I've notied with nearly every add on that "enhances" the sky and water the colors seem way to dark. Its as if they are looking at photos and trying to mimic the colors from the photo. While it might look artsy, it doesn't look all that realistic does it? I know water can look pretty dark but I havn't seen skies as dark as the add ons except in photos.Photo's do not see what the eye does due to the limited contrast range, high saturation, and even polarizing filters. To me the default sky and water looks better than any add on I have seen, so I don't understand why the add ons use such dark colors. I wouldn't mind better clouds, but the sky and water colors are awesome as they are, and wouldn't think about changing them.

I beg to differ. These shots are from the X Graphics package from hifi and they look darn good to me.Plus there are so many variations to choose from. Anyways my 2 cents.Stevehttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/176838.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/176839.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/176840.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/176841.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/176842.jpg

Ok, the water looks good in those, but to me the sky seems to dark, more noticeably up high. I guess its a matter of preference though. I tried an add on like this in FS9 and the darker color took away the light and airy feeling. Seemed much heavier and I didn't like it as much. The colors ACES uses are quite pleasant and refreshing. I wonder if they consulted with the MS psychology team? lol http://sio.midco.net/111lll/004.jpg

Hello, "but to me the sky seems to dark, more noticeably up high"There is only few of these, most are much lighter, this is what's I like in XG, many option of sky color range for each taste. http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...id=262352&page=http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/176843.jpg

solar egale,Though I agree the camera can lie you only have to surf the net at the huge amount of water and sky and cloud shots to see that in general water is much darker that perhaps you think.Yes, polarizing filers can increase contrast but not at every shot and time. It all depends on the angle to the sun.In my experience, water in game if far too light. Sky is too saturated. The darker sky you are seeing also shows the tail of a jet. Jets are often very high and at these elevated altitudes the sky 100% is that dark. At times sky can also very saturated.It is good programs like ASG and FE have options to set these to user choices.One thing you maybe missing in ASX the uppper sky color darkens as you climb through layers. It is one of the more advanced features of FSX.Dan