I have had P3D for a few days and flew about 10 flights. It seems that I cannot get the nice cloudscapes I have in FSX with OPUS and the default clouds (I am in the minority liking the FSX default clouds B) ). The clouds look not very nice (flatish) and don't assemble in credible layers. Now is it OPUS not able to take advantage of P3D clouds or, rather, that the P3D clouds are not as good as FSX default ? 

 

Should/could I import FSX default textures (but is it a problem of textures or of shaping up clouds ?) or a substitute if any (not REX I don't like very much what I see on others simmers screenshots).

 

Thanks for any clues.

If you want a free solution, try the HDE v2 clouds which you can download from the Avsim library (in the FS2004 section). I myself use the Cumulus1.bmp only (512x512 DTX3) and the clouds look a heck of a lot better than the default clouds.

You can also use the Cirrus but I didn't like it and the other files can only be used after converting them to 32 bit: up to now I only use the Cumulus and my skies are beautiful!

If you download the newest version from their website, they are all 32bit. I just downloaded and installed them. Now to do some flights and see how they are.

 

Link: http://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/18029/fsx-hde-sky-textures-v20/

 

Lyn

 

 

OOps!! these are the sky textures, not clouds! Back to the search engine!

I think the LM P3D Clouds are very natural. I love the fluffy clouds.

I think the LM P3D Clouds are very natural. I love the fluffy clouds.

 

I like them fluffy too but the default clouds don't have any shape at all. The HDE v2 512x512 clouds are soft but do have the kind of shapes I also see when I look out of my window. In comparison the default clouds look really fake. You should give them a try: they are free!

Jeroen,

Thanks for the tip for these clouds. After I screwed my head on correctly, I downloaded the correct file and have the clouds installed. I did both the Cumulus and Cirrus. They look great! I also had already installed the new sky textures. Not sure about the sky as it is not as blue as the default. Certainly don't know which one is correct.

 

Interesting tidbit - I first installed the 1024 32 bit Cumulus  clouds and then tried the 512 and, In my mind, the 512 look better as in "Fuller". Better performance to boot so a real winner!

 

Lyn

You're welcome. ^_^ Also thank those who told me to get those clouds though! Forgot their names but I am grateful LOL And let's not forget the creator!!! ^_^

 

Afaik the sky textures aren't compatible with P3D but if they work for you... they apparently are! I have to say I really LOVE the default P3D sky color... I feel no need at all to change it right now.

The ONLY environmental thing I'd like to replace is the wave animation: I have water detail off for now. But I don't feel like buying REX4 just for one wave animation...

 

I also use the 512 ones: I don't like high res clouds at all, never did: they make it look as if I am flying in a 'over-sharpened' Photoshop picture.

 

Anyway, the HDE v2 clouds are the best free clouds out there and imho they are the best clouds, period, out there.

Just to be clear, the sky textures are the ones I first referenced in my other post -- not the the sky textures from the HDEV2 clouds files.

 

I think I'll reload the original P3DV2.3 sky textures as they really look beautiful.Should be a great combination.

 

Lyn

 

PS: I did reload the default sky textures and I do prefer them. They are brighter and a bit more blue in the sky.

Thank you Jeroen I gave a shot  to HDE  It's a little better but this is not it, there is another issue. I'm talking cloudscape not clouds only. I've to work on it a bit more.

In my opinion, whether you use REX or freeware clouds, the non-HD 512 (or even 1024) textures look a lot more realistic and natural than HD textured clouds. Not to mention performance is better.

In my opinion, whether you use REX or freeware clouds, the non-HD 512 (or even 1024) textures look a lot more realistic and natural than HD textured clouds. Not to mention performance is better.

 

It's funny, isn't it... I remember that FEX was still king and then REX appeared with HD clouds... wow! Then FEX did its best to come up with HD clouds too as quickly as possible. It was a real battle, all about those HD clouds. Now FEX is (sort of) dead and REX is king but more and more people are moving away from those unrealistic HD clouds...  ^_^

Then FEX did its best to come up with HD clouds too as quickly as possible

 

 

Actually FEX came up with, and released, HD clouds before REX :wink:  .. I was on the FEX team at the time, and the animosity between the parties, and the supporters was quite unpleasant, but that is history now, as is FEX.

 

Personally I think clouds at 512 look awful, with noticeable pixelation, and blurriness. 1024 or 2048 look closest to the real thing, with 4096 being maybe a bit too sharp when flying close the the cloud structures... having said that Cumulus have a very tight, defined structure, that is well portrayed at higher resolutions.

 

But, each to their own ^_^ and performance is certainly better at low res.

Ah LOL I stand corrected. And yes, ech to their own...  ^_^