The 'Official' Screenshot & Tips thread 4 FSX enthusiasts & flight simmers.
- Thread starter Soya
- Start date
Still playing with the settings but a quick tour of Antigua at sunrise...
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Nov 2005
- Posts
- 3,109
- Location
- Swindon, UK
Last night, all I got to do was install and have a quick play. I didn't get much further than that.
From my initial impressions:-
From a dark and cold cockpit, you could wait nigh on 30 mins for all the checks to be carried out. It was amusing watching everything being clicked without my interaction.
From a 'ready to taxi' cockpit, you can have a play with all the captain announcements...
Having a quick flick through the PDF manual, it seems very indepth and will probably compliment the ATR well once I'm an acomplished virtual ATR pilot. Having said that, I still need to thoroughly read the ATR PDF manual of 100s of pages
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Nov 2005
- Posts
- 3,109
- Location
- Swindon, UK
With VATSIM so far, It all seems to work fine and i've got voice working. I spent some time observing at some UK airports and chatted to the tower at Bristol.
I've started on what I thought was a parking gate at Exeter airport at night and it turned out it my rear end was on the runway. I was politely asked to remove it.
And just wanted to do a basic flight, so tried to get a flight plan from Bristol to Fairford which was denied as it's a military airbase. I didn't think it was 'that real', and was just an extension of the FSX ATC, but it is..
I'm no VATSIM expert but that surprises me a little. I flew my C172 in to a military airfield up Norfolk way a year or two back. We did pretend we all had the correct virtual insurance cover that military fields require visitors to have. There is CAA leaflet on the subject.
VATSIM is very real world though, I remember work being done on a taxiway RW at Biggin Hill. VATSIM had their own corresponding NOTAM and the controllers didn't use that taxiway until it was open again RW.
Hey folks,
Sorry for my late replies and addition to this thread but I got stuck in traffic:
Seriously though, a few things to catch up on. There is always a regular sale on at http://www.fspilotshop.com/index.php ATM they have all FS2Crew product on for sale (seen as there is interest from the above postings) and it is worth checking out their Razbam range of aircraft as they are ALL selling for just $5 (about £3.30) each. Check their best selling list and you will see that Razbam atm is their highest selling aircraft, at $5 that is not surprising, so pick up a bargain (I would be careful though as some of Razbam's aircrafts, like so many others, are rather old and compared to many recent high quality addons and IMO just don't look visually appealing. I personally wouldn't install it on my sim even if it was free, but their Corsair A-7 volumes, the intruder & prowler plus their latest release, the kestrel is deffo worth a look)
Also worth mentioned in regards to add-ons, I recently got this http://cr1-software.com/addons/ford-trimotor/ it is not stricly payware as it only asks for any amount of donation in order to DL this aircraft. I donated $10 (all going to a good cause) and had no regrets, it a lovely old classically modeled Ford aircraft, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys flying some VFR. On the freeware front I would recommend taking a look at these guys http://www.eaglerotorcraftsimulations.com/ a couple of nice freeware aircraft/heli for FSX.
On the matter of video cards, as I mentioned before in this thread, I used to run FSX on ATI cards but ever since moving to Nvidia, I would never go back to ATI when it comes to running FSX. The main 2 reasons, Nvidia can handle the Shader2.0 in FSX much much better, however, if you own an ATI then you should install Bojoto's Shader3.0 as they will give better results in your sim. Nvidia owners SHOULD NOT install shader3.0, I tried it and I felt it looked worse and it has its problems too. The other reason Nvidia has the edge with FSX is also due to the handling of large cloud volumes, I always noticed with my ATI cards that when it was very cloudy in FSX (especially if I turned up the cloud radius to @100 miles+) the sim would start to stutter fairly badly. I am NOT saying ATI cards are rubbish btw, I think they are great cards and with all modern games etc they stand side by side with the Nvidia range, but when it comes to a 6 years old written program called FSX, Nvidia is deffo the card to have.
