I think every evening during week, you can get almost a complete Europe-coverage on Vatsim. But since it's a long time i couldn't go online i am not sure about the actual situation. I had the impression that the amount of users on Vatsim is smaller than a few years ago, don't know why (except for the 64Bit-XP-users).

Hi Luis,

 

I liked the FF777 but my new love is the PMDG T7. I encourage FF and Philipp Muenzel and Austin Meyer and his team. I want them to succeed, and to prosper. That said, until the 'big boys' (Orbx, Rex, FSDreamteam, FlightBeam Studios, etc, come to the party, I am afraid that XPlane will develop, albeit quite slowly. The size of their programming team is rather small, and making quantum leaps in the entire flight 'world' (not just one specific flight 'region') is a Herculean task, even for dev teams that are bankrolled by Microsoft.

 

Meanwhile, I enjoy both platforms, though I have recently discovered that a fresh clean install of FSX with only specific pieces put back on is the secret of smoother frames.

I'm pondering a clean install and I'm also loving the PMDG T7

I think every evening during week, you can get almost a complete Europe-coverage on Vatsim. But since it's a long time i couldn't go online i am not sure about the actual situation. I had the impression that the amount of users on Vatsim is smaller than a few years ago, don't know why (except for the 64Bit-XP-users).

 

At the risk of being accused of promoting PilotEdge, I will say that some VATSIM pilots, while grateful for the fact that VATSIM is (and always has been) 'free of charge' are beginning to regret the unexpected and sudden departure of Vatsim controllers with only about a 5-minute warning and being shoved over to Unicom 122.8.  There simply is NO WAY in the real world that any regional air traffic control center in the USA would suddenly go off-air unless there was some kind of major electronics failure.

 

If we are going to be brutally honest, it's frustrating.  To have the controllers suddenly quit on you after you just spent 30 minutes planning your route, loading your fuel, programming your FMC and starting your plane from cold and dark only to discover on VATSPY that your control area is 100% void of any control at all,  Clearance/Ground/Tower/Departure/Center?  NONE of them?  Really?

 

Many is the time mid-day Pacific time in the USA when NO ATC is running on VATSIM anywhere in the entire country.

 

Buzz killer?  ya THINK?

 

The opposite case is PilotEdge.  Open 15 hours x 7 days/week less 2 major holidays... all of this for $15 a month (I know 50 cents a day is a HUGE expense, huh?) based on annual rate, or you can fly "per hour".

 

Recently PilotEdge opened KSFO (San Francisco) so it is now possible to fly from San Diego to San Francisco or from KSFO to Las Vegas, a small example of what's possible with end-to-end ATC on PilotEdge.  Also, Pilot Edge offers 64-bit working ATC client for XPlane 10, which is HUGE for that crowd.  Since some of the airplanes being released in XPlane are 64-bit ONLY, the ongoing never-ending lack of a 64-bit VATSIM/IVAO client for XPlane is hurting immersion.  Enter PilotEdge!

 

Since returning to FSX from XPlane 10- I can say that VATSIM is "OK" but I -strongly- wish that the Virtual Airlines (example American Airlines) would accept online flight data from BOTH  Vatsim and PilotEdge.  If given a free choice, I would vote for end-to-end every time, because I am totally sick and tired of pilots who can't pay attention (much less pay rent) to their radar screens and insist on near-collisions or worse on Vatsim.

 

With PilotEdge, you always have your controller keeping a keen eye out for RA issues within their airspace.

 

Freedom of choice made our country what it is.  I say let's honor that tradition and give VA pilots the same choice of ATC services in terms of "for-credit" flight hours.  I am well aware of the long historical hegemony between assorted VA's and VAtsim.  However time marches on.  What worked in the past may need to be reevaluated in terms of options available in the present.

fly both Sims:

 

FSX/P3D during the day (FSX/P3D is too ugly at night even with FTXG)

 

XPlane10 for night flights.

 

Problem Solved :lol:

 

 

I'm pondering a clean install and I'm also loving the PMDG T7

 

Hi Luis-

 

Nothing wrong with that idea, I can share with you!  HIGHLY recommended suggestive tips:

 

* Invest in top-notch backup software, something like Acronis True Image 2014

* TURN OFF all your anti-virus software completely and your firewall during the rebuild!

* After installing each new piece of your reinstall of FSX, perform an INCREMENTAL backup.  What you are doing is allowing yourself to be able to go backwards to a prior 'working' flight deck using Acronis True Image RESTORE function.

* Make sure you do the FSX reinstall with a "clean" Windows 7 boot (In the RUN box, type MS Config, select SERVICES tab, click "Hide all Microsoft Services" then click "disable all" to disable all NON-Microsoft services.  Click OK then APPLY.  When asked to REBOOT say YES.

* After rebooting, check that you have all the correct versions of Microsoft .NET installed, up to and including .NET 3.5 and 4.5.  DO NOT use the dot "Preview Edition 4.5.1".

* Visit the online stores where you bought your add-ons and download the latest version of your aircraft, scenery (example payware airports, Orbx Textures), and utilities.  I recommend NOT installing GEX (replaced by Orbx FTX Global) or UTX (Ultimate Terrain X, soon to be superseded by ORBX VECTOR, releasing late October 2013).  Be extremely careful with ORBX, they just released their very latest LIBRARY of terrains on 9 Sep 2013.  Do not mistake your old "saved" Orbx Library (from 2011) for the 2013 version - if you do and you "double install" the SAME library twice- you will create a Duplicate Terrain Index crash message.  Getting latest versions of all your payware is simple, the online stores save your purchase data and will generally provide links to permit redownloading.
* TakeOwnership - a free utility on the web.  Allows you to "own" your entire FSX directory and every folder beneath it.  Eliminates "READ ONLY" problems.  I also ran this on the AppData hidden folders (C:\USERNAME\AppData) you must set Windows Explorer to "show hidden files and folders" to see AppData.  Run TakeOwnership on all applicable AppData folders that pertain to FSX and add-ons for FSX.

* After you have completely finished your FSX rebuilt, once again type MSCONFIG and then click on GENERAL tab, then Normal Startup radio button, then OK then APPLY and say yes when asked to restart Windows.  This turns on all of your other MS services. 

NOTE:  Acronis True Image won't run while your PC is in "clean boot" mode.  So you cannot record image/backups until you put it back to Normal Startup in MSCONFIG and then restart/reboot.

In fact i only began a few weeks ago to hear about this "PilotEdge". A quick look at the homepage seem that they are only covering some small parts of the world. Only California? So i think it would not be an alternative for me. And only 6 pilots online right now...so really not an alternative for me.

In fact i only began a few weeks ago to hear about this "PilotEdge". A quick look at the homepage seem that they are only covering some small parts of the world. Only California? So i think it would not be an alternative for me. And only 6 pilots online right now...so really not an alternative for me.

 

Yes, that is the 'knock' on PE- their limited area (Southern California plus San Francisco).  On the other hand, once you 'get used' to their service, it is VERY hard to let go of it and go back to UNICOM.  

How good is their service?  It meets FAA certification for real-world commercial pilots, their clients include the US Military and some big corporate players (like Gulfstream), plus flight schools and some private pilots as well.  Can you fly them free for like 14 days without a credit card?  YES.  Should you at least try a demo flight?  HIGHLY recommended.

 

If you are wanting to learn how to fly with Air Traffic Control and have the closest possible match up to the real world, you want to at least take a few 'free of charge' flights on PilotEdge, then decide if the tremendous immersion level is worth the very small cost. 

 

I think a lot of pilots are intimidated by the thought of a controller on the other end of your headset, but PilotEdge by and large works WITH you to make you a better pilot instead of hounding you or embarrassing you.  On Vatsim, I have encountered both types of controllers, the helpful and the sarcastic.  Overall they are in the main cordial and polite.  Being only human, at times any controller will get upset with a pilot who is perceived to be "phoning it in" (meaning you're watching TV, checking email, or doing other stuff instead of watching your AIRPLANE).  

