I modded the shaders in P3Dv5.3 HF2 to lower the haze density/Rayleigh scattering, as it's far too dense.  This is only for folks running with EA off--it won't have any effect if you are using EA.

First make a backup copy of, and then open this file with a text editor:  <your root P3Dv5 folder>\ShadersHLSL\FuncLibrary.fxh

In the vicinity of line 504, find and replace this text:

#if !defined(SHD_ENHANCED_ATMOSPHERICS_BLEND) && !defined(SHD_TO_FAR_CLIP) && !defined(SHD_SKY_STARS)
    const float distanceFogTrans = min(transmittance, CalculateExponentialFogBlend(distanceSq, cb_View.mFogDensity));
    fogInscatter += cb_View.mFogColor.rgb * distanceFogTrans;
    transmittance = saturate(transmittance - distanceFogTrans);
#endif
    return float4(fogInscatter, transmittance);

with this text

#if !defined(SHD_ENHANCED_ATMOSPHERICS_BLEND) && !defined(SHD_TO_FAR_CLIP)
    const float haze_scalar = 0.8f;  //recommend values of 0.65 to 0.85
    const float distanceFogTrans = min(transmittance, CalculateExponentialFogBlend(distanceSq, (cb_View.mFogDensity * haze_scalar)));
    fogInscatter += cb_View.mFogColor.rgb * distanceFogTrans;
    transmittance = saturate(transmittance - distanceFogTrans);
#endif
    return float4(fogInscatter, transmittance);

 

A higher value of haze_scalar makes the haze thicker, a lower value fades it.  I've settled on 0.8 here.

Once you've made the changes, you'll need to clear your shader cache before running P3D in order to effect the change.

 

Bob, you're a star man! 👏 Having made the mod I no longer have than annoying banding when at altitude.

Thanks very much for identifying the problem and coming up with the fix. It makes you wonder why LM never came up with a fix given a lot of people must not use EA.

I tried this edit, and I'm pretty pleased with it.  It really does make the cloud renditions so much better if you're using the sim without EA.  Sometimes I do change to a non-EA environment because the cockpits are brighter and the world is a bit brighter too.

Stan

I’d be curious to have an EA equivalent.  Banding on the horizon is pretty noticeable with ActiveSky for me forever.

Do you have the legacy clouds enabled or the volumetric clouds enabled.

 

Saw a tutorial about the EA on/off results with/without legacy/volumetric clouds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp_Nc2zkNro

 

I'd like to see a before/after screen shot of the modded EA off to see difference in the haze effect.

 

Edited December 24, 20223 yr by Butch1

On 12/24/2022 at 3:33 PM, Butch1 said:

I tried this suggestion and it does make a difference with EA off. I didn't know how to clear the shaders folder but rather ask (bother) anyone here I googled it (google is sometimes your friend) Poppet explains where the shaders folder is and how to clear them.

 https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/479630-where-to-find-my-shaders-folder-prepar3d-v2-v3-v4/

Also shown in Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJo5gWCw3is&t=1s

 

 

On 12/24/2022 at 3:33 PM, Butch1 said:

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 20223 yr by Butch1

Does this work with Envshade or RDShade?

Are you referring to this?

On 12/23/2022 at 4:22 PM, spilok said:

I tried this edit, and I'm pretty pleased with it.  It really does make the cloud renditions so much better if you're using the sim without EA.  Sometimes I do change to a non-EA environment because the cockpits are brighter and the world is a bit brighter too.

Stan

Stan - go to NVIDIA settings > change resolution >output dynamic range > set to limited.

Dynamic range set to full.

In my case that brightens whole sim in EA mode.

4 hours ago, Beardyman said:

Stan - go to NVIDIA settings > change resolution >output dynamic range > set to limited.

Dynamic range set to full.

In my case that brightens whole sim in EA mode.

Thanks.  I'll check it out