While talking about Nvidia, use Nvidiainspector follow this link as guidance http://www.simforums.com/forums/nhancer-settings-for-new-drivers-updated-v1932_topic36586.html and check this thread as well http://forum.avsim.net/topic/338299-nhancer-and-antialiasing/
On the matter of tweaking and re-installing FSX, like many tips given in this thread, you will find you will get to know both your PC & FSX better after a certain amount of time. Some helpful things to do are 1) Fully backup your FSX directory from time to time in case you got a major ****up 2) regularly backup your fsx.cfg, scenery.cfg & dll.xml (worth spending time to getting to know these files really well!) 3) if your sim is running satisfactory, always be careful when adding changes to your PC, changing drivers or adding new FSX stuff can sometimes screw things up in your sim, so whenever you do change or add things, check your sim and be satisfied it is still running smoothly. Nothing is worse then changing and adding a whole bunch of things then finding out your sim is screwed cause it can be hell to fix it or do a roll back!
I know it is not possible for everyone, but if you have a PC dedicated to games or simming, us it ONLY for that purpose. Having a clean installed OS with just FSX will run much better and smoother then a PC that has tons of stuff running on both task manager and installed on a full HD! The less background tasks that are running, the more CPU & memory you will have to run FSX.
A note on AI traffic, whether Traffic X or other program, if you switch on your AI slider from 0% to 1%, your CPU will already take a hit. Depending on AI program/models & your hardware setup, switching on AI will hit your CPU thus your FPS. If you do use AI, try to experiment what a good % of AI is for your setup. On average between 20-50% is acceptable for most setups, especially at very large airports, this is more then enough for most PCs. On more powerful PCs, I found that switching between 50% & 100% hardly makes a difference unless I am in the middle of a very large airport, so I tend to change my AI slider on the go in order to maintain a balance between AI & FPS. (btw changing your traffic slider in setting during a flight will NOT change your TBM from 4096 to 1024, only if you change the other TAB settings!)
Quick word on add-ons, IMO the most essential payware add-on has been and still is REX2.0 overdrive, full stop! If nothing else, just buy that and you will enjoy your sim 100 times more.
Last but not least, I managed to find one of my first ever screen shots, before all these tweaks/addons/mods etc. It really shows how much more 'basic' my sim was when I started.
Cheers all.
Sorry for my late replies and addition to this thread but I got stuck in traffic:
Seriously though, a few things to catch up on. There is always a regular sale on at http://www.fspilotshop.com/index.php ATM they have all FS2Crew product on for sale (seen as there is interest from the above postings) and it is worth checking out their Razbam range of aircraft as they are ALL selling for just $5 (about £3.30) each. Check their best selling list and you will see that Razbam atm is their highest selling aircraft, at $5 that is not surprising, so pick up a bargain (I would be careful though as some of Razbam's aircrafts, like so many others, are rather old and compared to many recent high quality addons and IMO just don't look visually appealing. I personally wouldn't install it on my sim even if it was free, but their Corsair A-7 volumes, the intruder & prowler plus their latest release, the kestrel is deffo worth a look)
Also worth mentioned in regards to add-ons, I recently got this http://cr1-software.com/addons/ford-trimotor/ it is not stricly payware as it only asks for any amount of donation in order to DL this aircraft. I donated $10 (all going to a good cause) and had no regrets, it a lovely old classically modeled Ford aircraft, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys flying some VFR. On the freeware front I would recommend taking a look at these guys http://www.eaglerotorcraftsimulations.com/ a couple of nice freeware aircraft/heli for FSX.
On the matter of video cards, as I mentioned before in this thread, I used to run FSX on ATI cards but ever since moving to Nvidia, I would never go back to ATI when it comes to running FSX. The main 2 reasons, Nvidia can handle the Shader2.0 in FSX much much better, however, if you own an ATI then you should install Bojoto's Shader3.0 as they will give better results in your sim. Nvidia owners SHOULD NOT install shader3.0, I tried it and I felt it looked worse and it has its problems too. The other reason Nvidia has the edge with FSX is also due to the handling of large cloud volumes, I always noticed with my ATI cards that when it was very cloudy in FSX (especially if I turned up the cloud radius to @100 miles+) the sim would start to stutter fairly badly. I am NOT saying ATI cards are rubbish btw, I think they are great cards and with all modern games etc they stand side by side with the Nvidia range, but when it comes to a 6 years old written program called FSX, Nvidia is deffo the card to have.
