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Cloud Layers

Clouds Overview

The purpose of clouds in Nova is to demonstrate different sky variations.

  • The clouds can be affected by wind speeds and direction.
  • Different 3D Cloud types can be found here.
  • Different 3D Cloud evolution types can be found here.
Visual Examples

Stratus Clouds

Cirrus Clouds

Cumulus Clouds

Clouds Configuration

Clouds Token Configuration

Clouds Data Configuration

None.


Clouds Usage

Clouds ICD Interface

Clouds ICD Variables

Nova Variable

Description

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layerXType of cloud layer
ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_colorX

Color of cloud layer

0: Default

1 (Lightest) - 4 (Darkest)

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_densityX

Layer density control

-1: Enables regions

0 - 100

ios2ig.dat.cloud_softnessX

Determines how soft or sharp the cloud layer's edges are

-127 (Sharper) - 127 (Softer)

ios2ig.dat.cloud_shadow_control

Shadow density control

-1: Force Off

0: No Control (On)

1 - 127

ios2ig.dat.cloud_top_scud_intensityX

Top scud intensity

0 - 127

ios2ig.dat.cloud_bottom_scud_intensityX

Bottom scud intensity

0 - 127

ios2ig.dat.cloud_heightX

Ceiling height in feet

ios2ig.dat.cloud_bottomX

Bottom height in feet

ios2ig.dat.cloud_thickX

Thickness of cloud layer [x]

0.0 - 1.0

Cloud Regions ICD Variables

Nova Variable

Description

ios2ig.dat.cloud__regionsX[x].region_active0 - 1 (Off, On)
ios2ig.dat.cloud__regionsX[x].region_widthEast to West width in meters
ios2ig.dat.cloud__regionsX[x].region_heightNorth to South width in meters
ios2ig.dat.cloud__regionsX[x].region_rotation0.0 - 360.0
ios2ig.dat.cloud__regionsX[x].region_position[0]Position of region center (latitude) in degrees
ios2ig.dat.cloud__regionsX[x].region_position[1]Position of region center (longitude) in degrees
ios2ig.dat.cloud__regionsX[x].region_density0 to 100 percent

3D Cloud ICD Variables

Nova Variable

Description

h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.cloud3D_activeEnable or disable 3D cloud (On, Off)
h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.type_cloud3DType of 3D cloud
h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.evol_cloud3DType of 3D cloud evolution
h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.rain_cloud3DEnable or disable rain shaft (On, Off)
h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.lightning_cloud3D

Enables cloud to emit lightning if lightning mode is enabled in the weather structure

-1: Off, 0: Auto, 1: ON

h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.siz_cloud3DSize (radius) in meters
h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.scud_cloud3D

Scud control

0.0 - 1.0

h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.height_cloud3D

Vertical size (radius) in meters / if 0.0, same as siz_cloud3D

h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.coord_cloud3D[0]

Cloud center (latitude)

h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.coord_cloud3D[1]

Cloud center (longitude)

h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3DX.coord_cloud3D[2]

Cloud altitude in feet

Clouds Runtime Operation

If using AeHost:

  1. Locate the Cloud Controls section.
  2. Locate Cloud Layer 1 and click its checkbox.
  3. Locate the Cloud Layer Type drop down and select "10", (this is the Stratus type).
  4. Locate the Base, Top (MSL) line; change its Base value to 15000.00 and its Top value to 45000.00.
  5. Locate the Density % and Softness line; change the Density % value to 45 and the Softness value 65.
  6. Locate the Top, Bottom Scud Intensity line; change the Top Scud Intensity line to 115 and change the Bottom Scud Intensity line to 110.
  7. Locate the Color line and change the color to 3.


If setting values directly in Spy:

  1. Set ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer1 to 8.
  2. Set ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_color1 to 4.
  3. Set ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_density1 to 75.
  4. Set ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_softness1 to 85.
  5. Set ios2ig.dat.cloud_top_scud_intensity1 to 127.
  6. Set ios2ig.dat.cloud_bottom_scud_intensity1 to 95.
  7. Set ios2ig.dat.cloud_height1 to 25000.
  8. Set ios2ig.dat.cloud_bottom1 to 15000.

Clouds CIGI Packets

Component Control Packet for Weather Control (Packet Support)

Layer IDWeather EffectSpyClient MappingSupported FieldsDescription
0Ground Fogios2ig.dat.fogWeather EnableOff / On Flag (0, 1)
ios2ig.dat.fog_layer_floorBase Elevation

Top altitude of full fog where visibility is equal to Visibility Range.

(The fog base always extends to the ground - ownship cannot punch below layer).

See Ground Fog Characteristics.

ios2ig.dat.fog_layer_ceiling

Thickness

(Summed with base elevation)

Thickness of transition band between Base Elevation (full fog) and no fog.

See Ground Fog Characteristics.

ios2ig.dat.fog_layer_range

Visibility Range

Visibility range within ground fog.

1Cloud Layer 1N/AWeather EnableOff / On Flag (0, 1)
ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer1Cloud TypeSee Cloud Types.
7th bit of ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer1Scud EnableOff / On
ios2ig.dat.cloud_thick1TransitionTransition region for scud.
ios2ig.dat.cloud_bottom1Base ElevationLowest Cloud level (meters).

ios2ig.dat.cloud_height1

Top Height

(Summed with thickness)

For types 3 and 9 - 12: Top height of cloud layer (Base Elevation + Thickness).

Thickness ignored for type 10.

All other types: Transition layer thickness - these clouds are 2D.

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_color1Severity

Color Enumeration

0: Default

1: Darkest - 4: Lightest

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_density1

Coverage (Types 9 - 12 only)

Density: 0 - 100 (Less Dense - More Dense).

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_softness1Aerosol (Types 9 - 12 only)Softness: -127 - 127 (Sharper Edge - Softer Edge). 0 is default.
2Cloud Layer 2N/AWeather EnableOff / On Flag (0, 1)
ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer2Cloud TypeSee Cloud Types.
7th bit of ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer2Scud EnableOff / On
ios2ig.dat.cloud_thick2TransitionTransition region for scud.
ios2ig.dat.cloud_bottom2Base ElevationLowest Cloud level (meters).

ios2ig.dat.cloud_height2

Top Height

(Summed with thickness)

For types 3 and 9 - 12: Top height of cloud layer (Base Elevation + Thickness).

Thickness ignored for type 10.

All other types: Transition layer thickness - these clouds are 2D.

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_color2Severity

Color Enumeration

0: Default

1: Darkest - 4: Lightest

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_density2

Coverage (Types 9 - 12 only)

Density: 0 - 100 (Less Dense - More Dense)

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_softness2Aerosol (Types 9 - 12 only)

Softness: -127 - 127 (Sharper Edge - Softer Edge)

0 is default

3Cloud Layer 3N/AWeather EnableOff / On Flag (0, 1)
ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_color3Severity

Color Enumeration

0: Default

1: Darkest - 4: Lightest

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_density3

Coverage (Types 9 - 12 only)

Density: 0 - 100 (Less Dense - More Dense)

ios2ig.dat.cloud_layer_softness3Aerosol (Types 9 - 12 only)Softness: -127 - 127 (Sharper Edge - Softer Edge). 0 is default.
4RainN/AWeather EnableOff / On Flag (0, 1)

ios2ig.dat.rain

ios2ig.dat.inten_rain

Severity

Rain Severity

1: Less Severe - 5: More Severe

5SnowN/AWeather EnableOff / On Flag (0, 1)
ios2ig.dat.snowSeverity

Snow Severity

1: Less Severe - 5: More Severe

10Lightning (Aechelon Extension)ios2ig.dat.lightningWeather EnableOff / On Flag (0, 1)
Severity1: Less Severe - 3: More Severe
11Sea State (Aechelon Extension)N/AWeather EnableOff / On Flag (0, 1)
ios2ig.dat.sea_state.sea_stateSeverity

Sea State

1: Calm - 5: Not Calm

ios2ig.dat.sea_state.sea_roughnessThickness

Sea Roughness

1: Less Rough - 5: More Rough

ios2ig.dat.sea_state.sea_wind_speedHorizontal Wind Speed

Wind speed for waves (knots).

ios2ig.dat.sea_state.sea_wind_dirWind Direction

Wind direction for waves (degrees).

12Haze (Aechelon Extension)N/AWeather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)

ios2ig.dat.visib_general

ios2ig.dat.visib_fog

ios2ig.dat.fog_range

Visibility Range

Range (meters).

ios2ig.dat.layered_haze_intensity

Coverage

Intensity of layered haze effect (0.0 - 1.0).

ios2ig.dat.haze_tint

Thickness

De-saturate blue tint of haze effect (0.0 - 1.0). 0.0 is default value.

13Windshield Wipers (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Thickness = (0.0 - 1.0) Speed

ios2ig.dat.windshield_wipers

Thickness

Speed

0.0: Slower - 1.0: Faster

14Tide Level (Aechelon Extension)

ios2ig.dat.sea_state.tide_level

Thickness

Tide (feet).

