Sorry....but I want my "stuff" to look GOOD!!

[Sselv]

Ok.....I have flown FSX before years ago on a XP system. Now I have a nice windows 10, i7 3.4ghz 16mbs of ram, GTX 745, 40 inch HD monitor....blah, blah, blah! Im using FSX sp1&2. I've been looking at YouTube...yes I know......and I see all these high end graphics planes and scenery. I know the high end plane graphics come from those companies developing them and they are not free.....no problem, I work for a living! And there are addons for airports and such that look NICE....that I don't know much about really other than that. Back in the xp days there was nhancer, and lots of tweaks for getting the graphics to look good.....I guess that's the holy grail of sim-ing to look realistic right?

 

So here are my questions for now....

1. are the FSX cfg tweaks I read about that are 3 years old a big help? ( I don't even see file named FSX.cfg or even a folder named FSX?? My FSX is in the "Microsoft Flight Simulator" folder???

 

2 .will Direct X11 help? is it even available? I see it listed at the P3D site as a requirement for much of their stuff....(that's for another question later i suppose)

 

3. How do you guys with similar systems get the best look?

 

4. What do some of you suggest......you know starting at the beginning and working my way into it step at a time?

 

Hope this is not supposed to be in the noob section......I can actually fly (in the sim).....so I'm not a noob. I just want my flights to look super good as I can.....with the first things first approach. I got a cool computer and I want to take advantage of it. Like the rest of you I suppose!

Thx

[jorgen.s.andersen]

1. The FSX.CFG tweaks work just fine, PROVIDED you can find your FSX.CFG, which Microsoft hid "somewhere else". First of all you have to set your system to "show hidden files and folders", because they hid the file below a hidden folder. Second, it's located in the folder:

 

C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX

 

The AppData folder is the one that's hidden, and therefore hides all below it. Use Notepad to edit FSX.CFG, not a word processor.

 

2. DX11 will NOT help, FSX uses DX9, and has DX10 as a preview only. To make sure you have everything DX-wise, you can download the DirectX redistributables for free from Microsoft.

 

3. Apply the tweaks, and then go into the process of evaluating what YOU want for your system, and then downloading, downloading, downloading.....

 

4. Exactly that. Start at the beginning, and work your way one step at a time. I am doing this myself right now, reinstalling everything after a reinstallation of Windows. Essential things to do: get the uiautomationcore.dll file (search the threads and you'll find links to it) and put it in your FSX main folder ONLY, and get FSUIPC and register it. What you install scenery- and airplane-wise is up to your personal taste.

 

Jorgen

[evm]

It is the content that primarily makes the sim "look good", not the tweaks. You might want scenery packages, mesh, texture replacements, weather engine. Lots of scenery, a few good mesh products, two good texture replacements (one for ground, one for sky). Once you have enough of that (which unfortunately is basically "never") you will notice the performance of your sim going down - that is when the tweaking starts.

 

I am running my FSX on DX10, if you want to take that road, you will need a tool called "Steve's DX10 scenery fixer". Otherwise you will get texture flickering and z-fighting.

 

Getting into the tweaks is a long road. It took me more than a year until I was halfway satisfied with sim performance, and still there was room for improvement - not only with tweaking but also with hardware upgrades - top-of-the-line GPU, overclocking, RAM Drive, SSDs. To make the sim really shine you will need a very powerful computer plus a lot of time, dedication and patience. Tweaks are always system dependant, what is working on one computer might be harmful to yours. And there are literally dozens of parameters influencing each other, so the number of possible combinations of tweaks working or not working is massive.

 

The easier road to "good looks" would be to get P3D instead, which uses DX11 right off the bat. But system requirements for P3D are even higher, especially concerning the GPU. And you will need the content in there as well.

[mallcott]

Actually you got an average computer and will need to use average settings to take advantage of it.

 

FSX remains CPU bound, but you are particularly light on the GPU so will quickly run into the limitations of what you can display on yur computer.

 

Within that, your basics for improved visual fidelity remain as they always have been.

[cianpars]

yep, to run fsx well, you need a processor that you can overclock above 4 GHZ and a fairly decent video card.

 

Step 2 is apply the basic tweaks and possibly consider background processes that can cause stutters (there are only a handful of basic tweaks that work, a lot of the suggestions are snake oil).

 

Step 4 You may need to shell out for some payware scenery, aircraft and a weather program.

 

That's the way to get fsx running like a dream.

 

IAN

[UPHILL3]

Recently installed Steve's DX10 fix and its made a world of difference: Much less saw-tooth anomalies on aircraft surfaces, better lighting effects, good shadows in the cockpit, and clearer scenery w/less shimmering. Plus, I can finally read the instrument numbers w/o having to zoom-in real close. Hope to discover more improvements in the coming weeks.

 

But the actual DX10 "fix" registration/installation is a little complicated, and using this app is not that user friendly. The good news is that there's a few videos, & forums to help with this...

 

My rig: Intel 6700K (not O/clocked)

GTX 970

16MB Duel Ram

2TB HD - 128GB SSD and a Samsung 500GB SSD that I installed last week.

Asus 24" Wide-width monitor

WIN 10

[Rupert]

One comment: FSX, P3D, etc. are simulation games. They are primarily focused on recreating the input and physical aspects of flying. What you see inside and outside the plane is all graphics, not photographs or movies. And that's regardless of what brand of graphic software you buy. Unless some vaporware comes up with a way to real time download photographic shots as you fly, never see picture like quality. And if you had photos, you'd not see movement. You can buy payware graphics that make the graphics more attractive, but they're still graphics.

 

As has been said, your computer is an average computer and most of the high end payware graphics will probably not work very well with it. But if you spend $2,500 or more to build a computer for FSX or P3D and use the high end software, you will still see graphics on the monitor. That's just how it is.

 

Remember, if you do decide to go with a better computer Run Don't Walk away from current computers which are called "Gaming Computers!" They are built for super fast, super memory enhanced GPU based games, like car race games. FSX, P3D, etc. live and die based on the native speed of the CPU and RAM. A nice GPU does help some, especially with P3D but you're still CPU dependent.

[dnpaul]

I agree with others here--tweaks are more about performance than they are about improving the visuals.

 

One of the best things you can do to make the FSX world look a bit more like the real world is get a good weather engine and some better cloud textures. I have Active Sky Next and Rex Soft Clouds. They really make a difference. But you don't need payware for a good weather engine. FSXWX is a terrific, easy on the system weather program. And you can download Oscar Clouds freeware cloud textures.

[cianpars]

yep - don't ever by a PC for FSX off the shelf - build one yourself or get someone to build it for you especially to suit FSX requirements, e.g.

 

A fast CPU that can be over clocked and plenty of cooling fans with a big heat sink

A motherboard and BIOS that can be overclocked

A fast GPU with plenty of DRAM (Chose Nvidia rather than AMD)

Plenty of fast RAM

A 64 bit operating system

 

IAN

[cianpars]

yep - don't ever by a PC for FSX off the shelf - build one yourself or get someone to build it for you especially to suit FSX requirements, e.g.

 

A fast CPU that can be over clocked and plenty of cooling fans with a big heat sink (I would avoid AMD myself but not everyone agrees) and a well ventilated case

A motherboard and BIOS that can be overclocked

A fast GPU with plenty of DRAM (Chose Nvidia rather than AMD)

Plenty of fast RAM

A 64 bit operating system

 

IAN

[il88pp]

I don't think the OP's system is all that bad. It might not play everything you can throw at it, but it should do plenty.

 

As the OP said: "youtube,yeah I know."

So, stop looking at youtube then.

Spend time with fsx instead.

 

Worth a look for more crisp views: Nvidia Inspector.

http://www.simforums.com/forums/drivers-nv-inspector-fsxcfg-complete-guide_topic36586.html

[HoratioWondersocks]

Hello

Bought my most recent pc of the shelf.

A very basic (not a gameing monster fire breathing, raging power consuming ,global climate changing ,Arnie I'll be back box)

 

It runs X and 9

It runs them both well, and iam content.

 

 

 

 

 

Andy

[jorgen.s.andersen]

You are content.

 

Bingo - that's what really matters!

 

Jorgen

[HoratioWondersocks]

You are content.

 

Bingo - that's what really matters!

 

Jorgen

 

Absolutely Jorgen.

Although I was somewhat worse for ware due to lager consumption when I posted that reply, the cold light of day finds me still content as far as my PC, Sims ,and there performance are concerned .

Head aches a bit though!

:)

 

Cheers Andy

[Captain Vodka]

all the suggestions in this post regrind system to buy. ? guys the Op has his system he just want to know how to make it look nice.

 

firstly tweaks on the cfg file.

 

set your system scenery etc about midway and get it running smooth then start to increase the scenery as you like but still keeping good frames. i.e. 30fps.. anyone else telling you running 120fps is complete BS!!

 

then once you have your rig running smoothly then start adding some pay ware.. scenery wise. .there are some nice freebies out there ACG duxford!! superb!!

 

then look at pay ware , Orbx!!! beautiful scenery but remember everything you add will add extra work on your cpu! FSX is CPU heavy not Gfx gpu heavy!. .

 

clouds and weather. .try looking at REX either Rex 3 which has a weather engine or Rex 4 with rex architect to create your own weather.

But first get your rig running smooth with the standard cfg tweaks . .affinity mask etc

 

its simple you run everything high on the sliders it will slow your rig down to a snails pace. find what your happy with in frame rates and scenery level.

[Rupert]

all the suggestions in this post regrind system to buy. ? guys the Op has his system he just want to know how to make it look nice.

 

firstly tweaks on the cfg file.

 

set your system scenery etc about midway and get it running smooth then start to increase the scenery as you like but still keeping good frames. i.e. 30fps.. anyone else telling you running 120fps is complete BS!!

 

then once you have your rig running smoothly then start adding some pay ware.. scenery wise. .there are some nice freebies out there ACG duxford!! superb!!

 

then look at pay ware , Orbx!!! beautiful scenery but remember everything you add will add extra work on your cpu! FSX is CPU heavy not Gfx gpu heavy!. .

 

clouds and weather. .try looking at REX either Rex 3 which has a weather engine or Rex 4 with rex architect to create your own weather.

But first get your rig running smooth with the standard cfg tweaks . .affinity mask etc

 

its simple you run everything high on the sliders it will slow your rig down to a snails pace. find what your happy with in frame rates and scenery level.

 

That's very good advice & good common sense. I would add one caveat to it. We all have to make compromises, even those who have really high end stuff.

 

Decide early on whether would prefer high end pay or free ware airplanes, or high end scenery. Or maybe a little of both. It's really tough to have a lot of both!

 

I prefer good scenery so I use bought and freeware fancy scenery. I have only a couple of add on aircraft. And the few bought or freeware additional planes I do have aren't complicated.

 

 

Others love planes with manuals a hundred pages long. They love to program their planes for super accurate flights. So they choose the planes over the scenery.

 

It's your time and your dime. Spend them for what you decide you like!

[Sselv]

That's very good advice & good common sense. I would add one caveat to it. We all have to make compromises, even those who have really high end stuff.

 

Decide early on whether would prefer high end pay or free ware airplanes, or high end scenery. Or maybe a little of both. It's really tough to have a lot of both!

 

I prefer good scenery so I use bought and freeware fancy scenery. I have only a couple of add on aircraft. And the few bought or freeware additional planes I do have aren't complicated.

 

 

Others love planes with manuals a hundred pages long. They love to program their planes for super accurate flights. So they choose the planes over the scenery.

 

It's your time and your dime. Spend them for what you decide you like!

 

Thanks to you all. I can currently run my stock FSX with every thing set to ultra. I have no stutters or issues and I want to keep it that way. When my addons start me stuttering then I I'll upgrade hardware.

 

I understand I'm looking at graphics and it will always be so......but I've seen systems with MUCH better graphics. Granted they may have an ultra computer.....(mines not so bad IMO), and I can throw money at it if I need to. But I'm not really the super FSX geek so I just hope for some ideas and straight scoop on the scenery and the real deal about tweaks Direct x, etc, I suppose. I may get a payware plane....just to compare and see how that suits me. the way I see it once your in the cockpit they all are pretty similar, and who wants to look at that crap the whole flight.....I want to see the scenery. I like short hops in scenic, mountainous areas, and medium to smallish jets, sometimes a twin turbo prop......make a flight plan.....use the GPS, use the VOR's (I know it's old school).....fly the ILS and make it hit softly. Then I'm happy..... for now anyway! So thanks for all your help. I'll start with freeware scenery I've read about here and elsewhere I suppose. I'm open to private messages about specifics that have worked well for you.....maybe if you know what you're doing and have a similar system? I suppose I don't need to do what you cats with the super computers are doing for the most part!

 

Thanks gents for jumping in to help.

[evm]

 

I understand I'm looking at graphics and it will always be so......but I've seen systems with MUCH better graphics. Granted they may have an ultra computer...

 

That's not it IMHO. You cannot make something look better that you don't have (meaning: content = scenery). These high-def-ultra-realistic-anything-videos never use the default scenery. No matter how many tweaks or horsepower you throw at the default textures, you will never get the "look" of the videos. Apart from the fact that quite a lot of them videos are post processed and not filmed in real time - they do not show a running simulator, just nice pictures.

 

Get the ORBX region packages for Northern California and the Rockies. There you have very nice scenery worth looking at suiting your preferences. Maybe add a few ORBX airfields, for example KORD as a starting point) Get Rex4 Texture Direct with the soft clouds for your sky and water. Get ActiveSkyNext so you have some realistic looking weather, mist, atmospheric scattering. Get the RealAir Duke.

 

Go from there. If you like what you see, get more. But maybe you will be content.

[cianpars]

ORBX stuff is very good, I've enjoyed a lot of their Austrailan stuff. However, I also like photo scenery and I have this covering the UK and a few other places around the world I like to fly - Bluesky stuff is good if you have sufficient disk space for it.

[Sselv]

ORBX stuff is very good, I've enjoyed a lot of their Austrailan stuff. However, I also like photo scenery and I have this covering the UK and a few other places around the world I like to fly - Bluesky stuff is good if you have sufficient disk space for it.

 

So let me ask some questions about these addons. I suppose that clouds and sky, weather, etc are global....always being use?

 

But.....the airports only come into play when within a certain distance? Never done any of the addons so I'm trying to get details of how they work and what to expect. I'm ok with"splashing down"......(I love that phrase, and I suppose that means shell out the cash?).....but I want to understand where to get the biggest bang for the splash!

 

Some details of scenery and airports would be helpful.

 

thx

[il88pp]

The addons, Google to see what those do.

What is it you really want to know? Always being used? Why are you asking?

 

Into play? Again, what are you worried about?

Addons, again, Google what they do. Just look on the site where it is sold.

Also look in the screenshot forum here.

 

When you ask questions, be specific. Ask about a specific thing. Don't say: "what do addons do'.

There are many addons, they do many things.

 

Also, because of your posts before this las t one, could you please form correct sentences?

A senence starts with a capital letter, and ends with a single period.

That way it would be easyer to understand what you are asking.

Thanks,

il

 

(Sounds harsh, meant well.)

[Sselv]

......set your system scenery etc about midway and get it running smooth then start to increase the scenery as you like but still keeping good frames. i.e. 30fps.. anyone else telling you running 120fps is complete BS!!

 

then once you have your rig running smoothly then start adding some pay ware.. scenery wise. .there are some nice freebies out there ACG duxford!! superb!!

 

then look at pay ware , Orbx!!! beautiful scenery but remember everything you add will add extra work on your cpu! FSX is CPU heavy not Gfx gpu heavy!. .

 

clouds and weather. .try looking at REX either Rex 3 which has a weather engine or Rex 4 with rex architect to create your own weather.

But first get your rig running smooth with the standard cfg tweaks . .affinity mask etc

 

its simple you run everything high on the sliders it will slow your rig down to a snails pace. find what your happy with in frame rates and scenery level.

 

ok.....how do I know what frame rate I am running. Do you raise it until it craps out and then back it down until is smooth's out? And what about the best tweaks without going over the top.....is there a thread or a particular post that is a good one to follow.....again a respectable tried and true tweak job that is effective. I know there are likely system dependent......but a general one for middle of the road systems like mine:confused:

[Sselv]

The addons, Google to see what those do.

What is it you really want to know? Always being used? Why are you asking?

 

Into play? Again, what are you worried about?

Addons, again, Google what they do. Just look on the site where it is sold.

Also look in the screenshot forum here.

 

When you ask questions, be specific. Ask about a specific thing. Don't say: "what do addons do'.

There are many addons, they do many things.

 

Also, because of your posts before this las t one, could you please form correct sentences?

A senence starts with a capital letter, and ends with a single period.

That way it would be easyer to understand what you are asking.

Thanks,

il

 

(Sounds harsh, meant well.)

 

I don't intend to fence with you il.......maybe you just need a nap? If you'll read my posts I think I am pretty specific, and I make perfectly good sentences. Well sometimes it's not perfect.....but I'm sure that all the intelligent gentlemen here can get it just fine.

You can answer me without criticism or...... don't!

[Trancer365]

Sselv, if you're asking how you know your frame rate in fsx (during game play) then press Z while holding down Shift (on the keyboard) once or twice to see your frame rate -and also other info like speed, heading, altitude...- on the top left corner of your screen.

[Sselv]

Sselv, if you're asking how you know your frame rate in fsx (during game play) then press Z while holding down Shift (on the keyboard) once or twice to see your frame rate -and also other info like speed, heading, altitude...- on the top left corner of your screen.

 

Thank you....very helpful.