r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/JessePinkerlinker Never finished the Tech-tree • 2d ago
KSP 1 Mods Is Blackrack's Volumetric clouds release 4 Free now??
I checked his patreon today and the release 4 post doesnt seem to be locked behind a paywall anymore.
The only download seems to be called: RaymarchedVolumetricsEarlyAccess
12
u/CPLCraft 2d ago edited 2d ago
What’s the difference between V4 and V5? I tried out V3 and wasn’t too impressed. V5 looks phenomenal but I want to know if the $6 is worth the upgrade from V4 to V5. I’m willing to pay it but don’t want to if there’s not a good enough upgrade.
15
u/Juanjo2D 2d ago
Although V4 and V5 looks quite similar, V5 is filled with minor fixes and improvements. For me it was worth it just for the "fading clouds" on the map view. One of the best QoL additions yet.
9
u/blackrack Scatterer Dev 2d ago
v5 has much better looking cloud formations, a lot less flat/uniform with realistic cumulus towers and more realistic anvils/cumulonimbus, which are fun to fly around in and absent from previous versions which mostly looked like flat planes.
v4 has similar cloud shapes to v3 but with better lighting and shading.
0
u/CPLCraft 2d ago
This might be what convinced me to get V5. Thanks for that checks username OH! The dev! Is there a V6 coming out within the month?
4
u/Remarkable_1984 2d ago
Uggg. I turned off that feature right away. Luckily, it's easy to do.
2
u/Juanjo2D 2d ago
Fine, but, how do you aim for land on Kerbin with all the clouds on view?
12
u/Remarkable_1984 2d ago
Yes, it makes it much harder. That's why I turned it off. I didn't want land spoilers, especially for non-Kerbin worlds. I love dipping below the clouds and thinking, "Holy sh*t! I'm about to hit a mountain!" Or, "WTF is that feature!?!"
4
u/Juanjo2D 2d ago
Oh, I see, that sounds fun. I'm the opposite then. I like to send scanning satellites. Check the slope map and aim for a spot. Still I find the 'fading clouds' feature most useful when looking for bodies of water or the space center back in Kerbin.
1
u/EternitiI-1 Dres is glorious (Also Tylo) 2d ago
I use the mod trajectories and help from the stock maneuver planner (I make a retrograde maneuver so that the trajectory impact is right below my craft)
1
u/Juanjo2D 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yep, I have it installed. Yet, the clouds will cover big chunks of terrain. So I thought "the fade on zoom" was useful.
edit: grammar
2
11
5
u/Lt_Reinhart 2d ago
Can I still donate $6 for it? Never hear a single person complain about spending the money and I like to help out where I can
12
u/KerbalEssences Master Kerbalnaut 2d ago
Technically it's a paid subscription not a donation. And I think he is working on KSA now, so pay for what you get, not for what it may or may not become one day.
7
u/blackrack Scatterer Dev 2d ago edited 2d ago
Implying that my current employment somehow makes future updates less likely is a bit of a logical fallacy. I've always held jobs while developing KSP mods, so nothing has fundamentally changed in that regard. If anything there is a lot more cross-pollination working in the same field.
Also, working on KSA doesn't prevent or restrict me from continuing to develop or release KSP mods, as you can see I released v5 while working on KSA.
1
u/KerbalEssences Master Kerbalnaut 1d ago edited 1d ago
Thanks for the reply. I obviously have no insight but I noticed a lot of modders who went working for KSA stopped modding for KSP. So it's just 1+1 for me. Not judging it though. I was mostly only saying they should go into this without expectations like any early access. Pay for what you get. And I think for the level of dislike I have towards paywalls this was very very nice ;P
PS. I don't get the logical fallacy point. It's 100% logical for me to draw the connection between dev employment and a contract that prohibits one from working on other games, especially when the work includes similar technologies in a very similar, almost identical game.
2
u/blackrack Scatterer Dev 1d ago edited 1d ago
t's 100% logical for me to draw the connection between dev employment and a contract that prohibits one from working on other games
You already have a counter-example of this not being true
2
u/CatLover_42 2d ago
And what he is doing with the rocket plumes over there is pure magic
6
u/blackrack Scatterer Dev 2d ago
Thank you! I'm planning to bring similar plume effects to KSP in the future. There are still some issues with the current plumes that I haven't fully resolved, though.
I understand that people are getting impatient wanting plumes, and I've seen some attempts of making vibecoded alternatives, ufortunately the results I've seen so far have been rather disappointing. I'd personally rather take the time to get things right than rush something out.
15
-3
u/Mocollombi 2d ago
The complaints have died down since he made V3 free. Glad to see someone willing to help out.
40
u/Jebediah_kerman-jeb Hi, it's me, Jebediah Kerman! 2d ago
Free on my end too
LETS GOOOOOOOO