UniStorm v1.6- Dynamic Day & Night Weather System [RELEASED]

[BHS]

What is UniStorm?

UniStorm 1.6.3 is released, look below for all features and updates.

UniStorm is an incredibly powerful dynamic day and night weather system that creates realistic storms and weather at AAA quality, all at a blazing fast frame rate.

UniStorm is programmed in both C# and JavaScript and features many weather types, weather types include: mostly clear, partly cloud, mostly cloudy, foggy, snowy, falling leaves, rainy, and lighting and thunder storms with heavy rain, all randomly generated, a 24 hour day and night system, an advanced in-game time system, sun, moon, and stars system, a moon phase system, sunrises and sunsets, sun effects the clouds, easy to use custom editor that allows you to control every component and color of the sky, easy to use pull down menus to pick the weather, starting time, and moon phases, and close to 100 other features. (see below for all features)

UniStorm supports custom particle effects so you can easily add other particle effects you may have bought from the Asset Store.

UniStorm is now programmed in both C# and JavaScript!

Best of all UniStorm does NOT need Pro to use!

Newest UniStorm Time Lapse Demo Video:

You can play the demo and see for yourself below.

Does UniStorm Work With Multiplayer or Online Play?

Yes, UniStorm works great with servers and clients which only requires you to change a few things. This has been done many times by our customers who use UniStorm for both multiplayer and mmo games. For further information or help on setting up, it is included in the documentation.


UniStorm as Static Weather

While UniStorm is a dynamic day and night weather system it can also be used for static weather. UniStorm allows you to set the weather and make it static so it never changes, this also goes for the time of day. This means you can have different scenes each with different weather like, partly cloudy, cloudy, clear, sunny, rainy, stormy, or foggy, with any time of day like, morning, day, evening, or night! It's basically an adjustable Skybox with working weather and animated cloud cover. Never buy a Skybox again, this is an all in one system.


UniStorm and In-Game Time Events

UniStorm features an advanced in-game time keeping system that tracks minutes, hours, days, months, and years. This allows you to access the in-game time to set certain events, quests, or triggers, adding more dynamic game play to your games similar to Skyrim, Oblivion, and other games using in-game time.

You can have events or quests only happen at night or only happen during the day. Or you can have a quest or event happen on June 6th at 9:00 pm. All this can easily be done using UniStorm's in-game time functions.


UniStorm's Editor

UniStorm features an easy to use Custom Editor that allows you to control every component and color of the sky. UniStorm also has pull down tabs to choose things like Starting Time of Day, Weather Type, and Moon Phase, like shown below. This makes it easy and fast for development.




UniStorm's Dynamic Snow (Note: This feature has been disabled but will return shortly)

The snow system features an advanced shading technique, like Skyrim's, that will slowly build snow according to the bump maps of the materials and the angle of the models. This means snow will fall realistically more so on the bumpy and flat parts and less on the crevasses and step pats of the objects. Snow will also not fall on objects that are over 90 degrees. Snow will slowly build up over time and slowly start to melt when it clears. If you want an object to have dynamic snow during winter all you have to do is replace your current bump shader with the new snow bump shader and UniStorm will handle the rest.

UniStorm's snow system works with Unity's terrain, trees, and grass as well as all 3d models and objects.

Snow build up will be dynamic and up to how powerful the snow storm is, and if it's cold enough. You could have light snow showers with light snow build up or a snow storm with full snow cover.


Try then Buy

Try the UniStorm Demo Here:

UniStorm Demo No Dynamic Weather or Seasons

This demo will show you the quality of UniStorm. There is no dynamic weather or seasons in this build, not even script wise, this is one weather type, Partly Cloudy 1. This is the only way we would post a playable demo. You can see the quality for yourself. You can adjust the time of day with the slider, see the sunsets and sunrises, see the stars and moon at night, and more.

Every color you see can be adjusted and tweaked to your liking. As well as many other components and features.
If you want to see more weather types or seasons, you can watch the videos.

All other weather types have the same quality as this one. This is just 1 of the 14 weather types that are included with UniStorm.

