I noticed a big hit on frames yesterday as well using Opus. It was snowing out and my frames were cut in half. I did have volumetric fog enables, so I'll go home tonight and try it again with that option off. 

 

Good info guys...

Jeroen.

The golden rule (although not understood by many simmers) is to tune the software to the capabilities of your current hardware, not as you are currently doing, the other way round. I am waiting to see how you react when you upgrade your video card, only because I know that obvious smile will return once again.

I too am hoping the video card will bring back the smile

I'm also seeing the rotating clouds. Shot some video of it. Both with opus weather and orbx weather theme.

 

 

I've tried deleting the shader cache, and indeed the whole package, but the cumulus1 texture remains far flatter looking, and more noticeably spinning than in FSX - which they do in FSX too. The texture is exactly the same as that used in FSX and changing it for another, such as REX also has no effect. I've seen some P3Dv2 vids showing the same thing, so its not just two or three people, maybe they simply have not noticed - it took me a while. If it is a local issue that would be great, as it is the main thing that bugs me with P3D thus far.

 

 

 

I'm also seeing the rotating clouds. Shot some video of it. Both with opus weather and orbx weather theme.

 

I'm actually quite relieved that others are having the same issue.  I'm not sure that it's related to the one cumulus texture - I seemed to notice stratus textures rotating as well.  The cirrus textures are unaffected from what I could tell.  Again, it would be great if anyone having this issue posts over on the LM link I gave - bringing it to LM's attention would be great, as they have yet to acknowledge the thread.

Is the swirling clouds issue the same one that happens in FSX.  If so, there is a workaround for it, but not having P3D yet, it's not possible for me to verify if it is the same.

Same scenario here and my "older" rig runs this fine. I do NOT use REX or AS2012 clouds. Numerous threads on performance degradation when using those textures in V2. 

 

 

Is the swirling clouds issue the same one that happens in FSX. If so, there is a workaround for it, but not having P3D yet, it's not possible for me to verify if it is the same.

 

What's the workaround?  At this point I'd be glad to try anything!

What's the workaround?  At this point I'd be glad to try anything!

 

Let me look it up in my big notebook of fsx, and will re-edit

My apologies.  I remembered that years ago I had applied a fix called "swirlcloud fix."  Upon further research, the actual fix was known as the "Swarm Cloud Fix" and it has to do with Cloud Flashing, not Cloud Swirling.  Swirl, Swarm, so many darned tweaks over the years for FSX that I just got confused!

 

Nevertheless, here is the link for somebody to review, to see if it has any bearing on what you are experiencing, or it might help give somebody an idea. http://sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?1308-Fix-for-flashing-clouds.  (I doubt it has any relevance, but who knows)

Is the swirling clouds issue the same one that happens in FSX.  If so, there is a workaround for it, but not having P3D yet, it's not possible for me to verify if it is the same.

 

The clouds in both FSX and P3D are flat bitmap images, and they rotate to face you viewpoint, however, in P3D the effect is far more extreme, as if the way the clouds are rendered has changed. I have just this evening reinstalled FSX and with no changes, or fixes/workarounds whatsoever I do not see spinning in the same manner. Yes, its there, but its very subtle by comparison to P3D. I'm finding getting a realistic cloud structure almost impossible compared to what I can do in FSX and performance is greatly hampered too.

My apologies.  I remembered that years ago I had applied a fix called "swirlcloud fix."  Upon further research, the actual fix was known as the "Swarm Cloud Fix" and it has to do with Cloud Flashing, not Cloud Swirling.  Swirl, Swarm, so many darned tweaks over the years for FSX that I just got confused!

 

Nevertheless, here is the link for somebody to review, to see if it has any bearing on what you are experiencing, or it might help give somebody an idea. http://sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?1308-Fix-for-flashing-clouds.  (I doubt it has any relevance, but who knows)

 

Thanks for looking that up.  It doesn't sound like the issue I've encountered, but it might be worth looking at further!

