Best FSX setting for photoreal ground textures?

[roger-wilco-66]

Hi y'all,

I'm fiddling around for ages now, but am not really succesful.
I'm trying to find the best FSX settings for photoreal ground textures, because on my system the textures have a real long delay in loading and the ground looks way too mushy. The faster the aircraft is, the worse it gets.
I follow the FSX picture thread and - with a bit of enviousness :-) - I come to think that there must be some parameter in the graphics / FSX.cfg settings that is responsible for that.

Any suggestions out there?

TIA
Mark

PS: I have a Q6600 system with NVIDIA GTX460 card (with NVIDIA Inspector / and Jesus Altuves FSX teak).

[Roger]

Hi Mark,
I have the same issues and a very similar system to you. I have been tweaking for a long time to prevent blurries around Concrete Municipal (ORBX PNW) with some success, but to totally prevent blurries I have to move the sliders back to a visually unacceptable position. PNW shares some aspects with photo real so I'd guess that your issues are similar to mine. I use the external frame rate limiter so my frames are set to unlimited in the cfg. I also have tried AA and Anisotropic off in game and enabled in Nvidia Inspector.

Here's my.cfg (with the gauges/permissions etc. removed, so maybe some of the settings might be useful?

// This file was tweaked on Jul 29, 2011 at 11:25 GMT using Bojote's automated FSX Tweaking & Tuning Service
// Your 'original' fsx.CFG file was backed up at http://www.venetubo.com/fsx/6a6464b861ef764f9893ebdad2f3a242/backup/fsx_backup.cfg
// This file is optimized as follows: 4 core(s), CPU speed 3, HT 0, GPU 4, PREF 2
// You can visit Bojote's FSX Tweaking & Tuning service at http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html
[MAPVIEW_MAP]
SHOW_AIRPORTS=1
SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_NDBS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_VORS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
show_flight_history=1
[BufferPools]
PoolSize=524288//8388608
RejectThreshold=262144//98304
UsePools=1
[VirtualCopilot]
VirtualCopilotActive=0
[SOUND]
AmbientUI=0
AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000
PrimaryDevice={DEF00000-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}
SOUND=1
SOUND_LOD=1
SOUND_QUALITY=2
UISound=1
VoiceDevice={DEF00002-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}
[SlewTextInfo.1]
AirSpeed=1,5
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
[AContain]
LabelColor=FFFF0000
LabelDelay=1000
ShowLabelAirline=0
ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0
ShowLabelAirspeed=0
ShowLabelAltitude=1
ShowLabelContainerId=0
ShowLabelDistance=1
ShowLabelFlightPlan=0
ShowLabelHeading=0
ShowLabelManufacturer=1
ShowLabelModel=1
ShowLabelTailNumber=0
ShowLabels=0
ShowUserLabel=0
[ATC]
AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=0
COMM_MSG_AI_ATC_COLOR=FFFF7840
COMM_MSG_ATC_AI_COLOR=FF00FF00
COMM_MSG_ATC_USER_COLOR=FFB6FFB6
COMM_MSG_NONE_COLOR=FFFFFFFF
COMM_MSG_USER_ATC_COLOR=FFFFD21B
PilotVoice=0
ShowATCText=0
UsePilotVoice=0
[TextInfo.1]
AirSpeed=1,5
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
[AccelerationPack]
ControlsFirstRun=0
HomePageFirstRun=0
[INTERNATIONAL]
ASLAT=2
ASLON=1
MEASURE=0
[CONTROLS]
Controls_Current=Standard
Controls_Default=Standard
KBDAIL=64
KBDELEV=64
KBDRUD=64
force_crash_enabled=0
force_gear_bump_enabled=0
force_ground_bumps_enabled=0
force_master_enabled=0
force_master_gain=10000
force_stick_force_enabled=0
force_stick_shaker_enabled=0
[FACILITIES]
CITY=
COUNTRY=
GTL_BUTTON=1414
STATE=
[TextInfo.3]
AirSpeed=1,5
Altitude=1,3
FrameRate=2,1
FuelPercentage=2,4
GForce=2,3
Heading=1,4
Latitude=1,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
Longitude=1,2
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
[PointOfInterestSystem]
CycleSetting=0
[GRAPHICS]
AC_SELF_SHADOW=1
AIRCRAFT_REFLECTIONS=1
AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=1
ALLOW_SHADER_30=1
COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=1
D3D10=0
EFFECTS_QUALITY=2
ForceFullScreenVSync=1
ForceWindowedVSync=1
GROUND_SHADOWS=0
HIGHMEMFIX=1
IMAGE_QUALITY=0
LANDING_LIGHTS=1
NUM_LIGHTS=8
See_Self=1
TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=2048
TEXTURE_QUALITY=3
Text_Scroll=1
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED_10=1693500672
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693500672
[TrafficManager]
AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=1
AirlineDensity=20
FreewayDensity=20
GADensity=20
IFROnly=0
LeisureBoatsDensity=20
ShipsAndFerriesDensity=20
[DynamicHeadMovement]
HeadMoveTimeConstant=1.000000
LonAccelOnHeadLon=-0.020000