If you want to see more weather types or seasons, you can watch the videos. All other weather types have the same quality as this one. This is just 1 weather type of 14 that are included with UniStorm.


Buy here: UniStorm 1.6.3




About UniStorm and Us

Our goal was to create a weather system similar to Skyrim's in Unity 3d, but have the price be cheap enough for the Unity community that anyone could afford it. We've done just that! This is one of the most powerful and advanced weather systems available for Unity 3d and UniStorm only costs $60.

Our system is one of the best looking and is the best performing weather system available for Unity 3d! UniStorm doesn't affect performance other than a few draw calls, yet looks amazing and is incredibly powerful. Just check our reviews, they'll speak for us.


Our Promise

We will be working on UniStorm for a long time so there will never be a project abandonment. We are always working hard to better UniStorm and release fixes and updates on a regular bases. We do this by listening to our customers and their suggestions. We have excellent customer service and are here to answer any questions you may have about UniStorm.

Upcoming Systems and Versions:

UniStorm v1.6.3 ([B]Released/B])

UniStorm Mobile (Done) Thread here: UniStorm Mobile


UniStorm Screenshots

UniStorm is capable simulating realistic time of day as well as weather types such as snow, rain, and fog:










Models used are from Michael O's Medieval Environment

UniStorm being used in Gloria Victis an MMORPG:



Video Demos

(New) Demo that shows off the day and night transitions while having a storm. Lighting, shading, and overall realism has been much improved with UniStorm version 1.6. Storm clouds are also now affected by the time of day that is based off your input. Storms with version 1.6 will feel much more real and believable.



(New) Video showing off the new cloud system that uses both high and low clouds. Also showing off the tweaks and adjustments done to the system, as well as the new cloud system at night.

This technique is similar to Skyrim's allowing for incredibly detailed cloud textures, AAA quality skies, realistic shading, time of day, lighting, cloud movement, and light scattering. There will be 5 photo realistic low clouds and 5 photo realistic high clouds.



(Older) As heavily requested, here's a video of UniStorm's dynamic snow. This is just a basic demo showing the snow build up then melt after the weather has changed. We didn't want to waste anymore time on demos when everyone will have UniStorm 1.6 within the next few days. Note: Custom bump maps of the terrain's textures weren't used so the snow will shade better than in the video in your projects, but it still looks great and we're happy with the results. Bump maps are what allow the snow to shade better, but it's not worth the time making another video.

The build up speed of the snow was increase from demonstration purposes.



(Older) This video will show off many event examples using UniStorm's powerful in-game time keeping system. This system allows you to have quests or events happen at any time, hour, day, month, or year. AI and Waypoint systems can all easily access the in-game time allowing for realistic, believeable, and dynamic gameplay. Feel free to skip to certain points of the video, as it is kind of long.



UniStorm Version 1.6.3 Features

UniStorm 1.6.3 Features, Fixes, and Improvements:
* C# Version of UniStorm with C# Editor
* JavaScript Version of UniStorm with JavaScript Editor
* Greatly improved editor, editor is now much more organized with categories and labels
* Added a pull down menu to pick the weather. Numbers no longer need to be entered in the UniStorm Editor. A list appears showing all weather types such as Partly Cloud, Mostly Cloud, Heavy Rain, Light Snow, ect for you to choose.
* Added Starting Time of Day pull down menu which lets you choose the time of day UniStorm will start at. These include Morning, Day, Evening, and Night.
* Added a Moon Phase pull down menu to the UniStorm Editor, this allows you to pick the starting moon phase for that day.
* Various bug fixes and improvements to the UniStorm System
* Documentation has been greatly improved with better organization, huge Table of Contents, better formatting, very detailed instructions covering every single component, and a step by step tutorial on getting the system set up.
* Added greatly improved High Clouds
* Documentation now consists of 23 pages
* Moon now fades in as it gets dark making transitions much more smooth and realistic.
* Documentation should now import properly from Asset Store update
* High Clouds are now scroll based off the cloud speed in the editor
* Storm Clouds now have their own scroll speed setting the editor
* Unity's fog is now enabled automatically at start so users don't have to worry about enabling it
* Various tweaks to weather types' fading calculations to make them more smooth, balanced, and realistic
* Months now end on the 31st instead of the 29th
* Months now go from 1-12 instead of 0-11 * Snow shader has been disabled but will return shortly

UniStorm Version 1.6 Features

UniStorm Version 1.6 Features:
* Normal cloud speed can now be adjusted within the editor. (New)
* HD photo realistic cloud textures; 8 included
* Realistic storm transitions
* SSAO, Color Correction, and HDR support allowing for incredibly realistic time of day, lighting, color, shading, and light scattering
* Realistic and improved skies; like Skyrim's
* Random temperature generator for each season controlling whether it rains or snows; as well as other weather types
* Seasons; Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
* Seasonal weather for all 4 seasons
* The new advanced weather system algorithm controls the weather odds for each season, Summer has less precipitation chances than Winter or Spring; seasons can be changed by the user if desired
* Snow storms in the Winter, Misty cloudy days in the Spring, fluttering butterflies and thunder storms in the summer, falling fall leaves in the fall, and more.
* Many new weather types added
* Storm clouds are now affected by time of day
* In-game event example with demo and script using UniStorm's powerful in-game time system
* Dynamic snow on all models, terrain, and terrain vegetation when it snows (Note: This feature has been disabled but will return shortly)
* Night ambiance noise for when it's night
* In-game time system event examples with demos
* Weather command prompt system (more info below)
* Horizon system that fades clouds along the horizon line for improved looking skies.
* The horizon system has color control for morning, day, dusk, and night.

Weather Command Prompt System (WCPS)
* WCPS (Similar to Skyrim/Oblivion's) will make it much easier for developers. System allows users to enter a command in the command prompt system to change the weather while still in the game. (Example: 01 would be Foggy)
* The WCPS can easily be enabled or disabled by pressing F12 or can be completely disabled by checking the disable system check box within the editor.
* Weather type is printed in the console ex. ("Forced Weather: Mostly Cloudy") to make testing easier.
* All weather commands will be included in documentation.
* WCPS will be updated with many more features soon.

(Note: Dynamic snow has been disabled but will return shortly)
Dynamic Snow
* The snow system features an advanced shading technique, like Skyrim's, that will slowly build snow according to the bump maps of the materials and the angle of the models. This means snow will fall realistically more so on the bumpy and flat parts and less on the crevasses and step pats of the objects. Snow will also not fall on objects that are over 90 degrees. Snow will slowly build up over time and slowly start to melt when it clears. If you want an object to have dynamic snow during winter all you have to do is replace your current bump shader with the new snow bump shader and UniStorm will handle the rest.

* UniStorm's snow system will now be able to work with Unity's terrain, trees, and grass as well as all 3d models and objects.

* Snow build up will be dynamic and up to how powerful the snow storm is, and if it's cold enough. You could have light snow showers with light snow build up or a snow storm with full snow cover.


UniStorm Version 1.6 Fixes and Improvements:
* Fixed storm transitions, sunlight will now gradually fade when it gets cloudy or there's precipitation, then fade back in after a storm is over or the clouds have cleared.
* Improved lighting bolt textures
* Improved splash particle textures
* Improved rain particle textures
* Improved sun textures
* Improved cloud system by using both high and low clouds
* Improved light scattering (Pro Only)
* Greatly improved fog weather type (Pro Only)
* Greatly improved storm clouds
* Greatly improved documentation
* Greatly improved dynamic weather randomizing algorithm
* A check box has been added to disable or enable stopping the time 100%.
* A check box has been added to disable or enable the weather static, meaning it will never change.
* A check box has been added to disable or enable the time of day scroll bar.
* A check box has been added to disable or enable the horizon system.
* The weather will no longer change too often (within minutes sometimes), between 1 to 10 in-game hours must pass in order for another weather change.
* If there is precipitation for more than 3 days, the system will randomly pick a new weather type. (The days of this can be adjusted)
* If there hasn't been any precipitation in 7 in-game days, the system will randomly generate precipitation. (The days of this can be adjusted)
* Other Improvements and tweaks to the system
* All this and still the same blazing fast frame rate that no other weather systems can match!

[TouchSoft]

Looks nice! .. how well does it work on mobile?

[petero181]

is this for pro only ? ... sorry, just read below that this do not require pro ...

[BHS]

@TouchSoft Thanks, well my tests show that the system with rain and 3 layers of clouds the draw calls are at 4 even with lighting strikes it doesn't go above. It's one draw call per cloud layer so you if you use one or two it would keep it at 2 or 3 draw calls. So yes, it should be fine on mobile though I have not tried it on the device myself, tests show it should.

[imtrobin]

The lightning flash would look better if it fades in and out a little, currently it just toggles on and off

[siflandolly]

Just purchased. Very very cool I like how you made the prefab contain the clouds. Very easy to use.

[BHS]

@imtrobin It's something I will add in an update. I will always be improving the system with suggestions and improvements.

@siflandolly Thanks, I'm glad you like it, I wanted to make it as easy as possible. I made a quick updated that got accepted already, I wanted to include the Stormy Ocean Demo so make sure you get it. Sorry it was so soon, but I feel it's an important addition. And try to rate it nicely if you like it

[siflandolly]

Just curious, but what does the stormy ocean showcase? Is it showing how the lightening looks over water? It looks good but I am curious what it is showcasing.

[BHS]

@siflandolly It showcases a variety of things, it shows the way the lightning and clouds look over water, the way the light affects the clouds, the movable camera shows the 3d sound effects (where if the lightning strikes behind you it sounds like it), the delayed thunder sounds and the randomness of them, and the believability in a more realistic scene rather than just showing it flash over some objects. The other demo was demonstrating the shadows and it was the first test. Hope this answered your question.

[siflandolly]

Yes thanks. I liked it, but didn't know the individual things to take from it. That helped a lot.

[BHS]

@siflandolly Your welcome, let me know if you have anymore questions.

[BHS]

Hard at work with v1.2!

Please if you have any suggestions to make the system better or if you have ideas we'd love to hear them and we'll try to add them to 1.2v. Just drop a comment.

Remember to get UniStorm early because the price will go up as the system gets more advanced.


So far UniStorm v1.2 has:
* EVERYTHING is randomized based off your input each lightning strike will never be the same.

* The Y axis rotation is randomized based off minimum and maximum input; every lightning strike is different so the strike will always surprise you.

* The X and Z axis have a minimum and maximum with a lock so you control the exact angle you want the light to hit, these numbers can also be randomized for a truly different strike every time.

* Randomized lightning colors based on user's color choices.

* Minimum and maximum intensity randomized based on your input.

* Particle cloud system to work with outer cloud layer system.

* Easy to use Gizmo system for the editor so you know where your perimeters are and the directions the lightning will strike.

* Updated rain system

* And much much more to come..


Thanks everyone for your purchases and suggestions, we hope you all enjoy UniStorm!

[tripknotix]

hey so i just bought the script, it looks great on the free version, best ive seen so far, the only thing is in the free version, if you have "edge blend" turned on by default for the water, then the water becomes invisible, even in the editor. in the free version. i suggest you turn that off by default and just leave it as an option.

[tripknotix]

Also i just tested it with the Flash export, the Reflections don't work, and neither does the displacement of the water, so it looks like flat water animated.

I think in the angry bots demo they used fake box reflections for the flash export while allowing the webplayer export to have full reflections. also they used particle water droplet effects when the rain hits the floor. so im guessing displacement wont work in flash for awhile, just particle effects.

[BHS]

@tripknotix Thanks happy to hear you like it, a nice rating would do wonders for UniStorm. That's weird we weren't aware of that, thanks we'll fix it. Simple fix could be we'll just have an Indie scene and a pro scene which will solve the issue. We'll do similar to what the angry bots did for the water in the indie scene and keep the pro features in the pro scene. Yes, flash has been know to have issues but we haven't tested it yet, thanks for the heads up. Using the indie scene we will include in the 1.2v update will fix this and the vertex lit problem. The rain system is being redone with 1.2v and will have splashes and also collisions so it won't go through things.

[BHS]

A lot of progress has been made and we are almost done with the editor system. All settings now have an easy to use slider for easy and fast adjustments. We've added a daylight control panel so you can adjust the time of day for both day and night scenes all within the UniSystem editor in real time. The new cloud system has been revamped and looks great. Right now we are working on the rain system and finishing up the editor system.

Please if you have any more suggestions or things you'd like to see or have us add, drop a comment and we'll add your ideas.

You guys are going to love 1.2v!

[BHS]

Added new videos and screenshots of UniStorm 1.2v to the top of the thread. Feedback would be appreciated.

[siflandolly]

Sometimes it looks like the lightening flash is not lighting up the whole landscape. It will light up a section ahead of the soldier as if the lightening flash is occurring a little ways away. Is that just my imagination? Is that a new enhancement? Great work by the way.

[tripknotix]

Sometimes it looks like the lightening flash is not lighting up the whole landscape. It will light up a section ahead of the soldier as if the lightening flash is occurring a little ways away. Is that just my imagination? Is that a new enhancement? Great work by the way.

no Actually that occurs when the edge of the floor is lit up, but none of the objects were hit by the lighting area, the whole plane will light up.

Also Black Horizon Studios, i'd like to show you a version i have running in flash, i've changed the sky so that it looks like rain, ofcourse i would like to have the sky you currently have, i think its just missing a nearby rain thickness effects, this is my version http://realdefinition.net/zombieopsonline/2/ , i wish that the rain was "more transparent" its 5 layers progressively. i had to attach them to the camera's position and X rotation, in order to make it so it LOOKS like its always going downwards, but it would be great if you could recreate it for me so that they are cylinders that surround the user, progressively showing more layers.

Check out this video, they do the rain effect i was trying to produce, skip to 2minutes, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClWJT-eGCVQ . i would love it if you could do that, i simply used 5 layers, but it looks like they used 10-15 layers. and a more transparent texture. Their product is around $100 tho, so i chose yours instead, i think it works great, very perform-ant in flash.

Just to recap, i would love it if you made the OLD clouds into a cylinder that always has rain going downwards (instead of a sphere that wraps), and have the texture be more transparent, and have the cylinders follow the camera, with the camera inside the cylinders. but keep the new sky you created as the background, it looks great as a background animated skymap.
(UniSky might even be using a smaller top of the cylinder, to produce an Almost cone look to it.)

FYI: the terrain is built in Terrain4Mobile plugin ($45), because unitys terrain will not run in Flash, but Terrain4Mobile turns it into a 3d model, and then applies its own form of managing trees and grass and texture painting.

PS: i like the ground particular effect splash, i think its a great alternative to the box that angry bots uses, since this one has to follow the camera.

[BHS]

@siflandolly It is lighting up the whole landscape, but were trying a new system that locks the rotations and only rotates between minimum and maximum. We do this so the lightning strike won't strike under the terrain. I guess we have the angles too far horizontally that the hills are casting shadows and only certain areas are having the light hit them making it look like it's not hitting properly. It's an easy fix that takes 10 seconds thanks to the Unistorm editor system. We'll fix the angle and make it look more like it's casting above the player's head.

@tripknotix Thanks for the detailed suggestions, very helpful. We want to make UniStorm as good as possible and supplying suggestions and examples is a great way to do so.

We're aware of the cylinder layer system and we've been messing around with it and getting some excellent results, but there seems to be a clipping issue with the other outer layers so we're going to have to find a way to fix it. We're having a combination of both the cylinder layer for the rain and particles for the collision effects, which looks great.

That's why we released a demo video so we could have this feed back to make it better, thanks guys.

Edit: The cylinder layer rain system is working great and has no more clipping problems. Now we're working on the falling mist effect. We'll post some screenshots later. It'd be nice to get more feedback from you guys.