Workarounds for Fog of War on Massive Models?

[the.Axolotl]

I’m working on a campaign map using a large-scale custom Lordaeron model (WoW port used as a doodad).
After optimizing performance (switching from a BFA version to a lighter WotLK version), I’ve run into a visibility limitation related to Fog of War.
Because the model is very large and spans a significant portion of the map, I’m observing the following behavior:

• Parts of the model remain visible even when they should be hidden by Fog of War
• Fog of War seems to apply to the model as a whole rather than per visible portion
• This creates visual inconsistencies where distant sections “bleed through” fog

From what I understand, WC3 visibility is handled in a binary way per object (unit/destructible/doodad), not per geometry.
What I’m trying to achieve:

• When a player reveals part of the city, only that portion should be visible
• The rest should remain hidden in fog naturally

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Questions:

1. Is partial Fog of War interaction for a single large doodad even possible, or is it strictly limited by the engine?
2. Would splitting the model into multiple destructibles/doodads be the only reliable solution for proper visibility control?
3. Are there any known workarounds (e.g. region-based visibility, dummy vision sources, masking techniques) that can approximate partial reveal without fully restructuring the model?

Current workaround idea: Placing vision sources (visibility circles) to keep the model visible where needed....but this feels more like a hack than a proper solution

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Spoiler: Model Completely Revealed

Here is the model revealed by circle of visibility on the model's placement location, then following the Hero's LOS

Spoiler: Issue

Here is the model not revealed by visibility circle but part of it revealed by Hero's LOS

Spoiler: Issue

And lastly, here is the model revealed via VC but portion of it in complete FOW

Spoiler: Issue

 

[Footman16]

I know it's not ideal but one option would be to slice up the model into smaller parts, the Fog of War reveals the model when it's centre is within range or not, so if the "middle" of the model is in FoW then even if part of it extends into the visible area it'll still be shadowed and vice versa. I'm not sure of any other workarounds.

 

[the.Axolotl]

I know it's not ideal but one option would be to slice up the model into smaller parts, the Fog of War reveals the model when it's centre is within range or not, so if the "middle" of the model is in FoW then even if part of it extends into the visible area it'll still be shadowed and vice versa. I'm not sure of any other workarounds.

Yeah, I tried everything in OE to bypass that, but to no avail, I'll see if slicing the model would yield desirable results...Thank you for replying!

 

[Footman16]

It's no worries just from looking at the image, the central columns could all be cut up into individual doodads, the stairs could also be cut out from the platform too imo. The cobblestone pattern could probably be replicated using a tile rather than a doodad too.

 

[the.Axolotl]

It's no worries just from looking at the image, the central columns could all be cut up into individual doodads, the stairs could also be cut out from the platform too imo. The cobblestone pattern could probably be replicated using a tile rather than a doodad too.

Thought so, I'll see to get into it since I don't have experience with modelling, tho the model is pretty huge, but not all its parts are needed, I'll see what i can do. Thanks for suggestions!

Spoiler: Mdl