Soft Clouds update

[A340-4 4]

working fine for me. Oh well...

[WebMaximus 372]

I did find an update when clicking the check for update button within the Soft Clouds interface and when starting the application it reports the latest version but the shortcut still says Soft Clouds SP1...was it supposed to be SP2 after the update?

 

As for the Nvidia driver I guess you're talking about version 355.98?

 

Very nice to hear about the 20% increased performance, looking forward to try this out myself! Don't think though the Soft Clouds update could increase your FPS by 20% so must be the new Nvidia driver I guess.

[GSalden 4,657]

20% increase in fps ?

They look better but for the rest still a bitmap with the same size and same alpha channel and the same amount of clouds on each bitmap...

[JJJackson 22]

There are TWO updates, one for REX4 Textures (latest version is 4.5.2015.08.18) and one for REX Softclouds (latest version 4.2.2015.08.10). I downloaded and installed them today via the built in update function.

 

 

Jack

The Swede in Spain

[WebMaximus 372]

I've now updated both Soft Clouds and the Nvidia driver and I see zero FPS improvement.

 

Not a big deal though since I already have about 50 FPS in the NGX with my new Skylake rig

[louisdecoolste 12]

You don't need two updates if you have Rex 4 Direct and Soft Clouds integrated, You only need this one

http://www.realenvironmentxtreme.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36228-rex-4-texture-direct-with-soft-clouds-service-pack-5/

 

which takes it to 4.7.2015.0818.

 

FIX LIST

The following is a list of changes and fixes within Service Pack 5  (build: 4.7.2015.0818)

 

FIXED - Soft Clouds to make more volumetric.

FIXED - Ability to install a weather generated theme without the "save" requirement.
FIXED - Upper-atmospheric color blending.
FIXED - Community Theme drop down filter was not showing all lists appropriately.
FIXED - Suneffect.cfg file location updated to proper location during texture injection.
FIXED - Texture options window not saving options when closing REX and restarting.
FIXED - Within the Theme window, the Lightning screen was showing the title of the wrong element.
ADDED - Auto search for main folder location of feature for users of Microsoft Flight Simulator X Steam Edition.

 

FROM: REX 4 - TEXTURE DIRECT WITH SOFT CLOUDS BUILD 4.4.2015.0115
TO:  REX 4 - TEXTURE DIRECT WITH SOFT CLOUDS  BUILD 4.7.2015.0818

I've now updated both Soft Clouds and the Nvidia driver and I see zero FPS improvement.

Not a big deal though since I already have about 50 FPS in the NGX with my new Skylake rig

 

You followed the installation instructions properly? Reset the preferences within REX4? Set the water appropriately? Rebuilt the shader file?

 

Used the 366.04 beta drivers, NOT WHQL 355.98?

[WebMaximus 372]

 

 

You followed the installation instructions properly? Reset the preferences within REX4? Set the water appropriately? Rebuilt the shader file?
 
Used the 366.04 beta drivers, NOT WHQL 355.98?

 

Weren't any installation instructions to follow, I'm not using REX4 but only the Soft Clouds package? I use ASN for weather.

 

Nope, I'm not using any beta Nvidia drivers so in my case the driver I just installed is the WHQL 355.98 one.

 

Will try to clear the shader cache though, always a good thing to do I believe when you have upgraded the video driver.

[onebob 125]

Weren't any installation instructions to follow, I'm not using REX4 but only the Soft Clouds package

I just opened up 'Soft Clouds', clicked on 'check for updates' and clicked the 'save' button., and run the setup file.

 

bob

[WebMaximus 372]

I just opened up 'Soft Clouds', clicked on 'check for updates' and clicked the 'save' button., and run the setup file.

 

bob

That's exactly what I did too.

[WebMaximus 372]

Speaking about soft clouds, what set are you guys using out of the 16 different styles you can choose from?

 

I think most of them look very nice in the preview picture but it's really hard to compare since all preview pictures are different. Would have been much easier to compare if the background picture would have been the same for all different types.

[gmoneyprs 2]

The new nVidia driver (355.98) is benchmarking ridiculously well, fwiw.

[onebob 125]

Speaking about soft clouds, what set are you guys using out of the 16 different styles you can choose from?

 

I think most of them look very nice in the preview picture but it's really hard to compare since all preview pictures are different. Would have been much easier to compare if the background picture would have been the same for all different types.

I agree its hard to note the difference, just changed from 11 to 5, maybe I somehow like 5 better.

btw there is a installlog file in the Softclouds folder that list the current type. just abit of info if you can't remember which was the last one installed.

going back to the update my shortcut is just 'Rex Soft Clouds' no mention of sp1 or 2.

However the build number is listed top left on the start up screen.

 

bob

[cmpbellsjc 2,960]

20% increase in fps ?

They look better but for the rest still a bitmap with the same size and same alpha channel and the same amount of clouds on each bitmap...

Exactly.

 

Clouds are clouds and bitmaps are bitmaps. Doesn't matter if the artwork contained inside them changed as they will still perform the same.

 

The only thing that can effect the performance in clouds is the size you're running, be it 512, 1024, 2048, or 4096, and the compression DXT or 32bit.

 

If someone was previously running 32bit and them switched the DXT format, then they would see a difference in performance, but going from one 1024 DXT cloud texture to another 1024 DXT cloud texture won't make any difference in performance.

[gmoneyprs 2]

 

 

Clouds are clouds and bitmaps are bitmaps. Doesn't matter if the artwork contained inside them changed as they will still perform the same.

The only thing that can effect the performance in clouds is the size you're running, be it 512, 1024, 2048, or 4096, and the compression DXT or 32bit.

If someone was previously running 32bit and them switched the DXT format, then they would see a difference in performance, but going from one 1024 DXT cloud texture to another 1024 DXT cloud texture won't make any difference in performance.

 

Not only that but 99% of the FPS analyses lack any descent testing procedures or semblance of the scientific method. "Hey I did this and got 30% better FPS." Right. Show it.

[louisdecoolste 12]

I just opened up 'Soft Clouds', clicked on 'check for updates' and clicked the 'save' button., and run the setup file.

 

bob

 

So you both missed reading this

 

FROM: REX 4 - TEXTURE DIRECT WITH SOFT CLOUDS BUILD 4.4.2015.0115

TO:  REX 4 - TEXTURE DIRECT WITH SOFT CLOUDS  BUILD 4.7.2015.0818

 

THIS IS THE PROCEDURE ON HOW TO INSTALL REX 4 - TEXTURE DIRECT WITH SOFT CLOUDS (SERVICE PACK 5)

I. INSTALLATION PROCESS

 

STEP 1 - Click on the link provided.  This will automatically download the zip file.  Unzip the files into a temp folder on your hard-drive.  Then right click on the setup.exe file to run as the administrator to install.

STEP 2 - When the installation wizard asks you for the folder to install REX 4 - Texture Direct (Service Pack 45), click the … button and select the folder where you installed REX 4 Texture Direct  (i.e - C:\REX Texture Direct).

STEP 3 - After the installation process is over, click the "FINISH" to close out the installation.

 

II. CONFIRMING THE NEW BUILD

After installation has completed click the desktop icon for REX 4 - Texture Direct. On the splash screen you should see the new build. The build should read: 4.7.2015.0818

 

III. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PREPAR3D USERS

In regards to the wave animation fix for Prepar3D users, you must first clear the Prepar3D shader files. Follow the steps below:

 

STEP 1 - Navigate to C:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Local\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2\Shaders

STEP 2 - Delete ALL content within the folder

STEP 3 - OPEN Texture Direct

STEP 4 - Navigate to the MAIN SETTINGS/CONFIGURATION SETTING screen

STEP 5 - Within the DIRECTX area, select the option DX11 ENABLED (P3D v.2.4+) for Wave Animation

STEP 6 - Textures MUST be installed for this fix to be applied!