LonAccelOnHeadPitch=-0.010000
MaxHeadAngle=5.000000
MaxHeadOffset=0.300000
RollAccelOnHeadLat=0.010000
RollAccelOnHeadRoll=0.100000
YawAccelOnHeadLat=-0.100000
[REALISM]
AllowEngineDamage=False
AutoCoord=False
AutoTrim=False
CrashDetection=False
CrashTolerance=0.000000
CrashWithDyn=False
GEffect=False
General=0.000000
GyroDrift=False
GyroEffect=0.000000
ManualLights=False
PFactor=0.000000
RealMixture=True
StressDamage=False
Torque=0.000000
TrueAirspeed=False
UnlimitedFuel=False
[Weather]
AdjustForMagVarInDialog=1
CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=3
DETAILED_CLOUDS=1
DisableTurbulence=0
DownloadWindsAloft=0
DynamicWeather=2
MaxGustRampSpeed=200
MaxGustTime=500
MaxVarRampSpeed=75
MaxVarTime=50
MinGustRampSpeed=1
MinGustTime=10
MinVarRampSpeed=10
MinVarTime=5
THERMAL_VISUALS=0
TurbulenceScale=1.000000
WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0
WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.com
WeatherServerPort=80
WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1
[Misc]
Com_Rate=7
[Main]
DisablePreload=1
FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.75//0.50
HideMenuFullscreen=1
HideMenuNormal=0
Location=0,0,1280,620,\\.\DISPLAY1
Maximized=1
SimObjectPaths.0=SimObjects\Airplanes
SimObjectPaths.1=SimObjects\Rotorcraft
SimObjectPaths.2=SimObjects\GroundVehicles
SimObjectPaths.3=SimObjects\Boats
SimObjectPaths.4=SimObjects\Animals
SimObjectPaths.5=SimObjects\Misc
//SimObjectPaths.6=F:\Port-overs
User Objects=Airplane, Helicopter
ProcSpeed=9209
PerfBucket=7
//gauges, permissions etc.
[TextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
FuelPercentage=1,4
GForce=1,3
LockedFrameRate=1,2
[USERINTERFACE]
DisplayFuelAsWeight=0
Map_Orientation=0
OpenATCOnCreate=0
PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=1
PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1
PageID=1
SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0
SITUATION=C:\Users\Roger\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\Cessna at Concrete Municipal
SelectAircraftManufacturer=Curtiss
SelectAircraftPublisher=All
SelectAircraftType=All
ShowAllACPaintSchemes=1
[DISPLAY.Device.NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460.0]
Mode=1280x1024x32
[SIM]
SYSCLOCK=1
[Display]
ActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=0,28,140,64
ActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
BLOOM_EFFECTS=0
ChangeTime=0.000000
InfoBrakesEnable=True
InfoLowerLeftBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoLowerLeftTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerRightBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoLowerRightTextColor=255,255,255
InfoOverspeedEnable=True
InfoParkingBrakesEnable=True
InfoPauseEnable=True
InfoSlewEnable=True
InfoStallEnable=True
InfoUpperRightBackGroundColor=0,0,0,0
InfoUpperRightTextColor=255,0,0
NonActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=24,33,87,64
NonActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
SKINNED_ANIMATIONS=1
TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=120
TextureMaxLoad=6
TransitionTime=0.000000
UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=0
WideViewAspect=False
[JOBSCHEDULER]
AffinityMask=14
[WeatherMap]
SHOW_AIRPORTS=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=0
SHOW_APPROACHES=0
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_NDBS=0
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_VORS=0
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
[SlewTextInfo.3]
AirSpeed=1,5
Altitude=1,3
FrameRate=2,1
Heading=1,4
Latitude=1,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
Longitude=1,2
[PANELS]
DEFAULT_VIEW=0
IMAGE_QUALITY=1
PANEL_MASKING=1
PANEL_OPACITY=100
PANEL_STRETCHING=1
QUICKTIPS=1
UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0
[STARTUP]
DEMO=0
LoadWindow=1
SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1
STARTUP_DEMO=0
[SlewTextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
[TERRAIN]
AUTOGEN_DENSITY=2
DETAIL_TEXTURE=1
LOD_RADIUS=5.500000
MESH_COMPLEXITY=80
MESH_RESOLUTION=23
SWAP_WAIT_TIMEOUT=2
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=28
WATER_EFFECTS=5
[SCENERY]
DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1
IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=3
LENSFLARE=0
MAX_ASYNC_BATCHING_JOBS=3
SmallPartRejectRadius=4.0
[FlightPlanMap]
LineWidth=2
SHOW_AIRPORTS=1
SHOW_VORS=1
SHOW_NDBS=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=1
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
show_waypoints=1
show_airways=1
show_markers=1
show_volume_boundaries=1
show_ac_twr=1
[MULTIPLAYER]
condAccoutPassword=0

[Meshman]

Any suggestions out there?

