Gents,I have been a faithful user of AS2004 eversince it started its development phase. I was a beta team member for the initial release and found it beautiful to see my longtime weather depiction wishes come into fruition.There was not a single aspect of this very good program I could complain about.Continous updates have made it even better every time.Then came long awaited ASV.I was very hopeful to see this software to be again a major step forward and despite being extremaly happy with previous version I took the upgrade plunge.The primary reason for that was the vertical air simulation which was the majot lacking item on my wishlist till far.It delivered it, however it also spoiled several other things.First, wide variety of textures have ruined my performance (I was using Hifps clouds with AS2004), so I asked for support and indeed got it.Based on the recommendations I selected 64kb clouds, MIPS on and hard/sharp option, yet the performance from what it'd been before and clouds look nothing like they did before.Second, the visibility/horizon problems all appear here as well which is a major step backwards from what it had been before. I got to the point of being very happy with As2004.5 with the way horizon faded into the sky even at high jetroute altitudes.Now, with ASV no matter what set I use it is just very unrealistic. The sky looks weird to say the least.Finally, the server down makes the program unusable for online flying that I do exclusively.Matter of fact, there was a funny incident when I was approaching Innsbruck yesterday and IVAO ATIS was reporting bases at 6000 ft ASL - 1000 ft above the minimums for this airport and unlimited visibility. I had to go around and fly to the alternate as I was still in the soup at minimums. Controller was more than intrigued when I announced the go-around due to weather.Gentlemen, please do not take this as a bashing or generally negative comment.I understand this is a complicated and sophisticated piece of application. I have and always will admire your dedication to improve the weather in FS at a cost to an individual of a modest lunch.Please let me know how to get back to the state of euphoria looking out of my virtual windsreen.Best regardsDom

Gents,Just for your reference, here's my ASV cfg file://ASV configuration file Build 325[General]WindowPosX = 495WindowPosY = 495DefaultWeatherFolder = D:Program FilesMicrosoft GamesFlight Simulator 9ModulesASVSuppressionCeiling = 10000SurfaceWindLimit = 10FS9Path = D:Program FilesMicrosoft GamesFlight Simulator 9CloudLayerLimit = 3LocalSuppressionRange = 100MinimumVisibility = 0MaximumVisibility = 39LastPlanFolder = NONEAutoVasFrequency = 40AEStartupMode = 3IncreasedWake = FalseDisableWindsAloft = FalseDisableRandomLightSelect = FalseFavorCumulus = FalseUnpauseOnReadyStatus = FalseForceTstormsWithCB = TrueAutoSetFSTime = TrueAutoConvertPlanFiles = FalseAutoRefreshAI = TrueDisableVisGraduation = FalseAutoSaveAETheme = FalseOfflinePlayback = FalseEnableVAS = TrueAutoGenVAS = TrueForceDestinationWeatherZone = TruePreventIcing = FalseOnlineUpdates = TrueExtendedDestinationWindsForce = FalseDisableAllGroundUpdates = FalseGlobalWrites = FalseDepictFS9HazeLayer = FalseExtendTstormLayers = TrueDisableDirectWindControl = FalseVoicePlayback = FalseLocalSuppression = TrueStartupSound = FalseDisableGroundUpdates = FalseUseProxyServer = FalseFogLayerGeneration = TrueUpdateSuppression = TrueOvercastEnhancement = TrueIgnoreFSReadyStatus = TrueFSUIPCWindSmoothing = TrueLimitSurfaceWinds = FalseLimitCloudLayers = TrueAutoGlobalWriteToggle = TrueRainWithTS = TrueDisableUpperLayerGeneration = FalseVisibilitySmoothing = TrueDisableMessages = TrueAutoTimeZoneDetection = TrueUpdateInterval = 10VATSIMData = TrueZuluConversion = 2AloftPredictability = 100WindDriftRate = 0MaxCloudThickness = 10000MinStratusSeparation = 7000TAFProcessing = FalseEnforceVisibilityLimits = TrueWakeTurb = FalseStartPaused = TrueUseSystemTime = TrueDisableCAVOKClouds = FalseProxyAddress = NONEThanksDom

HI Dom,The performance are the same or better with ASV clouds, nothing have change in this area, there is 3 resolution to chose, mostly 256x256 are the best performance for mid and high end computer.The clouds shape formation have nothing to do with the texture. You must have the same metar with the all the same cumulus or cb, towering clouds and all these clouds formation in the metar. If you are using hifps, you should select 256x256 resolution, hifpsv2 are 64x64. If you like hifpsv2, you should use only "hifps" with asv and forget about the rest, since you only like the default white clouds. The 64x64 are the worst quality.Also you must check (all manual no selection) at asv startup option, if not, asv will overwrite the clouds in fs2004 from the AE.ThanksChris WillisHiFi Simulation Software Team Developerhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

Hi,Thanks for your polite post. It makes all the difference.A few suggestions:IVAO weather will never match up with ours.Yes, the server is not a good thing but we are doing all we can to make it better. AS2004 is down also.You can install any cloud testures you wish. Just don't over-write them. If you have a favorite then go ahead and use them.Not sure what you are seeing in your horizon. Maybe a pic or two?Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg