WU13 UPDATE: A fix included with WU13 Oceania appears to have resolved the issue introduced with SU12.
SU12 UPDATE: Please be advised that SU12 has at least partially broken water masks in the sim. As a result you may experience erratic texture behavior when using this mod. I understand that MS/Asobo are aware of the issue. So hopefully a fix is forthcoming.
WARNING! THIS MOD REMOVES A LOT OF WATER MASKS FROM THE AREAS MENTIONED BELOW, EVEN FROM LAKES THAT DO CONTAIN SOME WATER VISIBLE IN THE AERIAL IMAGERY, INCLUDING THE GREAT SALT LAKE [UPDATE: YOU NOW HAVE A CHOICE!]. YOU MAY NOT LIKE THE RESULT. BUT TRY IT BY ALL MEANS. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, SIMPLY DELETE THE sltcreations-sw-us-salt-lakes-fix FOLDER FROM YOUR COMMUNITY FOLDER TO REVERT TO THE DEFAULT WATER MASKING.
Ah well, here we go again. This was meant to be just a little project because a few people requested a couple of wet spots in the U.S. to be added to my Mexico project. But then I got carried away and pretty much did the entire Southwestern U.S. Seeing that's no longer Mexico, I split the projects in two.
Coverage, as mentioned, is the Southwestern United States, whatever that means. But basically, I've looked at all of NM, AZ, UT and NV, as well as CA east of the Sierras. But I also went a bit further north into N-CA and OR, because that's where the Basin and Range (and a lot of dry lakes) extends to. There's probably a few spots of TX, CO and ID in there too.
My methodology was as follows:
- I've excluded all water masking from areas that are obviously dry, duh.
- I've also excluded water masking from some very shallow water bodies to allow the underlying textures to become visible.
- I've excluded water masks in some cases where those masks simply don't match the water body's outline. MSFS is unfortunately replete with these. Microsoft/Asobo seriously need better hydrology data!
- I've deliberately left some water masking, even though the water body is actually dry (or almost dry), where the underlying textures are hideous (there were only a couple of cases, e.g., Goose Lake in N-CA/OR)
- Lastly, I've excluded the water mask for the Great Salt Lake. Underlying textures are definitely not great, but the default implementation (a bland lake full of water, with grossly incorrect shorelines) brings tears to my eyes...
Enjoy!
Update: I've included a separate file that does not modify the default Great Salt Lake. Use either one, but don't have both in your Community folder concurrently.
The last update broke it. Was flying over Salt Lake and there were multiple squares that were different and water in places there shouldn't be. Is there going to be a fix? Love the add-on!
2 years ago
Sorry, been away for a couple of weeks. I will have a look asap. Thanks for letting me know.
2 years ago
gunther
TheKev22
I was flying around the Phoenix valley the other day and saw the water.... thinking No, this is desert. Well done, and thanks.
2 years ago
UberGeek
Awesome, I love it!
2 years ago
sarahymac
Good fix, thank you.
2 years ago
fStopper
I love the idea, but just because you don't like the Great Salt Lake doesn't mean you should wipe it out. Without its lake, it makes a mockery out of calling Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City doesn't it? Please, may we get a version that excludes the Great Salt Lake because the rest of your outstanding efforts are greatly needed.
Thanks in any case for all your hard work. I just wish I could use it.
Update: The author has provided a choice to keep the Great Salt Lake, so for his excellent work of cleaning up stray water and having great customer support, I'm happy to give 5 stars and a hearty recommendation.
2 years ago
Thanks for your thoughts. I suppose my original comment about the Great Salt Lake was a little ambiguous (since corrected). I have no dislike for the Great Salt Lake itself, just the way it's currently been implemented in the sim (a bland, texture-less body of water with an ill-defined shoreline. Frankly, I'm surprised MS/Asobo have neglected this rather iconic location during both the initial release and the U.S. WU. Anyway, I've added a separate file download that keeps the default implementation of the Great Sale Lake intact.
2 years ago
gunther
fosheem
The need for what this addon does has up to now been grossly underappreciated, so was surprised and extremely thankful to see it pop up in daily USA feeds as I love flying the SW deserts of the USA.
Why, just last night in the Monster NXCub, while exploring the stark desolation of the Cabeza Prieta Wilderness in extreme SW AZ, I was a dismayed to see that the relatively small Pinta Playa on the north flank of the Pinacate Volcanic Field was filled with water. It really spoiled the immersion, because that small one mile wide flat should be bone dry except for rare and short lived occasions. Loaded your files and revisited this morning and… water gone!
I figure if you’ve drained that little off-the-beaten-track playa, I can only imagine the number of others throughout the SW are now fixed. This was much needed. Thanks so much!
2 years ago
Glad you are enjoying my mod. I just had an online look at the Cabeza Prieta, Amazing! The photographer in me wants to pack my bags already...
2 years ago
gunther
EdTruthan
Many Thanks!
2 years ago
dpskg1993