who has an IPS type monitor. These monitors have a much greater viewing angle as well better dynamics at dark color settings.

Cheers,
Mark

[Dimus]

I recently got an IPS panel but got the 970 card at the same time and maxed out water and tesselation along with the latest REX textures. I am very happy with my water colour and I fly a lot over water in the Greek islands so I can't really say which of the above really made the difference. Maybe all.

It is darker than FSX but depends of the viewing angle, while in FSX the colour is flat. I'll do some more observations though and get back.

[roger-wilco-66]

Sounds good, Dimus! I really think that this issue is something that can't be reduced to a singular cause.

A IPS or MVA / PVA panel type monitor is one of the next investments on my rig. Not because only of simulations, but I also do a lot of work in the photo sector. I've always fought with the shortcomings of the classic TN panels there.


Cheers,
Mark