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

It was as I mentioned Ryan addresses it.

 

I actually tried it a few years ago in the LDS767 and didn't see any performance gain. I admit that I haven't tried it in the NGX or T7, unless something changed in their newer creations it should still hold true.

 

I may give it a shot just for kicks with the NGX and T7 just to see for myself. The only way it should work is if somehow the external models aren't being released from memory when you switch back to VC.

 The only way it should work is if somehow the external models aren't being released from memory when you switch back to VC.

 

This may well be the case.

 

It is also worth pointing out (in general) that although there's a lot of focus on the PMDG aircraft in this thread, the idea of removing (or replacing) external models is in no way specific to PMDG aircraft.   You can try it on any aircraft.

 

Simply browse to the aircraft's main folder within C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes, and go into the Model directory.

 

In the Model directory, open up Model.cfg and place '//' (two forward slashes) in front of the line that begins with 'normal='

 

for example, with the Airbus X Extended, change this:-

 

[models]

normal=A320_EXT_V2_CFM

interior=A320_VC_EXTENDED

 

to this ;-

 

[models]

//normal=A320_EXT_V2_CFM

interior=A320_VC_EXTENDED

 

 

Sorry to say this.. i'm not a troll and my intention is not to do any critics to this "tweak", sure it can have its benefits and can be very good for some users, i respect that. But.... seriously... i will not pay for a very expensive and fantastic plane, and then do this, its just.... not right.

 

Sent From My Galaxy S4

 

 

I'm thinking that too Paul, it's just not right to pay 70 bucks for a plane and be utterly dissapointed by the perfomance after loading it. I bought this plane 18 months ago, and I didn't expected even in my wildest dreams that I must have a "beast" of a machine to push it, i7 @ 4ghz or better. This tweak allows users with mid-range PC's to enjoy this plane, or to try to enjoy it with few more frames, and  most likely without stutters.

 

It's easy for you to say something like that with your machine mate. For us mid-range guys there is only one mission - timeless search for frames, even if we must replace external model.

 

And don't forget that pilots are flying that thingy from the cockpit, they even don't look at the wingtips.

That's why I'm strongly against some fancy external model, with detailed cabin and stuff, completely useless waste of resources. Ok, I love to look at the detailed model, but ONLY when playing FSRecorder replays.

Some developers included the option to disable detailed exterior, and other developers should follow that. Developers must attract wider audience, not every simmer have i5 or i7 you know. :rolleyes:

It could be argued that it's equally 'not right' to buy a simulator created by one of the world's most successful software corporations, and to 'tweak' it's internal settings... :wink:

 

Now who around here hasn't done that, to at least some degree..... 

 

Each to their own.    I'm just having some fun with this at the moment;   I just 'merged' the Airbus Extended's VC with the feelThere A330-300 external model. :lol: ..... Of course, I use the word 'merge' in inverted commas because it's not truly merged; it will fly exactly like a A320, not a A330, but on the outside view, I have a perfectly formed A330 in Brussels Airlines colours... nice.   The wheels are 2 meters dug into the tarmac though, as the contact points are wrong  :smile:

Dave, did you experienced fps gain after merge? I want to fiddle with my Airbus X Extended, but I unistalled it for good couple of months ago, too hard on frames on my system.

 

This may well be the case.

 

It is also worth pointing out (in general) that although there's a lot of focus on the PMDG aircraft in this thread, the idea of removing (or replacing) external models is in no way specific to PMDG aircraft. You can try it on any aircraft.

 

Simply browse to the aircraft's main folder within C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes, and go into the Model directory.

 

In the Model directory, open up Model.cfg and place '//' (two forward slashes) in front of the line that begins with 'normal='

 

for example, with the Airbus X Extended, change this:-

 

[models]

normal=A320_EXT_V2_CFM

interior=A320_VC_EXTENDED

 

to this ;-

 

 

[models]

//normal=A320_EXT_V2_CFM

interior=A320_VC_EXTENDED

 

 

Yeah I know, mentioned it already in my first post.

 

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.

 

 

 

Now who around here hasn't done that, to at least some degree..... 

 

I never have tweaked FSX.

 

Well, the only tweak I ever did was:

 

As_Real_As_Its_Gets=1

 

Well, then I added:

 

Fly_As_In_Real_Life=1 

 

Which then forced me to use:

 

Super_Real_Crash_effects_You_Can_Feel=0 //<--this means off (no more trips to emergency or the plastic surgeon)

 

Interesting thread, thanks for posting.

Hmmm I have MyTraffic X, and it has a massive model database, so at the some point I will create the Frankenplane.

Nice hint to us, model designers. Why would we bother making complex external models if the customer will replace them with default aircraft ?

 

We will think about a new packge: "Majestic Q400 Cube Edition" (the external visual model is a cube)

Nice hint to us, model designers. Why would we bother making complex external models if the customer will replace them with default aircraft ?

 

We will think about a new packge: "Majestic Q400 Cube Edition" (the external visual model is a cube)

 

Why? Because 95% of simmers will use your complex external model.

Don't pay attention to us frame seekers, we are irrelevant.

Yeah I know, mentioned it already in my first post.

 

 

It wasn't aimed at you.   It was a summary, including the file paths.........

 

 

========================================

 

More generally;

 

As Pe11e has said, removing external models to test or mess around shouldn't be the cause of upset or over-sensitivity. It's just another form of tweaking, that it has to be said, has very little overall usage but nevertheless, it can be useful for example to do some tests to see if an external model is the cause of an FPS drop or other issues.

 

.....just as in FS9 days, some users removed VCs, if they did not use or value them.

 

I don't think anyone is suggesting everyone remove their external models, or that such a practice would catch on!

Exactly Dave.

 

Anyway, tried to replace Airbus X Extended external model with PA one, and I don't see the difference. Apparently Aerosoft did an awesome job with an external model optimising, and a poor job optimising systems/displays and generally VC perfomance. I say poor because AXE runs worse than NGX without tweaks on my machine. Shame.

I'm not doubting the effectiveness of this tweak but simply trying to understand exactly what's happening to give better performance. Here's where I'm confused: when I fly the NGX or the T7 my fps always jumps by 5-8 when I go from VC to external (Spot) view. Returning to the VC always reduces fps by the same amount. VC has always been the fps-eater for me, not external view. Can anyone explain then how eliminating the external model leads to increased fps?

 

Thanks.

Just checked with T7, disabling external model will give about 6 fps extra.

I think i like it ...