I know that there are several add-on programs for FSX that generate weather, and while there is much debate about how good they are, I have found them all to have a relative impact on FSX performance, at least for me that is.  In any case, I noticed last week while setting up a flight, including weather conditions, that ORBX had created some freebie weather themes, which are all well and fine (with the exception of the tremendous winds) and I thought "how could I create a weather theme myself?"

 

Somehow, ORBX was able to create some fantastic skies and I am assuming it all came from the stock cloud textures, so I now ask if anyone out there knows how to create a weather theme?  Here lately, I have found a strange appeal to fog, or low ground visibility, more particularly while flying in PNW with ORBX's awesome meshes and textures.  I think  I've figured out how to assemble the cloud layers, but again, I'd like to see if there is a quick way to create the theme, or if anyone has a resource somewhere that explains it, that would be great!

 

TIA

 

Jim

If I remember correctly the theme creator is part of the FSX SDK.

If I remember correctly the theme creator is part of the FSX SDK.

*facepalm*

Really?  This is what I get for not exploring the dvds.  Thanks for the tip.  Every time I have to pull out those dvds, I only have one thing in mind...installing FSX. lol

There is a weather SDK that was part of FS9 but it works in FSX. I can't remember the link where I downloaded it from but I'm pretty sure it was a M$ link.

 

You can create wind, cloud, temperature and visibility layers in 16 km square cells with the limitation that the ability to define those unique cells ends 32 cells out from the origin. The grid is 64 x 64 and the point in the world where you load the theme becomes the center of the grid so you have 320 miles to the north, south, east and west of potentially unique weather from where you hit 'Fly' from. Beyond those points there are cells you can specify as the 'default' for each layer and those will define the weather conditions when you fly 'off grid'. It isn't perfect and with typical crappy M$ documentation it will take a lot of trial and error but it is better than nothing.

 

Do a search for the file "weather_theme_sdk_setup.exe". Run that and you will be in the weather creation business. 

 

  Paul

There is a weather SDK that was part of FS9 but it works in FSX. I can't remember the link where I downloaded it from but I'm pretty sure it was a Microsoft link.

 

You can create wind, cloud, temperature and visibility layers in 16 km square cells with the limitation that the ability to define those unique cells ends 32 cells out from the origin. The grid is 64 x 64 and the point in the world where you load the theme becomes the center of the grid so you have 320 miles to the north, south, east and west of potentially unique weather from where you hit 'Fly' from. Beyond those points there are cells you can specify as the 'default' for each layer and those will define the weather conditions when you fly 'off grid'. It isn't perfect and with typical crappy Microsoft documentation it will take a lot of trial and error but it is better than nothing.

 

Do a search for the file "weather_theme_sdk_setup.exe". Run that and you will be in the weather creation business. 

 

  Paul

Thanks Paul, I'l give a looksee at the dvds I have or just grab it online.  I did a little creation off the cuff last night through FSX's weather section, some cumulus clouds and low vis (about 5mi)...looked pretty realistic to me and made the flight that much more enjoyable.  I am sure I am missing out on a whole lot more with 3rd party software like REX (which I own an old version), FSGRW and the like.  I just don't want to strain the wallet anymore right now as I sunk a ton of cash on the FlightSimStore sale.

like REX (which I own an old version)

Hi,

 

If you own an older version of REX, you can upgrade to the latest software REX Essential PLUS or even REX Essential PLUS including OverDrive for FREE.  :wink: