FSX-MS REX4 and FSX (popcorn clouds)

[orvos 0]

Hi guy,

Just installed REX4 texture direct, and I was annoyed with the ugly scattered popcorn like clouds, eventhough all the settings are on max. I dont have a weather engine so I use the default FSX fair weather. Any help will be appreciated, how can I make those clouds look like the real thing, thats the reason I bought REX4. Thanks in advance, and happy holidays

[autogyro 18]

Posted this in another thread, hope it might help you:

 

From my very basic understanding, if you have thin (as in vertical dimension) cloud layers but reasonably heavy cloud cover (e.g. 5/8 cloud cover) P3D will inject a whole bunch of clouds (especially if you installed a cumulus cloud set) to make the cloud cover correct. Because they are thin, they are down scaled in size and you'd get more repetitive clouds to make up the cloud cover octa. Try using a weather engine, e.g. ASN which makes the cloud layers more realistic (or make them thicker yourself).

[Richard Sennett 2,499]

Its your weather settings go into customize weather and play with that and the type of clouds also - I saw this and after I adjusted some settings under customize I had more clouds that I could ever want

[orvos 0]

thank you both for your replies, unfortunately I have been trying to customize the cloud setting but its either too much clouds (overcast) or scattered popcorn like, but both look nothing like the real thing. I was really hoping this would have to work and look good without a weather engine, I could have bought the rex essential instead...I guess its my luck!

[mmann 72]

I don't use a weather engine (my sim computer is not connected to the internet), so I know how disappointing the REX 4 Texture Direct clouds look in FSX. Interesting that the clouds and sky colour look much more realistic with my REX for FS2004, which doesn't help me when I'm flying in FSX. :(

[Novation 534]

The main thing that affects the cloud size (Cumulus anyway) seems to be the altitude of the cloud layers. If you go into weather > Advanced > Custom and set a layer of Cumulus with a lower base, from say 3000ft and tops around 10000ft you will get a far nicer cloud size and shape. Of course you may have to alter this depending on the altitude of your starting point, as you can easily end up with clouds on the deck in high regions. It seems to be the odd way FSX/P3D constructs its clouds, and is something I hate too, so I always customise my weather, avoiding themes..

 

It will do the same with the default clouds too, so this is not a REX thing.

 

Cloud base @25000ft = popcorn This is with 6/8 coverage.

 

Same settings, but base at 2000 gives nice full Cumulus.

[orvos 0]

@mman thanks for the info, I thought I was doing something wrong with the settings, but it seems that without a weather engine, REX4 texture is useless and disappointing, oh well, you only learn after you pay :(

 

@Novation, this actually helps a bit, for an overcast weather its acceptable and looks more pleasing, but in fair weather with only few clouds, this popcorn formation raises my blood pressure. Thanks alot for your input!

 

looking for a weather engine now..hopefully that will solve the problem

[Novation 534]

looking for a weather engine now..hopefully that will solve the problem

Weather engines can and will do the same thing sometimes, placing low level (Cumulus) too high, resulting in pop corn, but most seem to do a reasonable job... Active Sky being the best IMHO. Personally I prefer to make my own weather, but my flying distance/radius is small, so I don't need construct too many variables across weather stations.

[KingGhidorah 209]

You might also do a search for the freeware cloud set HDEv2.  This was recommended to me on Avsim, after I made a similar post expressing some dissatisfaction with REX clouds, even when using ASN.  I installed the freeware set, and to my eyes, they look better than anything in REX, and they are only 1024.

[orvos 0]

will have a look at active sky and cloud set, I also found that REX4 weather is coming out soon, I will go for the one with a reasonable price, hopefully wont be disappointed again.

Thanks a million guys, you have been of much more help than the official REX forums..cheers and big thumbs up!