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10 Essential Tips Every Oceanology User Should Know

· 4 min read
Galidar
Galidar
Founder, Galidar Studio

After helping thousands of developers create stunning water environments, we've compiled the most valuable tips that will dramatically improve your workflow and results.

🎯 Tip 1: Always Start with Demo Maps​

Don't start from scratch. Our demo maps contain pre-configured setups that work perfectly out of the box.

Where to find them:

  • NextGen: Plugins/Oceanology/Content/Maps/DemoMap_NextGen
  • Legacy: Plugins/Oceanology/Content/Maps/DemoMap_Legacy
  • Riverology: Plugins/Riverology/Content/Maps/DemoMap_River

Copy these maps and modify them instead of building from zero. This saves hours of configuration time.

⚙️ Tip 2: Enable DirectX 12 First​

This is non-negotiable for NextGen. Many visual issues stem from using DX11.

Quick setup:

  1. Go to Project Settings → Platforms → Windows
  2. Set Default RHI to DirectX 12
  3. Enable D3D12 Shader Model 6
  4. Restart the editor
Common Mistake

Pink materials usually mean shaders are compiling OR DX12 isn't enabled. Wait 2-3 minutes after first load.

🌊 Tip 3: Use Presets for Quick Iteration​

Don't spend hours tweaking individual parameters. Use our preset system:

PresetBest For
Calm OceanPeaceful scenes, sailing games
Stormy SeasDrama, survival games
TropicalIsland paradises, bright colors
ArcticCold environments, dark water
LakeInland water bodies

Where to find presets:

🚢 Tip 4: Buoyancy Requires Physics Simulation​

The #1 support question: "My boat won't float!"

Solution: Enable physics on your actor:

  1. Select your mesh
  2. In Details → Physics section
  3. Check Simulate Physics ✅
  4. Set Mass appropriately (boats: 1000-5000 kg)
  5. Add the OceanBuoyancy component

See the complete Buoyancy guide for pontoon configuration.

📍 Tip 5: Place OceanologyManager First​

Before adding any water actors, place the OceanologyManager in your level.

Why? The manager coordinates:

  • Wave synchronization
  • Buoyancy calculations
  • Performance optimization
  • Multiplayer sync

Location: Plugins/Oceanology/Blueprints/BP_OceanologyManager

🏔️ Tip 6: Enable Mesh Distance Fields for Shorelines​

Beautiful foam around rocks and shorelines requires Mesh Distance Fields.

Enable it:

  1. Project Settings → Engine → Rendering
  2. Find Generate Mesh Distance Fields
  3. Check it ✅
  4. Restart editor

Rebuild distance fields:

  • Go to Build → Build All after adding new static meshes

🎮 Tip 7: Use Water Interactor Mesh for Splashes​

Want splash effects when characters enter water?

Add a Water Interactor Mesh component to your character:

  1. Open your Character Blueprint
  2. Add Component → Search "Water Interactor"
  3. Attach it to the character mesh
  4. Configure splash radius and intensity

This creates beautiful ripples and splash particles automatically.

📊 Tip 8: Profile Before Optimizing​

Use Unreal's built-in profiler to identify actual bottlenecks:

Console commands:

stat gpu          // GPU timing breakdown
stat unit         // Frame time analysis  
profilegpu        // Detailed GPU profiler
stat oceanology   // Our custom stats (if available)

Common performance issues:

  • Too many wave layers → Reduce from 4 to 2-3
  • QuadTree too dense → Increase LOD distances
  • FFT resolution too high → Drop from 512 to 256

🔄 Tip 9: Deterministic Waves for Multiplayer​

For multiplayer games, enable Deterministic Mode:

  1. Select your Ocean actor
  2. In Details → Waves category
  3. Enable Deterministic Waves ✅
  4. Set a fixed Wave Seed (same on all clients)

This ensures all players see identical wave positions - critical for competitive gameplay.

📚 Tip 10: Read the Documentation Structure​

Our docs are organized to help you find things fast:

Need Help With...Go To
First-time setupSetup Guide
Objects floatingBuoyancy
Character swimmingSwimming
Visual qualitySurface
Performance issuesQuadTree
Underwater effectsUnderwater
Beach/shorelineShore Waves

🚀 Bonus: Quick Troubleshooting​

ProblemSolution
Pink materialsWait for shader compilation or enable DX12
No foam on shoresEnable Mesh Distance Fields
Objects sinkEnable Simulate Physics, add OceanBuoyancy
Black underwaterAdd Post Process Volume with Infinite Extent
Waves not movingCheck OceanologyManager is in level
Low FPSReduce QuadTree density, lower FFT resolution

Need More Help?​

These tips come from years of helping developers succeed. Master them and you'll create stunning water environments with ease!