Steve Dra

Unfortunately not a simple task. As you may be aware, I paint liveries, so I'm knowledgeable on many things graphics related. I'm competent in Photoshop and use it and a Nvidia plugin that deals with the DDS file format with aplomb. However....even though the steps are easy with the tools I use, there were several hundred (800ish I believe) that were in 4096 format (4k as its commonly referred to, but not exactly accurate), and even four 8K (8192) 767 freighters in the mix. 2 challenges: All the DDS files you need to modify are in discrete sub folders, so its not easy to access them all in one window. I resolved that by getting a freeware file management app that did the job (got them in all one window), and knowing all 4k files were 23mb each (and the largest in the sub texture folder(s) except for the 8ks I took care of manually), I just sorted my single windowed list of all DDS files by file size, and the 4k (23mb's) all floated to the top. Then I grabbed them in lots of 10 or so and dragged them into Photoshop. The next challenge is that you have to hit resize (shortcut CTRL+ALT+I...then type in 50% (4096/2=2048), hit Enter, then save. That can get really tedious with 800 to do, LOL. When you have the DDS plugin, the save command (CTRL+S naturally) brings up a sub window then you click OK. I never created a macro/batch command in PS before so I thought it was high time I learn. That part was easy, the bad part is the save command that opens the DDS plugin menu can't be read by the macro. So I did have to click Save each time the window appeared, but that was not too bad vs manually resizing/saving/closing...the macro was able to hit the close function so I didn't have to do that either. There was probably a better way to do it in PS if one had the macro/batch skills, but that's not my area of expertise. Sadly I can't redistribute them as that would be a direct copyright violation.... I fear with all the bad press lately about copyrighted ai traffic files from various groups that the only solution is going to be each simmer who chooses to optimize will have to do it themselves. I understand there are tools out that can batch convert, but I've heard some folks running into issues with file format and having black aircraft as the tool couldn't handle some of the finickily DDS files. I'd love to redistribute the files but I can't, maybe the devs will do something to resolve this. If I get approached by them and they have the sufficient rights to distribute size-altered AI planes, I'll happily send them my files to share, but I can't release them on my own.

Surprisingly (for me)...the performance is not bad. For reference: 10700K not OC'd...rus at about 4.8g on all cores (HT on) just updated from a 2070 to 3060ti (that certainly helped, as will the 3090 I will install soon) 32gb normal speed ram Have FSLTL installed...50 IFR flightplans injected from flightradar24 modest settings (I've always tuned my settings to my system specs...very few things on ultra, grass and trees on low for instance There is initial stutters as everything loads in, but once it does, and I'm not droning at 1000mph and making normal turns in my aircraft, I get 30 frames (locked) and reasonably smooth...even with all the traffic you see in the pic below. I did just resize all my AI aircraft that were at 4096 down to 2048, and I think that surely helps, but no real complaints with this complexity and ai loading. It's not butter smooth, but a trick I use is resize the window a bit smaller when I'm at KLAX and that smooths it out much more....after you depart and i'm a few miles away...back to full screen and all is very smooth. There is a TON of ground equipment that loads in as you get near it throughout all the gates...that is distracting, I think its too much and all those 3d models may be causing a lot of issues for folks...maybe we get a setting to turn it of or at least down? I hope everyone who's struggling with this airport gets it worked out....as one of my favorite airports, I'm thoroughly enjoying the inibuilds version.

I'm just now looking into reducing the image size to optimize, and here is what I found so far. I was able to get the EZ A319 (one of them so far, G-EZFW) converted to 1024 just fine. As you can see in the pics below...the quality takes a hit, close up... but at normal taxi distance, I think it looks acceptable for the savings you get. I may try 2048 maps vs 1024 and see if I can find a good balance between performance and quality. And FYI...some of the 767 freighters were 8k...the DHL and Kalitta's specifically...those would drag your FPS down in a hurry! I changed them to 1024....now I just have to go find them in the sim and see how they look at 1024. I'm using Photoshop and the Nvidia plugin to manually change the textures (being a veteran painter has its benefits in this endeavor, hehe)...so manipulating textures are second nature. Before anyone asks...I'm not taking this on as a project at the moment...there are a lot of moving parts to an effort this size, and I'm just at the curious stage right now as I explore what this new traffic app has added to the community. If I'm approached by the devs to assist in optimization, all the proper approvals to modify and most importantly, redistribute copyright material have to be ironed out before I can start making any of my work public to share. Sadly from what I've read in the past about this touchy subject, we may never get approval for that, but I know there are several freeware painting apps that can handle MSFS dds files properly, so anyone here could use a combo of a batch program to convert the bulk, and then use the paint program to figure out why some planes don't work with the batch.

I agree we need a large, long range bizjet in the sim (well all of them if we're dreaming). However, we actually do have one, although many discount it because its more commonly thought of as a commercial airliner. If I were in the position to own a very large bizjet in the real world and had a Gulfstream, Bombardier, ABJ and BBJ, etc to choose from, I'd take the BBJ every day of the week and 3 times on Sunday. The others are cool no doubt, but if you're that rich, another few million here or there for a BBJ is nothing and it blows away all the others in the things that actually matter in the real world. So we have ONE high fidelity large business jet in MSFS, but I agree we need the GS' and Bombarier's to make an appearance.

ooh thanks for the heads up....off to check out KBOS

Agreed. I wish MSFS would make an effort to give us rational functioning AI traffic, and open it up to let 3rd parties work their magic. That and weather radar are the 2 things (IMO) that would put MSFS at the "I can sim with this without anymore major updates, thank you" level. Well..there is the equally ridiculous ATC, but I don't really care about that as if I want ATC, there is only one logical solution that already exists. 😉

I think your best bet to get into an 8000 (cost wise)...is to get a 7500 that another rich guy is trying to unload so they can get the shiny new 8000, and do the "conversion" they mention in the vid. Could save you 9-10 million I figure....you can use that to gut his horrible interior and deck out your own....I mean, who wants mahogany furniture when you can get reclaimed redwood? And 24 carat gold fixtures are a must of course....I mean, what's the point of having a luxury jet if you can't decorate it to your tastes? 🙂

Ugh...that is what I figured. To me, its very important and I've been tempted many times to dip into gate modding...I know...Its not that hard! 🙂 Nothing kills immersion for me like...as I mentioned, and at KLAX for example...a few SWA's over at UAL's spots, as they are complete opposite sides of the airport and would NEVER happen....Maybe one or 2 at DAL gates if they were overflow or something. Grateful for seeing nice looking aircraft models, we just need to get to that next step of placing them in the right places. 🙂 I know....get and configure AIG with XYZ, using ABC for the 123 and EFG for the 678, download this, compile that, edit such and such, but 1st you need to get the ABC app to mod the 123.bgl files and make sure you use version 12.345vC41.33 and ONLY when modding files from XZY developer. Does that sound about right? 😂

I agree....does anyone know how to get them to appear at the right gates? They seem to spawn in totally randomly, and if you are knowledgeable about airline positions at certain airports, it kinda breaks the immersion if you see an SWA parked at the UAL gates on the complete opposite side of the airport.

And the most depressing news was at 13:00.....I just KNEW when I bought my Global 7000 and the salesman tried to get me to wait and buy a 7500 I shoulda' listened to him! Now I can't upgrade to an 8000. 😞 Anyone in the market for a poultry used Global 7000? Only has 2 miles on it (I had it towed 2 miles from the ramp by the FBO to my remote hangar at the end of the airport as I can't afford to put fuel in it to fly it 😭, its pretty to look at though. I did put enough fuel in it once to fire up the APU and look at all the pretty lights in the cockpit though)

Hehe....its when you see that "code" as a "blonde, redhead, brunette" that you really start to wonder....😆 (BTW I have seen that back when my MSFS was working) 😞

I did the 1st one where it does not delete anything....will try the next step where it clears data. "I'd also do an SFC /SCANNOW for system files" Will have to remember how to do that...old age you know 🙂 I think I've set it up to run in administrator mode, but will check that, thanks.

Sigh....did a full DDU clean uninstall in safe mode....reloaded studio driver (last know working)....same result. Up for any other things to try. Did not create a restore point before installing the driver that started this crapfest! I will from now on. (never had this happen in decades of updating drivers.)

I used the "clean install' option in the Nvidia app. I'll try DDU next. Thanks.

I did twice in fact....a full shutdown...then a "reboot" after

OK....officially getting worried here.....all tips and hints delivered here have not helped my situation. MSFS simply CTDs after the loading screen (the one where you see the TBM with KSFO in the background. Its gets to the screen where MSFS "should" start loading, and CTD immediately. I reverted back to the studio driver (and used the clean install option)...and now with the studio driver, getting the exact same issue. Never have I ever had this happen with a driver update...MSFS has been just about flawless since I bought it day 1. Hope more suggestions come in...I'm HARD DOWN! 😞

I have a ROLLINGCACHE.CCC that is a 16gb file (that equates to the rolling cache I set in MSFS)...its in the same folder as the UserCfg.opt file (C:\Users\steve\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache) Is that the one you're talking about? @Barnes I opened the exe.xml and it looks fine (all normal text and pretty short, just the Fenix install), Should I delete anyway you think? (or maybe move it somewhere)

Will do.....how to check for corruption and can I just delete them and they get recreated on boot? Human out.

Did a clean install of the driver...replacing the recent studio version. I had just switched to DX12 in the sim before installing. After install....all I get is CTD after the initial loading screen. Community folder empty. Manually set DX12 in UserCfg.opt to off and tried again...same thing. Have both rebooted and total shutdown a few times, no effect. Cannot get into MSFS now....thoughts/help? Is there a way to manually start MSFS in safe mode?

If the achievements actually had rewards attached to them, real ones like "50% off your next marketplace purchase when achieving XXX", or something like that, then I bet they'd garner more interest from the crowd. As they are now, and as others mentioned the metrics on some of them are totally bogus, they were cute and interesting for the 1st few times I launched the sim, then after that...well.

Wow...just wow. Just finished reading the thread with the guy sparring you on every comment you made. Who do I trust is making accurate and balanced comments on the state of the turbulence model in MSFS? A highly talented aircraft developer with inner knowledge of how MSFS code works, and is a real life pilot who's flown over the area he's referencing in the real plane, comparing it to the sim....or Some simmer who's trying to debunk every comment you make with a terrible video of him flying a plane in MSFS with a laptop keyboard? After careful consideration...I'm going with option 1. 😉 This is exactly like the same decision I made recently when faced with a cancer-rectifying surgical operation. I consulted the top surgeon in Texas, who's performed hundreds of this operation successfully from one of the top surgical hospitals in the state. I asked a homeless guy on the street outside the surgeon's office as I was heading to my car to see if he had a differing opinion on the operation. After careful consideration, I picked number 1 as my final opinion for this life-altering operation. 😉

I find this rather disappointing that the Devs who design aircraft in their (Asobo's) medium and providing real-time feedback to what their airframes are experiencing in their virtual environment and how jacked-up it is vs real world observations, and they just ignore it. It almost seems like, to us lay-people, that Asobo, if they even acknowledge it, just pat you on the head and say "there, there, we know what we're doing, and its obvious its your faulty coding that is causing unrealistic reactions to our CFD-designed airflow models." Has to be a little frustrating? 🙂

It's clear that we're too busy flying her in clear weather to respond back that we clearly enjoy this mod. To clarify, I think my feelings on this mod are crystal clear. I've cleared my calendar for some casual flights over Clearwater, Fl, where I live...and I can clearly see my condo in breathtaking clarity in the sim now. Let me completely clear here so there is no doubt. I clearly like this new clear canopy mod. 🙂

Yeah that one had me spitting my coffee on my keyboard and monitor when I saw it updated in the MP in days rather than the usual weeks of waiting.....maybe the nature of their longer-than-rational update times are finally being addressed by MSFS/Asobo? Would be a most-welcomed change if so. 🙂

Who needs an accurate reg? I know who I am. 🙂