15Patchy Fog (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)

ios2ig.dat.fog

Coverage

Coverage Type

See Patchy Fog Coverage Types.

ios2ig.dat.fog_layer_floor

Base Elevation

Top altitude of full fog where visibility is equal to Visibility Range (the fog base always extends to the ground, 0 MSL)

ios2ig.dat.fog_layer_ceiling

Thickness

(Summed with base elevation)

Thickness of transition band between Base Elevation (full fog) and no fog

See Ground Fog Characteristics.

ios2ig.dat.fog_layer_range

Visibility Range

Range.

ios2ig.dat.varying_fog

Transition

Variance

0.0 - 1.0

16Wet Runway (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)



ios2ig.dat.wet_runway

Severity

Effect enumeration

0: Auto

1: Clear

2: Rain

3: Snow

4: Ice

5: Patchy Rain

6: Patchy Snow

7: Patchy Ice

8: Sand

17Sea Current (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)

ios2ig.dat.sea_state.sea_current_dir

Wind Direction

Wind direction for sea targets (degrees).

ios2ig.dat.sea_state.sea_current_speed

Horizontal Wind Speed

Wind speed for sea current (knots).

ios2ig.dat.sea_state.sea_current_amplitude

Base Elevation

Wave amplitude in meters.

ios2ig.dat.sea_state.sea_current_period

Thickness

Wave period in meters.

18Alpenglow (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)

ios2ig.dat.alpenglow

Thickness

Alpenglow effect intensity

0.0 - 1.0

19Wind Layer 1 (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)

Note that the Atmosphere Control packet's wind settings set all wind layers; to set them individually, you must send this packet after the Atmosphere Control packet

h2ig.dat.wind_dir[0]

Wind Direction

Wind direction (degrees).

h2ig.dat.wind_veloc[0]

Horizontal Wind Speed

Wind speed (knots).

h2ig.dat.wind_layer_hgt[0]

Base Elevation

Wave height in meters.

20Wind Layer 2 (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)

Note that the Atmosphere Control packet's wind settings set all wind layers; to set them individually, you must send this packet after the Atmosphere Control packet

h2ig.dat.wind_dir[1]

Wind Direction

Wind direction (degrees).

h2ig.dat.wind_veloc[1]

Horizontal Wind Speed

Wind speed (knots).

h2ig.dat.wind_layer_hgt[1]

Base Elevation

Wave height in meters.

21Wind Layer 3 (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)

Note that the Atmosphere Control packet's wind settings set all wind layers; to set them individually, you must send this packet after the Atmosphere Control packet

h2ig.dat.wind_dir[2]

Wind Direction

Wind direction (degrees).

h2ig.dat.wind_veloc[2]

Horizontal Wind Speed

Wind speed (knots).

h2ig.dat.wind_layer_hgt[2]

Base Elevation

Wave height in meters.

22Wind Layer 4 (Aechelon Extension)

N/A

Weather Enable

Off / On Flag (0, 1)

Note that the Atmosphere Control packet's wind settings set all wind layers; to set them individually, you must send this packet after the Atmosphere Control packet

h2ig.dat.wind_dir[3]

Wind Direction

Wind direction (degrees).

h2ig.dat.wind_veloc[3]

Horizontal Wind Speed

Wind speed (knots).

h2ig.dat.wind_layer_hgt[3]

Base Elevation

Wave height in meters.

Component Control Packet for Atmosphere Control

ParameterSupportDescriptionNova Variable Mapping
Atmosphere Model Enable

 

This parameter specifies whether the IG should use an atmospheric model to determine spectral radiances for sensor applications. If this parameter is set to Disable (0), source radiances will be calculated. If this parameter is set to Enable (1), apparent radiances will be calculated using the appropriate models.


0 = Disable

1 = Enable

enableAtmos
Global Humidity

 

Specifies global humidity in percentage from 0.0 to 100.0

dat.humidity
Global Air Temp

 

Global air temperature in degrees Celsius

0.0 to MAXFLOAT

dat.gnd_temp
Global Visibility Range

 

Global visibility range in meters.

0.0 to MAXFLOAT

dat.global_visibility_range
Global Horizontal Wind Speed

 

Global wind speed in meters.  Setting a value here will set the same value for all wind layers.

meters per second 0.0 to MAXFLOAT

dat.wind_veloc[i]

Global Vertical Wind Speed

(error) 

Nova does not have a compatible feature for vertical wind speed

N/A

Global Wind Direction

 

Global wind direction in meters.  Setting a value here will set the same value for all wind layers.