 

If you're going to use ATC, have the courtesy to pay attention to what your plane is doing.  

Hi Robert

 

Thanks for the informations about PilotEdge. In fact i must say, that i am not even interested in using live controller via voice. I prefer by chat/text. What i like is to fly airliners and i really appreciate when there is a lot of traffic around. The best are the "cross the Ponds"-events.

 

Otherwise i would have done my private licence a long time ago i guess ;-)

 

cheers

F.

Hi Luis-

 

Nothing wrong with that idea, I can share with you!  HIGHLY recommended suggestive tips:

 

* Invest in top-notch backup software, something like Acronis True Image 2014

* TURN OFF all your anti-virus software completely and your firewall during the rebuild!

* After installing each new piece of your reinstall of FSX, perform an INCREMENTAL backup.  What you are doing is allowing yourself to be able to go backwards to a prior 'working' flight deck using Acronis True Image RESTORE function.

* Make sure you do the FSX reinstall with a "clean" Windows 7 boot (In the RUN box, type MS Config, select SERVICES tab, click "Hide all Microsoft Services" then click "disable all" to disable all NON-Microsoft services.  Click OK then APPLY.  When asked to REBOOT say YES.

* After rebooting, check that you have all the correct versions of Microsoft .NET installed, up to and including .NET 3.5 and 4.5.  DO NOT use the dot "Preview Edition 4.5.1".

* Visit the online stores where you bought your add-ons and download the latest version of your aircraft, scenery (example payware airports, Orbx Textures), and utilities.  I recommend NOT installing GEX (replaced by Orbx FTX Global) or UTX (Ultimate Terrain X, soon to be superseded by ORBX VECTOR, releasing late October 2013).  Be extremely careful with ORBX, they just released their very latest LIBRARY of terrains on 9 Sep 2013.  Do not mistake your old "saved" Orbx Library (from 2011) for the 2013 version - if you do and you "double install" the SAME library twice- you will create a Duplicate Terrain Index crash message.  Getting latest versions of all your payware is simple, the online stores save your purchase data and will generally provide links to permit redownloading.

* TakeOwnership - a free utility on the web.  Allows you to "own" your entire FSX directory and every folder beneath it.  Eliminates "READ ONLY" problems.  I also ran this on the AppData hidden folders (C:\USERNAME\AppData) you must set Windows Explorer to "show hidden files and folders" to see AppData.  Run TakeOwnership on all applicable AppData folders that pertain to FSX and add-ons for FSX.

* After you have completely finished your FSX rebuilt, once again type MSCONFIG and then click on GENERAL tab, then Normal Startup radio button, then OK then APPLY and say yes when asked to restart Windows.  This turns on all of your other MS services. 

NOTE:  Acronis True Image won't run while your PC is in "clean boot" mode.  So you cannot record image/backups until you put it back to Normal Startup in MSCONFIG and then restart/reboot.

Thanks for all the great tips!

Thanks for all the great tips!

 

Hi Luis- I added a couple of minor refinements:

 

Nothing wrong with that idea, I can share with you!  HIGHLY recommended suggestive tips:

 

* Before you reinstall, make sure you have wiped all vestiges of FSX from your system.  Be sure to look in the hidden AppData directory beneath C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Microsoft for folders from PMDG, FSX, and other add-ons.  Delete all of those too.

 

* Invest in top-notch backup software, something like Acronis True Image 2014

 

* TURN OFF all your anti-virus software completely and your firewall during the rebuild!

 

* After installing each new piece of your reinstall of FSX, perform an INCREMENTAL backup.  What you are doing is allowing yourself to be able to go backwards to a prior 'working' flight deck using Acronis True Image RESTORE function.

 

* Make sure you do the FSX reinstall with a "clean" Windows 7 boot (In the RUN box, type MS Config, select SERVICES tab, click "Hide all Microsoft Services" then click "disable all" to disable all NON-Microsoft services.  Click OK then APPLY.  When asked to REBOOT say YES.

 

* After rebooting, check that you have all the correct versions of Microsoft .NET installed, up to and including .NET 3.5 and 4.5.  DO NOT use the dot "Preview Edition 4.5.1".

 

* Visit the online stores where you bought your add-ons and download the latest version of your aircraft, scenery (example payware airports, Orbx Textures), and utilities.  I recommend NOT installing GEX (replaced by Orbx FTX Global) or UTX (Ultimate Terrain X, soon to be superseded by ORBX VECTOR, releasing late October 2013).  Be extremely careful with ORBX, they just released their very latest LIBRARY of terrains in September 2013.  

 

Do not mistake your old "saved" Orbx Library (from 2011) for the 2013 version - if you do and you "double install" the SAME library twice- you will create a Duplicate Terrain Index crash message.

 

Getting latest versions of all your payware is simple, the online stores save your purchase data and will generally provide links to permit re-downloading.  You may need to email them to explain why you need their help.  A fresh recent download 'today' will generally get you the product with the latest patches and service packs already included - a real bonus and time-saver!

 

* Obtain and install TakeOwnership - a free utility on the web.  Adds a "TakeOwnership" function to your Windows File Explorer right-click menu that allows you to "own" your entire FSX directory and every folder beneath it.  

 

TakeOwnership eliminates "READ ONLY" problems and PERMISSIONS ISSUES.  If you use the right-mouse-click it is an automatic process and doesn't force you to issue complex command-line switch commands to drill down through all the subfolders in the parent directory.

 

I also ran TakeOwnership on each of the AppData hidden folders that are specific to FSX and/or FSX add-ons (like PMDG).  

 

(C:\USERNAME\AppData) you must set Windows Explorer to "show hidden files and folders" to see AppData.  Right-mouse-click and choose TakeOwnership on all applicable AppData folders that pertain to FSX and add-ons for FSX.

 

* After you have completely finished your FSX rebuild, once again type MSCONFIG and then click on GENERAL tab, then Normal Startup radio button, then OK then APPLY and say yes when asked to restart Windows.  This turns on all of your other NON-MS services. 

NOTE:  Acronis True Image won't run while your PC is in "clean boot" mode.  So you cannot record image/backups until you put it back to Normal Startup in MSCONFIG and then restart/reboot.

 

Biggest cause of stutters:

 

I use Bufferpools=0 in my FSX.cfg file.  I have a fast CPU and GPU.  Seems to work better on my box than having a set figure for bufferpools.

 

Go EASY on the anti-aliasing settings.  Most users tend to want the cleanest and sharpest image, and kill performance by essentially over-processing the video signal.  On my system, run a single display 2042x1080.  I use the adaptive v-sync refresh rate 1/2 monitor rate, and have frames locked to 30 inside FSX itself.  Go easy on the detail sliders within FSX itself.

 

Hints re: ORBX

 

1- purchase and install ORBX FTX-Global.  For $99, this program eliminates default FSX textures.  Overall scenery to ME looks better with ORBX.  Be sure you have the 1.10 patch installed.  Check this by starting FTX Central click across the top menu REPORTS, installed programs.

 

Always get your ORBX downloads from ORBX support page.  Download via their cloud server is recommended.

 

2- If you own ORBX regions, like Pacific Northwest Blue, you may install them as well.

 

3- Get the _2013_ Sept 9th Texture library and install it AFTER you have finished all your ORBX product installs.  be sure the file name starts with 13 (example 130927).  If you bought and downloaded Orbx products some time back, you likely have OLDER libraries saved on your drive (starting with 11...) for 2011 or other year of release.  Never run those older library installers after installing your ORBX products.  Go online and get the Sept 2013 or newer library and run THAT -last-.  Do not run the library installer more than once.

 

I had good luck with ******* Bojote's fsx.cfg tweak page for FSX.  Although ******* may try to push "BufferPools" settings on you, it worked best for me with BufferPools off (BufferPools=0) in FSX.cfg.

