Active Sky P3D vs. ASP4 with REX

[BobKinSTL 5]

I currently run ASP4 with REX Sky Force 3D and REX Environment Force which as most people here know looks pretty good and works just fine.  Can I expect to see any improvements if I upgrade to ASP3D and not run the REX products?

In reading other posts I would say that improved weather depiction at the expense of a darker VC cockpit is not a good tradeoff, if that is indeed the case.

Bob Koehler

[vgbaron 3,512]

I've never noticed a darker vc due to AS.

[BobKinSTL 5]

Thanks.  It seems to be a topic with the new ASP3D that came out this week.  

[Damian Clark 1,150]

I think the darker cockpit/lighting in general is specific to the current EA mode lighting and there are options and add-ons that can help here.  This is not caused by any wx add-on.

[787flyer 633]

I am not seeing any darker cockpits because of ASP3D at leats in the Aerosoft Bus and the QW 787

BTW: I am not running any environment shaders or PTA so perhaps this is the reason why.

[gasparr 2]

Guys, should I switch to asp3d, from asp4 if I only fly in p3dv4?  Will i get any benefits?

[BobKinSTL 5]

4 hours ago, gasparr said:

Guys, should I switch to asp3d, from asp4 if I only fly in p3dv4?  Will i get any benefits?

My question exactly.  Also, what to do with REX products if I switch to ASP3D....leave off?

[pgde 571]

6 hours ago, gasparr said:

Guys, should I switch to asp3d, from asp4 if I only fly in p3dv4?  Will i get any benefits?

Quoting from Damian (Hifisim):

He has stated that there are "numerous benefits" to upgrading for V4 users---We're just wondering what some of them are

These highlights and features from the product page pertain to both versions of P3D:

• New P3D add-on specification design with all items installed outside of the P3D folders
• New Universal XGauge design that works for all aircraft at any time without requiring panel additions
• New networking design that eliminates the need for SimConnect configuration or use between clients and server – Just install ASP3D on the client, the included AS P3D Connector Installer on the server, make sure your networked shares are configured, and go
• Wind smoothing redesigned for higher frequency force actuation and organic feel
  Major enhancements to the data network, weather synthesis, interpolation, and other core weather simulation and depiction technologies – now with much increased performance, stability and availability
• Includes the most advanced version of our award-winning core weather engine and weather data services, being refined now for over 20 years

To expand on the above, the general incremental improvements that pertain to P3Dv4 focus on synthesis, depiction, logic, fixes, tweaks, adjustments and tuning that is typical through approximately 70 tested iterations/builds of our product over about 3 years.  So things like changing how elevation at airports might effect ridge lift in certain circumstances, how to deal with Canadian Auto METAR maxima if it's not listed as 9sm as expected, how to deal with new /-character type unknown data in METAR strings, processing server-based data differently for more stability and quicker downloads, are examples of changes made (and there are hundreds if not thousands similar to this) that go into our latest product like ASP3D, vs older products where we have stopped adding this kind of forward development.  

Edited December 5, 2020 by pgde