0.0 to 360.0


Note: This is the direction from which the wind is blowing.

dat.wind_dir[i]
Global Barometric Pressure

 


dat.baro_pressure

Component Control Packet for 3D Clouds

Structure TypeCloud3DHV
Packet ID241
Packet Size (bytes)54
SpyClient Lookuphost2pcnova → h2ig.dat.fx_data.cloud3D
ParameterTypeDescriptionRange
Cloud3D_ActivecharEnable or disable 3D cloud.

ON, OFF

Type_Cloud3DcharSee 3D Cloud Types.

1 - MAX_3DCLOUD_TYPE

Evol_Cloud3DcharSee 3D Cloud Evolution Types.1 - MAX_3DCLOUD_TYPE
Rain_Cloud3DcharEnable or disable rain shaft.

ON, OFF


Lightning_Cloud3D


char


Enables cloud to emit lightning if lightning mode is enabled in the weather structure.

-1 = OFF

0 = AUT0

1 = ON

Siz_Cloud3DcharSize (radius) in meters.

0.0 - MAXFLOAT

Scud_Cloud3DfloatScud control.

0.0 - 1.0

Height_Cloud3DfloatVertical size (radius) in meters; if 0.0, same as siz_cloud3D.

0.0 - MAXFLOAT


Coord_Cloud3D

latdoubleCloud center latitude.

Valid latitude

londoubleCloud center longitude.

Valid longitude

altdoubleCloud altitude in feet.

0.0 - MAXDOUBLE

Component Control Packet for Cloud Region

Structure TypeCloudRegionHV
Packet ID225
Packet Size (bytes)46
SpyClient Lookuphost2pcnova→ios2ig.dat.cloud_regions1
ParameterTypeDescriptionRange
Region_Activechar

0 = OFF

1 = ON

0 - 1
Region_Densitychar

0 to 100 percent.

0 - 100

Region_Widthfloat

East to West width in meters.

0.0 - MAXFLOAT

Region_Heightfloat

North to South width in meters.

0.0 - MAXFLOAT

Region_Rotationfloat

In degrees.

0.0 - 360.0

Region_Position


Xdouble

Position of region center (latitude).

0.0 - MAXDOUBLE

Ydouble

Position of region center (longitude).

0.0 - MAXDOUBLE

Clouds FX Tuning

FX Tuning for Clouds

Token NameDefault ValueAccepted ValuesDescriptionToken Source File
STORM_COLOR_SCALE0.8

cloud3DConfig.fx

RAIN_COLOR_SCALE0.9

PUFF_LIGHTING_MAX_SCALE0.6

PUFF_LIGHTING_MAX_BIAS0.5

PUFF_LIGHTING_MIN_SCALE1.0

PUFF_LIGHTING_MIN_BIAS0.1

PUFF_EMISSIVE_SCALE0.4

PUFF_NOISE_UV_SCALE1.0

CLOUD_LIGHT_THERMAL_IR_AMBIENT_FACTOR0.14

CLOUD_LIGHT_THERMAL_IR_DIFFUSE_FACTOR0.1

CLOUD_LIGHT_THERMAL_IR_AMBIENT_OFFSET0.1

CLOUD_LIGHT_THERMAL_IR_DIFFUSE_OFFSET0.1

CLOUD_LIGHT_NVG_AMBIENT_FACTOR0.4

CLOUD_LIGHT_NVG_DIFFUSE_FACTOR0.6

CLOUD_OTW_CULTURAL_ILLUM_FACTOR0.1

CLOUD_NVG_CULTURAL_ILLUM_FACTOR0.3

3DCLOUD_LOBE_ATTEN_SCALE0.03 0.035 0.0003

Token NameDefault ValueAccepted ValuesDescriptionToken Source File
3DCLOUD_RANGE150000.0

cloudPuffsConfig.fx

3DCLOUD_FADE_RANGE135000.0

RAIN_RANGE_SCALE0.65

RAIN_FADE_SCALE0.75

RAIN_SPEED_FACTOR1.0

STORM_COLOR_SCALE1.2

RAIN_COLOR_SCALE1.0

INSIDE_CLOUD_SCALE_FACTOR1.0

INSIDE_RAINSHAFT_SCALE_FACTOR1.0

RAIN_OVERRIDE_ENABLETRUE
Overrides rain visual effects when a camera is not under a storm cell but the ownship is.
RAIN_OVERRIDE_FACTOR1.1
Rain override distance scale factor (higher values mean less likely to override).
Token NameDefault ValueAccepted ValuesDescriptionToken Source File
CLOUD_TEXTURE_0"SYSTX_cloud1"
Cloud textures.

