I just have a quick question.. does casting aircraft shadows really affect your performance that much? I find when I turn it on that it has very little affect...

 

Do you have shadows turned on? Why or why not?

I think there are 2 settings for aircraft shadows. 

 

1.  Aircraft casts shadow on the ground.

 

2.  Aircraft cast shadow on itself.

 

There may be a slight affect or increase in performance with those being not checked.

 

I have casts shadows on itself NOT checked!

I have both turned off (DX9 mode).  They look unconvincing and jagged IMHO.

 

In DX10 mode, the shadows are much better, and may well be worth the performance penalty.

 

In P3D, they are better still B)

Coincidently turned mine off  today for exactly the same reason Bert said

Aircraft without shadows cast on them look unnatural.  If you're getting ugly shadows, post a screen shot.  DX9, if you don't mind.  Also, the shadows only seem to appear in external view, which means you aren't likely to see them that often. 

 

I occasionally have to turn "cast shadows on itself" off because the source of the shadow isn't always the aircraft, but offset from it a bit.  That effect is really bad.

 

Hook

In some addon airport sceneries, airplanes casting shadows on ground will result in losing some WOAI AI aircraft in DX10.

In addition some apron pavements on the ground don't show shadows until plane hits taxiways.

 

I've never used shadows in any version of FS because the performance hit in my view has never been worth the gain.

 

I occasionally turn them on which always re-confirms my views on them.

 

If you have a top of the range computer and don't use addons, you may be OK.

 

IAN

I use DX10 and have them both ON. I don't notice any performance hit.

 

 

2. Aircraft cast shadow on itself.

This one is needed in Dx10 for VC shadows, for example in the PMDG 777. No performance hit

All shadows checked, but I'm using DX10 and minor (2x) transparency anti aliasing. The only times I found shadows to be bothersome is when the 2d shadow floats over terrain. Otherwise I find it quite immersive, and in dx10 allows for cockpit shadows in some planes. Also, seeing my plane's shadow in front or to the side as I land is pretty cool, or watching replay of landings from tower view as the plane meets its shadow on touch down. Shadows also change length as sun sets, which I also like. I don't see much of a performance penalty, if any, and think it is worthy eye candy because it brings life to the airplane.

I have them turned on in DX9 and I don't notice any difference in FPS

@Bert Pieke

I have turned off (DX9 mode). They look unconvincing and jagged IMHO.

 

@zoran

Coincidently turned mine off today for exactly the same reason Bert said

 

I really can not see what is wrong with this screenshot??

 

No shadow, that is looking unreal to me!

 

Regards Robert

 

Sorry for some reason I can not upload my screenshot!

 

http://www.dropbox.com/s/pmolljjnhykq6gv/2014-9-9_13-41-17-199.jpg?dl=0

My computer OS does not support DX10, so I must use DX9.  I found the shadows made little difference in performance, but it looked weird to see my aircraft casting a shadow on the ground, but static models not casting shadows, so I turned off all shadows.  Ground objects (buildings) casting shadows caused a lot of shimmering on the buildings, so that got turned off too.