I am using rex custom 3d contrails but they seem to work only for planes closer than 8nm. I want to increase that distance and also the cotrail lengh.also what is the difference between fx_contrails_s.fx and fx_contrails_l.fx? and how do the default contrail system work without contrail entries of any sort in the aircraft.cfg files?any help appreciated

ok, with default fx_contrail_l.fx contrails are visible from quite far whereas with the rex one they are forming only when the ai aircraft is closer than 8nm from view point.now if I only knew the variable to control this distance..

That's exactly what I want to know (so, no need to open a new topic)... did you find any answers on this one, since it's from march and no answers?

I think your best bet is to get the payware tool "Contrails Pro" (www.flightsimtools.com)Their contrails look great from a far distance, and you can customize the visibility and contrail length. The default contrail effect in FSX never worked well for me; the contrails were only visible when the AI plane producing them was in the field of view.There is one limitation though: if you are flying very close to a contrail, it begins looking flat and not that great at all. But to just see great looking contrails up in the sky, I think there is nothing better than this product, and I am loving it.

That's why I'm using REX 3d contrails which look great even from a few feet away! I just want to see them from further away. If there is a payware tool there must be a way to expand viewing distance?

That's exactly what I want to know (so, no need to open a new topic)... did you find any answers on this one, since it's from march and no answers?

Hi,Yeah, I figured it out. open contrails fx files with notepad and replace all type=21 with type=25.the AIs looked awesome but massive fps hit when many planes cruising in vicinity forced me to revert back. if your pc can handle them you can increase particle lifetime from 8sec to 16 & 15sec to 30 which makes it more visible, 2x longer and better.hope it helps

I just had a look at the REX fx files for contrails and there doesnt seem to be a 'radius=' command in the [Library Effect] section.Check the SDK to find out if this may help with the limited visibility problem.Later :( David Ranieri

Hey Guys,

 

I know I'm 4 years late, but better late than never!  ^_^

 

Just wondering how exactly to edit the contrail files. I don't seem to have type=21, they are all type=19, and what does that do?

 

Also the lifetime doesn't have anything in 8 or 15 secs they are all 3.70, 4.70 etc.  :huh:

 

Anybody?