Hi, I've always used REX Skyforce for both FSX and P3Dv5 and I was just wondering if AS16 with ASCA is better or if Skyforce is better?  I'm new to P3D, I've been using FSX for ages and finally decided to try P3D and I notice a lot of people saying they use AS16 and ASCA for P3D so it got me curious to want to try it.  I want to know is it worth the switch?  I appreciate anyone's feedback, thanks.

Hi,

I was wondering the same but the other way around. I have AS and ASCA but no skyforce. I am quite happy with ASCA, but I think skyforce has a lot more cloudtypes and textures. Sometimes I use ASCA and sometimes Volumetric clouds. And I always have EA on. On youtube you can find a number of videos where ASCA and Skyforce are compared. 

It’s pretty subjective I think based on one’s taste.  I have both skyforce and ASCA and use them both at different times.  skyforce does have more options than asca like visible rain shafts and more cloud models.  

I've used both and REX has much better clouds IMO.

I'm using Skyforce which also provides the custom cloud models which update based on weather conditions.

Dave

Sounds like I'm better off sticking with Skyforce then.  Skyforce really does have a lot of cloud models to choose from for sure, not to mention all the other types of atmospheric textures and effects it includes as well as the weather engine all in one.  Looking at Skyforce rn I see there's 22 regular cloud textures plus 20 cirro-type cloud textures to choose from, that's a lot of variation.  I have to say I've never gotten bored yet of the clouds and the sky using Skyforce.  Thanks for the input guys, I do appreciate it.  I'll still check out those compare videos though just to see for myself.

Hey speaking of weather add-ons, I was looking at FS Global Real Weather engine here

simMarket: FS GLOBAL REAL WEATHER PREPAR3D V5 EDITION

that's supposed to work with Skyforce cloud textures.  Is it a better weather engine than the Skyforce engine?

Edited February 12, 20233 yr by Kalnon

I think the consensus is that activesky is the best weather engine for P3d.  I have never used the weather engine included in the skyforce program but believe it has issues. 
 

no idea on the fs global product either.

Edited February 12, 20233 yr by okupton

Generally used:

Activesky for WX generation

Skyforce for textures.

ASP3D is required for P3D5 ....... the weather engine + ASCA or any other textures, even the sim's own.

Only ASP3D & FSGRW have both current (live) & historic weather, but only ASP3D has TAF data in each mode.

ASP3D excels compared to all other weather engines in that its download of current metars (including speci's) are within 5mins of issue & correctly stamped ( as are corrected / ammended TAFS as well).

ASP3D's historic metars are less comprehensive / accurate (as it is only an "on the hour" hourly snapshot of the latest & hence a tad erratic .... an hour ahead or behind when compared with the TAF).

@tegoid   .... fyi.

Edited February 13, 20233 yr by vadriver

Ok I may have to consider switching weather engines then.  I don't have many complaints regarding the Skyforce weather engine except that the changes in the clouds are so drastic between each weather injection.  I have it set to update every 5 or 10 minutes I think and when it does update the sky completely changes from cloudy as far as the eye can see, to almost completely clear, or I will be flying through a haze then suddenly the haze will disappear completely in an instant.  I do use ASXP for X-Plane 11 and have similar issues so I'm not sure it's just the skyforce weather engine that does it.  I wish the developers of these kinds of add-ons would find a way to make the transitions between weather injections much more smooth and gradual because it does kill the immersion when that stuff happens.

Edited February 13, 20233 yr by Kalnon

I never liked the sky color with ASCA.  Almost too turquoise or something.  I had settled on ActiveSky for weather engine, SkyForce for clouds.  

The envtex skies paired with asca dynamic mode were always the best skies in P3d in my opinion. 

I currently use AS and ASCA, i find the performance much better than REX.

With REX, I would have massive stutters and performance loss with big cloud clutters. I even had the clouds set on a lower setting. 

I have an i9-10850k and a RTX 3060.

I find ASCA much better on performance and the clouds are really nice.

1 hour ago, Danthepilot77 said:

I currently use AS and ASCA, i find the performance much better than REX.

With REX, I would have massive stutters and performance loss with big cloud clutters. I even had the clouds set on a lower setting. 

I have an i9-10850k and a RTX 3060.

I find ASCA much better on performance and the clouds are really nice.

Exactly my experience. Way smoother and better performance with ASCA. Skyforce just hammers my systems. Additionally I feel like the cloudscape looks more realistic with ASCA with the full dynamic theme.

Are you guys talking about ASCA with v5.3?

(...and EA on)?

Edited February 13, 20233 yr by Juliet Alpha