Second Life Viewer and Ambient Occlusion

[Painter Meriman]

Have started using the latest SL Viewer. The light and shadow option is fantastic and makes an enormous difference.

However, I am unable to activate Ambient occlusion and Depth options of field for some reason.

Regardless of whether I use the light and shadow option I do believe that ambient occlusion should be a default. Much content has been created without baked in texture or occlusion. Shine on objects, sculpted forms all benefit from ambient occlusion.

So, I guess my point is, I love the developments but am disappointed that some basic modelling functions, that are generally available to everyone, have been lost. The disparity between what we each are seeing on our screens seems to be expanding.

 

 

 

 

[Steve Beck]

Hi Painter,

Before you activate Ambient Occlusion and Depth of Field, make sure you have set the graphics to Ultra, then in Avatar Rendering, check the Hardware Skinning option.

It should help!

[Painter Meriman]

Thanks Steve but my technology wont let me activate ambient occlusion on Ultra setting either. 

My concern is more the broad SL population viewing capacity. I would like to feel that there was a base level modelling from which things are developed. 

Also as a content creator, which perception am I creating for now.

Previously, I would sometimes add shadows to structures to enhance their look. Now, those shadows are redundant for those who can activate all the functionality of the new viewer, but still desirable for the vast majority who cant activate that functionality. So, I am aware, and a little perplexed by, the increasing disparity of viewpoints - not condusive to a communal experience. Now I am getting philosophical... But thanks for your response. Maybe other shave ideas about this?

[leliel Mirihi]

SSAO is intentionally disabled on GPUs that don't have enough texture mappers to do shadows and SSAO at the same time. So what GPU do you have?

[Painter Meriman]

I am on a Imac G5. 

But what I use is not so much the issue here. Its not just my experience that i am concerned about. Though, if there is a way to activate ambient occlusion then great...the adirondack chairs i just purchased might look like they did on the previous veiwer.