Best freeware clouds for FSX?

[kimdahl]

Hi guys

I am sorry if this question has been asked (and answered) many times before, but I would like to know if there is a set of good freeware cloud textures for FSX somewhere? I am getting rather bored with the default textures, but I am not so interested in buying some ultra high definition cloud product that might have a negative influence on my FSX performance (I am running FSX on a GeForce 8800GT).

So what are my freeware options?

Regards
Kim

[bushpilot]

Only FSX free I know of is Oscar Cloud v3 from Simviation. Beats the default clouds and comes with many resolutions, even HD.

[kimdahl]

Hi Pekka

Thank you for your quick reply!

I downloaded the Oscar Cloud set. I am a bit surprised that it should be possible to improve the overall cloud appearance by only changing one texture, the cumulus01.bmp...

I chose to install the 1024x1024 version, and I can see some improvement, but I am not quite safisfied with the "golden" colour tone on some of the clouds. So I think I will experiment with borrowing the texture from my FS9 installation where I have Flight Environment to improve the clouds.

Regards
Kim

[bushpilot]

If i remember correctly earlier generations of Oscar Clouds had blue and gray variants. I'm not huge fan of oversharp HD clouds, I like my clouds fuzzy, because that's how they usually look in real lifehttp://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/images/icons/icon7.gif. I have XGraphics, and I like the clouds it offers.

And FS9 clouds should work well in FSX.

[Daube]

The best freeware clouds for FSX come from FS9.
It's the FS Skyworld 2004 sets. The Cumulus and Cirrus textures will work just fine in FSX SP2, and they are magnificient :jump:

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/daube_image696.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/daube_image703.jpg

[Mr.Mugel]

Got to try those FSSkyworld clouds in FSX, looks interesting!

[kimdahl]

Hmmm, something must have gone wrong when I tried these textures in FSX...

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo110/kimdahl_2008/clouds.jpg

Luckily I did make a backup of my default cloud textures!

Regards
Kim

[Daube]

In order to use those textures, I didn't copy the texture directly from the FSSkyworld installation folder into the FSX texture folder. This does not work, because the textures in the FSSkyworld folder are not in a correct format.
What needs to be done is to use the FSSkyworld interface to install the clouds in a dummy folder, like c:\temp\FS9. The interface will first convert the clouds to FS format, then copy them into the dummy folder you have chosen.
Only then, you can move those textures to your FSX texture folder.

Be carefull: the sky colors set (day, dawn and dusk) do NOT work at all !!! Use ONLY the cumulus and cirrus clouds.

[kimdahl]

OK, thanks for the info. But in the meantime I gave up the freeware idea and invested in X Graphics. I dont think I will regret it :jump:

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo110/kimdahl_2008/clouds2.jpg

And this is only the default theme...

Regards
Kim

[bushpilot]

I'm definitely vouching for XGraphics. It's not the "hottest" texture addon, but it's still a great show.:wiggle:

Some shots from my archives featuring XG:


http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m465/bush_p/xg_2.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m465/bush_p/xg_1.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m465/bush_p/xg_3.jpg

[Killbilly]

Any performance hit with XG?

[Mr.Mugel]

I must say that the FSSkyworld textures look great, just installed the F 2 theme, liked it in FS9, looks at least as good in FSX, and is OK on frames to, as far as see...

Thanks Daube for the heads up on this!

[cheezyflier]

just tape some cotton balls to your monitor. for rainy days you can wet them:bump:

[Daube]

I must say that the FSSkyworld textures look great, just installed the F 2 theme, liked it in FS9, looks at least as good in FSX, and is OK on frames to, as far as see...

Thanks Daube for the heads up on this!

You're welcome, it's ShageG from Simviation who explained me how to install those textures properly :)
And yes, the F 2 set is really the best looking one, especially with the russian bloom module, as you can see in my Bronco shot above !