Rogen's P3D v4

[PavlinS]

No one? All right. Then I will not use those tweaks, sorry. Too much trouble. 

[Rogen]

On 10/6/2023 at 9:18 AM, PavlinS said:

Rogen, for some weird reason I have black clouds when I use your tweaks for the cloud fx shader. Any way to fix them? I have ActiveSky and Envshade / Envtex plus Tomato. It's a lot of shading, I know. I'll be glad on suggestions.

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On 10/7/2023 at 8:29 AM, PavlinS said:

No one? All right. Then I will not use those tweaks, sorry. Too much trouble. 

Hey @PavlinS,

Give people a chance to repond 😉

People do have other things going on in their lives...

Yes your clouds do look a little wierd, not quite sure how you're ending up with such, however the mention of the use of many shader apps would be my first port of call.

I'd also confirm the use of Anisotropic filtering, I have it set in P3D to 16x.

The cloud shader in this thread is a standalone custom written shader, it is not intended to have other shader applications insert their code into.

I use the following process when making shader changes.

• First I apply Tomatoshade's preset.
• Doing so will have inserted Tomatoshade's shader code into the existing Cloud.fx shader.
• I replace the now modified cloud shader with the custom written one.
• Then make my other changes such as the abs() wrapper to GPUTerrain.fx and changes to PrecipParticle.fx.
• Confirm the shader cache is cleared.
• Regenerate the shader cache for where I have a hotkey assigned.

Basically anytime a change is made to shaders via a shader application you'd need to confirm / replace Cloud.fx and any other manual changes made to other .fx shaders as they would typcially be overwritten.

When it comes to shaders, the only shader app I run concurrently with Tomatoshade and the customisations, happens to be ReShade.

This is because ReShade runs outside of the LM shaders and will not make any direct changes to the existing P3D customised shaders.

This also means Reshade can be opened in flight and adjusted on the fly so to speak making it super easy to test and trial things like TAA, colour temp, levels, contrast, LUT configs etc. while flying in the sim.

Hope the above helps.

The custom cloud shader does produce some nice looking clouds overall.

Cheers

 

[PavlinS]

Well, my replies are everytime approved, which means, I wait more then you to see my reply. Anyway, I am not going to use Envtex and Envshade. Can I ask for the particle fx shader text as well? Also how you regenerate the shaders? I mean, you regenerate them in sim? I also have second cloud shader. What should I do with it?

Also, this are my image and texture quality options:

 

So, as you can see I use the same texture filtering as you. 

 

 

Also, I find out that your custom shader for clouds does not work in my sim 

 

 

This happens for a second time. I am in Active Sky atm and still clouds and precipitation are missing. It is supposed to be snowing with clouds at 6000 feet,  that's the weather I put. 

 

Hhh. Well, I don't know what version of P3D you are using [ perhaps HF2?]. I am on Hotfix 3 and those tweaks obviously do not work the same way for everyone. 

Edited October 8, 2023 by PavlinS

[Rogen]

25 minutes ago, PavlinS said:

Can I ask for the particle fx shader text as well? Also how you regenerate the shaders? I mean, you regenerate them in sim? I also have second cloud shader. What should I do with it?

Hey PavlinS,

The changes I make in the PrecipParticle.fx are in the comments of the Tomatoshade preset at the bottom, but anyway here they are below.

~

void CreateStreakQuadVertices(float3 position, float3 velocity, float3 eyePosition, out float3 outQuadPosition[4], out float3 outQuadNormal)
{
    // Control how long streaks face and how big they are.
    // TBM 03/02/2019 change the calculated value for a smaller looking rain/snow effect
    float height = cb_fQuadSize * cb_fQuadSizeHeightScale / (2.4 - (cb_uPrecipType * 1.65));
    float width = cb_fQuadSize * cb_fQuadSizeWidthScale / (1.0 - (cb_uPrecipType * 0.25));

    //float height = cb_fQuadSize * cb_fQuadSizeHeightScale;
    //float width = cb_fQuadSize * cb_fQuadSizeWidthScale;

    velocity = normalize(velocity);
    float3 eyeVector = eyePosition - position;
    float3 eyeOnvelocityPlane = eyePosition - ((dot(eyeVector, velocity)) * velocity);
    float3 projectedeyeVector = eyeOnvelocityPlane - position;
    float3 sideVector = normalize(cross(projectedeyeVector, velocity));

~

To regenerate the P3D shader .cso files (on the fly) there is an Event named "Reload Shaders" in the P3D key assignments, just need to assign to a suitable key combo for yourself.

NOTE: the "Reload Shaders" doesn't clear the shader cache which would be a manual thing followed by activating the "Reload Shaders" event. If you don't clear the cache as a first step you can end up with some funny looking effects, like I once ended up with transparent A2A aircraft.

The process I use is pause sim, take a screen grab (via Reshade), manually clear the shader cache of .cso files, hit the "Reload Shaders" - screen goes black while the shaders are regenerated, take another screen grab and compare, where if further changes are needed it's a rinse and repeat.

I do not know this second cloud shader you're refering to, what's it's name ?

Cloud.fx is the only one I have, perhaps it is part of one of the other shader packages ?

51 minutes ago, PavlinS said:

So, as you can see I use the same texture filtering as you.

That's fine, and you must have a pretty powerful GFX card to run 8 x SSAA.

Cheers

 

[PavlinS]

it's called cloud2.fx the second shader. Yes, I have a keybind to reload shaders in sim, I use the number 7 for it. So I am aware. My specs you can find in signature. Problem is, still black clouds. 

 

Okay, I reset the cloud.fx shader file, after reloading it showed up, but it looks kinda same as before:

 

Edited October 9, 2023 by PavlinS

[Christopher Low]

7 hours ago, Rogen said:

.....and you must have a pretty powerful GFX card to run 8 x SSAA

I use 4xSSAA with a 6GB GTX 980Ti and i5 7600k @ 4.5Ghz. Granted, I only run @ 1080p resolution with no weather

[PavlinS]

I have RTX 4090 and i9 13900KF. My pc is better than 99% of pc's on the planet. I can run max settings all I want and my sim won't drop under 30 fps even on PMDG 777 at KLAX with True Earth. 

[PavlinS]

I am facing a peculiar problem again, Rogen. I would love to know how can I remove this white fog under the plane on cruising altitude:
 

 

I attempted to reduce haze effect, also sky fog removal in Tomato Shade, also disengage of volumetric fog in P3D settings. For now with no peculiar help. Thank in advance. 

[Rogen]

22 hours ago, PavlinS said:

I am facing a peculiar problem again, Rogen. I would love to know how can I remove this white fog under the plane on cruising altitude:

<Snip>

I attempted to reduce haze effect, also sky fog removal in Tomato Shade, also disengage of volumetric fog in P3D settings. For now with no peculiar help. Thank in advance. 

I would say go back to the default P3D shaders, then start at the begining for adding shader mods.

An item to be aware of is any shader change made via Tomatoshade will wipe any previous change.

For example, if you were to use the custom cloud shader within this thread, then make a change within Tomatoshade, the custom clould shader will be overwritten as would any other custom shader edits.

So the order of change would be... default shaders -> Tomatoshade config -> custom shader config

And if a further change is then made in Tomatoshade, any customisations outside of Tomatoshade would need to be reapplied.

 

I've given a few goes at trying to reproduce using my custom TS config in combo with my custom shader mods and no dice I'm afraid, all looks fine as per pics below.

Daylight pic.

Night pic same location.

 

Day pic

Night early and late pics.

 

[PavlinS]

Rogen. I do not use the custom cloud shader, because in my sim that shader removes my clouds completely from sim. 

 

I use tomato shade and Setinstaller you provided here. The Setinstaller I changed once. The rest of it is that before every sim session I have [ which lately are many, because I prepare videos for two months ahead] I change stuff in Tomato Shade. 

 

I read what you said, but honestly, I do not understand half of it. 

For some weird reason, Rogen, my simulator does not accept the shaders you provide the same as yours. So I wanna ask - please, make a detail description on how I can use your shaders without facing problems, like the blue clouds I see or the sky fog, that makes ground blurry and really not visible. It is obvious that your tweaks do not work the same way on my system as yours. Something definitely is not right and I want to know what it is and how can I fix it. Because, from what I've read in this thread till now nothing is working the way it supposed to. 

 

Also I change tomato shade before every session. That's because I know that shaders change after every time I have a session with the simulator. And if I do not reset tomato shade the shaders in sim will be broken. This cloud problem I face a lot. I gain dislikes lately in my videos, since I use your shading and effects. I don't know why, but it will be good if you look it up and see if there is any errors in your presets. Thank you. 

Edited November 9, 2023 by PavlinS

[Rogen]

21 hours ago, PavlinS said:

Rogen. I do not use the custom cloud shader, because in my sim that shader removes my clouds completely from sim. 

I use tomato shade and Setinstaller you provided here. The Setinstaller I changed once. The rest of it is that before every sim session I have [ which lately are many, because I prepare videos for two months ahead] I change stuff in Tomato Shade. 

I read what you said, but honestly, I do not understand half of it. 

For some weird reason, Rogen, my simulator does not accept the shaders you provide the same as yours. So I wanna ask - please, make a detail description on how I can use your shaders without facing problems, like the blue clouds I see or the sky fog, that makes ground blurry and really not visible. It is obvious that your tweaks do not work the same way on my system as yours. Something definitely is not right and I want to know what it is and how can I fix it. Because, from what I've read in this thread till now nothing is working the way it supposed to. 

 

Also I change tomato shade before every session. That's because I know that shaders change after every time I have a session with the simulator. And if I do not reset tomato shade the shaders in sim will be broken. This cloud problem I face a lot. I gain dislikes lately in my videos, since I use your shading and effects. I don't know why, but it will be good if you look it up and see if there is any errors in your presets. Thank you. 

 

Wow, sounds like things are really out of control within your P3D, nothing of the things you say you are needing to do is normal operation.

• Shaders themselves don't change with every session, or at least shouldn't.
• Nore should it be needed to apply a Tomatoshade configuration prior to every session.
• Nore should the custom cloud shader remove clouds.

 

For starters I don't use Setinstaller.

I did review it's contents and saw that it contained various texture sets and a ShadersHLSL folder, which looked like a full copy of P3D's ShadersHLSL folder and therefore decided against its usage given Setinstaller would be copying those shaders into mine, where very likely version control would be an issue.

I did however choose a selection of just some of the cloud textures (the high altitude ones, just the actual files themselves) for manual placement to within the P3D Texture folder.

• Also what's your version of Tomatoshade ? Version 31 is the one I have.
• And your P3D version number ? I'm running the final release of P3D v4.5 e.g. v4.5.14

 

My advice is as I've previously provided, and that is to first get your P3D install back to the default as a known functional starting point.

You should be able to use the P3D installer repair options to restore the default P3D files.

e.g. In Windows "Programs and Features" locate the P3D installers, right click and choose the repair option.

Before running the P3D repair option, rename the ShadersHLSL and Texture folders to something like "<folder name>.bak.2023-11-11.prior to repair", that way you've a reference to be able to review potential differences if the need arises.

 

Once you've a confirmed functional "default" P3D install, then backup up key objects e.g the ShadersHLSL and Texture folders.

When at that default point (with backups), then think about making changes.

Choose a single airport for testing and create a senario for testing at that airport, I'd say use 11S Sekio as it is where I perform my testing, that way we can easily compare looks.

Cheers

 

 

[PavlinS]

12 minutes ago, Rogen said:

Shaders themselves don't change with every session, or at least shouldn't.

I think you are not aware of the fact that ever since HF3 of P3D Tomato Shade needs to be constantly monitored. Otherwise it won't work properly. Do you know how I know - test your tomato shade with for example custom scenery from FlightSimJewels French Polynesia and society islands. You will see that the water masks that represent the coral reefs are missing. You need to change your tomato shade in water texture to match the refraction there. Otherwise it won't work. Which is why I change my tomato on every session, so it can work properly as shading my simulator. What hotfix of this sim you are using. Also I have noticed you are using Academic version. I use PROFESSIONAL PLUS version  of the sim, so things might be a little bit different than yours. 

About your clouds - 

16 minutes ago, Rogen said:

Nore should the custom cloud shader remove clouds.

It does remove them. In my sim. I don't know how it is yours but in my sim this cloud shader does not work and it is not my fault it is not working, I did backup and I realized that your shader does not work in my sim, for some reason. 

Rogen, something tells me your version is more tweaked then mine. I suggest you check your p3d config file and tell me why. 

 

Dear. Why should I install my sim from scratch to obey your issues? I mean, you do realize that my sim is freakin' huge and it will take 2 weeks to install? Why should I do that since the problem is your shaders, not my sim? 

[Rogen]

3 hours ago, PavlinS said:

I think you are not aware of the fact that ever since HF3 of P3D Tomato Shade needs to be constantly monitored. Otherwise it won't work properly. Do you know how I know - test your tomato shade with for example custom scenery from FlightSimJewels French Polynesia and society islands. You will see that the water masks that represent the coral reefs are missing. You need to change your tomato shade in water texture to match the refraction there. Otherwise it won't work. Which is why I change my tomato on every session, so it can work properly as shading my simulator. What hotfix of this sim you are using. Also I have noticed you are using Academic version. I use PROFESSIONAL PLUS version  of the sim, so things might be a little bit different than yours. 

Hmmm, what is the version of Tomatoshade you're using ?

The one I have is version 31, which I believe is the last release of Tomatoshade, if you are running a later version please advise a link from where it can be downloaded.

And for myself Tomatoshade only applies the chosen preset when I open Tomatoshade, load the desired preset and choose the menu item of Action | Apply Preset.

At no other time does Tomatoshade make any changes to shaders.

Is there perhaps some other shader program running in the background that makes changes automatically ?

 

I've loaded the Society Islands, taken off from NTTR where the view is as per the screen shots.

Should I be seeing something different ? and iIf so, what ? A screen shot would be handy.

 

3 hours ago, PavlinS said:

3 hours ago, Rogen said:

Nore should the custom cloud shader remove clouds.

It does remove them. In my sim. I don't know how it is yours but in my sim this cloud shader does not work and it is not my fault it is not working, I did backup and I realized that your shader does not work in my sim, for some reason. 

Rogen, something tells me your version is more tweaked then mine. I suggest you check your p3d config file and tell me why. 

Dear. Why should I install my sim from scratch to obey your issues? I mean, you do realize that my sim is freakin' huge and it will take 2 weeks to install? Why should I do that since the problem is your shaders, not my sim?

 

The problem I have with the statement of "It does remove them. In my sim." is that you've stated the opposite.

On 10/9/2023 at 11:01 AM, PavlinS said:

Okay, I reset the cloud.fx shader file, after reloading it showed up, but it looks kinda same as before:

 

Taken in a whole as a a context, it sounds like shader upon shader upon shader system has been put in place and now everything is out of whack.

Hence why I've suggested going to defaults to start from the begining.

You don't actually need to reinstall everything, I assume you have a backup regime in place where you could for example roll back to the default P3D ShadersHLSL and Texture folders, then begin a process of elimination troubleshooting exercise, after of course backing up the existing ShadersHLSL and Texture folders folders (as I'd previously recommended).

If you'd like to review any of the shader config, the file is in this thread as is the Tomatoshade preset, I've also included the most relevant P3D cfg values also in this thread.

Otherwise perhaps someone else will have an idea regarding your situation and can chime in.

Cheers

[PavlinS]

12 hours ago, Rogen said:

Hmmm, what is the version of Tomatoshade you're using ?

31. 

12 hours ago, Rogen said:

The problem I have with the statement of "It does remove them. In my sim." is that you've stated the opposite

I  did not stated the opposite, you stated the opposite. 

12 hours ago, Rogen said:

You don't actually need to reinstall everything, I assume you have a backup regime in place where you could for example roll back to the default P3D ShadersHLSL and Texture folders, then begin a process of elimination troubleshooting exercise, after of course backing up the existing ShadersHLSL and Texture folders folders (as I'd previously recommended).

I have Reshade, I have Tomato Shade and Setinstaller, which I removed last night. In order for all this to be removed I need to remove lot more than ShaderHLSL folder. Also I have Pascal Sky Textures. That also have to be removed. This basically means I need to remove significant part of my shading in order for you to start with shading from scratch. Something in your presets is not right, because for 4 years of me, using tomato shade I had never had such problems [ blue clouds for example]. 

 

12 hours ago, Rogen said:

Otherwise perhaps someone else will have an idea regarding your situation and can chime in.

Hm. Okay. So, just back to my previous shading. 

I suggest, next time, when someone creates a topic about someone's shading to consider that there might be people like me having trouble with it. Thank you in advance, have a nice day. 

[Christopher Low]

LOL......five years after it was released, I have just found a bug in the animation code at UK2000 Bristol 2019HD. If you want to see it, just park yourself at Gate 1 and turn your attention to the gap under the terminal building front left, and wait for an animated vehicle to appear.