Hello, I am trying to retain the impression of haze at high altittude constantly so that the transition between sky and ground is less extreme and abrupt(Even if the online weather reports don't indicate it). However, as far as all other weather variables go I would like them to be reported and translated into real weather as I fly online. Is it possible to isolate the variable of haze so that it doesn't make the tranistion so abrupt.In other words -have haze all the time even at high altitudes. I hate it when I get to 10,000 and then suddenly it seems like someone has drawn scenery with two distinct colours on the horizon. I recently found a file called Soft Horizonz by John Gillis (thanks John) on Avsim which does a nice job of blending the transition nicely without getting rid of the haze altogether, which is what I want...but recently after installing Active 5 update I have this abrupt transition from haze to no haze which i hate. Consequently, I have over-written the lastest update from Activesky 5 with the Bitmaps contained in John's file. I have quoted John from the readme file of Soft Horizons below so you can get an idea of the program.I would simple lick to no if it is possible to keep the variable of the haze constant while having all the other fantastic variables of Activesky working normally as I fly online with the haze from zero to 45,000ft?"Soft Horizons" is my _(Even if the online weather reports don't indicate it)*John Gillis's, effort to make the transition between sky and ground less extreme for Flight Simulator 9 users. It consists of 110 bitmaps, which are used by Flight Simulator 9 to provide a varied and spectacular skyscape. **Please note that several add-on packages which change the sky color or Flight Simulator 9 environment also use these bitmaps. Replacing them with my set without first doing a backup may damage such packages. Backup the sky set using either my included batch file or through manual means (via explorer)"Soft Horizons" is Copyright © 2005 - John CillisIf you would like to get a copyof the file I suggest you looking for it in Avsim under the name soft horizon.RegardsPaulPaul

Thanks, will try that out, that Flight Simulator horizon is really horrible!

Is it the case then that if you load these bitmaps and allow ASV to update clouds, but not environment, they will stay in place?

To keep the Cillis textures from being overwritten before your activate weather writes choose the use last sky texture selection in options/ics.This is the same technique used with Flight 1's FE to preseerve those textures. Just to make sure I am correct, search this forum for related FE threads.You would install the Cillis textures after installing ASV and backing up the texture folder and selecting the use last sky texture option. You may want to run ASV in flight with interesting cloud coverage once or twice before setting this option and installing the Cillis textures.

HI Paul,Did you try the Day Clear set from ASV?, I think most of them are soft horizon. If you are using startup random sky, this will use all sky type and you will loose the day clear from time by time if the random select others type, you should chose "last sky" this will keep your last sky selection.The files of Soft horizon from 3rd party was made only to remove the line from the horizon which are default fs2004 sky type, by using this you will overwrite all sunset and dawn as well. I think most of the asv sunset and dawn does have soft horizon. -In the Weather Display Slider, if the Sight distance is reduced to the left, the horizon will condense as well. With the upcoming update there will be new sky set more based on soft horizon, as well new clouds etc.ThanksChris WillisHiFi Simulation Software Team Developerhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

Thank you to all who have replied. I have a better overall understanding of what's happening now.CheersPaul

Hi Paul,The main thing to understand is, if you have selected one Fixed Day clear sky type in asv and wanted to preserved this set always, in the asv startup mode, only select ICSlast skyenv, this option will never randomize sky set or environment, but always use asv clouds, and will use your prefered sky type and environment for ever. -If you select icsrandom skyenv, all sky texture and env are in random and will never keep your last prefered sky and env selection.-This can be applied with manual (no selection) in this case, all content of Active Environment selected manually will remain unchanged until you made change by hand.-Sight Distant Slider to full left, Fs2004 will condense the horizon when you are high in altitude as well, there is some compromise to take in this area.ThanksChris WillisHiFi Simulation Software Team Developerhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

HI Chris,I have attached some pictures to show you exactly what effect I am trying to achieve. The first two pictures are with hae and the effect i am trying to maintain all the time at all flight levels. The haze seems to evaporate at around 10,000ft. Is there a setting somewhere which will keep the variable constant at all times and at all flight levels without effecting the weather metars?The other pictures are the undesirable. The effect I don't want. i dislike the appearance of the horizon being sliced into two without a blend between the sky and the land/ocean.CheersPaul

I too would like to know if their is a setting to make this situation better when flying high.Good example with the pictures.

When I flew GA aircraft many years ago there were quite a few times when the haze layer had a very well defined top in the forward view. The haze ceiling was defined by the altitude at which the OAT matched the dewpoint. Air above that altitude I guess can no longer hold moisture significant enough to cause haze (or smog). Perhaps that can be used as an algorithm for defining the top of the haze layer.

Hi Paul,You can try to pull back your Max visibility in ASV. Some have gone all the back to 20 or 30.Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

Bump - plus I'd associate myself with those first 2 pictures, exactly what I want to do.Guess it depends where you are flying, but on a real-life 40 minute short hop yesterday morning, 21,000ft in Aer Lingus B735, beautiful hot sunny day, but horizon obscured by whitish haze.

Hi,Then too, pull back on the maximum visibility.Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

In ASV options, uncheck 'Depict FS9 Haze Layer' and set max visibility to 29. Ever since I did this, I do not get the rapid change in visibilty as I climb and there is a realistic haze all the way up to altitude. I'm convinced we will not be able to have a gradual transition from haze to clear skies as you climb in this verion of FS. Eric

Eric,Your settings work great, thanks for the info. :)