RTX Reactor / v0.4 Alpha Release

Hey everybody! An RTX Reactor update has arrived, evolving yet again.

This is the update that finishes laying down all of the groundwork and core features I've been planning since 1 A.M. on February 15th, 2023. (That was the night I had trouble sleeping, then suddenly started jotting down the very idea of this software).

After detailed MER generation and heightmap generation, the next step was to add normal map generation. In simple terms, just like v0.3's heightmap generation, this adds much more depth and detail to your RTX resource packs.

• Added Normal Map Generation
Starting with v0.4, packs with resolutions higher than 32x will now come with normal maps by default. That's not all – you can now also tweak some of RTX Reactor's settings, but we'll get into that later in this post.

RTX Reactor's normal map generator is fully custom made, specialized for Minecraft resource packs, crafting normal maps with seamless tiling. In this update I've laid most of the ground work, expect even better normal maps as I get to spend more time on them.

Some of your might be wondering, what is the difference between Heightmaps and Normal maps, and how is this effect achieved.
To put it simply in Minecraft's case, heightmaps simulate depth on lower resolution textures, while Normals are more suitable for defining curvature on on higher resolution surfaces.
Prior to 0.4, all packs with resolutions higher than 32x would appear flat without a heightmap or normal map. With 0.4, high resolution packs will have normal maps. As for heightmaps on packs below 32x, there have been no drastic changes in this update for heightmap generation as this update mostly focuses on normal maps.

• Exposed some of RTX Reactor's internal parameters to a settings.json file, this file is always located in the 'src' folder where RTX Reactor is installed on your computer.
- This file lets you tweak RTX Reactor's behavior.
- Removed the "Enable Fog" prompt, this setting can now only be altered in settings.json
- Currently there are a few options you can alter relating to world fog, sun azimuth and normal map generation. This has opened a gateway for more customization options in the future.

Just a reminder:
It is not necessary to change anything for RTX Reactor to function normally. It still will do its thing out of the box, but if you're into customizing, now you have the power.

For instance, if you prefer flat textures or want to switch between heightmaps and normals, you can achieve your desired result by altering the settings.json file introduced in this update. Check out the attached Documentation pdf at the bottom of this page for more info.

As a general rule of thumb in Minecraft texturing, for packs with resolutions below 32x, you likely want to use heightmaps, and for higher than 32x, you will want normal maps. However 32x itself is the middle ground where both can work and look great.
You might want to generate the pack both ways and see what looks better! it can vary from pack to pack depending on its art style. Normals will generally look great where's heightmaps are situational, even in 32x territory.

• Added a sun azimuth implementor, similar to Vanilla RTX's 1.20.5 Experimental sun azimuth feature, when turned on this feature will twist world's directional light's path slightly to the east or west, allowing for diagonal shadows and god rays that are no longer aligned with the world.
Tip: You can disable this feature via the settings.json file.

• Added Glass Converter.

RTX Reactor now converts regular glass to be more compatible with Minecraft RTX, allowing god rays to properly pass through glass block with correct colors.

• Fixed compatibility issues with Linux or other operating systems, or in rare case of insufficient permissions on Windows. (Untested)
- Added an OS warning for unsupported OS, a reminder that RTX Reactor is meant for Windows 10/11.

• General optimizations and fixes and background changes:
- Fixed a few edge cases that could result in errors.
- Improved RTX Reactor's speed.
- From now on, RTX Reactor automatically deletes its own temporary files upon starting to generate a new resource pack. (These files might accumulate at %temp% folder, old temp files remain untouched.) Previously if the program was terminated for any reason your %temp% folder would slowly get piled up with half-made RTX packs.
- Revamped the way RTX Reactor reads resource pack's files, resulting in improved file type compatibility, this also resulted in Detailed MER Generator and Normal Maps and Heightmaps generators to exhibit better behavior, with lesser chance of unexpected glitches.
- Updated some of the libraries used by RTX Reactor, the program now uses fewer libraries for less intertwinedness in its functions. Now more robust.
- Fixed instances were a fake or corrupt image file would cause the program to crash.
- Added an easter egg. (Frankly, even I can't remember what I added this time around, I just remember I added... something, I can't write what it was even if I wanted to).

• Various tweaks and improvements to detailed MER generation.

• Fixed pack names and descriptions displaying as 'pack.name' and 'pack.description' if a resource pack uses language files. (Issue was originally identified with Multipixel and Barebones resource packs).

Test world I used: Ultimate test world by LucasAranha, texture packs I used in the images: Faithful 32x/64x, Des Bijoux 32x, Halcyon Days Relived, John Smith's Legacy, SimplySharp 64x, FlowsHD 128x.

Notes:
No further notes for this update, however now that all of the core features I originally intended to put into RTX Reactor are present, It is about time I talk about the future roadmap of RTX Reactor, what's to be done from here on out.

We're still in the alpha stage, which means RTX Reactor is still shaping up.
0.5.X Alpha will be time to catch a breath and tackle some smaller features I've been wanting to add, tidying up RTX Reactor once again, for 0.6 to arrive.

0.6.X will bring a sleek UI design, which could mark the transition out of alpha stage.

Looking further ahead to 0.7.X and beyond, while it is too early to make any guarantees on how will it exactly look like, I like to imagine three beta releases where I'll dedicate all of the time to solidifying RTX Reactor and rapidly improving heightmap, normal map, and MER generation.

Once we're out of beta, that would be RTX Reactor v1.0, beyond this milestone, the future is open-ended. One of my older ideas predating RTX Reactor was to create a tool that allows users to visually and intuitively design each block with a live preview, using only simple sliders and buttons, eliminating the need for manual effort and making it a fun process. Perhaps RTX Reactor could evolve into that old dream of mine over time.
Your support has been instrumental to this journey so far, and I'm hopeful to take it there.

And lastly, if you encounter any issues feel free to reach out to me via Patreon or Discord direct messages, we'll work out a solution.

Important:
Before proceeding with the installer, it is best that you first uninstall any older versions of RTX Reactor (or alternatively, make sure each version is installed in a separate location).