Basic Questions

[anikun07]

Okay, since I'm new and I have questions, I'll put them in one thread.  The first is what is it called when the FSX's graphic fail to render properly?  I'm sure everyone at one point has had the problem because I getting semi-frequently.



My other question, is there a guide on how to navigate in the airplanes?  I've done all the beginner tutorials, but I still rely on the mission compass to know where to fly.

[BFMF]

Not quite sure what's going on with the graphics issue

But as for the navigation, I would highly suggest heading down to the flightschool board and reading through Brett Henderson's flightschool course, which covers all of the basics, including basic maneauvers,  patterms, navigation, etc

[anikun07]

Excellent, thanks!

Yeah, I'm not sure about the graphics either.  I spent my free time yesterday tweaking the graphics for my computer to get decent FPS.  I just received my second graphics card for Crossfire X.  The main components of my computer are Asus P5Q Pro Motherboard, Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz, Creative Audigy 2ZS, and two ATI HD 3850 512 MB 256-bit graphic cards in Crossfire X.  I went through a couple hours a loading up at KJFK - New York to test FPS without any problems, then on my last test it was doing that.  But I've no idea what's causing it.

[TSC.]

Apart from our own Flight School forum here at SimV, you might also like to have a look at this site (CLICKY), it has an excellent selection of navigation topics & explains everything very well.

TSC.

[basys]

Hi Folks

anikun07 -
Those graphics anomalies are a known issue
resulting from some default FSX library objects
having been ported from FS9 source,
but not fully optimised.

Applies to both models & autogen.

Only solution is to drop your sliders.

HTH
ATB
Paul

[anikun07]

Thanks for the link, and thanks for the tip on why things don't render properly.  I was thinking it had something to do with bilinear/trilinear/anisotropic or whether anti-aliasing was on or not but none of those fixed it.

[basys]

Hi Folks

anikun07 -
The graphics anomalies are a symptom.

I should have said 'settings' rather than just 'sliders'.

From looking at the terrain 'blocking' in the LHS of your screenie,
your settings are to high.

bilinear/trilinear/anisotropic/anti-aliasing will all have an impact.

Suggest trilinear only,
then reduce other sliders till anomalies don't occur.

NB
Flying faster planes, or slewing,
will increase the likelihood of these occurring.

HTH
ATB
Paul

[anikun07]

It seems like no matter what settings I have it still does it...

[anikun07]

Is there a term would would call this failed rendering?

[anikun07]

I've continued playing some of the tutorials and have noticed that only the ground creates to 'spikes' and 'walls'.  The water and sky have no problems.

[anikun07]

Okay, I've changing settings within ATI's Catalyst Control Center (CCC) and I may have found a solution.  Before I had things like AA and AF set to application, but the Catalyst A.I. was sent to standard because CCC says that with Crossfire it should be set to standard.  I changed it to advanced and I wasn't getting the rendering errors.  So I'll have to play some more later on to see if it's a solution or not.

[ShaneG_old]

Someone should have mentioned this earlier, but FSX doesn't support crossfire or SLI.

[anikun07]

Yeah, but Crossfire and SLi from what I've read aren't game supported per say, but the ATI or NVidia display software regulates the GPU load.  Anyway, I'm gonna fly a mission and see how it goes.  Here's to hoping...

[anikun07]

Well, I just did the Executive Tour mission around Edwards AFB and didn't have any issues.  Here's my settings:

Level of Detail Radius: Large
Mesh Complexity: 70
Mesh Resolution: 76m
Texture Resolution: 2m
Water Effects: Max 2.x
Land Detail Textures: Yes

Scenery Complexity: Dense
Autogen Density: Normal
Ground Scenery Shadows: No
Special Effects Detail: High

Cloud Draw Distance: 110 mi.
Thermal Visualization: None
Cloud Detail: Detailed & Coverage Density: Max

Download Winds Aloft...: No
Disable Turbulence...: No
Rate of Weather Change: Medium

Traffic set to default settings of High

I was receiving about 35 FPS on the mission (overcast and rainy), except the shuttle part which it dropped to 17-25.

I hope that was the only changes necessary.

[NickN]

those are lack of memory spikes...   you are exceeding the ability of your hardware