While talking about Nvidia, use Nvidiainspector follow this link as guidance http://www.simforums.com/forums/nhancer-settings-for-new-drivers-updated-v1932_topic36586.html and check this thread as well http://forum.avsim.net/topic/338299-nhancer-and-antialiasing/
On the matter of tweaking and re-installing FSX, like many tips given in this thread, you will find you will get to know both your PC & FSX better after a certain amount of time. Some helpful things to do are 1) Fully backup your FSX directory from time to time in case you got a major ****up 2) regularly backup your fsx.cfg, scenery.cfg & dll.xml (worth spending time to getting to know these files really well!) 3) if your sim is running satisfactory, always be careful when adding changes to your PC, changing drivers or adding new FSX stuff can sometimes screw things up in your sim, so whenever you do change or add things, check your sim and be satisfied it is still running smoothly. Nothing is worse then changing and adding a whole bunch of things then finding out your sim is screwed cause it can be hell to fix it or do a roll back!
I know it is not possible for everyone, but if you have a PC dedicated to games or simming, us it ONLY for that purpose. Having a clean installed OS with just FSX will run much better and smoother then a PC that has tons of stuff running on both task manager and installed on a full HD! The less background tasks that are running, the more CPU & memory you will have to run FSX.
A note on AI traffic, whether Traffic X or other program, if you switch on your AI slider from 0% to 1%, your CPU will already take a hit. Depending on AI program/models & your hardware setup, switching on AI will hit your CPU thus your FPS. If you do use AI, try to experiment what a good % of AI is for your setup. On average between 20-50% is acceptable for most setups, especially at very large airports, this is more then enough for most PCs. On more powerful PCs, I found that switching between 50% & 100% hardly makes a difference unless I am in the middle of a very large airport, so I tend to change my AI slider on the go in order to maintain a balance between AI & FPS. (btw changing your traffic slider in setting during a flight will NOT change your TBM from 4096 to 1024, only if you change the other TAB settings!)
Quick word on add-ons, IMO the most essential payware add-on has been and still is REX2.0 overdrive, full stop! If nothing else, just buy that and you will enjoy your sim 100 times more.
Last but not least, I managed to find one of my first ever screen shots, before all these tweaks/addons/mods etc. It really shows how much more 'basic' my sim was when I started.
Cheers all.
I first remember FS with FS95, I remember there was a mission to land a cessna on an aircraft carrier - kept getting the voice message "watch yourrrr alllllltitoood"
Anyway this is quickly becoming my favourite addon so I couldn't resist posting some screenies. Its the RealAir Spitfire, theres a HD texture addon pack which I'm currently downloading too, should be fantastic! The sounds they've put on this are spot on, I found myself doing tower view flybys over and over to hear that awesome noise.
Anyway this is quickly becoming my favourite addon so I couldn't resist posting some screenies. Its the RealAir Spitfire, theres a HD texture addon pack which I'm currently downloading too, should be fantastic! The sounds they've put on this are spot on, I found myself doing tower view flybys over and over to hear that awesome noise.
I think Soya's got that Friday feeling. Both great shots in their own right. However I remember when the sim was in just black and white too
Scarily enough I still remember playing a wire frame sim back on my Atari 400/800xl.
Not sure if either works but I use the Vsync fix in the fsx.cfg file. Can't remember the exact syntax offhand but it was Botojo that discovered the correct settings for Vsync.
