I am using asv 5 Build 325 with Flight Environment clouds.I notice lately some instances of what are clearly cumulus clouds with bases at 16,000-to as high as 25,000 feet. These are tall and puffy, not flat.I have the box favor cumulus over status unchecked.This is occuring with situations where there are multiple layers portrayed. My machine can handle unlimited layers just fine, so I do not limit layers.Don't recall this with ASV 4.5.Is there an issue with the logic of cloud selection that is causing this unrealistic scenario?I have not tried the new beta upgrade yet.Thanks,Greg

Chris,Wow fast reply!I am not an expert, but from what I know,I agree cu can reach up to 35,000+ feet, but it would seem unusual to have cloud BASES STARTING in the upper teens and low twenties. They look fine, I just thought it was not realistic, but if that is normal, I am fine with it. Let me know.Thanks,Greg

Hi Greg,Before you reply to me, I deleted my message since, I was reading your post to much quick and understand your post incorrectly + (my english is bad), you are talking about the clouds base that's are high altitude, I will let know Damian and Jim about this.ThanksChris WillisHiFi Simulation Software Team Developerhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

Hi Greg,Could be related to the minimum stratus separation feature coupled with overcast enhancement and lots of layers reported in the METAR.If you can duplicate this can you please share the METAR string/location and your ASV.INI to [email protected]? I'll try to duplicate and come up with more answers.Best,

Damian,I saved the weather, so I will just have to find the spot.I will let you know.Thanks,Greg

Damian,Here are three metars taken along a route that gets into cumulus with bases at about 18,000.KTWM 242259Z 00000KT 5SM HZ OVC007 13/11 A2994KHYR 242301Z 19003KT 2SM BR BKN007 OVC010 17/15 A2996KRZN 232225Z 13008KT 10SM CLR 19/03 A3015and my settings:SuppressionCeiling = 10000SurfaceWindLimit = 10FS9Path = D:Program FilesMicrosoft GamesFlight Simulator 9CloudLayerLimit = 5LocalSuppressionRange = 100MinimumVisibility = 0MaximumVisibility = 59LastPlanFolder = C:Documents and SettingsGregoryMy DocumentsFlight Simulator FilesAutoVasFrequency = 40AEStartupMode = 3IncreasedWake = FalseDisableWindsAloft = FalseDisableRandomLightSelect = FalseFavorCumulus = FalseUnpauseOnReadyStatus = TrueForceTstormsWithCB = TrueAutoSetFSTime = TrueAutoConvertPlanFiles = TrueAutoRefreshAI = TrueDisableVisGraduation = FalseAutoSaveAETheme = TrueOfflinePlayback = TrueEnableVAS = TrueAutoGenVAS = TrueForceDestinationWeatherZone = FalsePreventIcing = TrueOnlineUpdates = FalseExtendedDestinationWindsForce = FalseDisableAllGroundUpdates = TrueGlobalWrites = FalseDepictFS9HazeLayer = TrueExtendTstormLayers = TrueDisableDirectWindControl = FalseVoicePlayback = TrueLocalSuppression = TrueStartupSound = TrueDisableGroundUpdates = FalseUseProxyServer = FalseFogLayerGeneration = TrueUpdateSuppression = TrueOvercastEnhancement = TrueIgnoreFSReadyStatus = TrueFSUIPCWindSmoothing = TrueLimitSurfaceWinds = FalseLimitCloudLayers = FalseAutoGlobalWriteToggle = TrueRainWithTS = TrueDisableUpperLayerGeneration = FalseVisibilitySmoothing = TrueDisableMessages = TrueAutoTimeZoneDetection = TrueUpdateInterval = 10VATSIMData = FalseZuluConversion = -7AloftPredictability = 100WindDriftRate = 0MaxCloudThickness = 10000MinStratusSeparation = 7000TAFProcessing = FalseEnforceVisibilityLimits = TrueWakeTurb = TrueStartPaused = TrueUseSystemTime = FalseDisableCAVOKClouds = FalseProxyAddress = NONEGreg

Damian, One more, here the bases are about 23,000 feet.KPPQ 232244Z 06007KT 7SM SCT009 SCT041 OVC120 18/17 A3008Thanks,Greg

Thanks for the info Greg,I'll try to duplicate!Best,

Hi Greg,I tried with each location/METAR string specified (using wx configurator to force those conditions) and also used your ASV.ini.. I was unable to duplicate any behavior with "bases" (bottom of the cloud layer) different from what was specified in the report. The exception of course is a high cirrus layer which would occasionally be drawn appropriately as per the upper-level clouds generation.Not sure why things are working so differently on your setup. This is also a first report of this kind. Are you using FSUIPC's cirrus generation feature as well? Any other add-ons that might affect this? Can you provide a screenshot showing this behavior? It might help find the problem.. Thanks!

Damina,I am only using Flight Environment clouds and the unregistered version of FSUIPC. Nothing else.Here is a pic showing cumulus with bases near 22,000, and the metar:KMDZ 232235Z 13007KT 10SM CLR 19/07 A3021 RMK AO2and the pic

Damian,Sorry for the misspelling of your name!Here is one more screen shot taken a few seconds later showing the bases are at my level as noted above.Greg

Damian,Sorry one more neat shot. This is leaving the cloud bank, note the interesting cloud structure in the middle of the cumulus cloud bank!Greg

Damian,Wonder if you had a chance to look at the screen shots?Greg

Hi Greg,Yes, thanks for those!EDIT:After further review of the duplicated conditions you experienced, it was confirmed that such alto or cirrocumulus cloud types are indeed a realistic and fairly common occuring theme within our atmosphere. Clouds are picked out by the wx engine considering air stability (based on lapse rate), humidity and temperature parameters. There is no hard altitude that dictates what types of clouds should be chosen.Since you feel this is flawed or could use improvement, please let us know the reasons why and we will of course consider your input for possible review and change of the weather engine cloud selection logic.Thanks Greg!