 

 

Jeroen. I really have enjoyed your posts but feel that you are falling into the "ever there" trap that so many of us fall into. You are pushing all the sliders right and your current hardware cannot keep up. Furthermore you cannot keep up and your disappointment is starting to take over 

 

Well, I indeed tried to see how far I could push my hardware, that's for sure.  ^_^ But I didn't simply put all sliders right. I really actually tested various settings and came up with a setup that worked great! But then I started to simply fly and discovered that my testing method is a bit flawed. Actually, you shouldn't test: you should simply fly. 

 

When you test, (the way I do it, but I also read others do it like this) you often have a few saved flights. You load them, check and compare performance, and then come to a certain setup. However, you usually test various settings for a few minutes and so you never ever get into situations you will encounter when actually flying. 

 

The first thing I found out after my initial test was that while a certain performance 'on the edge' is great while testing a few minutes, is not so great when flying for an hour. It gets annoying. So I lowered various settings.

 

Then you discover adding add ons has more influence than expected. So you lower a few settings. Or you suddenly have to start fighting OOM's.  ^_^

 

Then you run into problems you can't explain, like the one in this topic: when you read others are having no problems with clouds you start wondering why you do have them. And in this case it wasn't a simple matter of lowering settings. I did lower various settings but the problem remained until Alan told me EXACTLY which settings was causing problems! The fun thing is that I now can raise a few settings again.  ^_^

 

But in the end, you are right, of course. But I am sure EVERYONE tries to get the most out of their hardware! I now have settled for FSX+, meaning things are now a lot like FSX used to look on my PC, so none of the fancy DX11 stuff is actually doing something, but I do have autogen as fas as the eye can see and performance is smooth and far more steady as in FSX. I will also ONLY use fully compatible and supported add ons (so no more A2A C172 for now). I am slightly disappointed because I was hoping for more but I finally realize I should be happy with what I've got because things HAVE improved compared to FSX! And who knows, maybe a new GPU might enable me to enjoy a few more DX11 candy.

 

Anyway, I am really looking forward to this evening because now this cloud problem has been solved, I know I will be able to fly in Norway this evening with great scenery and totally smooth performance using an okay plane (defaul Maule or maybe the A36). I'm already smiling again. 

The Maule is terrible, The A36 is the only option really.

Because you only fly low and slow, there is never a need for you to have cloud draw any more than 60 miles. 120miles is for FL42. Really no need.

Intresting about the 172 have you posted this over at A2A?

 

Volumetric fog OFF, shadows OFF, O dear. Well it has only just come out.

 

I was looking at the config file and it had a line something like No_autogen_pop_1. I think I will try that in fsx, now that would be funny if it worked

The Maule is terrible, The A36 is the only option really.

Because you only fly low and slow, there is never a need for you to have cloud dry any more than 60 miles. 120miles is for FL42. Really no need.

Intresting about the 172 have you posted this over at A2A?

 

Volumetric fog OFF, shadows OFF, O dear. Well it has only just come out.

 

Yeah, the Maule isn't too good but I like the view out of it. The A36 is indeed the only better option (I just checked if my own Carenado planes are P3D compatible and of course they're not) so the A36 will probably be my default plane for now. (BTW Doesn't that GPS have a map mode…?!) And yes, I posted about all this on the A2A forum but they don't seem too interested. They only said their planes are FSX and P3D 1.4 compatible and the future will tell if that will change. I think it will.

 

Yes, a lot OFF here… but at least we got support, commitment and a future.

I never have problems with any fs installation going back to fs5. For me, great graphics, no oom, no problems with lots of clouds. Great frame rates.I think there is one thing different about me. I don't spend all day fidgeting with settings and tweaks. Once installed I set everything on high - not max - with no veg or building shadows as I have a GeForce 6600ti and not a top of the range card. Flew around a bit and everything looked good and I have not touched the settings since.

 

Done about 10 flights, each around 3-4 hours to major cities in the 757 freenium and Thomas Ruth planes and it's been superb. I am using Rex and ftx global.

 

In these forums I have already seen tweaks to modify shadow lengths and other settings, all for trying to squeeze ever more out of their systems. Not surprised you run into problems then.