The first SimAQUARIUM version was released August 8, 2002 and SimAQUARIUM has since been improved a great deal. New versions and new tanks have been released regularly and below you can read more about the development and features in all the different versions.

SimAQUARIUM 1
2002, August 8         SimAQUARIUM v. 1.00
2002, August 15       SimAQUARIUM v. 1.01
2002, November 26  SimAQUARIUM v. 1.02-03

SimAQUARIUM 2
2002, December 15  SimAQUARIUM v. 2.0
2003, April 8             SimAQUARIUM v. 2.05-06 Tank-1 and Tank-2
2003, August 8         SimAQUARIUM v. 2.07-2.08 Tank-1 and Tank-2
2003, August 8         SimAQUARIUM v. 2.07-2.08 Tank-3
2004, March 28        SimAQUARIUM v. 2 Free!
2004, July 17            SimAQUARIUM v. 2.1-2.2
2004, December 6    SimAQUARIUM v. 2.3 Tank-4
2005, January 27      SimAQUARIUM v. 2.31 + Tank-4 wide
2006, October 31      SimAQUARIUM v. 2.5 + Tank-5 wide
2006, December 1   SimAQUARIUM v. 2.51 Sea star in Tank-4 and Free tank!

Detail of SimAQUARIUM Tank-4

August 8, 2002 version 1.00
The first version of SimAQUARIUM was presented on Digital illusions Software's site: www.simaquarium.com August 8, 2002. SimAQUARIUM is created by the programmer and 3D artist Ladislav Vojnich. This first version of the program was (as I see it) a really good attempt to create a virtual but life like reef tank. The light flowing 'through' the surface, creating shimmering reflexes on moving corals and on the sides of the nicely modeled fishes made quite an impression on me.

This version had quite a few problems though. Low frame rates, graphical artifacts, and a repeated sound 'click' were among the most severe problems appearing on some systems.

The appearance of the aquarium also had some drawbacks. The background and some of the fish textures were a bit blurred and the surface didn't quite resemble a water surface. Although there was a possibility to adjust the color and light, it was difficult to find a natural and less 'garish' appearance of the aquarium.

The aquarium looked somewhat crowded, and the view didn't give enough illusion of depth. Fish movements were also a bit mechanical at time.

Prior to this one, the only good aquarium simulating software available was the SereneScreen Aquarium by Jim Sachs. SimAQUARIUM entered the market as a close second to that one but the potential of it seemed great and more was soon to come!

August 15, 2002 version 1.01beta
Just one week (!) later a new version was presented. Because of the many user comments, suggestions and bug reports received, Ladislav knew quite precisely what needed to be changed to improve the program. Except for fixing many of the bugs, he also improved the appearance of the aquarium. The background graphics was redesigned to give a more convincing illusion of depth. The "glass" wall behind the corals was changed to resemble rocks instead of stained glass.

The water surface was now more transparent, and Ladislav also moved it up a bit to provide more space for corals and fishes. In this version it was possible to change the speed of the water flow, and when you do that also the speed of the caustics change accordingly. Bubble column was moved to the left and you could now disable it if you preferred not having it visible. The performance of the program was improved and many users experienced a significant frame rate increase with this version compared to the first one.

Background graphics and some of the fish textures was improved in this version, but one or two of the fishes still need some work. In my opinion especially the Sailfin Tang and the Flame Angelfish doesn't quite reach the quality level of the others. The fish move much smoother in this version, and I think the program gives quite a good illusion of a bunch of fishes swimming around in water.. but nothing is so good it can't be improved upon!

List of changes in this version
-redesigned aquarium background
-improved fish AI
-sharpened textures
-more convincing depth
-new faster and better caustics rendering technique
-new options under screensaver settings panel (option to enable/disable bubbles, water surface.. )
-fixed periodic 'clack' noise
-user can control water flow speed and adjust caustics light intensity
-two times higher frame rates due to heavily optimized code and objects

November 26, 2002 version 1.02-03
This update contained only a few minor changes and is more of a bug fix version than a completely new version. Among the more noticeable things were the improved bubble column with a much more 'real' appearance to it. The coral animation has also gone through some development and especially the red Leather Coral sways more naturally. In the front of the aquarium, the two clams have been removed. (Um.. to be replaced later by 'live' ones perhaps?)

To many peoples joy the possibility to set the interval for the aquarium to go dark has been added. Some smaller changes have been made to the fish too. The side fins move more now and Ladislav has also improved the way they move.

December 15, 2002 version 2.0beta
This is the first release of the second generation of SimAQUARIUM and it introduces many new features and a remodeled background. In this version the fish has more space to swim around in and the new layout together with the awesome fog feature really adds to the illusion of depth!

Through the 'fog' you can now see light rays coming down from above, moving synchronous with the caustics.

The fish have started to breathe and they also show different behaviors. The smaller species dart around faster, and overall the fish have more varied ways of moving. A further development of this will create the near perfect 3D animated reef aquarium!

List of changes in this version
-redesigned aquarium background
-enhanced 3D coral swaying
-improved fish AI and appearance
-10 new fishes and several of the previous ones were improved upon
-light rays
-adjustable 'fog'
-blur effect
-two 'live' clams were added
-customizable timer for the automatic lights
-9 customizable pre set appearances
-OSD, on screen menu
-breathing ability added to fish
-improved bubble animation

April 8, 2003 version 2.05-2.06
Tank-1 and Tank-2
This is a bug-fix update version of SimAQUARIUM 2 and also the first double background version of SimAQUARIUM. There are now two separate programs, SimAQUARIUM 2 Tank-1 and SIMAQUARIUM 2 Tank-2. Besides bug-fixes and background adjustments, these two tanks now allow twelve fish to be in the aquarium at the same time!

Both programs can be installed simultaneously on your computer and you can easily switch between the two as you like. You use the same key to unlock both tanks, so now you get two screensavers for the price of one!

Tank-1 is a development of SimAQUARIUM 1.03 and the 'live' clams from SimAQUARIUM 2.0 has now been added this background. Also the light rays feature from SimAQUARIUM 2 have been introduced to this tank!

Tank-2 has the same background as SimAQUARIUM 2.0 had before. Except for the removed blur feature it has all the adjustable features SimAQUARIUM 2 had.

List of changes in this version
-two background version of SimAQUARIUM
-increase from seven to twelve fish in aquarium
-higher frame rates
-extended demo period from 5 to 14 days!
-redesigned aquarium background (Tank 1)
-light rays added Tank 1
-clams added Tank 1
-new settings panel
-improved install/uninstall process
-blur effect removed from Tank 2

August 8, 2003 version 2.07-2.08
Tank-1 and Tank-2
SimAQUARIUM 2 Tank-1 and SIMAQUARIUM 2 Tank-2 have been updated some. The bubble column in both tanks has been remodeled and the background graphics appears much sharper now. Other than that, the update can be considered being a minor one and most changes concern the new registration process which now makes the old registration code obsolete. That code has been replaced by a keyfile system that after download and installation unlocks the full versions automatically.

August 8, 2003 version 2.07-2.08
Tank-3
Exactly one year after the release of the first version of SimAQUARIUM, a third tank was released. Ladislav Vojnich has by this created yet another amazing tank! This tank comes as an addition to the two already available tanks for SimAQUARIUM 2 and it is to some degree based on the same techniques used in the other two tanks. However, some new innovative features have been introduced.

Tank-3 is based on 1280x960 graphics which makes it look more clear and sharp also when run at higher screen resolutions. The layout is different from the other tanks with its visible gravel front. The color fading background has replaced the rock wall to make the aquarium look less crowded and to allow the user to have more control over the appearances of the aquarium. The light caustics that wanders over the rocks and fish has also been altered some. One thing to especially notice is the much improved bubble column appearance, and how the bubbles now both look and "behave" much more realistically!

SimAQUARIUM Tank-3 is introduced at $17.45 for the 26 fish Lite version and $19.95 for the 41 fish Deluxe version. People who purchased their copy of SimAQUARIUM prior to August 8, 2003, will be able to purchase Tank-3 Deluxe at a reduced price. (Only $7.00!)

New or improved features:
-color fading background
-remodeled and enhanced bubble motion and appearance
-separately user adjustable background-, fog- & light colors
-new, swaying corals
-new background layout

This tank is for sure a big step forward and I can't wait to see what comes next! ;)

March 28, 2004 SimAquarium 2 Free!

New features in this tank:
This tank features a slightly 'deeper' swimming area, allowing the fish to swim deeper into the background. When the fish swim to the back of the tank they move into the 'fog' some, increasing the illusion of distance.

