Seems like the 'billboard' type clouds will disappear under DX10. This is an intersting write-up about Dx10http://www.tweaksrus.com/index.php?option=...d=443&Itemid=43

Maybe, though the design team seemed kind of pleased with the sprite-based clouds.scott s..

Sprite based?

2D graphics rendered in a 2D or 3D setting...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_%28computer_graphics%29

Looks amazing!!I wonder how existing graphics cards are going to hold-up under DX10, and whether the emulation will be too much of a burden; will the quoted speed boosts only apply to fully DX10 cards, or will we see some of the benefits on current technology, even though it'll be under emulation conditions.....One thing looks certain...DX10 is going to start making the current/new next gen consoles (360/PS3) look pretty retro very quickly into their cycles, if those screenshots are anything to go by!

Current graphics cards cannot run DX10. I agree The future of gaming is very interesting.

Current cards will just render a scene in DX9. I don't see anyone trying to software-render DX10 in-game (too slow), other than maybe as a still shot or something like that.Rhett

>>Seems like the 'billboard' type clouds will disappear under>DX10. That's true only if Microsoft have put in a lot of effort to create a completely new cloud system, which is unlikely (but not impossible). Most likely the clouds in FSX will be the same as in FS2004, even when running under DX10. The screenshot in the article is from Crysis, the successor to Far Cry, which should be out about the same time as FSX. It appears this game has genuine volumetric clouds (the videos showing this are stunning) even when running under DX9. Crysis also has a strong flight simulator element. It will be very interesting to see whether it will be possible to create realistic flyable aircraft in this game. Best regards, Chris

> That's true only if Microsoft have put in a lot of effort to>create a completely new cloud system, which is unlikely (but>not impossible). Most likely the clouds in FSX will be the>same as in FS2004, even when running under DX10.Well I hope when FSX is patched to DX10 that they do get rid of the sprite based and go volumetric style clouds.What would be the point of the DX10 patch then, just to make the water and shadows look better. I hope not since I spend 95% of the time in the clouds. :(

>Well I hope when FSX is patched to DX10 that they do get rid of the >sprite based and go volumetric style clouds.>What would be the point of the DX10 patch then, just to make the >water and shadows look better. I hope not since I spend 95% of the time in the cloudsThat's an intersting point. The water looks real on the comparison shots we've seen . The mountain textures still look as they do in FS9. Clearly they have only used the water to illustrate a more general point - but it would be great to see hoe DX10 will impact mountain/ground/vegitation textures.