I'm interested in improving my frame rates with Ultimate Traffic installed. To accomplish this, I'd like to replace the aircraft models with AI Aardvark models (are there any faster ones?). I'm starting with the most-used planes as AI, and working my way down the list. I actually started this project a long while ago, installing the AIA planes, using UT to reassign the flights to the new plane, etc. - but I'm still looking for an easier way. Here's my question: Is it necessary to replace the liveries/paint schemes when using the AIA models, or can I just rename the AIA model to whatever UT calls it's planes model and go? A few mis-aligned textures won't bug me too much, crashes and poorer performance will. I am inclined to leave well enough alone, as except for big airports like JFK, ORD, ATL, EWR, DEN, etc my frame rate is fine. Short final at ATL is a chore with 100% AI. Is replacing the models really going to help me?Thanks,sg

I was thinking of doing the same thing but for different reasons. I'll let you be the "guinea pig" on this to see how it's done ;)

How about I do boeings and props, you do airbuses and rj's, we'll meet in the middle somewhere? ;)Out of curiosity, what are your reasons?

I am curious too. I would like the better models of AIA and FSP, but I really don't want to waste my time if it won't get my anywhere.

There was another thread not too long ago that discussed this in depth. You might try a search.Todd

You absolutely will have to replace the textures for ANY model you replace with another model. If you do not change the textures you'll be seeing more than a "few mis-aligned textures". With extremely rare exceptions, textures are NOT interchangable between different models even if they are of the same aircraft type.David Rai aardvark

Of course I have searched - all the threads I've found have delt with whether or not it was possible, and if there was an FPS benefit, not whether the UT paints were seemlessly compatible with the AIA models...Thanks though.Best,sg

To add to the want of replacing UT AI traffic, if your anything like myself, I am wanting to see certain effects from AI and was curious if there is a way to add this into my sim using newer models, Things like exhaust while planes taxi... or vapor trails while aircraft land and such... anyone else..... These type addons would help me motivate to change to newer modelsSteve

topic #193339

Thank you, David. That's the answer I expected, certainly a more laborious task to replace all the models and liveries in UT...Best,sg

Actually, if you do manage to replace all the models with AIA, FSP, ARNZ wichever is better then the UT models, you probably shouldnt expect a huge change in perfomance around major hubs and airports.It IS great when ur at smaller airports where framerates can be as much as doubled in my case at least.With KATL as an example, I run with all MRAI schedules and all jets are from the above mentioned models. Only smaller regionals such as Dash'es and MD-80's are from PAI.Now, coming to an airport like ATL or LAX with traffic at 100% i still have a slideshow pretty much maxing out FPS at around 5-10 if no weather is on and I dont spotview directly at the gates lol.With traffic tuned down its % - yes it does give alot better performance so bottom line; FPS suffers mostly from amount of traffic more then what make and model is running.

I may be crazy, but FS9 is finally running awesome again. And I took the time to go through and replace most of the UT models with newer versions from those great freeware ai websites for most of the major airlines, I guess it could have made a difference, or maybe I'm just crazy! who knows?

I concur with your findings. My XP1900 at LAX gives a little better performance but the observation is valid. My replacements are AIA and FS Painter for Airbus models.I will also confirm that the conversion to these frame rate friendly models takes ages but patience pays off.Shez