The bitmap file is erroneous and causes problems. The LWE does not select cloud bitmaps, no weather engine can, that is down to FSX. So its just wrong. FSX takes it upon itself to use the bitmap alpha mask, because that's what it is, a mask, not a cloud image. This mask is too severe and causes the opaque effect looking like a cloud layer.

 

The Low Overcast effect is brought into play when the cloud base is low, it is used to depict true overcast cloud with reduced minimums, so people can pop into/out of the cloud at true minimums, instead of one of the hundred or so FSX bugs, this one drawing the clouds up above 2000 feet when their base is suposed to be 100 feet !

 

So yes, the LWE can depict overcast conditions when you are flying at high level, see our screenshots forum, but we only use the effect for low cloud bases to create true minimums. Have a look at our screenshots forum for some examples.

 

http://www.simforums.com/forums/opus-software-screenshot-forum_forum51&SID=3320137e419d791c2289dcf617a2b5062847222.html

 

Regards

Stephen

My final findings about real overcast and the cloud of doom.

 

At first, the cloud of doom is not a product of the original "cirrus_overcast03.bmp"; it happens only if the REX version of the "cirrus_overcast03.bmp" file is installed. The REX version of this file allows the REX weather engine to place the fog which covers the ground by looking from higher altitudes, without having the cloud of doom, but for the price of loosing at some altitudes the impression of seeing something like clouds. With OPUS, also the ground becomes covered, but also the cloud of doom appears. I think, that is the explanation, why not all user of the OPUS weather engine have the problem with the cloud of doom. Only if REX textures are installed this happens. Also the HDEv2 clouds have its own "cirrus_overcast03.bmp", but also this bmp file is similar to the original one, or the OPUS one; no cover of the ground, by looking from higher altitude and no cloud of doom.

 

May be it could be an idea for the OPUS developers, to give the user the option to decide between both possibilities. Ground not covered by fog, or covered and have the cloud of doom, or by far better to have the ground covered and no cloud of doom effect. AS2012 SP1 does not use this bmp file, because there is no difference, no matter what file is installed.

 

 

By using the OPUS weather engine.

 

By using the OPUS weather engine.