Water Issue

Garry's Mod mapping
#1

Guys I am having an issue with a prop and particles that I hope you can help me with.

I have a custom-made swimming pool prop with a water feature that has running water coming down it - the water is a particle and setup in Hammer.

In Half Life 2 Episode 2, the design I have works as planned:

In Garry’s Mod, there is some weird issue and the water doesn’t show in parts where the prop is behind it:

[THUMB]https://i.imgur.com/yVXVWqz.jpg

It’s worth noting that this issue happens on other maps in Garry’s Mod, like a bespoke-built box for testing. However it does not happen with props from Half Life 2 Episode 2, so it must be some sort of model issue.

Can anyone lend some assistance? I’m at my witts-end.

#2

So does the particle effect have any refract properties or anything along those lines?

Also the particles are drawn but is drawn behind objects?

#3

I’m quite new to using particles, so my knowledge is limited. I’ve had a look at the properties and I can’t see anything about refract.

Also not too sure what you mean by your second question, sorry.

[editline]10th September 2017[/editline]

This video shows it working with Standard Half Life 2 Episode 2 props: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5u03cipvcawoyj9/2017-09-10_14-26-15.mp4?dl=0

#4

Does the particles go transparent against all nearby surfaces (ie. Brush based wall) or just against the rock model?

My thinking is if the particle’s vmf has $depthblend or a set fadedist in it, it could be causing issues against all nearby surfaces. The fix would be just to // out the depthblend and test.

It could also possibly be simpler then that- perhaps the particle uses $transparent and for whatever reason so does the rock that could create plane issues causing the rock to appear “above” the water particle system.

#5

The rock and the pool are all one model. The particles work against everything else just fine; other Half Life 2 Episode 2 props, brush-based walls, other props made by the same guy that made the swimming pool, etc.

[editline]10th September 2017[/editline]

Also just confirmed with the creator of the model that the rock does not use $transparency, however the water texture for the particle does.

[editline]10th September 2017[/editline]

I decided to change the prop to prop_dynamic and see if that made any difference.

It didn’t, but it at least allowed me to show you a more detailed video of how the issue works: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ef7vbiziy6qhtga/2017-09-10_16-43-20.mp4?dl=0

[editline]10th September 2017[/editline]

I tried removing $transparency from the VMT of the particle’s water material, it didn’t resolve the issue.

#6

I’m on my phone, didn’t mean to rate you dumb! Sorry!
You were very thorough, I don’t think it can be a transparency issue.
My thinking is it must be a depth setting or a fadedist setting in the particle’s vmf. Can you check? / Post vmf ?

#7

Haha, no problem.

This is the VMF of the material the particle is using:


UnlitGeneric
{
$translucent 1
$basetexture "WaterSource/particles/Waterfall"
$vertexcolor 1
$vertexalpha 1
}

[editline]10th September 2017[/editline]

Also I have noticed that the particle is appearing / dissapearing depending on where you’re looking.

Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/epsja5idxgnv93f/2017-09-10_17-04-15.mp4?dl=0

#8

Well, this sucks. The vmt is fine.

Only other thing I can think of is perhaps a setting in the particle system it’s self causing the particles to disappear before being off screen entirely…?
Hell, it’s a shot in the dark, but perhaps it is your screen resolution and how maybe Gmod handles it?

Edit
Hopefully the texture can support it but maybe try replacing $transparent with $additive?

#9

Just tested in a smaller resolution and aspect and the same issue.

It’s really damn frustrating because it’s such an important feature.

#10

Congrats on 2,000 posts.
I totally understand the frustration. This seems familiar, I feel like I have ran into this or something similar to this before. I will keep thinking- I have a long shift at work and nothing better to do.

If you are still having issues next time I am by my computer I’ll see if I can do some testing.

#11

I tried “$additive 1” on the particle’s water texture, hopefully that’s correct.

Sadly didn’t change anything.

Thank’s so much for your help, it’s really appreciated!

[editline]10th September 2017[/editline]

Got the modeler to make a random 300 x 300 block out of the texture which is used on the pool and dev texture, it worked: