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Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:40 pm
by theduke
First an image to illustrate my question. In FSX: :-?
Image
See how the prop is only visible against the blue sky or ground. Any clouds, trees or building appear to be between the viewer and the prop. I have only seen this problem with models that are made for both FS9 and FSX.  I have not seen it with default FSX models or models made exclusively for FSX. It makes it very hard to get any kind of decent screenshot with these models. Does anyone know what the problem is or have a fix for it?  Thanks.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:39 pm
by NickN
Known issues with SP2... not really issues, but any aircraft NOT specifically designed for FSX and was priginally made for FS9/FS8 you can expect problems like that. There is a way to fix it by correcting the texture in a graphics tool but it requires knowlege in how to do that.

Either remove the alpha channel from the prop texture or apply the correct balance of gray to the alpha are the choices as I recall.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:57 pm
by Flight Ace
Are you having this problem after installing the Acceleration Expansion Pack or the recently released SP2? I have the same problem and am trying to determine whether it is a by product of the Acceleration Package or SP2. One thing we know is that this was not a problem with SP1.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:30 pm
by NickN

Known issues with SP2... not really issues, but any aircraft NOT specifically designed for FSX and was priginally made for FS9/FS8 you can expect problems like that. There is a way to fix it by correcting the texture in a graphics tool but it requires knowlege in how to do that.

Either remove the alpha channel from the prop texture or apply the correct balance of gray to the alpha are the choices as I recall.



Acceleration is models

SP2 changes the shader engine

Accleration installs SP2

Either cause the same issue and it affects many, many older aircraft.

The only fix is to change the textures which are not FSX-SP2 compliant

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:08 pm
by Flight Ace

Known issues with SP2... not really issues, but any aircraft NOT specifically designed for FSX and was priginally made for FS9/FS8 you can expect problems like that. There is a way to fix it by correcting the texture in a graphics tool but it requires knowlege in how to do that.

Either remove the alpha channel from the prop texture or apply the correct balance of gray to the alpha are the choices as I recall.



Acceleration is models

SP2 changes the shader engine

Accleration installs SP2

Either cause the same issue and it affects many, many older aircraft.

The only fix is to change the textures which are not FSX-SP2 compliant



I believe what you are saying if I just installed SP2 without the Acceleration Expansion Package you would have the same prop issue with those aircraft not specifically designed for FSX.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:13 pm
by NickN
Thats what I am saying...


and one of the reasons why many of the payware and freeware developers are not real happy with Aces right now


They must all go back and fix the textures if they wish them to work in FSX-SP2

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:37 pm
by Brett_Henderson
And... it's not just the texures (bitmaps and their alphas), there are also problems when the textures are not re-mapped, and re-compiled via the FSX SDK... especially animated parts.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:27 pm
by SubZer0
I have to say I'm quite unhappy with this as well. I love that very plane up there and many, many others but am unable to fly them because of this issue. Disappointing it is.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:13 pm
by Flight Ace
You learn something new every day. I only have two planes with this problem and both are FS9 converted to FSX. All my payware aircraft work just fine. Anyway thanks all for your info.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:35 pm
by NickN
And... it's not just the texures (bitmaps and their alphas), there are also problems when the textures are not re-mapped, and re-compiled via the FSX SDK... especially animated parts.



Yes, I know

but out of this I do think a good foundation for making sure it does not happen again will be established.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:41 am
by Brett_Henderson
Yes, I know

but out of this I do think a good foundation for making sure it does not happen again will be established.


I hope too much time isn't wasted on keeping it from happening. It's only a problem with ported planes. Planes designed specifically for FSX are fine. I never was a fan of backward compatability. The compromises are what CAUSE these problems...

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:39 am
by NickN
Yes, I know

but out of this I do think a good foundation for making sure it does not happen again will be established.


I hope too much time isn't wasted on keeping it from happening. It's only a problem with ported planes. Planes designed specifically for FSX are fine. I never was a fan of backward compatability. The compromises are what CAUSE these problems...



I do not think FS11 will be a product any older aircraft or scenery will allow run. Its too early in the game to make a guess at that however given the hints that have been tossed out I think FS11 is going to be its own animal.

I do think however the thought about specific tools desigend to automatically convert files and report missing elements in order to prepare older planes and scenery for upgrades may come into being.

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:47 am
by Solid
Happy to say that after SP2.......Zero!! "0" problems..........and oscillating fps between 18-36. Sweet....
Things started going for the better with Nvidia

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:56 am
by alrot
[smiley=happy.gif]I know how easily fix that, and some of you know it..

Re: Prop visibility problems

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:57 am
by NickN
[smiley=happy.gif]I know how easily fix that, and some of you know it..



Yes, remove the alpha completely or make it darker gray