But we've already seen quite a few videos, even the beta testers posted a lot of pictures after the NDA lifted. One of the first threads were filled with scepticism -- My own included, because it looked off. The dynamic feature is interesting but it falls flat to the ground if the thing it's supposed to dynamically show, doesn't look good. I have a lot of respect for the HiFi guys but you can see from the textures and sky colours that this isn't their area of expertise. That isn't saying they can't patch and improve it but I'm not buying this on a promise. And we're playing the wait-and-see game, then you have Rex working on an identical system with dynamic changing clouds + a weather overhaul + a weather engine that, which in my opinion, looks phenomenal. Every video, every screenshot had my jaw planted on the floor.

 

I'm much more interested in realistic looking clouds and colours, than I am in dynamic weather at this point.

 

As for your 2 subway sandwiches, does ASCA work standalone? 

Fair enough, Sethos!  BTW, I have a hard time believing REX will surpass HiFi's WX engine.  The former makes amazing textures, but everything else from them has been more hype then substance (e.g. latitude, SimAir (epitome of hype), OverDrive, etc...).  When it comes to REX, I never get too excited over any of their products; the end result is often not indicated of the over zealous marking, textures not withstanding.  Then again, everyone has thier own likes and dislikes and we appear to be on the opposite end of this spectrum.  It is awesome that we have multiple platforms to choose from though.  Thanks for your comments, Sethos.  

I will add that not all scenarios and flight sectors produce amazing results. Today I think I was lucky and had cloud cover stretched to the horizon with good performance and no ground to be seen. Total cloud cover. In some scenarios, flying into cloud produced an immersion which I've rarely experienced before.

 

However, I've also experienced sectors of my flight where the popcorn type clouds were scattered all over which just seemed a bit odd. But whether it's the AS16 engine alone or the combo with ASCA , something definitely changed for the better. The weather environment does feel more realistic . Much more

 

 

Edit. I might just add that I still see a lot of clouds disappearing and appearing noticeably . This has always been one of my big bug bears with the weather in sims. It's extremely annoying and kills immersion for me completely. However, extending the cloud draw range beyond 100m does help

 

Fair enough, Sethos!  BTW, I have a hard time believing REX will surpass HiFi's WX engine.  The former makes amazing textures, but everything else from them has been more hype then substance (e.g. latitude, SimAir (epitome of hype), OverDrive, etc...).  When it comes to REX, I never get too excited over any of their products; the end result is often not indicated of the over zealous marking, textures not withstanding.  Then again, everyone has thier own likes and dislikes and we appear to be on the opposite end of this spectrum.  It is awesome that we have multiple platforms to choose from though.  Thanks for your comments, Sethos.  

 

 

Oh absolutely. I still think AS16 will be the go-to WX software going forward. Rex certainly isn't a company with a spotless reputation in my book but they do have the benefit of the doubt with me, considering they do push some amazing things every once in a while. Just hoping Sky Force will be one of those products. Sky Force + Environment Force + AS16 is what I'm predicting to be the holy grail in weather. Maybe HiFi will pull a rabbit out of the hat with ASCA, take note of all the feedback and come back stronger than ever? In any case, you are right, it's great we have so much to choose from! And thank you too. 

Mediocre screenshots, one after the other, with unrealistic looking clouds, extremely weird, cartoony sky colours and a general very unconvincing weather rendition. Yet we are to be believe all the written positive feedback, despite no one really being able to show it off visually? Then I suspect people just have either low standards, suffer from some sort of buyer's remorse and have to convince others or that their screenshot key somehow strips all the good elements out of the shot. The only good shots I've seen are the blue sky / white clouds shots, exactly the kind of stuff you could get with the current software and textures. I've seen screenshots with some extremely poor looking sky colours, solid purples and pinks that look like nothing I've ever seen, yet few seem to actually question it. 

 

If the product is as good as some make it out to be, it should have been an easy sell via screenshots and videos.

 

Up until now the only serous realistic WX engine that delivered in different versions of FS is AS...

 

For the record: a small lesson for you in history of FS and AS they where the first with cloud and sky textures long time ago back to FS9

combined with a WX engine (old timers remember Chris ;-))

 

To suggest that all positive fellow simmers here have a low standard is pretty arrogant and so far beyond the truth lol

 

Remember we all have a different perspective what is realistic or beautiful there is no wrong or right in this matter ;-)

 

Different story is that you prefer other textures...

Guess what I don't like some clouds also from ASCA or REX for that matter...

 

But did you try the demo at least the WX engine? Out of respect for HiFi of course and try it for several days to form a well balanced view?

I'm pretty sure the guys over there will listen to the feedback they receive ;-)

Question for owners. Do I still have ASCA direct texture injection in the Historic Mode? 

But did you try the demo at least the WX engine? Out of respect for HiFi of course and try it for several days to form a well balanced view?

I'm pretty sure the guys over there will listen to the feedback they receive ;-)

 

Oh I'm sure they will but we're currently talking about ASCA, not AS16.

Question for owners. Do I still have ASCA direct texture injection in the Historic Mode?

Yes you do.

 

Vic

In ASCA, has anyone tried the 512x512 or even the 256x256 size textures over the default 1024x1024? Honestly, I'm still seeing low 20 fps and its not so smooth in heavy overcast and 5 layers with 1024.  Was wondering what the lower resolutions look like and mainly if there is any noticeable performance increase over the higher res textures. 

Folks,

 

Been doing some more flying round with AS16 and believe it is worth the money. I'm positive there is a performance increase over soft clouds and I don't get any stutters anymore when the storm clouds appear. As for the looks, I'm very happy with the cloud art and I like the way the textures change over time when required.

 

IM 

In ASCA, has anyone tried the 512x512 or even the 256x256 size textures over the default 1024x1024? Honestly, I'm still seeing low 20 fps and its not so smooth in heavy overcast and 5 layers with 1024.  Was wondering what the lower resolutions look like and mainly if there is any noticeable performance increase over the higher res textures. 

Why don't you just try it and see for yourself? It's not like you have to reinstall P3D...  :rolleyes:

Folks,

 

Been doing some more flying round with AS16 and believe it is worth the money. I'm positive there is a performance increase over soft clouds and I don't get any stutters anymore when the storm clouds appear. As for the looks, I'm very happy with the cloud art and I like the way the textures change over time when required.

 

IM 

 

I am still getting poor performance with heavy overcast / snow / rain.

It may be better than before but far from good (in my eyes).

 

Otherwise it looks good, but I am not extremely impressed. Sure, it's a step up from ASN + Softclouds... What I like is the scenario function. Also it is toughto get the AS Airbus to the right place and config before hitting the scenario button.

With AS16 + ASCA on a client pc I am wondering if the textures are being sent over the network ?

 

I only found an AS Backup folder on my server ( P3Dv3 root ) and did not find a seperate ASCA texture folder on my server.

 

The reason asking is networkload.

I already have several networked addons ( Prosim + EHID ) running ....

 

Anyone knows ?

Very pleased with what I see so far!

Very well done HiFi team!

 

AS16 + ASCA

Very pleased with what I see so far!

 

 

Hm, well, I guess you have to see it in motion. I see some (very) odd clouds and the lighting doesn't seem right at all here and there. But that usually is a problem with clouds in sims. When you simply fly around you don't notice it as much as when you try to judge an addon using screenshots.  :wink: It's a bit weird though that most screenshots I've seen so far don't entice me to spend money on all this. 

With AS16 + ASCA on a client pc I am wondering if the textures are being sent over the network ?

 

I only found an AS Backup folder on my server ( P3Dv3 root ) and did not find a seperate ASCA texture folder on my server.

 

The reason asking is networkload.

I already have several networked addons ( Prosim + EHID ) running ....

 

Anyone knows ?

 

Kostas answered at the Hifisimtech forum ; a neglactible impact on the network load. Only if using 4096 textures and multiple other networked addons there might be a high networkload..