I'm sure this has been discussed elsewhere but I didn't find this particular topic when I searched. I am wondering if using 32 bit external textures has any effect at all on performance as viewed from the cockpit? I get it that using high resolution textures for the external model will increase loading times when viewing the aircraft from the outside. But having been taught long ago as a student pilot that trying to fly the aircraft while levitating 100 feet outside the cockpit *** is poor airmanship, and probably banned somewhere in the regs, what really matters to me is what I experience when I'm "in the office."Is there anything to gain by using DXT3 textures for the textures when what matters (to me) is what I see from the inside out? (i.e. Would it reduce stuttering, increase FPS, reduce memory leaks, prevent aging or eliminate body odor etc.???)ThanksIan*** Yes, I know Master Yoda would disagree. But I'm no Jedi!!!

I'm not sure if my pathetic attempt at humor convinced people I wasn't serious in asking for help but guys, I really would like an answer on this one. It's hard to believe that nobody out there has addressed this issue....

Simple math, really.DXT3 compression will reduce the filesizes to 1/4 of that of the 32 bit textures.That will reduce the workload on the CPU which should help with performance.As always, YMMV, and the only way to know for sure if it will have any effect on your PC is for you to try it.

Ian,Far as my common sense and experience go: your own aircraft's external textures shouldn't affect performance in VC view. More likely it's AI and other 'outside' texture loading that may have adverse effects while looking out the window. I imagine it hardly matters with fs9 on newer hardware....oh btw, no idea if body odor is affected, I've always smelled fabulous naturally :(

Thanks guys, though as you both give opposite views, I'm as confused as ever! LOL But I have tinkered a bit and other than reducing the loading time when switching to outside views, converting the textures for the paint scheme to DXT3 doesn't seem to give any noticeable benefits. But I'm still open to further information on that. It's not a big issue - none of the aircraft I currently fly has significant performance issues, but every now and then I get some stuttering or slowing down when in VC and I just wondered if that might help. I did find that resizing the textures made me look ten years younger but the BO problem hasn't gone away so looking younger doesn't help me much - women won't come within 50 feet of me anyway...CheersIan

Thanks guys, though as you both give opposite views, I'm as confused as ever! LOL But I have tinkered a bit and other than reducing the loading time when switching to outside views, converting the textures for the paint scheme to DXT3 doesn't seem to give any noticeable benefits. But I'm still open to further information on that. It's not a big issue - none of the aircraft I currently fly has significant performance issues, but every now and then I get some stuttering or slowing down when in VC and I just wondered if that might help. I did find that resizing the textures made me look ten years younger but the BO problem hasn't gone away so looking younger doesn't help me much - women won't come within 50 feet of me anyway...CheersIan

jeez Ian, maybe if you stop wearing the "simmers do it with computers" t-shirt and "simmers do it virtually" hat you would have more luck with the ladies!!! :( you might want to lose the "simmers play with their own joysticks" jacket as well!!! :( Actually, i was hoping to see a serious answer to this as well. Believe it or not I have recently been converting almost all the textures (except AI (DXT1)) from DXT3 to 32 bit and actually think my system is running better with the 32 bit textures! Weird,,,Hopefully others will weigh in as well.In the meantime, I use carnuba wax on the motorcycle and it cleans EVERYTHING, try that with an electric buffer!! :(

jeez Ian, maybe if you stop wearing the "simmers do it with computers" t-shirt and "simmers do it virtually" hat you would have more luck with the ladies!!! :( you might want to lose the "simmers play with their own joysticks" jacket as well!!! :rofl:Actually, i was hoping to see a serious answer to this as well. Believe it or not I have recently been converting almost all the textures (except AI (DXT1)) from DXT3 to 32 bit and actually think my system is running better with the 32 bit textures! Weird,,,Hopefully others will weigh in as well.In the meantime, I use carnuba wax on the motorcycle and it cleans EVERYTHING, try that with an electric buffer!! :(

Ditch the cap, t-shirt AND jacket! Wow, that's going to be tough. But if you say it really will work, I'll give it a try. But I'm not giving in on keeping the pocket protector. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do... :( ps. With the rig you've got, you could probably convert all the textures to 64 bit 3D and it would still run well! B)