Hello, I have some FPS issues in P3Dv3.4. My PC isn't the best but my performance drops from awesome 17 FPS with clear skies to average 10 in thunderstorm.
I am using REX skyforce which I installed immediately after getting P3D so I'm not sure if it hits fps more than default clouds.
REX settings are the lowest - for best performance.
I found out by extensive testing that cirrus clouds don't hit FPS, and the issue is mainly with cumulonimbus clouds (and other storm clouds)
I tried to reduce the file size of the textures with online .bmp compressor which didn't help, also tried reducing resolution from 512x512 to 128x128, no difference.
Also tried to restore the default .cld models located in Prepar3D v3\Weather\clouds (friend with same version had to send them to me since REX backup failed completely), doesn't seem to help much either
.cfg settings are both minimum for the clouds and no antialiasing used
Only thing that seems to help is using simple clouds (not detailed) they have no fps impact, but they look terrible, especially the storm (there is no storm, just a few 2D clouds)

I also read about Cloud.fx in Prepar3D v3\ShadersHLSL\ (there are also other cloud related .fx files in here) that some changes can help performance (people used older versions of this file from v2, but all of these downloads are no longer available)

 

So, the questions:

Is there anything I can do to improve the clouds performance? (modifying .bmp's or the cloud.fx file (maybe someone could send the modifyed or older to me))

OR Is there a way to make the simple clouds look like an actual storm and overcast and not just blue skies?

Thank you so much.
Regards,

Dominik

Hi Dominik,

It really seems that you know your way around keeping an older PC running older software, so I really don't think there's many tricks left.  It's the CB clouds, they're a killer.  Options I used when I was using V3.4 were to look down at my aircraft when using external views when flying - that always helped gain a few FPS back.  In the cockpit I'd lower my view a bit as well, not looking directly through the cockpit windows.  That helped a bit too.  The fact you have a Radeon card doesn't help - V3.4 didn't like those much...

Sorry, but it seems you've tried all the good ideas I can think of... hope this helps a little bit.

Mark

Hello Mark, thanks to your answer, lowering the view is not really an option while flying VFR in 172 with clouds above me.

What I am really curious about is, is it possible for the simple clouds look good? I didn't find much info on that.
One last hope is the cloud.fx file
Hopefully others can help too

Dominik

Dominik,

You didnt say which weather engine you are running. (Is it the one within Skyforce or are you running a 3rd party add on for weather injection) and have you taken a look at those settings?

 

Regards

Edited August 27, 20214 yr by 787flyer

Unfortunately all those texture settings will lighten the load on your GPU but I believe the CPU will still be hit hard on calculations for loading in the clouds, so I don't think there's much that can be done if your system is already struggling. Even the simplest clouds will still put a burden on your CPU and that will inevitably slow your sim if you're flying near a thunderstorm. 

On 8/27/2021 at 3:28 PM, 787flyer said:

Dominik,

You didnt say which weather engine you are running. (Is it the one within Skyforce or are you running a 3rd party add on for weather injection) and have you taken a look at those settings?

 

Regards

Sorry, I am usually using FSXWX and sometimes the REX's own one, but during these tests I used the default P3D scenarios

Thanks for answering,

Dominik

Try turning down the cloud texture on the Rex options to 1024x1024 or 512x512 and see if that helps.  Also try turning off anti-aliasing to see if it makes a difference.

On 8/30/2021 at 10:53 PM, exeodus said:

Try turning down the cloud texture on the Rex options to 1024x1024 or 512x512 and see if that helps.  Also try turning off anti-aliasing to see if it makes a difference.

REX settings are minimum and all antialiasing options are off

With your hardware and the awesome 17 fps in clear skies, I doubt there is a lot you can do to improve the performance in cloudy conditions. I would recommend lowering the display resolution in that case.