A bit more progress (still without a preview build)
🕑 Added 2020-04-17 01:04:52 +0000 UTCHello, and, as usual, thank you for your great support! Here is another update on the progress:
• Found a way to distribute puddles based on track’s physics mesh. Would need more work, possibly for alternative methods for certain tracks with less detailed mesh, but overall it seems promising (and works especially nice with great Assetto Corsa’s laserscans).

• Made some progress on smoother transition and even smoother drying. It’ll be controllable by Weather FX, so weather script could adjust drying progress depending on temperature and type of weather.
• Recreated wet spots from Mafia 3 at the start of transition, seems like a neat little detail.
• Now using vertex AO for occluding wetness in tunnels or below bridges, gives much better result than sharp rain shadow (which is still used for rain drops and ripples).
• Seems like whole thing would require track config to work properly, to mark materials with puddles, glossy materials which don’t really get wet, rough materials which don’t keep water on top, and soaking materials getting even more dark as they get wet (I think that should be enough for a start).

Overall, I’d say, it might be half way there, for visual side. There are a few interesting ideas for physical part too, so hopefully it won’t just be a grip reduction. :)
Comments
Ilja Jusupov aka x4fab
Definitely, yes :)
romantically racing in the rain... :-) love it. would be great if puddles has different surface friction models. possible at all?
Ilja Jusupov aka x4fab
Great idea, thank you! :)
Josh Kerr
Another propose if you want: optional raindrops (like windscreen effect) on external camera and tv cameras. DriveClub example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykvR7HyoZog Forza Motorsport 7 example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uC1CV3jkKc
Josh Kerr
Yes, basically this, wet marks. Wheel rain footprint (I think it's called like that) https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7c/b0/36/7cb036d97bbf38f3044991dd8842f547.jpg About different tire types act in the rain, it's a great idea, specially with slicks or wet tyres on open wheels cars. I'm sure you will get everything you want :)
Ilja Jusupov aka x4fab
Thank you! Yes, I think you’re right, I’ll work on them some more
Ilja Jusupov aka x4fab
Thank you! What do you mean, would tyres leave wet marks, or would different tire types act different in the rain? If it’s latter, I sure hope so, but we’re still investigating, if it’s wet marks, I can’t make any promises yet, I’m not sure about performance and what not, but I have an idea that might work
Ilja Jusupov aka x4fab
I was very surprised when I first saw it in Mafia 3, that game had some very nice looking aspects :)
Ztirom Winter
Wow, those are already incredible results! Maybe reducing the length of the "white lines" (the actual droplets) falling from the sky by just a little bit or making them more transparent would result in an even more realistic look! Keep up the great work, I can't express how much I admire your modding skills!
Josh Kerr
Astonishing work, I have no words. Every word I was reading seemed more amazing to me than the last. You are creating something visually and physically that I think has not yet been seen in any simulator or racing games. I only have one question: Will there be effect on the ground of the tire brand even temporarily?
This is absolutely mindblowing watch it get actuially physically wet droplet-by-droplet. That's insane! WOW!
Boost
Great job ! Waiting for a very rough build miam miam!! I also love what you say here "There are a few interesting ideas for physical part too, so hopefully it won’t just be a grip reduction. :)"
This thing will motivate me to contribute to track configs a lot!