This tank has a sandy bottom on which the light rays wanders. There is no corals or rocks in this tank but instead it allows the fish to swim more freely!

The major feature however, is that this aquarium screensaver is totally free of charge! Just download and enjoy!

July 17, 2004 SimAquarium 2.1-2.2

New features:
This release doesn't include any new tanks. Instead it consists of a remake of the settings menu and the whole SimAQUARIUM program structure. From now on, SimAQUARIUM has one main program and the different tanks are separated from it into tank module files. When new tanks are released or when previous tanks are updated it will be as quite small downloadable add-on files. These files will be easily installed into the already installed SimAQUARIUM copy on your computer.

SimAQUARIUM v2.1 has a scrollable menu where you can choose which of the installed tanks you wish to set as default tank. There is also a feature to have SimAQUARIUM make a random pick out of all available tanks; this way you can have different screen saver every time it kicks in. :) SimAQUARIUM can now also manually cycle through the tanks during run using the N/M keys or automatically at a set interval to make your screensaver even more varied!

SimAQUARIUM 2.1 further features a new activation/registration process and the activation code received at purchase will be permanent for your copy and possible to use repeatedly. No new key codes will be needed if you change your computer hardware, as before. All that is needed is for SimAQUARIUM to be able to connect to the Internet when the activation code is checked for validity at unlock. This will be an almost instant procedure. There is however a limit on how many times this activation can be done using the same activation code without going through the manual support channel for review. This is needed to avoid misuse and activation code manipulation.

December 6, 2004 SimAquarium 2.3
Tank-4

This tank is Ladislaws greatest tank so far and is long awaited. With this tank he has taken the SimAQUARIUM series to a new level of realism. The sandy bottom stretches far back into the background where a rock and swaying corals add to the illusion of depth. The fish swim freely in the foreground where also several swaying corals help animate the scene.

New or improved features:
-new, swaying corals
-remodeled and enhanced bubble motion and appearance
-new background layout with enhanced illusion of depth
-larger fish
-improved caustics
-no stretching of image on LCD monitors with 1280x1024 resolution.
-fixed flashing polygons around fish eyes on ATI graphic cards
-fixed support for WinXP/Win2000 non-admin accounts


1280x1024 is a common LCD resolution with
5x4 aspect ratio
To avoid ugly stretching of the Tank-4 background graphics to occur in LCD's using resolution 1280x1024 with a 5x4 aspect ratio, additional surface and sand areas are added. (see below)



1280x960, 1024x768, 800x600 are common
resolutions with 4x3 aspect ratio.
When Tank-4 is run at resolutions using the standard 4x3 aspect ratio the aquarium will appear like below.

January 27, 2005 SimAquarium 2.31*
+ Tank-4 Wide

Now SimAQUARIUM supports widescreen resolutions! Tank-4 has become even more awesome. If you don't have a widescreen monitor it will be possible to pan the tank left and right using the mouse. You can 'zoom out' to fit the whole tank in the display or zoom in to your favourite part of the tank!

New or improved features:
-Supports widescreen resolutions
-Panning feature (when run on normal 4:3 and 5:4 displays)
-Mirror Tank (all SimAQUARIUM tanks can be mirrored during run using the C-key)
-Toggle between 'Show image on full screen and keep 4:3 ratio' or 'Stretch image to whole screen' using the V-key
-New, wide background in Tank-4 with enhanced illusion of dept and new swaying corals!


The updated Tank-4 in full length!



* SimAQUARIUM V2.33 is the updated version released in October 2005. It includes a few bug fixes.

October 31, 2006 SimAquarium 2.5
+ Tank-5 Wide

A new amazing tank has been released! Tank 5 fully support 1080p HDTV. In standard resolutions there is a nice zoom-in feature. New in this tank is also the red seastar which move across the tank!

New or improved features:
-Supports 1080p HDTV
-Pan and zoom-in feature (when run on normal 4:3 and 5:4 displays)
-Red seastar!
-Tank-5 has a beautiful illusion of dept and some new swaying corals!


Tank-5 in full length!

December 1, 2006 SimAquarium 2.51
+ Sea star in Tank-4 and Free tank!

The cool sea star from tank-5 has now crawled over also to Tank-4 and the Free tank! If it isn't crawling around in your version of SimAQUARIUM just download the updated version.



Tank-4 with sea star!



Free tank with sea star!