cloudShadowsConfig.fx

CLOUD_TEXTURE_1"SYSTX_cloud2"
CLOUD_TEXTURE_2"SYSTX_NULL"
CLOUD_TEXTURE_3"SYSTX_scattered"
CLOUD_TEXTURE_FOR_PUFFS3
Cloud texture to use for puffs.
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_10.000004
How fast the wind moves shadows for each cloud type.
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_20.000004
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_30.000004
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_40.00003
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_50.00005
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_60.00004
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_70.00005
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_80.000025
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_90.00005
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_100.00005
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_110.000005
WIND_SCALE_FACTOR_120.000005
SUN_SCALE_FACTOR0.5
How much moving the sun / moon moves the shadows.
SUN_SCALE_FACTOR_LL0.03

CLOUD_PUFFS_SUN_STRETCH_METERS4000
How much the cloud puffs are stretched (in meters) when the sun is low on the horizon.
COLOR_INTENSITY_HDR_ADV1.0

OCCULUSION_INTENSITY_HDR_ADV1.2

INTENSITY_DECAY0.1
Percent decay between shadow map levels. Low resolutions have fainter shadows.
CLOUD_PUFFS_SIZE_SCALE_FROM_ELEVATION0.0
CLOUD_PUFFS_SIZE_SCALE increases by this amount every 10k meters.
CLOUD_PUFFS_FADE_OUT_START4000
Distance from ownship at which shadows for the cloud puffs start to fade out.
CLOUD_PUFFS_FADE_OUT_END8000
Distance from ownship at which shadows for the cloud puffs fade out.
SCATTERED_CLOUDS_GRID_SIZE5
Size in cells for a X by X grid.
SCATTERED_CLOUDS_CELL_SIZE60000
Size of a cell in meters.
SCATTERED_CLOUDS_NUM_CLOUDS_PER_CELL50
Number of puffs in a cell.
SCATTERED_CLOUDS_WIND_SCALE1.5
Scattered clouds wind scale.
CLOUD_TEXTURE_SIZE9767.56

This specifies the physical size (in meters) over which a single repeat of the cloud texture will be stretched.

Note: It will be rounded such that the texcoord scale factor is an even power-of-2.

Token NameDefault ValueAccepted ValuesDescriptionToken Source File
SKY_NOISE_ENABLEDTRUE
Sky noise enabled flag.

Sky.fx

SKY_NOISE_TEXTURE_COORD_SCALE0.004
Sky noise shader parameter.
SKY_NOISE_TEXTURE_INTENSITY0.033
Sky noise shader parameter.
GLOW_NOISE_TEXTURE_COORD_SCALE2.0
Glow noise shader parameter.
GLOW_NOISE_TEXTURE_INTENSITY0.582
Glow noise shader parameter.
STARS_REFLECTION_GAIN0.5
Stars / Planets reflection gain.
SKY_OBJECTS_SCALE6.0
Sun / Moon scalar.
SKY_RADIUS10000.0
Sky radius.
HORIZON_SKY_SCALE_FIXED0.33
Controls the sky and horizon border.
HORIZON_SKY_SCALE_DYNAMIC0.4
Controls the sky and horizon border.
LOWER_SKY_SCALE_FIXED0.6
Controls the horizon and mid sky border.
LOWER_SKY_SCALE_DYNAMIC0.8
Controls the horizon and mid sky border.
HORIZON_GND_SCALE_FIXED1.0

Controls the horizon and ground border.

HORIZON_GND_SCALE_DYNAMIC1.0
Controls the horizon and ground border.
HORIZON_RANGE250000.0
Horizon range.
HORIZON_OFFSET1.7
Horizon offset.
LAYERED_FOG_SCALE_FACTOR2.0
Layered fog scale factor.
LOBE_GLOW_VALUE1.0
Controls lobe glow.
LOBE_GLOW_SIZE1.0
Controls lobe glow.
LOBE_GLOW_OFFSET7.0
Controls lobe glow.
CUMULUS_LOBE_ATTEN_SCALE0.03, 0.035, 0.0003
Controls lobe glow.
LOBE_ATTEN_SCALE0.03, 0.6, 0.003
Controls lobe glow.
SKY_ENV_MAP_MAX_LEVELS-1

Max num mips to generate for dynamic sky cube env map.

Less than or equal to 1: No mipmaps

1000: All mipmaps


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