Hi Georg,Just leave FE set up like you liked it. Install ASV and in the options menu set it to "ICS + Last Sky/Env" and let it select the cloud sets depending on downloaded weather conditions. I also set ASV to use the DXT and mipmapping feature and limit cloud layers to three so the frame rates don't suffer very much at all.

Zane:I could be wrong here, but I am almost certain that you have to choose "All Manual (No Auto Selections)" in the Options section to prevent ASV from overwriting FE clouds.I read a post by Jim that stated what you said, but then I believe he came back and corrected himself later in the same post.That also means that if you choose to use DXT, that choice needs to be made in FE setup, not ASV setup.It would be great if ICS would work with FE, but it is not programmed that way, I believe. As I understand it, ICS selects a cloud set based on whatever parameters Chris programmed and then overwrites the the existing cloud set. At least for now, it can only select ASV cloud sets, not FE sets.If Jim is not too tired, maybe he can jump in here and clear this up.By the way, I hope that YOU are correct and I am wrong! :) Wilson

so basically if you don't use ASV clouds, you aren't going to get the different clouds for different situations when using FE? That sucks but explains by loss in frames even though I had DXT selected with FE

Wilson is correct, leave the ASV setting in "manual"

I have the previous version of Active Sky, and I have Flight Environment; is there a reason to upgrade to the latest edition of Active Sky?ricardo

In previous version do you mean AS 2004.5 or ASV without the E?I can say without reservation that ASV is a huge leap over AS2004.5. The weather algorithms are much more advanced and you get a subtle yet definitely more realistic weather experience.James

Hi Wilson,I use the ASV cloud textures, just the FE sky and water, therefore the settings. I like the added variety of cloud sets and the ability to automatically have them selected for specific weather conditions. So you get wispy clouds when you should and dark clouds also when you should. If you prefered to only use the FE clouds as well, yes, you have to leave the settings in ASV to manual.

Alex:I'm not sure that it is all that bad. I have not been able to find out exactly what ICS does, i.e., what data it uses to make what adjustments. It may be a very complex algorithm that takes into account temperature, winds, barometric pressure, clouds,season, etc. -- or not! LOLI asked once in the support forum, but never got an answer as to what is actually going on in ICS.Personally, I cannot think of a better weather program than ASV nor a better clouds program than FE. Peter's clouds are amazing, as the shots above show, and ASV has become the gold standard for weather programs.There is an SDK being developed, so it would be great if we can collectively figure out a way to integrate FE more fully into ASV. If not, I will opt for ASV manual and FE.I guess that I have crossed over from presentation of fact to presentation of opinion, opening myself up to flaming. Gonna put on my Nomex long johns . . .Wilson

> Attached below are a couple shots of both ASV and FE working > together. Check it outSo those are screenshots from a VC in FS? I am not convinced about that. Why is the panel and overhead black? I don't see that effect in FS, it looks like pictures from a real camera.John.

Zane:Right you are. I may a jump in logic there. I just assumed that you were using FE for its clouds, as well.Sorry about that.Wilson

>> Attached below are a couple shots of both ASV and FE>working >> together. Check it out>>So those are screenshots from a VC in FS? I am not convinced>about that. Why is the panel and overhead black? I don't see>that effect in FS, it looks like pictures from a real camera.>>John.>See what I mean......... :)

Lol guys :)I blackened those in on a previous screenshot posting :) I do retouching as my profession, and I assure you those are actual screenshots from fs2004 with FE clouds and ASV weather engine. Nothing else done to them except blackening in the panel, just as it looks like in real life.I guess thanks for the compliment then eh?CheersTim

Maybe you should 'shut up' Randy J. Smith? You seem to hop in and flame every post that is the slightest bit negative to a commercial vendor, irregardless of the circumstances involved. The author of this thread was soliciting help from other people and did so in a very civilized way.You must be an irrepressable old man with no friends or social contacts, and your constant berating on here is a vent for all of your malcontent frustration. Personal advice to you - get over it!

>Lol guys :)>>I blackened those in on a previous screenshot posting :) >>I do retouching as my profession, and I assure you those are>actual screenshots from fs2004 with FE clouds and ASV weather>engine. Nothing else done to them except blackening in the>panel, just as it looks like in real life.>>I guess thanks for the compliment then eh?>>Cheers>TimExactly what I was thinking verified by your truth. You have a good eye for exposure, sir.

> You must be an irrepressable old man with no friends or social > contacts, and your constant berating on here is a vent for all of > your malcontent frustration. Umm where did that come from? You dont have to flame fellow simmers like that. His comments are just adding a bit of extra spice to the thread. John.