Hello. I'm wondering if someone can answer a quick install question for me.Is it possible to install the newest version of ActiveSky without changing any cloud textures? All I really want is the advanced weather features. I'm happy with the cloud textures I have.If it is possible can someone explain how? Maybe screenshots of the installer or something like that?Thanks!

HI, yes only don't submit any texture.ThanksChris WillisHiFi Simulation Software Team Developerhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

Hi,Yes, it is because the initial install does not install ANY textures to FS04. If you always run ASVE in manual mode no textures will ever be transfered from AE to FS04. Don't worry, even the default setting is manual so you can safely run ASVE for the first time and no textures will be changed.Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

What do you mean "manual mode"?Also, is it still possible to download weather and then go off-line? Not really possible to stay on with a dial-up connection.

Hi,Open the Options screen and look on the bottom-right side under Active Environment.Yes, start in Online Mode and then after the first set of data is downloaded, switch to Offline Mode.Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

Well, 2nd answer makes sense. However, the first answer doesn't really because the questions are pre-sales at this point. I haven't purchased. I'm thinking about getting it for my Dad.

Hi Carob,By default setting, ASV will not install any new clouds texture, if new clouds needed, there is some setting must be change, only tell him to not touch the Actice environment startup in asv option and do not submit clouds texture in active environment interface.The major great 3d Clouds shape and clouds formation type are builded in main ASV application weather, any clouds texture change only edge of the cloud and color. ASV application is the main things why we are seeing all these excellent 3d Clouds "weather scape" included cumulus type family, CB family, stratus family, Altocumulus and all the metar data information etc.ThanksChris WillisHiFi Simulation Software Team Developerhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

What do you mean by "if needed"?Also, is a registered version of FSUIPC required?

Hi,"What do you mean by "if needed"?"if he want's to change for others clouds texture in future, he must do minor clicking action.registered version of FSUIPC not needed, ASVE will works 100% the registered version will allow more option with fs2004.ThanksChris WillisHiFi Simulation Software Team Developerhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

I think I'm getting a handle on this, however, I have a couple of other questions...I downloaded the user manual and I'm looking through it. I'm hoping someone can explain the Active Environment section to me in English. For those of us who know nothing about texture sets and Mips and DXT it's a bit confusing!What are these all about?Why is it necessary to "convert" the cloud textures to some new mode?What benefits and drawbacks does this have?I see there are 4 resolution options. Although it looks like 2 of those must be downloaded separately from the website? Is that right? How visible are the differences between them?Thanks!

Hi,MIPS are a texture feature and having them On can improve performance.DXT is a texture class with improved performance with a slight loss of detail. Chris may fill in a bit more as he is the clouds expert.We convert textures to improve performance.Yes, the 128s and the 512s are optional. For high end machines 512s are the way to go, though some don't see a difference between the 512s and the 256s. The 128s are for low to mid powered machines. All of this really depends on the user and their computer and whatever else is running inside/along with FS04. Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

So how do these numbers relate to the default clouds?What are you considering a high end machine?The machine being used in this case is a P4 2.4 with 1GB of RAM with an Nvidia Ti4600 video card and making an approach to KSEA takes enough toll on the system due to AI traffic.Where do the cloud texture sets for asve get installed to? Do they even get installed or do they get pulled from a different file each time they are requested? What happens to the cloud texture sets that are already being used when asve is installed? Do the get deleted? Do they get stored temporarily? What happens if asve is uninstalled? Do the original texture sets get put back? Do the asve textures currently being used remain?In the user manual it says ASV can be closed at any time and existing weather will remain static. Does this mean that the same weather is everywhere or does it mean that the weather that was downloaded remains? In other words cloudy over here, rainy over there, snowing in that place over there, etc.I'm sorry for all the questions but I need to understand what's happening with the program as I am considering purchasing this for my father and he is not exactly computer savy. I will only have access to his machine for two weeks and need to have everything working perfectly before I leave.

Hi,Defaut clouds are 512s.P4 3.0 or equally rated AMD.You will use 128 clouds due to the graphics card.The ASV folder.They get pulled from ASV into FS04 if you wish.On initial install the texture folder is backed up.If ASVE is uninstalled you can copy the backed up textures back into FS04.Yes, the weather would be the same everywhere. Better to leave ASV running even if you need to use Offline Mode.Not a problem! I remember each time that you may be doing this for your father!!Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

Wow. 128, really? ####, that used to be a pretty decent card. Time flies I guess!So I'm guessing ASV then copies files from it's location (whever that is) to the FS04 Texture folder replacing the existing files each time it's called upon, correct? Therefore if the backed up Texture folder is put back then everything goes back to the way it was before ASV install. Even if ASV is still installed? Do I have that right?Is the texture folder backed up to a specific location or is it the users' choice?So by saying "weather remains static" you mean that the weather becomes the same all over the globe? That's kind of strange.

Hi,YesYesSpecific location that will be given to you on installation. Then you can move the folder to whever you want.Well if FS04 isn't being fed any data what can it do?Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg