PMDG 777 FPS Improvements

The PMDG T7 is finally out of the P3D but performance is quite below average. For example my system gives me 40fps with Aerosoft 320, but only 24fps with PMDG 777.

So here are few tips to get more juice out of it.

Note that I use Lenovo Y510p notebook with 4700MQ@2.8GHz with GT755M in SLI. YMMV.

Of course, backup the original files without fail before you do these modifications.

1. Change panel resolutions

Edit the panel.cfg (Prepar3D v2\SimObjects\Airplanes\PMDG 777-200LR\panel) to make these changes.

Look for VC section from [VCockpit01] to [VCockpit40]. In each one these is this entry:

pixel_size=1024,1024

Halve these values from 1024 to 512, so that you have:

pixel_size=512,512

You can halve all 40, but I think its enough to just halve the large values like 1024 and 512 to 512 and 256 respectively. Note that one VC section has both values different, e.g. pixel_size=1024,512, so that should be halved to pixel_size=512,256.

2. Replicate Pilot's panel's to Co-Pilot

In the same panel cfg, look for [VCockpit04]. This contains Pilot's and CoPilot's MFDs.

Look for gauge03 line. In this line change the word RIGHT_INBD to LEFT_INBD.

Look for gauge04 line. In this line change the word RIGHT_OUTBD to LEFT_OUTBD.

Now co-pilot MFDs will render same as Pilot.

Note you can also change CoPilot and Center CDUs to render as Pilot's CDU in [VCockpit10], change R and C to L. Not sure if this makes much of a performance difference.

After these two I get 27fps, up from 24fps. About 10-15% increase.

We really don't need any more armchair lawyers, thank you.

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We really don't need any more armchair lawyers, thank you.

 

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@vgbaron - I saw your edit after I took out the MCX editing part. I am unclear where MCX Import/export would fall.

Big snip -

to paraphrase Fr. Bill - don 't screw with the Moderator.

mallcott - would you rather get stronger rebuff?

We all tweak and in so doing we all are sometimes guilty of violating the spirit of the EULA. FSUIPC is a classic example of an out an out hack that turned into an acceptable program.

Stop the armchair lawyering in your pee free chair or find another venue.

Is that clear enough?

@vgbaron - I saw your edit after I took out the MCX editing part. I am unclear where MCX Import/export would fall.

Duke - if PMDG has any issue with your mods, I am quite sure you will hear from them, NOT a self-styled EULA policeman.

IMHO, a tweak is a tweak and it is up to the developer to handle. I am sure that any mods will void your support warranty but that is between you and PMDG.

Feel free to continue posting here - your observations are welcome.

Vic

Duke - if PMDG has any issue with your mods, I am quite sure you will hear from them, NOT a self-styled EULA policeman.

 

IMHO, a tweak is a tweak and it is up to the developer to handle. I am sure that any mods will void your support warranty but that is between you and PMDG.

 

Feel free to continue posting here - your observations are welcome.

 

Vic

Thanks for support Vic. I did not read any more into malcott's comment than being a community suggestion.

I Google'd for anyone making VC/aircraft/Mdl mods with MCX or otherwise, to gauge as to how it's perceived, but could not find any precedent. So this brings me to an un-charted territory at the minimum. I'd prefer not to be at the centre of such a controversy.

Having said that there is one realisation at least. All the while I have read that many claim the VC performance is low because of accurate "systems" simulations and nothing much can be done. Where as underlying problem may just be the use of too many fancy animations. It's strange that the animation system in FSX/P3D is such a performance killer. If LM could make internal improvements in this area, it would benifit many heavy planes immensely. After all 30% improvement is no small change.

Now I also wonder whether some of the airport sceneries may also suffer due to animations.

Anything that takes processing power and/or uses draw calls runs the risk of affecting performance. Much like adjusting sliders. No such thing as a free lunch.

:)

Vic

With regards to MCX, the only prohibition would be in redistributing modified .mdl files. What anyone does to their own, licensed .mdl file(s) is their own business.

Vic is correct in his assertion that modified .mdl files will void any support from the developers, so a wise person will make backup copies of any modifications made, just in case... :cool: