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Height Data

The MF_HeightmapData feature in Oceanology is used to integrate heightmap data into your landscape material, allowing OceanologyManager to properly acquire landscape height data for numerous water effects. This integration is essential for achieving realistic and dynamic interactions between landscapes and water features, such as waves and shorelines.

Overview of Height Data Setup

Adding Runtime Virtual Texture Output to Your Landscape Material

  1. Enable Virtual Textures

    • Make sure you have Virtual Textures enabled in your project settings, as this is crucial for many Oceanology effects.

  2. Locate the HeightData Folder

    • Navigate to the HeightData folder in the Oceanology plugin to find the example material function named MF_HeightmapData.

  3. Copy the Setup

    • Copy the setup shown in the example, which uses a Runtime Virtual Texture Output node. This node is responsible for outputting height information of your landscape.

Integrating the Material Function

  1. Add the Material Function

    • In your landscape material, add the MF_HeightmapData material function as shown in the example.

  2. Connect the Absolute World Position

    • Connect the Absolute World Position node to the Runtime Virtual Texture Output to provide accurate world height data.

  3. Select WorldHeight as Output

    • Ensure that WorldHeight is selected as an output parameter in the Runtime Virtual Texture Output node.

Important Considerations

  • Virtual Texture Activation: Enabling Virtual Texture is mandatory for OceanologyManager to work effectively and for several advanced water effects to function, such as shore waves and flow interaction.

  • Heightmap Integration: The MF_HeightmapData material function is a foundational component that helps in sharing landscape height data with OceanologyManager, ensuring seamless integration between landscape and water systems.

Summary

By following these instructions, you will allow Oceanology to fully utilize heightmap data from your landscape, enabling realistic water interactions and enhancing the visual fidelity of your scene. Properly integrating heightmap data ensures that your water effects, such as waves and shorelines, react naturally to changes in the landscape.