Need some education

[jandmbear]

I must confess that as long as I've been involved in flight simming, I've never purchased any environmental enhancements. About as far as I've gotten is using Orbx free Bowerman field (which is amazing). What I was curious about is, are there any payware, specifically sky and cloud products that replace the default sky and clouds? The default clouds set on "detailed" aren't that bad really. They just generate a significant frame rate hit in certain circumstances. I would like to purchase something that replaces them with clouds, and sky that look better AND deliver better performance then the default offerings. I would also pose the same question to ground textures or mesh as it were. Basically I would like to spruce up my terrain and sky environment with better visuals and better performance. Is this possible? Thanks in advance!

[dhasdell]

Before splashing out on payware, you might look at some of the free replacement texture sets that are available. Do a search on improving FSX and look at some of the YouTube tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JpxiljzQ14

[jankees]

for better skies: http://www.rexsimulations.com/
and for better ground textures: https://fullterrain.com/

but there always alternatives...

[Daube]

I must confess that as long as I've been involved in flight simming, I've never purchased any environmental enhancements. About as far as I've gotten is using Orbx free Bowerman field (which is amazing). What I was curious about is, are there any payware, specifically sky and cloud products that replace the default sky and clouds? The default clouds set on "detailed" aren't that bad really. They just generate a significant frame rate hit in certain circumstances. I would like to purchase something that replaces them with clouds, and sky that look better AND deliver better performance then the default offerings. I would also pose the same question to ground textures or mesh as it were. Basically I would like to spruce up my terrain and sky environment with better visuals and better performance. Is this possible? Thanks in advance!

Before buying anything, you should give a try to the free stuff.
For the clouds, I would recommend you the package named HDEv2. It's a package that was made for FS9. The cloud textures inside are compatible with FSX (and they are magnificient), but the sky textures are not compatible. Here's the link to the original package: http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=146315

Please note that the sky textures of this package were later on converted to FSX format, and uploaded into a sepate package: https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/18029/fsx-hde-sky-textures-v20/

The first package contains only one set of clouds, but splitted into different formats and resolutions. I strongly recommend you to start with the lower resolutions, like 512x512 maximum. This resolution might sound low, but in fact it wil already look awesome compared with the terrible default clouds, and the performance increase in heavy weather should be quite enjoyable ;)

[huub vink]

I use the same clouds and sky textures as Daube and like him, I can really recommend them!

You can find some fine free scenery, including some ground textures here: http://aussiex.org/forum/index.php?/files/category/75-staff-scenery/&page=2

Cheers,
Huub

[Stefano Zibell]

https://www.facebook.com/ALeclercqCreations/

I find these textures very pleasing.

Freemesh X is a must if you fly outside America: http://www.avsim.com/forum/737-freemeshx-global-support-forum/

[jandmbear]

Thanks for all the responses guys! I'll definitely give the free packages a try, and thanks for the links!

[hairyspin]

The problem with payware is the sheer quality of some packages and you get spoiled. OrbX New Zealand South Island did that to me...