Changing FS9 Environment

[Bluescaster 21]

Hi Again All,

As I've had a lot of help here previously, I hope this Post isn't over-staying my Welcome 🙂

Basically I've read of late about Environmental 'Upgrade' programs one can use in FS9 to improve the 'look' of the the Sim. Now, I've Downloaded the following and aside from any installation problems I may have  (I'm no great Whiz with Computers) and BEFORE I instal anything; I really would appreciate any Observations fellow FS9 users might have regarding the efficacy/appearance/performance/preferences of these THREE programs and in particular any recommendations they may have:

1. Envtex

2. Real Environment Professional

3. Full Environment 9

As always, I'm most grateful for any observations or advice proffered.

 

Kind Regards,

Blue.

 

 

[Wobbie 938]

You are perhaps missing another great environment: Howard's TNW The Natural World

https://biggles11.wixsite.com/the-natural-world

It's free, just email Howard for a link.

[Bluescaster 21]

Hi again Robin,

Many thanks for taking the time to respond. In fact I do have the excellent TNW by Howard, indeed have been using it for over a year I think. I picked up a couple of these other programs via download since setting up my FS9 'Howard' version and thought I'd seek some information before venturing further as explained in my post.

Being a committed FS9 user (almost exclusively as we've discussed before) I'm always interested to see other stuff coming along. I'm interested to hear how others view the opposition so to speak;-)

I trust you are keeping safe down there in the Southern Hemispere?

 

Regards,

Blue

[Wobbie 938]

Hi Blue, All good here in Cape Town, apart from a national ban in alcohol sales, as a Covid preventative measure!!

Anyhow.. I'm a very committed FS9 user, with 8 different versions, including an Alaska, Golden Wings, Space, Vintage, Heritage, Ford Tri-Motor & a couple of other installs. Why? Just because FS9 can & To prevent any scenery conflicts & to group aircraft & themes. I've also changed Uires & spash screens.

Then I started yet another install, just to check environments. testing stuff like Orbyx global texture converted to FS9 (not for me), hdsimulations trees, hdev2 clouds, Envtex, silver Wings, Full Environment 9 & a couple of others.Then I just ended with TNW & hdev2 clouds, & to be honest, with all this analysis paralysis, I've forgotten what else!

Anyhow, as the late Garry Smith, from the Ford Tri-Motor Project always said, simming is all about Fun, Facts & Fiction. His Ford project stuff is very worthy of installing, some amazing fun scenery that includes ramps & sloping runways, & hidden mountain runways as well.I was a beta tester for him, for an unreleased Death Star project.

So, as to why FS9? for the fun, multiple installs, some unique planes & scenery that the other sims do not have, & the fact that it runs on most PC's without messing around.I also enjoy the old & slow planes, no PMDG or button pressing for bus driving flying for me! I tried FSX, just too much hassles for me.

The forthcoming MSFS looks stunning, however, my ASUS i5 8GB ram laptop curled up & died when I saw the specs needed. So, Thanks to the many freeware developers out there, still supporting us, Shessi, Milton, etc, etc, I'm sticking to 'Old Faithfull'

[Bluescaster 21]

Thanks for your observations as always Robin.

Following your help (previously) I too now have several separate installs - hence my most recent enquiry really; I just fancied having a look at some of these other 'Environments' before committing. I recently loaded Envtex  (it looks promising) but it wants to 'only' load the 'FS9' install - whereas I've tried (& failed) to point it at my 'Envtex Sim' install.?!?

In any event I shall have a look at this Ford Tri-Motor project - I still think the default, Ford Tri-motor is a very nice little aircraft. If I have any trouble finding it I shall no doubt give you a call!

 

In the meantime - Stay Safe.

 

Regards,

Blue

[Wobbie 938]

34 minutes ago, Bluescaster said:

Thanks for your observations as always Robin.

Following your help (previously) I too now have several separate installs - hence my most recent enquiry really; I just fancied having a look at some of these other 'Environments' before committing. I recently loaded Envtex  (it looks promising) but it wants to 'only' load the 'FS9' install - whereas I've tried (& failed) to point it at my 'Envtex Sim' install.?!?

In any event I shall have a look at this Ford Tri-Motor project - I still think the default, Ford Tri-motor is a very nice little aircraft. If I have any trouble finding it I shall no doubt give you a call!

 

In the meantime - Stay Safe.

 

Regards,

Blue

H Blue, you can find it here: http://ford-tri-motor.net/frontpage.htm

Here is a review I did of the project: https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/content.php?19107-Freeware-Focus-Ford-Tri-Motor-Project

http://ford-tri-motor.net/

Start here: http://ford-tri-motor.net/scenery.htm

& http://ford-tri-motor.net/other_aircraft.htm

Well, these are really a change of FS9 environments. 

I've done a separate install of all the scenery, planes & textures, with a new splash screen & UIRES. The late Garry Smith was a prolific painter of planes & he also did a lot of textures for others. 

As you can see at the bottom of the Home page, his site was a repository for Mike Stone & Milton Shupe's earlier aircraft. Since Garry's passing, those links are dead. I was a beta tester for him, for an unreleased Death Star Project. Garry always sait that simming is all about Fun, Facts & Fiction. 

By the way, there are also over 360 textures for the Ford Tri-Motor plane!!

Some of the projects are http://ford-tri-motor.net/Blackhawk-Project.htm

http://ford-tri-motor.net/ford-india-project.htm

http://ford-tri-motor.net/fordlandia.htm & http://ford-tri-motor.net/Ford-Manchukuo.htm

And a listing of all of his added airports: http://ford-tri-motor.net/Scenery-Listing.htm

 

Great news, here in South Africa, after 146 days of Covid lock-down, alcohol & cigarettes can be sold again!! 

Interesting times indeed.

To chat further, maybe PM me?

Take care.

[Bluescaster 21]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the links re the Ford project. There is certainly plenty to look at there. I seem to remember looking briefly at this sometime back (possibly as a result of talking to you) but I was engaged on setting up new systems at that time, along with getting to grips with a new Win10 machine!

I shall look again soon.

Thanks again for your observations - I note the PM reference and will see if I remember how ;-)

 

Kind Regards,

Blue

[ShortFinal 41]

so here is what i've done to enhance the FS2004 environment

1. ENVTEX (used for all textures except clouds. 

2. REX Skyforce. yes you saw right. SKYFORCE. for P3D. install this. you will have to install FSX or P3D to get it to work, but once installed you can take the cloud sprites from Skyforce and replace the default FS2004 cloudsprites. then take a texture set for the clouds from Skyforce and convert to a usable FS9 format. 32Bit or DXT3 BMP. this can also be done for sky textures. 

if you need help installing or converting (getting lost, its easy to do) feel free to pm me. 

3. next I use ORBX Converted textures for FS9. they are the best I have found after using around 4-5 different ground texture packs. 

thats about all I use. these 3 addons cover all the bases really. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhQ81HipInc&t=7543s

this video from around 1:00.00 onwards till around 1:20.00 shows the REX Skyforce clouds. it makes Overcast layers much nicer. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_dg4YL-N5o&t=4323s

this video from 1:16.22 shows the overcast layer very very well. this is what the clouds look like if using REX Overdrive clouds. the effect is less convincing. also use 512 rather than 1024. reason being: 512 gives the cloud a more fluffy 3D effect. the higher resolution kills the ability for this to work and it makes the experience less enjoyable. the FPS improvement is also worth the drop in res. 

again, if you have any questions feel free to PM me! take care, 

Short Final