 

I would NOT put UTX back on, nor GEX, if you own Orbx FTX-Global.

 

If you install regions (example Orbx PNW Blue) on top of Orbx FTX Global, after you are finished, start FTX Central, select Orbx GLOBAL as your scenery of choice and put a tick mark in the HYBRID check box.  Note:  Hybrid mode ONLY appears if you have ORBX global plus other Orbx regions installed.

 

Purpose of HYBRID mode:  So during flight your scenery will auto-switch to the higher-detailed specific regions (Example PNW Blue) in lieu of the FTX Global base level textures) -without user intervention within the FTX Central User Interface-.  The goal is to make it seamless and simple to fly without the user constantly switching terrain maps in FTX Central between "Global" and any add-on "Regions".

 

I don't use the VECTOR LIGHTS tick box, I'm trying to max my frames.  This is your choice.  The Vector lights box is in FTX Central along with "Hybrid".

 

Within FSX, I shut off vehicles (a true frames hog), boats, ships, etc.

 

Fly Safe.

Hi Robert

 

I think this thread is about X-Plane...perhaps you can give such installation-details of the FSX via private messages? Thanks for your comprehension.

 

Other thing, I received a message from Philipp and can confirm:

 

- LR is still working hard on XP 10.30

- maybe there will be a first intermediate 10.25-version. The decision about it should be taken very soon.

- otherwise the stuff planned for 10.25 will appear in the "bigger" 10.30-version

- there are currently no problems or something that should delay the next release

- one of the new stuff will be: new autogen, city-textures and dsf that should improve big cities

 

Cheers

F.

Yeah, I agree with Mario. I also always understood it to be only something to prevent the memory-crashes (RAM limitations of 32Bit) and i read a few times that we shouldn't expect any impact on the framerates.

 

In fact, the impact on framerates (mostly the huge one when using HDR) is another thing that has to be improved by LR.

 

Talking about P3D and FSX: if i remember what was written about it, the further developpment of FSX has been stopped by MS, right? And its licence for developping it has been transfered to p3d, is this correct? But since FSX is being maintained "artificially" alive, am i right, that X-Plane is the only real alternative for FSX-users, even when not for everyone of them right now, but at least in the future? Or did i perhaps missed something?

 

 

P3D is being actively developed and is available for anyone to buy, so not sure what you mean.  

 

 

LR is still working hard on XP 10.30

- maybe there will be a first intermediate 10.25-version. The decision about it should be taken very soon.

- otherwise the stuff planned for 10.25 will appear in the "bigger" 10.30-version

- there are currently no problems or something that should delay the next release

- one of the new stuff will be: new autogen, city-textures and dsf that should improve big cities

 

 

Those are good news, thx for sharing Franz!

P3D is being actively developed and is available for anyone to buy, so not sure what you mean.  

Yes of course there is P3D. But i was not sure about it's signification nowadays. Why for example do the not develop it to 64bit? So it sounds to me like there isn't a lot of potential. But i may be wrong of course.

Hi Robert

 

I think this thread is about X-Plane...perhaps you can give such installation-details of the FSX via private messages? Thanks for your comprehension.

 

Other thing, I received a message from Philipp and can confirm:

 

- LR is still working hard on XP 10.30

- maybe there will be a first intermediate 10.25-version. The decision about it should be taken very soon.

- otherwise the stuff planned for 10.25 will appear in the "bigger" 10.30-version

- there are currently no problems or something that should delay the next release

- one of the new stuff will be: new autogen, city-textures and dsf that should improve big cities

 

Cheers

F.

 

Add to this a quite big update on terrain textures and some new terrain types (which my new HD Mesh Scenery v2 will actively use ... and all other DSF re-cuts too).

 

The reason for a potential 10.25 is to have an "early" artwork roll-out  (which doesn't mean code changes etc.), while a 10.30 - with all the code changes - will need a longer beta phase (just as with all larger versions).