Lovely shots, having HD textures is a much nowadays in FSX. In fact, I find that if the textures on the aircraft are not properly done in HD then the whole aircraft will suffer. Many new models aircraft have come out over the past year, most of them great models but their skin textures can let them completely down. And also the reflection layers in the paint can make a real difference (I believe its called alpha layers, bump & spec maps? not sure as I'm not a repainter) but having an aircraft with carefully created texture & reflection skin can look 10x better then a standard repaint. Especially now that most people have GFX cards that can easily handle higher textures and have plenty of onboard VGA memory.
Hey guys! I've been away for a week or two. I played FSX in 3D about a week ago and oh my god, the 737 NGX is just out standing flying a pattern around a heavily modded airport. Such as the heathrow one i have, using Ez doc camera and landing in 3D in Virtual cockpit is just on another level.
I'm hoping to play some 3D with a just flight cessna in the coming days, anyone recommend decent video editors? Might capture my flight and try to make it as good as i've seen in other peoples videos.
I'm hoping to play some 3D with a just flight cessna in the coming days, anyone recommend decent video editors? Might capture my flight and try to make it as good as i've seen in other peoples videos.
I tend to use Windows Movie Maker, its fairly basic, easy to use but does have a few draw backs (it seems to occasionally crash on my W7 64 PC so gotta save my work often) many others use Sony Vegas, but I find that video package rather expensive for just making a few spare time videos!
I have reinstalled Windows today and set up FSX as per NickNs guide. Do you all really think that it is necessary to do all his tweaks? I don't get all the stuff about displaying hidden files all the time etc etc. I think a lot of it is really unnecessary but I'm not qualified to back that up.
Anyway, I used the online tweaker tool and now my wave animations have disappeared. Any ideas what cfg entries would have a bearing on this? Am I likely to have to reinstall the REX theme?
Anyway, I used the online tweaker tool and now my wave animations have disappeared. Any ideas what cfg entries would have a bearing on this? Am I likely to have to reinstall the REX theme?
Associate
- Joined
- 30 Oct 2008
- Posts
- 262
Mr Ringo and Soya, some advice please!
What AA settings are you using with your 560/580? I've just got my 570 - and can't quite get the AA right (bit jagged/'sketchy' - is the only way I can describe it). I've had a play with the nInspector, and it's getting there, but the 5850 looked nicer with regards to the text etc in the VC...
Performance is good though - Hard to quantify the difference as the FPS is largely similar, but it does seem 'smoother' (noticibly). Can't quite put my finger on it.
Cheers,
Rich
What AA settings are you using with your 560/580? I've just got my 570 - and can't quite get the AA right (bit jagged/'sketchy' - is the only way I can describe it). I've had a play with the nInspector, and it's getting there, but the 5850 looked nicer with regards to the text etc in the VC...
Performance is good though - Hard to quantify the difference as the FPS is largely similar, but it does seem 'smoother' (noticibly). Can't quite put my finger on it.
Cheers,
Rich
Mr Ringo and Soya, some advice please!
What AA settings are you using with your 560/580? I've just got my 570 - and can't quite get the AA right (bit jagged/'sketchy' - is the only way I can describe it). I've had a play with the nInspector, and it's getting there, but the 5850 looked nicer with regards to the text etc in the VC...
Performance is good though - Hard to quantify the difference as the FPS is largely similar, but it does seem 'smoother' (noticibly). Can't quite put my finger on it.
Cheers,
Rich
http://www.simforums.com/forums/nhancer-settings-for-new-drivers-updated-v1932_topic36586.html
Have you followed this? It had really nice results for me on a 560.
Nick's guide is pretty much for anyone new to FSX & has little OS/PC knowledge plus it presumes that the user has no knowledge on their current setup. So it cover pretty much everything as there are so many possible variations & problems that could occur. Depending on how well you know your system, FSX & the needs of your sim, you could easily avoid/skip many steps. After re-installing FSX on my new PC earlier this year, it was the 3rd time I re-installed FSX in total. Even though I followed the majority of the guide, I knew by the 3rd time what I needed and what I didn't, I even included some shortcuts and some of my own tweaks to ensure FSX would run as good as it can on my system.
TBH, I still am occasionally learning something new or seeing a way to improve, I guess it is an ongoing process but in short, if you are not sure, follow the guide, otherwise do you what you think is best.
As for the waves, my guess is that the online tweaker tool has reduced your wave settings to minimum which would explain that your water is just a blue flat surface with no animation or reflection. Easiest way to check is to open FSX, check the settings and see what level the wave settings is at, my guess would be x1Low. Do remember that changing any settings manually under the FSX menu will force TBM to reset at 4096, so you need to manually change that in FSX.cfg once you exit the program or use a piece of freeware program that is floating about that keeps that setting at 4096 no matter what. I personally don't like running any unnecessary background programs while FSX is running as it uses up some of my PC's resources.
What he said, that guide should give you perfect non jaggies results. I have mine set at 8SQ. DO NOTE: every time you reinstall a new graphic driver, the settings do get modified and you have to redo it for FSX, otherwise you will see jaggies again.
Soya, my water is set to one slider down from the top. I don't know what it is. I might try creating a new theme in rex and updated the installed textures.
Rich, I use settings very similar to the link Soya posted but I do still get some annoying shimmers. Performance = better with the 560Ti although FPS hasn't changed much, however the IQ seems to be a bit lower.
Rich, I use settings very similar to the link Soya posted but I do still get some annoying shimmers. Performance = better with the 560Ti although FPS hasn't changed much, however the IQ seems to be a bit lower.
That would be 2xHigh, so the setting is not the problem. If you say your wave animation disappeared 'after' you ran FSX.cfg through the online tweaker tool, it obviously added/changed something that made your wave animation disappear. Easiest solution is to recall your backup of your FSX.cfg and compare the two. The other thing I might think it could be that it added a shader 3.0 call in your tweaked cfg file, if you have not got the shader 3.0 installed, then it would most likely cause a problem, again, this is only a guess. You could try to reinstall a new REX water animation theme, it may work, but unlikely with the same FSX.cfg file.
Good luck.
PS. I mentioned this way back in the thread and more recently. The graphical difference between an ATI & Nvidia is negligible in FSX, ie the visual quality is about the same, BUT when it comes to smoother FPS, Nvidia hold 1st place when it comes to FSX, especially when Shader2.0 is used. Overall smoother FPS is seen, NOT necessarily faster FPS!
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It added ALLOW_SHADER_30=1 but when I take this out it messes everything up. It must have removed some of the SHADER_PRIMED entries or something.
I'll look up the shadermod3 readme files and automatically load the cfg entries that could have been removed.
I'll look up the shadermod3 readme files and automatically load the cfg entries that could have been removed.
For all those who use REX what do you set your cloud resolution to? I have read a number of posts saying that 4096 HD clouds don't look realistic. I think that resolution kills my performance so I'm back to trying 1024.
If you change REX menu settings do you have to reinstall the theme or do the textures get updated automatically?
If you change REX menu settings do you have to reinstall the theme or do the textures get updated automatically?
Associate
- Joined
- 30 Oct 2008
- Posts
- 262
I flit between 4096 and 2048 - not noticed any difference (though originally the 4096 made my card struggle). I think you have to run the configuration page again for it to replace the textures.
Cheers for the link/hints about the nvidia settings (you too Rob and Soya)- I'll have a bit more of a play. I'm 'only' running 1680x1050, so the jaggies may be a bit more pronounced that on a higher resolution screen. I'll have a go at 16SQ and see if that makes any difference.
Hope you get your waves/clouds sorted out. Can be a very frustrating 'game'!
Cheers,
Rich
Cheers for the link/hints about the nvidia settings (you too Rob and Soya)- I'll have a bit more of a play. I'm 'only' running 1680x1050, so the jaggies may be a bit more pronounced that on a higher resolution screen. I'll have a go at 16SQ and see if that makes any difference.
Hope you get your waves/clouds sorted out. Can be a very frustrating 'game'!
Cheers,
Rich