Clouds square patterns

**Lucas** · April 12th, 2014, 13:13

Hi friends,

Does anyone meet issues like this:

a. between 8/8 cumuls and 8/8 cirrus layers:

b. just above both layers:

c. ...and higher...

I did above tests on default fsx weather (ASN was off), but it sometimes happens also with ASN on. I also use REX4 textures (with default fsx textures there is no problem (?!) I also had this issue when I used AS2012 and REXe textures.
It looks like big hole in cirrus layer which is still running with the aircraft (it’s always be under aircraft).

Cloud density in FSX oprions is set to max.

ASN settings:
[General options]
FSVersion=FSX
AutomaticDownloadInterval=5
VATSIMDownloads=0
[Cloud options]
EnhanceIMCConditions=1
MaximumCloudLayers=6
MaximumCloudDrawDistance=100
ForceBrokenToSeven=0
MinimumCloudDrawDistance=80
[Wind options (and effects)]
InterLayerInterpolation=1
WakeTurbulenceStrength=70
[Visibility options]
MaximumVisibilitySM=75
MaximumUpperVisibilitySM=120
[Audio options]
EnabledVoiceSets=Canada-1,Germany-1,Sweden-East-1,USA-East-1,USA-Mid-1,USA-West-1

One thing is strange for me - I couldn't find similiar issues on forums, nowhere... so, is it possible that this is hardware problem?

Maybe here I will find the solution...

By the way...it is interesting that stratus also makes square pattern (even below cirrus layer):

Best regards,
Lucas

**Paul J** · April 12th, 2014, 13:23

Hi Lucas: is this DX9 or DX10?

Thanks,

pj

**stiz** · April 12th, 2014, 15:04

I did above tests on default fsx weather (ASN was off), but it sometimes happens also with ASN on. I also use REX4 textures (with default fsx textures there is no problem (?!) I also had this issue when I used AS2012 and REXe textures.
It looks like big hole in cirrus layer which is still running with the aircraft (it’s always be under aircraft).

Well if you dont see the effect with the default textures then it has to be the REX4 textures. Maybe try a different theme to see if its the same on all of em, or just that set. If so it might be worth telling the devs of that product about it

**Lucas** · April 13th, 2014, 02:28

@Poul
This is DX10.

@Stiz
I wrote on HiFi forum and REX forum... but I didn't get satisfaction answer.
On hifi told me that there is FSX issue, when generated overcast cumulus/stratus layer and overcast cirrus layer, and aircraft is above cirrus. They mentioned that it probably happens with some kind of cirrus textures, but when I asked on REX forum, they answered that is definatelly not by textures but "how the simulator is representing a weather cell area using the THEME method of injecting".
So, I'm confused now...

**Paul J** · April 13th, 2014, 07:48

Hi Lucasz;

My response is - Why are you zoomed so far out from the aircraft? Isn't the primary cockpit view the most important, and then any other view, looking from about 20 to 100 feet - 7 metres to 35 metres from the aircraft? This would be normal for photography or screenshots of the aircraft and its surroundings, and is most probably the aim of Microsoft, in producing a flight simulator.

This much zoom creates such a strong distortion to any view - to the degree that it would be useless in being of any artistic value. Similarly with the squares,; it is often the case that the textures are repeated hundreds of times, rather than continuously using new textures. This is very noticeable with water - not so much with cloud, but it often has to be this way for performance and memory useage reasons.

With regard to the open area directly below the aircraft - this was an FSX "problem" for many years, but has been solved - ASN, FSGRW and OPUS (and probably REX, too) have all fixed this issue, and can present 8/8 overcast exceedingly well. Here are a number of random shots taken while testing DX10 over the last couple of years.

I know this is not the answer you're looking for, Lucasz, but but I reckon this one is a case of "user expectations" not being inline with what is actually available from the simulator.

All the best,

pj

**Lucas** · April 13th, 2014, 08:58

Thanks for reply, Poul.

So, it looks like I have to live with it

I know that you are busy man, and I understand it .. but if you (or anyone who read it) will have a few free minutes whenever, could you make short test like I did:
- default weather (any external WX off) + REX textures.
- make 2 layers of clouds: a) 2000-5000 ft cumuls 8/8 and b) 22500-23000 ft cirrus 8/8.
Then, in slew mode, up to 25-26k ft and check it in external view.

Anyway, thanks for explanation and help.

By the way, what wave animation do you use? I want that water which I see on picture 44

All the best,
Lucas

***Roger*** · April 13th, 2014, 09:55

Hi Lucas and Paul,
I'm moving this to the Dx-10 forum as it is about Dx-10 subject matter.

Regards,

Roger.

**Paul J** · April 13th, 2014, 10:50

Thanks, Roger!

ActiveSky 2012. Inland Blue and Inland Brown - both slightly darkened and flattened: Waves = "Frequency" (04)

pj

**Lucas** · April 13th, 2014, 12:43

Aah, I see that you have AS2012 textures. I also have 2012, so I have to check it... thanks Poul.

Regards,
Lucas

**Lucas** · May 5th, 2014, 01:43

Hi friends,

...problems like me

Another issue with clouds - look:

What is the reason that far away clouds are cut off?
I have ASN and REX4 clouds.

And the 2nd issue: how to dispose blue shade on clouds?

Lucas

**Paul J** · May 5th, 2014, 06:10

Hi Lucasz:

"What is the reason that far away clouds are cut off? I have ASN and REX4 clouds. "

All clouds settings have impact on framerate, and is set in FSX. The settings below are high - too high for low-end systems. :-

CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8 <----- How "thick" the clouds will be. 8 is high.
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=5 <------ How far the clouds will extend away from the aircraft. This is a frame killer, if set too large. 5 is high.
DETAILED_CLOUDS=1 <----- Speaks for itself. Has some impact on framerate, too.

"And the 2nd issue: how to dispose blue shade on clouds?"

Many folks would love to have that blue shading: It is very normal to see varying shades of blue and grey in real life. At 40,000 the sky above is like the night sky, with stars quite visible.

Hope this helps,

pj

**Lucas** · May 5th, 2014, 07:12

All clouds settings have impact on framerate, and is set in FSX. The settings below are high - too high for low-end systems. :-

CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8 <----- How "thick" the clouds will be. 8 is high.
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=5 <------ How far the clouds will extend away from the aircraft. This is a frame killer, if set too large. 5 is high.
DETAILED_CLOUDS=1 <----- Speaks for itself. Has some impact on framerate, too.

Thanks for reply, Poul.
I agree that theese settings have impact on fps, but are you sure that they have impact on this issue (cut off clouds)?
In my few-years contact with FSX and many hours of tests I have never meet similiar problem (even when settings were too high in relation to my hardware).
Maybe weather engine is responsible for this issue?

**Paul J** · May 5th, 2014, 08:07

Originally Posted by Lucas

Thanks for reply, Poul.
I agree that theese settings have impact on fps, but are you sure that they have impact on this issue (cut off clouds)?
In my few-years contact with FSX and many hours of tests I have never meet similiar problem (even when settings were too high in relation to my hardware).
Maybe weather engine is responsible for this issue?

Well, Lucas - I think it's pretty hard to make a judgement from those pics. Showing a small, dark, orange-ish pic with blackish clouds isn't like any sky scene that I've seen on my REX or AS "cloudscape". The clouds look harsh, sharp-edged and slightly strangely shaped, but then again - skies come is all shapes, sizes, colours and textures, and then there's interpreting what you mean by "far away cut-off clouds"......

I don't think the engine is responsible, as AS has always had the best of all weather generating software. AS is very good - but REX textures do have a slew of very hard-edged clouds.

Are all of your clouds like this? Are the daytime clouds like this? Are the default clouds like this? Have you tried different REX textures?

The reason I ask this is because I don't know how far you go in testing before you post asking for help. This is not a criticism by any means - FSX can be challenging, and what I mean is exactly what I say - I don't know how far you go toward fixing a problem when you see a problem. It would help to know if you've tried the four or five questions I've asked at the beginning of this paragraph - ok!

Thanks,

pj

**Lucas** · May 5th, 2014, 09:43

I underlined clouds edges which are cut:

- "far away" I mean clouds that are farthest from my aircraft.

Are all of your clouds like this? Are the daytime clouds like this? Are the default clouds like this? Have you tried different REX textures?

I'm sorry Poul, but for all of these questions I have to say - "I don't know".
It was spontaneous post writed just after observe this issue. I didn't make any tests to resolve it... I must admit that I thought it could be konwn issue and people here should know the solution :/
Ok, I have to do several tests...

**Lucas** · May 9th, 2014, 10:55

Hi Poul,

I asked Steve about cutted clouds problem and he adviced me to turn off CLOUD CULL option in Fixer but it didn't help... but... I observed that the issue appears at sunset or late evening. In daytime clouds look ok. Do you meet this issue?

Best regards,
Lucas

**Paul J** · May 9th, 2014, 12:55

Originally Posted by Lucas

Hi Poul,

I asked Steve about cutted clouds problem and he adviced me to turn off CLOUD CULL option in Fixer but it didn't help... but... I observed that the issue appears at sunset or late evening. In daytime clouds look ok. Do you meet this issue?

Best regards,
Lucas

Same answer as before, Lucasz:

Are all of your clouds like this?

Are the daytime clouds like this? - ok, thank you. So, it's a sunset or a sunrise issue. ok

Are the default clouds like this?

Have you tried different REX textures?

Regards,

pj

**Lucas** · May 9th, 2014, 13:48

Are all of your clouds like this?

Hmm, I don't understand what do you mean... all clouds which I see on scene or all kinds of clouds textures which REX offers...?

Have you tried different REX textures?

Yes (but not all variations) - the same.

Are the default clouds like this?

Didn't check, but I tried other thing - deinstall DX10 (Uninstall libraries) ...and problem gone.

So I think that is DX10 issue, but I have no idea what option could be responsible for this...
In Fixer (Cloud Shader window) I have all options check except CLOUD CULL.

Lucas

EDIT. I think I found solution! Turn the Missing Texture Fix option OFF.

**Paul J** · May 9th, 2014, 14:07

Originally Posted by Lucas

Are all of your clouds like this?
Hmm, I don't understand what do you mean... all clouds which I see on scene or all kinds of clouds textures which REX offers...?

Have you tried different REX textures?
Yes (but not all variations) - the same.

Are the default clouds like this?
Didn't check, but I tried other thing - deinstall DX10 (Uninstall libraries) ...and problem gone.

So I think that is DX10 issue, but I have no idea what option could be responsible for this...
In Fixer (Cloud Shader window) I have all options check except CLOUD CULL.

Lucas

EDIT. I think I found solution! Turn the Missing Texture Fix option OFF.

Good man!! We can all rest now!

pj