Must-haves / essentials for P3Dv4?

[bojote 20]

Greetings! It's been a long time since I last participated on this forums (used to be a regular). But I was wondering which 'must-haves' and/or essentials are used in Prepar3D v4 in terms of overall enhancements? Not talking about Aircraft add-ons, but more like, scenery and environment enhancement to increase realism, I remember what used to be popular around 2010 like OrbX's FTX, Active Sky, GEX, FSGenesis, FSDreamTeam sceneries. Are those still around? What would be the top 5 add-ons to use with P3Dv4 in 2018? or better yet, is there a guide for people that has been away for a long time? not looking for tweaks.. I have those covered :)

 

Thanks!  

[dmarques69 316]

You gonna "hear" a lot of opinions, but some are rather consensual... my opinion:

Weather/Sky textures :Active Sky + ASCA

MiscTextures, shaders and effects: Envtex + Envshade

Camera : Chaseplane

Terrain Textures: Orbx Global

This is the mandatory base for me.

[kowen 64]

Orbx FTX is still around and generally considered a must-have.

Active Sky is still around and is THE weather engine still. 

EZDok / Chase Plane will allow you to control your views and such. Pick one, both of them have rabid fan base so the jury is out on which one is best. I prefer EZDok

FS Genesis is still around, but folks are either going free mesh or over to Pilots (I use Pilots). 

Not sure if you use offline ATC, but there are about 4-5 out there now not including Radar Contact. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Luis_KMIA 242]

Before all the aircraft and airport add-ons, I install ORBX Global, Vector, OLC, and all available region products.  I also use ActiveSky for P3Dv4, and TrackIR.

[charliearon 3,017]

I have moved this topic into the appropriate forum for discussion.  No questions are to be asked in the "Tips and Tricks for P3d" forum.

[hs118 707]

Agree with the previous posters about ActiveSky for P3Dv4. I also use Envtex. Check out PTA.

Regards scenery, Orbx is still the boss for sure.

 

[Guest]

Most in this list has already been mentioned but when it comes to non-plane addons this is what I install AT LEAST before I start a flight (take note: this is NOT in random order):

1. Scenery: Orbx (I only use FTX regions for now but would love to use only TrueEarth soon). (And forget about GEX...! If you want something basic, get FTX Global.)

2. Weather: Active Sky

3. Visual enhancements: PTA (mainly for some more contrast, better colors but specially for that realistic blue haze in the distance: I use Matt's preset that comes with it)

4. Clouds: REX SkyForce

5. ATC: ProATC

6. Traffic: Ultimate Traffic Live

7. Camera's: ChasePlane

That's about it. I also use Plan-G for VFR flights (ProATC for IFR) but that's not an enhancement addon.

In addition I might add some ENVTEX sky textures but I don't have those installed right now. All the above is mandatory for me though.

While I am at it: the only planes I have installed are the Majestic Q400 and the A2A Comanche. And btw welcome back! 😉

[pmb 5,137]

I was sure, J e s u s would return one day😉

ORBX agreed. Their recent TrueLandscape NL is amazing (but eats 77 GB of our HD/SSD). A new AUS is in the works. Concerning airports I would suggest FlyTampa and Flightbeam who made some real masterpieces. Drzewiecki Design contributed some nice sceneries recently, too, e.g. their Seattle City + Airports.

I am not a weather expert, but when I use real weather it's AS2016. Unfortunately their cloud-addon ASCA is not as convincing, thus I substituted it by REX Skyforce (which, on the other hand has a weak weather engine - you see, it's still the same as in the old days 😉) There are some threads here on how to merry them.

For AI traffic I can suggest UTLive, but you can also try PSXSeeecontraffic which provides RL "live" traffic (which UTLive does not, despite the name). I use both of them alternatingly.

Concerning HD Mesh I'd suggest a bit of caution. I have all of the Pilot's offers but the "better" the mesh looks the more issues it may cause. Actually there are two of them: (i) Valleys/Plateaus around airports (sometimes to be resolved using the ORBX Vector tool) (ii) terrain morphing, i.e. snapping into place when you approach hills or mountains. ORBX suggest Pilot's 2010 Mesh which I use at present, Within ORBX regions, you don't need an addon mesh anyway.

Kind regards, Michael

[Sethos 4,266]

Active Sky, ASCA or Sky Force3D, Chaseplane, OrbX Global + LC at least, TomatoShade (don't pay for shaders). That's a pretty solid base.

[GSalden 4,654]

Hi *******,

Never thought that I would be seeing you back in the Fs world.

Welcome my friend.

For you people who do not know him : several years ago he was the cfg and water specialist . Thousends of Flightsimmers asked his help for more performance and a more realistic FSX look. He even had an online cfg tweaking service...

regards

Gerard

 

Edited May 21, 2018 by GSalden

[SpiritFlyer 987]

Hi old friend,

Great, really great to see you again!

Kind regards,

Stephen

[Mitch24 194]

Flightbeam KMSP

I think I fly out of this airport the most. I am usually critical about everything but it's a masterpiece. 

[Falconfly 61]

1 hour ago, SpiritFlyer said:

Hi old friend,

Great, really great to see you again!

Kind regards,

Stephen

OMG! I remember using your online service so many times for FSX! Thanks so much!

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

Orbx FTX Global is the first thing I would install.

[ryanbatc 12,772]

Welcome back!

Try PrecipitFX