Any tips or tricks for getting the most realistic results out to AS6.5? Recommended options, which boxes to check (options tab), etc?Thanks,Dan

Hi Dan,The default options are a good place to start and then you adjust things to fit your style of flying. Also, the manual does a pretty good job of describing options. Lastly, please post any specific questions here and we'll be glad to help you out.I did have a long write up about all of this, but when AVSIM had server problems, my post was lost.

Thanks Jim. Here's a question: Right now, I'm sitting at KPDX and here's Activsky's METAR:Wind: 210 True, 8 KtsVis: 9999 Meters, 10 SMClouds: 3200 Few, 6500 Broken, 8000 OvercastPrecip: NoneTemp: 6C Dew: 3CPressure: 1011 mb, 29.85 inches*However, the winds (shift+z) are showing 191 @ 7kts and there are some clouds in the vacinity. There idoes not appear to be an 8,000' overcast layer. I often get rain with very few clouds too. I'll look into it but, any clues on this?

I figured it out! 3D clouds needed to be enabled in order for the good stuff to show! There went my framerates!

Hi Dan,The default options are a good place to start and then you adjust things to fit your style of flying. Also, the manual does a pretty good job of describing options. Lastly, please post any specific questions here and we'll be glad to help you out.I did have a long write up about all of this, but when AVSIM had server problems, my post was lost.

Luckily, I kept the page as a web archive!!It's all Jim's from now on!The following is a list of settings that provide the most realistic visuals using ASv6 and FS2004.Before I begin, some disclaimers:1. Realistic is in the eye of the beholder. What is realistic for one may not be realistic for another.2. Performance may vary from one computer to another, even with the same hardware. I will try to comment on things as necessary.OK, on to the list!1. Make sure all your hardware drivers are up to date. This includes video card, motherboard drivers, DirectX, and sound card drivers.2. In FSUIPC make sure you are using Default Settings and Weather Settings Off.3. In FS2004: Sight Distance set to 60. This setting does not affect the visibility so don’t try to control visibility with it. Cloud Draw Distance set to 30. Now, this is one that can vary. Some like clouds drawn in the distance, so increase it! Some don’t like the flickering, as clouds are redrawn from low detail to high detail. This happens around 30 miles. Some machines cannot handle more than 30 miles. 3D Clouds set to 100% Cloud Coverage set to Maximum Lock your framerate at an acceptable level; do not run at Unlimited. Acceptable is anywhere from 20 to 30. Yes, your mileage may vary with this one. Please do not debate stuff about the FPS of movies, television sets, video games, the refresh rate of your display, or other PC games. It is not worth the time! Dynamic Weather: None4. In Active Sky Graphics: Choose a resolution that your computer can handle and still looks good for you. For high-end machines 256 or 512. For low-end machines 64 or 128. Do not over-rate your computer here! A machine 3+ years or older that has not been upgraded IS NOT a high-end machine. Maybe at the time of purchase it was, but it isn’t any more! DXT clouds can help performance, but detail is slightly lost. Render to Texture must be turned On in FS2004 for this box to become active. Also, make sure that you do not have multiple Display Driver sections in your FS9.cfg file. Make sure to click on the Save Changes button.5. On to the ASv6 Options: Online Updates On Use Update Suppression On Use Local Range Suppression On Visibility Smoothing On Enforce Visibility Limits On Now we have 2 Options next that some users feel are Realistic and some that don’t: Fog Layer Generation and Depict FS9 Haze Layer. I don’t think so, so I turn them Off. Minimum Visibility set to zero Maximum Visibility set to 59, 50 or 29. Let’s look at each one. But before we do: What about 60 or more? Well, that produces the FS2004 condition of seeing forever, and I don’t think that is realistic so I don’t ever consider that value. 59 just cuts into this forever condition and gives a far away haze look. 50 brings this a bit closer and can blend the sky and horizon interface. Sometimes I use 50, but mostly I use 59. Now, 29 gives a very hazy look and hides the clouds as FS04 draws them for the first time. At higher altitudes, I think this is too low. Remember to restart both ASV6 and FS04 when adjusting this value. Under Winds and Turbulence I’ll let users make their own selections. Overcast Enhancement On Force Thunderstorms with CB On Extend Thunderstorm Layers On Add Rain With TS Reports On Under Graphics: Auto-Submit checked On Under Themes: Wx-Influenced in both boxes. If you don’t use flight plans, you are better off putting All Random in both boxes.Well, I think that is it. I hope that you will take these ideas and give them a try.Hope this helps,Jim

Thanks for that Dave (and Jim)! The one thing I don't fully understand is the... Use Update Suppression On Use Local Range Suppression OnWhy would I want supression on? Why would I want it off?

Having those on prevent a sudden weather change or performance hit (FPS) during a critical stage of flight.

Having those on prevent a sudden weather change or performance hit (FPS) during a critical stage of flight.

Understood. What values should I put for ceiling, range and interval?Thanks,Dan

Dave,Simply amazing! I was able to edit my post from way back when, using copy and paste from your stuff.Dan,Ceiling--At a value less than the altitude you normally fly at.Range--If you fly slow stuff: 100. If you fly fast: 200.Interval--60