Floyds-Epic-Clouds

I have posted these previously long ago, but it bears repeating for those who may have missed them. In my opinion these free clouds rival or actually exceed the beauty of any commercial package. Almost a must-have. (unless you have something against presets!)

1. Here are options for a set of 20 or 70 cloudscapes with a spread of properties to provide beautiful and realistic environments for your flights.
2. You might then be wondering what to expect, as sinful_regal did:

"This mod is amazing. I highly suggest you download it. You will never go back to Microsoft's word not allowed defaults again. Floyd's clouds are integral to simming guys and girls. I didn't know what to think, but after using it for the first time, it is well worth all the great reviews."
--- sinful_regal

Epic Cloud Features

• The clouds have interdependent weather properties, including cloud cover, temperature, pressure, snow and wind speed.
• Winds Aloft is included on each cloudscape, the prevailing wind direction is  based on the climactic zone of the cloudscape and will affect your flight time at altitude.
• Special Environments have been provided
• Thermals for gliders
• Directional winds for balloons

...find out more here

User Requests are included

• Including the DCS style 'Double Cloud Stack' preset
• Turbulence (gusting winds preset)
• Persistent rain
• The name includes cloud cover and temperature information using a choice of Fahrenheit or Celsius scales and two sort orders, just choose the installation that suits your preference.
• Two sort orders and two temperature scales available so you can view the list in 'cloud cover' order or 'name' order. Both options are have Centigrade and Fahrenheit variants.
• For more information check this User Guide
• Epic Clouds & Live Weather?
• I would like to provide dynamic clouds, but Microsoft hasn't provided an official means to be able to do that. I do research this possibility from time to time but I don't want to make something that could potentially fall apart after a sim update. See also: Frequently Asked Questions

Epic Clouds & FPS?

Each cloud preset has an FPS cost as does everything else in the sim. Translucent clouds use more than opaque ones. You can maximise your PC configuration for flight simulation here: https://channellfd.com/how-to-configure-msfs-for-vr/  Note:  MSFS 2024 will access all your CPU cores and give you an increased capability to provide stutter-free flights.

 

 

Edited April 15, 20242 yr by HiFlyer

Been using these presets for quite awhile now and yep. They are that good

44 minutes ago, styckx said:

Been using these presets for quite awhile now and yep. They are that good

I had them installed for a while, but not the current version.

I like how they are now prepackaged in various configurations like fahrenheit, centigrade or cloud type etc, that you can install or not based on your preference.

Edited April 15, 20242 yr by HiFlyer

Am I correct that they are not compatible with using live weather?

1 minute ago, Boeing_Driver said:

Am I correct that they are not compatible with using live weather?

They are presets

4 minutes ago, Boeing_Driver said:

Am I correct that they are not compatible with using live weather?

Correct.

The package contains weather presets, albeit often far more realistic than Live Weather.

Edited April 15, 20242 yr by F737MAX

I’ve had these installed for a while but keep forgetting to use them as I tend to use live weather. Great variety of cloud types though.

1 hour ago, Cpt_Piett said:

I’ve had these installed for a while but keep forgetting to use them as I tend to use live weather. Great variety of cloud types though.

Whenever I fly GA, the current real world weather is less important as I'm less likely to encounter opposite traffic on approach. So, I immediately go to Floyd's presets whenever I start up a bug smasher.

Additionally for REX AccuSeason Advanced users, the two Fall Seasonal Weather Overcast presets are very realistic, IMO.

Edited April 15, 20242 yr by F737MAX

Been using Floyds clouds since the beginning, no idea I missed an update though. 

1 hour ago, HiFlyer said:

I had them installed for a while, but not the current version.

I like how they are now prepackaged in various configurations like fahrenheit, centigrade or cloud type etc, that you can install or not based on your preference.

Yeah they've been that way for a number of versions now. I just use the standard as I'm not to concerned with temps and such

13 minutes ago, styckx said:

Yeah they've been that way for a number of versions now. I just use the standard as I'm not to concerned with temps and such

I put them all in addon Linker so I can switch according to mood.

I've been using this for a while. Very nice, too.

These just highlight to me (very well) what the potential is for live weather. It’s such a shame we can’t have this art with live conditions….out to the horizon with fronts etc being visible, which is what we were promised when MSFS launched!

4 hours ago, Boeing_Driver said:

Am I correct that they are not compatible with using live weather?

Other options are Rex Weatherforce or xEnviro that will produce better, and more varied cloud types, than MSFS live weather.  Activesky will no doubt be as good.

I have Floyds Epic Clouds, but I never use them.  I can see they would be useful if you want those particular conditions for a flight.  

An argument for not using a weather addon like Rex Weather or xEnviro is the global nature of the weather, even those these addons will give clouds as good as these presets, which are global as well. At least the two products I mention do transition (much better than we had in previous sims) between weather areas.

I have a couple of addon weather preset packs, but don't use them because of the quality of clouds in Rex and xEnviro.