Thanks for the come-back. So you do recommend that someone would update to AS16 over the latest version of ASN?  Is there truly that much of a difference to put out the $$$'s for

 

Definitely worthwhile 100% .  The weather you see rendered with AS16 is substantially different to ASN

I'm confused. After reading all 25 pages of this thread what's common to most of the comments is that only combination of AS16 + ASCA gives you the best result but at the same time a lot of the same people wish the ASCA textures would be better. So, you can get the same result with using AS16 + REX TD + SC and the only thing you'll be missing with this combo is dynamic texture loading? You can get full overcast and all that jazz with the AS16 + REX combo?

I can only tell you what I've seen so far... Weather depiction with AS16 alone is an improvement over ASN, especially as far as cloud coverage and visibility are concerned. As for ASCA, I'm currently using it in Full Dynamic mode but with Sky Colors and Cloud Textures disabled. This way, I get to keep my custom sky theme and FEX low-level clouds. ASCA is still injecting its own cloud structures (which don't look bad with my FEX texture) and cirrus clouds (which are very nice). AFAIK, you do need ASCA (specifically its modified cloud structures) to get solid overcast.

 

I believe "best results" with reference to ASCA mainly means being able to change textures in real time to match different weather conditions (the "built-in" FSX/P3D functionality cannot accommodate enough cloud types + you only get one sky theme). However, if you want to take full advantage of ASCA's dynamic mode (without overriding its texture choices), you're stuck with the textures provided with the product, which I personally don't like. The upside is that HiFi have an excellent track record with the community, and Diana has already indicated that they are going to take user feedback into account.

 

 

The pics reveal two different weather situation: 1st sunny summer day and 2nd a storm / rain front is approaching. Looking at the metar, you should know what is right. But interesting to see what mood can be created just be selecting the "wrong" sky colour.

Actually, these were taken under the same conditions, but ASCA forced a wrong texture set. I've already been able to resolve that issue using Rich's advice, so please disregard that complaint... :wink:

 

Tym

Everything, really everything, AS16 can do, it can do with REX or HDE or default textures.

 

 

AFAIK, you do need ASCA (specifically its modified cloud structures) to get solid overcast.

 

That's why I'm confused :wink:

Definitely worthwhile 100% .  The weather you see rendered with AS16 is substantially different to ASN

Thanks Erich, much appreciated.

 

Mitch

 

 

AFAIK, you do need ASCA (specifically its modified cloud structures) to get solid overcast.

 

Well, last night i used AS16, REX Direct tectures + Softclouds.  I had solid overcast.

That's why I'm confused :wink:

 

I hope it's OK to quote this here (from the ASCA user guide):

 

 

Thunderstorms are much bigger and taller, overcast is more full, light “few” humilis-type clouds are more visually appealing, and all cloud scenes are specifically tuned to match the ASCA texture content and provide maximum realism. Things like upside-down textures and mismatched styles are a thing of the past with ASCA.

 

Tym

Thanks Erich, much appreciated.

 

Mitch

No problem. I would say though, don't judge AS16 based on 1 flight. Different weather scenarios provide different levels of immersion. (as you know!) Do a few and change your textures around. Experiment with it. You'll find something you'll really like. But the BIG change for me is a massive performance increase with full overcast (to 110miles!).

 

If there was ever a weather program that made me want to go storm chasing in flightsim, this is it.

 

 

Full Dynamic mode but with Sky Colors and Cloud Textures disabled

 

Tym, just and FYI, HiFi's latest hotfix adjusted the sky colors.  You may want to give them another look 

 

"Increased darkness/blackness during late/midnight hours in sky color sets"

Well, last night i used AS16, REX Direct tectures + Softclouds.  I had solid overcast.

Erich, while I sit here sipping a coffee...and am in pro-con, pro-con, pro-con for dropping the $$$ hammer on AS16...here is my present flight with ASN/REX4 Direct/Soft Clouds, and I wonder, how much better can my sky become, over the following screen grabs in PNW?!!?  I look at the AS16/REX and AS16/ASCA pics...and really, really don't see the wham-bam gotta get this difference.  I'm trying to...lol...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No problem. I would say though, don't judge AS16 based on 1 flight. Different weather scenarios provide different levels of immersion. (as you know!) Do a few and change your textures around. Experiment with it. You'll find something you'll really like. But the BIG change for me is a massive performance increase with full overcast (to 110miles!).

 

If there was ever a weather program that made me want to go storm chasing in flightsim, this is it.

Just read this post.  Ok...I probably will drop the hammer.   I am a big Active Sky franchise fan...and have never been disappointed.

 

Post Edit:  By the way...do you have both AS16 and ASCA?

 

Mitch

Well, last night i used AS16, REX Direct tectures + Softclouds.  I had solid overcast.

 

Thanks Erich. That is important information for me as well. Solid overcast is really important to me as this is the most common weather situation in central Europe where I fly most of the time. I don't like the ASCA textures (neither the sky nor the cloud textures) but would really love to get AS16. But only if it provides a solid overcast with REX textures...

 

 

That was not exactly a quesion from my side.
I wanted to point out that it IS possible. There are a lot of topics here and in the HiFi forum about this.

 

Ah, sorry, my bad. Misunderstood your post.  :wink:

 

BTW I think a lot of the confusion in this topic comes from the fact that it's not always clear which feature comes from what addon. While both addons are needed for specific effects, it often is one of them that triggers it or makes it possible. And then there are effects AS16 can do on its own, without ASCA. It simply is a bit confusing. Maybe it would have been better after all if HiFi had released the combination as one new addon.

 

 

Btw, if you go to the PMDG forum you better not tell them your name is 4L0M.

 

This must be the best tip of the day

 

 

Looks like a real life picture to me. I think you are cheating... You took the real plane and made some pictures, didn't you? 

 

No, this was taken from my balcony but I did use some zoom :wink:

Thanks Erich. That is important information for me as well. Solid overcast is really important to me as this is the most common weather situation in central Europe where I fly most of the time. I don't like the ASCA textures (neither the sky nor the cloud textures) but would really love to get AS16. But only if it provides a solid overcast with REX textures...

 

You will get solid overcast even with sim's default cloud texture set (P3D v3.3.5 in my case).

 

I also love crossing the overcast layer, then coming out above in this wonderfull woolly atmosphere!

 

I baught AS16 after 3 days of trial

I think the answer to many of these questions, for someone that wonders what AS16 is like, is to try the free trial. I guarantee that 99% of the people that do that will purchase AS16 after a day or two, it is that good. Now if what you see with your present cloud textures , looks great, which it probably will, you won't even need to purchase ASCA. 

I have so many great shots on my phone from my flight last night which I wish I could upload here, but I cannot do it from work.  I will tonight.