OK, call me crazy, but I decided to "experiment" with some of the cloud and building textures in my default texture folder using the freeware program ImageTool. I noticed that a lot of the textures are 8 bit, which is fine for things that aren't really important, like generic buildings and such. But I also saw that the cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds were presented in 32 bit. Now, my system is below average; P4 2.53, 521Mg Ram, GF4 5600FX 128; so I thought that I might convert these larger cloud textures to DXT3 format. Well, when I did, the looks of the clouds didn't change much, but I saw a significant increase in my FPS. I demand a locked 30 FPS from this slow beast, so most of my sliders are set about midpoint. However, when I implemented these new textures, I was able to MAX-OUT my clouds sliders (all of them inlcuding draw distance) to the right and had an INCREASE in FPS.Granted, YMMV, but if you don't mind the decreased quality of the clouds, for the sake of performance, you might give this a shot.I should also note that to get the maximum bennefit from this "experiment" that you need Chris Willis' rockin' clouds file and modify those as well as any other default ones you see in the clouds section of the default texture folder.Give ti a try. If this helps anyone, that's great. Just don't turn this into another debate over the same subjects we've already covered.Much love to the AVSIM community who've helped improve this great program.

"Just don't turn this into another debate over the same subjects we've already covered."This has already been covered by several simmers, including myself and Chris Willis... No debate from my standpoint--the DXT3 textures improve performance for me and brings the performance effect of clouds to the same as that in FS2002... I don't even give the fps consequences of one or two decks of clouds a second thought now...One of Chris's sets includes clouds in DXT3 format, so users don't need to create their own. However, "Render to Texture" must be used when clouds are in this format--otherwise, the sim will crash...-John

Hi Scoot, This modification have been done before in the highest clouds performance v2 files and are edited, these are the highest optimized performance for clouds available, I did also modify the texture since it's need more then resized is not enought, are available here http://fsw.simflight.com/FSWFs2k4fix.htmlI offer 32 bits also which is the same ultra speed performance as DXT3 format for many user can't enable render to texture which cause lower performance and problems with 2d panel and many addon's require render to texture to off in the doc.In the mean time, DXT3 format clouds are not good for quality standard and will be not be included in fs sky world 2004 since it degrade alot clouds, and make trouble for many about sim crash. Since MsFs default clouds are only basic flat white clouds in visual it's acceptable for the default in dxt3, but not for detailed edge clouds, puffy, fluffy like mine which screw up all the visual.ThanksChris Willis[link:fsw.simflight.com/FSWMenuFsSim.html]Clouds And Addons For MsFs

I do think the DXT3 clouds are good for a simmer seeking a fair performance/sky quality benefit. As for render to texture, it hasn't been a problem on my ancient system, and I haven't loaded any add-on that won't work with it enabled... This is my own cloud set--you be the judge... http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...&mesg_id=116881

You guys are the experts, of course, and I tip my cap to you. My post is for those with lower end systems like mine who have a desire for speed and fluidity while using multiple clouds layers and overcast.I thought I had made an original discovery and it seemed to help me get what I wanted out of the sim in the way of clouds. I still think it's a good tip if folks want to check it out. Understanding of course that Chris's are in DXT3 which I did not know or had forgotten, I must have installed the wrong set and I'm cursing myself for that. If there's a better way, then follow the leaders. I'm also trying to go back and resize the default downtown building textures. Don't know how to do that, but I think that should help a little bit more in big cities.As for the debate comment in my first post, maybe that was a bad move. I just didn't want this thread to evolve into a debate over "DXT3 is crap" and "I don't have a problem with my performance" kinds of banter. Sorry if that rubbed anyone the wrong way.Again, much love to my fellow simmers!

No need to apologize. Chris and I really don't argue about these things--Chris is very good about just pointing out some of the drawbacks that simmers should be aware of. I made my second response with the same intent--just to show what the end result looks like on a low end system...acceptable given the improved performance. Chris's next major cloud set release is going for a higher standard--I suspect it will make the 3-d clouds look better than ever. DXT-3 would diminish that quality that he is striving for...

Chris W, if you're still reading in this thread sometime, could you give some advice on how to reduce the file size of textures, like building textures for example, so that I might tweak a little more. I will not upload any files using your techniques, I just want them for my personal use.Thanks in advance