JimI like the changes imnplemented to DWC - in particular, the new visibility graduation which smooths between what the metar reports as the base visibility layer and the selectable upper altitiude in the ASE options dialog box. Its almost akin to what FSUIPC used to be able to do in FS9, except its a little better as it smooths from the actual visibility reported in the ground visbility layer, rather than a user set number which FSUIPC defaulted to in FS9.The problem with DWC in ASE for me is two-fold (in terms of realism): (i) it will never set a haze layer - this is because all ASE does in DWC mode is constantly control the global visibility setting as one layer from the ground up to around 90,000ft. For FSX to display its haze layer, it needs the plane to rise above the single layer, or a transition between two layers, with the extent of the haze rendered determined by the visibility in the ground layer; and (ii) DWC doesn't work well in scenarios like the Carribean where you tend to get (convection based) clouds above the islands on clear days. In standard mode, ASE will display the indivudal metars, and will get the depiction about right, whereas in DWC mode, you get one type of weather as far as the eye can see in all directions.So my question is whether, the essence of he visibility graduation you hvae now applied in ASE in DWC mode could be applied to standard mode.Currently in standard mode in ASE, you always get two vis layers for each station, the ground layer, with the vis reported in the metar (or the max surface visiblity set by the user if lower)), and another layer above that which it is either unlimited or the visibility set by the user in maximum visibility in the options dailog box. If ASE could control that upper layer, such that it was graduated from the ground layer up to a specified maximum, then this would probably add greater realism. The only problem I can see with doing this would be the need for constant updates for a large number of stations in FSX, and possibly stutters as a result. At present, in standard mode, as soon as you climb out of the ground vis layer, you transfer immediately to unlimted or whatever you set as max visibility. Another alternative would be for ASE to set multiple vis layers for each station (eg if the metar was reporting ground vis of 5SM withe ceiling of 5,000ft, then ASE would set say four more layers above this (eg 10SM from 5,000 to 10,000, 20SM from 10,000 to 15,000 and so on up. Perhaps ASE could be clever enoug to recognise very low ground layer vis with no precipitation as fog, and not then set the graduated layers, so as to accurately depict the immediate clearing of vis when climbing out of the fog layer.Just thoughts! - in relation to a product which is already good give the limitations of FSX, well supported in comparison to most, and has evolved since its earliest incarnations.Kind regardsRob Schofield

Hi Rob,In Standard Mode we have the constraints of which SimConnect provides. If we could re-code SimConnect, then things could be different. But because of those limitations we can only do so much.

JimThanks for your response. I have just taken a look at this "Open Clouds" weather interface which some chap has made available freeware. While it is well short of ASE as an overall product, he has implemented what I suggested in my first post below, namely building 10 vis layers into each station from the ground layer up to smooth the visibility as you climb out. With the exception of the odd visiibility "pop" as you move between stations in FSX, it is very effective and retains the haze layer between the ground layer and the next vis layer up. I tried taking off out of fog from Linate (always IMC!) this morning and it was very realistic. The only thing the guy's interface doesn't do yet is limit upper vis (no more than 50NM in my view).So, it can be done, and probably fairly easily, if a guy has done it without your resource of years of expertise. I think it would add great realism to your standard depiction mode, which will always be the one thats as close to "as real as it gets".RegardsRob