Clouds and Showers

[Jimko]

Hi All,

I only ever posted once or twice here after registering when my pc suffered a major crisis and had to be rebuilt. Months later, I'm trying to rebuild my CFS2.

I wanted to try the FS Skyworld Cloud packages but I'm having trouble installing/running them. I had a suggestion to try the Skyworld SE package and although it installed, it wouldn't run. Then someone pointed out that I should use the earlier Skyworld V 1.0 package, but I don't understand the install instructions.

Can I get any comments or suggestions from others who have used either package with CFS2, please? The V1.0 was made to run with CFS2, so it probably works if I can just get some clarification as to the install.

Thanks for any and all comments.

J

[_526th_Fireman]

The cloud.ini file and the Sky World.exec go directly into your Main CFS2 Folder.
The FS Sky World Folder and TextureBackUp Folder go directly into your Main CFS2 TEXTURE folder.

Create a shortcut from the FS Sky World exec and then put it on your desktop.

That's it for installation. When you download clouds from their site, make sure you put the correct files in the correct folder in the FS Sky World folder. There are 8 bit and 16 bit clouds. Don't get em mixed up.

[stiz]

Thing is though that most of the clouds have been taken of there site. The option to download them are still there but the download isn't  :(

Stiz

[Jimko]

Hi Fireman,

I wondered if I would hear from you, as I had seen an old post thread in which you had commented on using the Sky World Utility.

I believe that I have installed just as you said and checked it several times. Admittedly, the instructions were a bit vague but I studied them until they made sense, I think. The problem is that I always get an error when I try to run the .exe. I removed and reinstsalled and get the same error.

I finally gave up on using the utility and now I have simply copied the clouds that I prefer into my texture file, replacing the original bmps. It works. I have some goups of clouds arranged in folders so that I can pick a whole set at a time and replace them. They are incredible cloud formations when compared to the originals.

Thanks for the information. At least I know that I'm installing correctly. Nice to hear from you.

J

[_526th_Fireman]

Hi Jimko,

I hadn't downloaded from that site in a long time as I already had all the clouds I wanted.

Doing it manually is fine, same thing the .exe does.

With my FS2k4 I have to do it manually with various clouds, weather textures. I just make sure I create the well titled folders so I know what I am getting and keep my default backups there too.

Those are GREAT cloud textures. Now if you really want to make CFS2 look good, you need to download as much of Mask Riders scenery as you wish. Awesome airbases that cover most of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia and some in Australia.

Then the other great visual enhancer for CFS2 is the Pac Tex textures. These three, the clouds, Mask Riders Scenery and the Pac Tex textures are "Must Haves" for CFS2 in my opinion.

Mask Rider Scenery - http://www.combatfs.com/index.php?loc=d ... s2-scenery    Toward bottom of the page.

Pac Tex textures -  http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/brigstock/CFS.htm

The Mask Rider Scenery requires a one time install of some library objects which is confusing to some folks. If you need any help with any of these, let me know either in this thread or email me.

Take care bud!

[Jimko]

Hey Fireman,

Thanks for the info. I have used Maskrider's airfields ever since I started a year or so ago, and I have no problem giving him top marks for his work. He is one of those contributors who make CFS2 "the gift that keeps on giving". The airfields are incredible!

I have, however, mixed feelings about the Pactex add-ons, and I know from other forum threads that others do as well. I have tried them with various results. I have seen instances where others have done some 'blending' of the Pactex and stock scenery to improve the overall effect.  But, its been a while since I played with Pactex, so maybe I should try it again. My main complaint was that some of the vibrant colors in the Pacific were too subdued from what I remember seeing in some areas, and the water looks more like the North Atlantic, perhaps, in color.

One other that I've enjoyed is Rhumbaflappy's  (Richard Ludowise) Tropical Textures for CFS2. I always thought that maybe it was considered outdated because it was never mentionned, but it seems to have become noticed and in use again recently. Some of the other sim addicts who have far more time and experience than I do have been commenting on its value lately.

Thanks again,

J

[stiz]

I agree also that Richard Ludowises' work has gone widley unoticed in the FS world  :-/.

Apart from doing CFS2 textures (which are great) he has alos done some for FS2002 to give it a more euro look. Flying round Alaska with LOD 9 mesh and is textures.....words can't describe how good it looks.

Stiz

[_526th_Fireman]

I his work located here or elsewhere. Would like to give them a look see!  

[Jimko]

Fireman, you can find his packages at http://www.avsim.com/

Just search for "Ludowise".

Didn't I read somewhere that you had a 'How to add scenery tutorial' somewhere? Where can I find that, as some aspects of the scenery hierarchy puzzle me.

Thanks,

J

[_526th_Fireman]

Thx Jimko for the link.

Yes, I wrote up a package for installing scenery using Mask Rider's scenery as an example. I included detailed pictures for the really NEW pilots. Had it posted on my website, which is no longer up. I do however still have the .zip file if you would like it. If you care to email me I would be more than happy to send it along to you.

Note: There are many ways of installing scenery. Most of what I learned I learned from Hagar and through experimenting. Once you learn what is possible, then it pretty much becomes a personal choice as to EXACTLY how you are going to do it for yourself.

At the very least, my tute will show anyone how to install MR's scenery, which has to be installed correctly because of the .lib files required, which I am sure you already know.  How you set up your total scenery that you download is up to you. My tute shows you how I keep scenery organized.

[Jimko]

Thanks for the offer, Fireman.

I have sent you a PM with the address.