i've done my homework, so... let me just say that specific answers including fsuipc version will be much appreciated.:)does it smooth out weather transitions between stations? or do the clouds and fog still pop in and out when crossing the line? (i'm not too worried about the winds, a gust is a gust is a gust.)does it cause perceptible stutter on its own, no other applications running?does it hit frame rates in a measurable way? for the sake of the argument let's define measurable as consistent 4 fps."3.2 no yes no" is one sample answer. from what i understand, fairly close to reality... again, all assistance appreciated. thanks in advance.vilk

Weather transition smoothing, NO. But download the application (download is free), unzip, read the readme, Peter tells you why. Nothing will solve that problem at this time.Other questions, there is no problem. I am running it on a P3Celeron 933, 512mb memory, GF4 Ti4200 128, works just fine. I have a registered version. Frame rates locked at 24, normal is 15-20, but I do not use high density scenery airports since my CPU is less that high tech. And my flying is IFR flight plans. Scenery watching is not on my list of things to do. Except at airports after I land, and that is always acceptable. For me, the extra features the registered version provides is well worth the price of registration. I commend Pete for all his efforts over the years. HTH,Paul

fair enough. thanks, paul.let's hear a couple more...i guess i can live without smoothing...but does it affect the weather visuals in ANY way?thanks again.vilk

As Paul says, please just download the documentation and read it. Over time, the facilities and functions of FSUIPC have grown and grown, and if you are seeking a definitive answer to your question, the developers detailed and informative readme files are where you will find it, including pictures. Pete Dowson also has an FSUIPC forum, where you could seek technical explanations. Details again, are in the readme's. But to answer your question: Yes, the weather visuals CAN be impacted by FSUIPC settings, if required. FSUIPC can be used to override or alter many settings in the sim. But almost exclusively in the registered version. The freeware version provides interface compatibility only.Allcott

FSUIPC has a lot of nice features, making it well worth the registration. I consider it essential. I use it primarily with WideFS and ActiveSky 2004.-- WaltRunning FS2004 at 1600x1200x32Intel Pentium 4, 2.0 GHzWindows XP Pro512MB PC800 RDRAM,8100128MB ATI Radeon 9600 ProCATALYST Windows XP 3.10 video driverDirectX 9.0bViewSonic P95f+ 19 inch CRT MonitorSound Blaster Audigy2 ZSCreative I-Trigue 2.1 3300 SpeakersMS ForceFeedback 2 joystick

yessir. my homework did include reading the available documentation. alas, if every program did what it claims it does, this place would not be called earth--it would be called heaven. hence my question.:)i know all i needed to know now, from your replies in the forum and from offline messages. thank you very much for your help.vilk

I consider FSUIPC an absolute essential. I do have the registered version - but even the unregistered one is a great help for such activities as online flying etc.Once you get into the more "exotic" addons it becomes a " must have".I can't say I've ever noticed any difference in performance with or without it - I run at 30fps locked - this drops to around 18-20 in "high-demand" scenery areas. Likethe post above - I'm not a scenery watcher and ,apart from "improved "water and clouds I haven't added very much to the scenery- just the odd thing here and there.Dave

actually, IMHO, the documentation is far too verbose and confusing. It is not very clear what works, what does not, what works in FS9 vs FS2k4 vs 2k2. How all this is works with 3rd party wx generators, what specifically governs (3 party wx gen, FSUIPC, FS wx?), ect. ect...I really wish he would put together something that was platform specific. I have been struggling with this over the last 8 months and have printed and highlighted the manual several timed. I plan on doing it again today to try to bring some clarity to the subject.

my impressions exactly...:)

If anything, I think FSUIPC helps with frame rates as you can use the visibilty settings as a way to control how far the computer has to see. This makes a difference for me in dense airport areas.I also think there are a number of panel add-ons that need the features of FSUIPC to work right.Lee

Hi, three "No!"s from me for version 3.2

thanks... i had to scroll up to see what my high-security cryptographic Q&A system would mean by three no's. :-lol

>my impressions exactly...>:)>If you enter FSUIPC thinking `what does it do` you will be confused. If you enter the documentation thinking `does it do this` you won't, and further advice and guidance is available from the forum, one-on-one. If you enter the documentation thinking `how do I get THIS to work with THIS` then the answer is there, somewhere. Best just take it one step at a time.FSUIPC documentation is not intended as a novel, with a beginning, middle and an end. It is a detailed technical analysis for the detailed technical types, and a guide to facilities and operation for the rest of us. Built over time as those facilities and technical adjustments have become incorporated or enhanced. I don't find any of it confusing at all and I'm a numpty when it comes to the innards of programs. I only need to know to ignore the bits that aren't relevant!As with any tool, it's a good idea to know how to use it properly. But to find out what it does is actually very clear from the documentation, although a lot of what it does has no bearing on a lot of simmers a lot of the time.Allcott

Vilk-No, no, no.I contacted Pete Dowson to beg for a platform specific set of documentation. I find the documentation to be totally confusing as to which version of FSim the various features work with. Pete basically said that virtually ALL the weather related functions have no effect with FS9 and that he would not rewrite the documentation for FS9 specifically as he hated to do documentation.That's it, I guess.Hope this helps.