The simple answer is more horsepower = better textures.

FSX has a rendering loop and that loop and rendering priorities dictates what will be seen and how clearly it's shown. Getting to sharp textures (and mesh!) is towards the end of the loop. Before that point autogen, scenery objects, road traffic all gets rendered first. A great way to see this process is to go into slew mode, elevate above the terrain by 1,000 feet or so, then slew in a direction really fast for 10-15 seconds, then STOP! Watch as FSX redraws the location. If you wait long enough, the textures (and mesh!) will finally come into clear view. Now translate that into a moving airplane and moving terrain, all while this loop is running, over and over and over. If it hits the end of the loop and hasn't drawn sharp textures yet, it just starts over. Any blurry textures is the result.

I made some photo work for a U.S. state last year. Almost done and my system died. So I ordered new parts and built a new one. Once I got the photo work on the new system I was really stymied, because it looked so much different than what I had seen with the old system. Then it dawned on me that I finally had enough horsepower to enable FSX to fully render the imagery in the sim. If I could throw a few million trees onto the photo work for the state, I wouldn't see the same clarity. This is because the autogen would get rendering priority and the loop would probably time out before the photo tiles got drawn to their highest levels.

Old system was a C2D 6700, new system an i7 930 @ stock settings. So a 2.66ghz processor vs. a 2.8ghz processor. But the i7 system overall has more horsepower to process what FSX wants to feed it.

[txnetcop]

What Meshman said is true however you can get sharp textures with even the old 775 socket but it doesn't occur until you reach the 4.0GHz range or better on your CPU and a very fast hard drive like an SSD or for budget system Western Digital Black Edition Raptor. The 460 is just fine. The other thing you can do is raise the LOD Radius to 7.5 or higher each time before you get into FSX because it will go back to default after you exit FSX. However if you raise your LOD_Radius and your system runs at less than 4.0Ghz you will experience some initial stuttering which may clear up after a few seconds.

I had at the time these were taken a Q9550 that ran at 4.2Ghz and GTX 285 video card5021150208502095021050212

MY FSX.cfg
[TERRAIN]
AUTOGEN_DENSITY=3
DETAIL_TEXTURE=1
LOD_RADIUS=7.500000 was 4.5
MESH_COMPLEXITY=90
MESH_RESOLUTION=24
SWAP_WAIT_TIMEOUT=2
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=28
WATER_EFFECTS=6

I hope this helps
Ted

[Roger]

Thanks Ted,
Did you water cool the Q9550?

[txnetcop]

Thanks Ted,
Did you water cool the Q9550?

No Roger I used the ZALMAN CNPS9500A-LED 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler at the time it cost $59.00 at the time now I think it is less than $50.00 but I did have the unit in a huge full-tower
Thermaltake Armor case! It cooled very well. Running FSX with all the goodies it the CPU never exceeded 58C

[roger-wilco-66]

Thanks for the insights.
I tried Teds config and wow, that made a difference. I think it was the lod radius, a few other paramters were even higher on my system, not necessary probably. Meshman, you're right about the loading time, it still is there and it is not really comfortable, but the initial look with Ted's fsx.cfg config is much better.
Well, I guess I'll have to move on to a new system in the long run....

Cheers,
Mark

[txnetcop]

Thanks for the insights.
I tried Teds config and wow, that made a difference. I think it was the lod radius, a few other paramters were even higher on my system, not necessary probably. Meshman, you're right about the loading time, it still is there and it is not really comfortable, but the initial look with Ted's fsx.cfg config is much better.
Well, I guess I'll have to move on to a new system in the long run....

Cheers,
Mark

What are you frame rates like Mark? You might be able speed those up a bit also

[roger-wilco-66]

I limited the framerates externally to 30. That's usually where they stay, between 20 and 30, but I have hdd i/o related stutters, expecially with photoreal sceneries. The only thing that really drags my system down to around 15 is percipitation and a lot of clouds (I have REX 2 Overdrive, but not the hd textures). I also patched the fsx.exe to use more memory, by the way.

I'm checking the affinitymask setting and process assignments to the cores now, if I can distribute the load on the quadcore better (core 0 has little load, core 1 almost none, core 2 full 100%, and core 3 almost none). Maybe things run a bit smoother then...


Cheers, and thanks for your help,
Mark