Creating and Editing Water
This page refers to Water in the new Environmental Enhancement system, and does not apply to viewers 6.0.2 or older.
See http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Environmental_Enhancement_Project for info.
Water Fog Color
This changes the color of the particulate matter in your water, essentially defining the color of the water itself. If your water has no fog, it will appear crystal clear and colorless.
Density Exponent
Controls the density of your water fog; this setting defines how far you are able to see into the water.
Underwater Modifier
Controls how the fog density changes when you are underwater. Useful for for creating far-seeing views when underwater while keeping the surface fairly opaque. For example, at a setting of 0.25, the water fog is 1/4 as dense while underwater as it appears from above the surface.
Fresnel Scale
Determines how much light is reflected at different angles; increasing this slider reduces visual reflection effects on the water's surface.
Fresnel Offset
Determines how much total light is reflected; increasing this slider increases the amount of light reflected by the water's surface.
Normal Map
Controls the normal map used for determining reflections and refractions. Any texture may be used for this setting- but true normal maps work best.
Reflection Wavelet Scale
Controls the scale of the three wavelets that make up the surface of the water.
Large Wave Speed
Controls the X and Y direction and speed of the large wave image.
Small Wave Speed
Controls the X and Y direction and speed of the small wave image.
Refraction Scale Above
Controls the amount of visual refraction you can see from above the water's surface; this is the “wobbly” effect you can see when you look at an object that is underwater.
Refraction Scale Below
Controls the amount of visual refraction you can see from below the water's surface. This is the “wobbly” effect you can see when you look at an object that is above the water.
Blur Multiplier
Controls how waves and reflections are mixed. Increasing this setting increases the amount of distortion you see in reflections as a result of wave activity.
Many explanations taken from this SL wiki page.