Before I get started, this tweak is for users that doesn't have high end system, like me. My [email protected] can't cope with NGX. I mean it's flyable (from 20 to 30fps) but on finals with AI planes fps tends to go under 20, with lots of stutter. So I tried something simple, and it worked like a charm!

 

This tweak is perfect for VC flyers that doesn't, or rarely use external view (spot view). Even if you are using external views, you can adapt this tweak. If you are very fond to watching and adore fantastic external model of NGX, skip this tweak and enjoy lower fps.

 

So, I simply copied external model of default 737-800 (B737_800.mdl) to the model folder of PMDG 737-800NGX.

Then I edited PMDG's model.cfg to look like this:

 

[models]
normal=B737_800
interior=PMDG_737_900_VC_LOW

 

Reloaded the plane, and voilla, FPS better by 20% at least! And flight is much smoother, without stutters. Oh yes, VAS usage is lower also! NGX is using only 400mb with this tweak.

 

If you copied only the external model, you'll get completely black model in FSX, because the model is not linked with any textures. Follow these steps to obtain textures for external model:

 

- from B737-800 default folder copy "texture.1" (or any other texture.x folder) folder to PMDG 737-800NGX folder.

- copy "texture.cfg" file from "texture.pmdg" folder to "texture.x" folder and overwrite.

- open aircraft.cfg for PMDG 737-800NGX and find this line:

 

[fltsim.0]
title=Boeing 737-800NGX PMDG House
sim=B737-800
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=pmdg
...
...

 

- change it to texture=1 (in my case texture.1 folder I copied)

 

That's it! Test it and report back.

 

There are few drawbacks though. The light effect (strobe, landing, etc) is not visible from external view, and the model position on ground is slightly off. But who cares, I can fly this beauty now.

 

Also I'm quite aware that probably I didn't found gold, it is probably an old tweak. But I'm stunned by fps gain, and how simple it is to implement it.

"VAS=400 with this tweak"....how much is it normally?

Sure sounds good for users, but not sure how much PMDG is going to like you modifying their product in any way that will change the original product (as stated in EULA)

 

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

 

 

I remember someone said that NGX

is using about 700mb of VAS.

 

 

Sent from my U8815 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

What a creative way to think outside the box!   This would have been a great find for me before my current build and I'm sure as things get increasingly more complex even current hardware will begin to buckle a little so will need to remember your handiwork.  Thanks!

Sure sounds good for users, but not sure how much PMDG is going to like you modifying their product in any way that will change the original product (as stated in EULA)

 

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

I'm modifying it for myself. I didn't upload any modification here. I bought the plane so I can modify it to the extremes for my own needs.

 

Sent from my U8815 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

Nice suggestion that I will try.

As I have a real size 2/3 cockpit and do not use external views every fps I could gain is very welcome.

Even easier, just comment // out the exterior model.

 

[models]

//normal=(insert name here)

 

Then you will have no exterior at all, but plane will still fly the same.

 

Btw, putting no model or a low poly model wont effect performance at all when in the VC. When your in the VC the exterior model unloads from memory, so it wont improve performance at all in the VC.

 

This has already been covered by Ryan at PMDG a while ago when asked about this.

 

It did work in Fs9 because the VC and exterior model were all pary of the same one model. In FSX the models for VC and exterior are two seperate models.

Even easier, just comment // out the exterior model.

 

[models]

//normal=(insert name here)

 

Then you will have no exterior at all, but plane will still fly the same.

 

Btw, putting no model or a low poly model wont effect performance at all when in the VC. When your in the VC the exterior model unloads from memory, so it wont improve performance at all in the VC.

 

This has already been covered by Ryan at PMDG a while ago when asked about this.

 

It did work in Fs9 because the VC and exterior model were all pary of the same one model. In FSX the models for VC and exterior are two seperate models.

 

I thoght about putting // (no model) but I like to have some exterior model just for reference.

Maybe you are right about VC and exterior model, but with this tweak fps in the NGX VC went from 29 to 35. So the tweak seems legit.

Hmm I wonder if replacing the external model could be that easy with some other addon aircraft too too? There are a couple of birds with really nice VC and all but very ugly external model...

Although Jim's is logically correct, that with FSX, when you are in the VC, the exterior model is not loaded, I personally completely removed the exterior model in the Carenado SR22, when it was first released and had abysmal FPS, and it made a striking difference to frame rates. (17 FPS > 30 FPS).

 

So yes, removing external models certainly does seem to lead to a frame rate increase when in the VC - although quite how, I'm not sure!

Maybe this could be posted on the PMDG forum, so that the developers can explain why this happens?

This tweak ignited a spark in me, now I want to replace an external model of Airbus X Extended and Majestic Q 400. I bought only these three complex airliners so far, so I can't test further.

Wow, this sounds like fun and possibly hopeful.

I could try this on everything. Where do I find these entries? Say Carenado, Realair, I could experiment a little bit.

 

Bob

Entries are in a model.cfg file located in a model subfolder of any plane you have. Check my first post for a bit detailed explanation.