Ta Da!

[patchz]

[color=#000000]Still have some tweaking to do, but so far, I love it.

[Daube]

Patchz is posting FSX picture... this is the beginning of a new era 
It's fun to see a pure default sim. I have installed so much addons to improve the visuals that I would never find the courage to reinstall my sim completely

[patchz]

[quote]Patchz is posting FSX picture... this is the beginning of a new era

[Daube]

There are many things, in fact:

- of course, the bloom module from Boris Vorontsov (works only in DirectX9 mode). The version I use, with my settings,is here: http://sapdaube.free.fr/bloom.zip
Just drop the two files in the main FSX folder, and press SHIFT+F12 once you are in the cockpit.

- for the mountains, the mountain mod from Arnaud Clere. I have described it somewhere in the FSX section of the forum. It modifies the way FSX draws the mountains, mainly the part where FSX decides if a slope is rocky or not, depending on the angle. It makes the mountains look much more realistic, you'll see the screenshots in the topic.
EDIT: here => http://205.252.250.26/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaB ... 044506/0#0

- for the water, take a look at the Gizmo high resolution waves on the FS Water Configurator (FSWC) webpage. It replaces the waves of the water by smaller ones, more suitable for inland waters (and great looking for oceans too).

- for the clouds, the HDE pack from Pablo Diaz (now in version 2) is fantastic, but be carefull with the textures you intall: only the cloud textures are compatible, the sky textures are NOT compatible. Never install sky textures.
Also, this HDE pack is the best looking one, but the impact on the frames can be dramatic when you set some serious weather. I prefer the clouds in 512 from FS SkyWorld2004. They already look quite good, and the impact on the FPS is much smaller

- for carrier operations (you have Acceleration, don't you?), the famous Nimitz Pack is THE must have, together with the T-45 and F-14 (both in FSX native version) from Dino Cattaneo, some of the greatest freewares ever made for FS !

- for Gliding, search for AeroTow and CumulusX in the FSX section of the forum, I had made some presentation topics. Aerotow lets you choose and guide the towing aircraft, and CumulusX will analyse the terrain shape and the winds around you to dynamically generate ridge lift !
EDIT:
http://205.252.250.26/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaB ... 1225281864
http://luerkens.homepage.t-online.de/peter/

- installing sceneries made for FS9 in FSX will often result in a lot of frustration because of textures problems or autogen conflicts. The only 100% safe choices are the landclasses and the meshes. Landclasses and meshes that were done for FS9 will work nicely in FSX (although a FS9 landclass is usually much less detailled than a FSX landclass, because there were much fewer terrain types available).

- you'll also have to read the various tutorials from NickN in order to set your video card and to learn the tweaks of the FSX.cfg.

- what else.... ah well, when you'll have a precise topic in mind, just ask, it will be easier

[matthewdev]

There are many things, in fact:

- of course, the bloom module from Boris Vorontsov (works only in DirectX9 mode). The version I use, with my settings,is here: http://sapdaube.free.fr/bloom.zip
Just drop the two files in the main FSX folder, and press SHIFT+F12 once you are in the cockpit.

- for the mountains, the mountain mod from Arnaud Clere. I have described it somewhere in the FSX section of the forum. It modifies the way FSX draws the mountains, mainly the part where FSX decides if a slope is rocky or not, depending on the angle. It makes the mountains look much more realistic, you'll see the screenshots in the topic.
EDIT: here => http://205.252.250.26/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaB ... 044506/0#0

- for the water, take a look at the Gizmo high resolution waves on the FS Water Configurator (FSWC) webpage. It replaces the waves of the water by smaller ones, more suitable for inland waters (and great looking for oceans too).

- for the clouds, the HDE pack from Pablo Diaz (now in version 2) is fantastic, but be carefull with the textures you intall: only the cloud textures are compatible, the sky textures are NOT compatible. Never install sky textures.
Also, this HDE pack is the best looking one, but the impact on the frames can be dramatic when you set some serious weather. I prefer the clouds in 512 from FS SkyWorld2004. They already look quite good, and the impact on the FPS is much smaller

- for carrier operations (you have Acceleration, don't you?), the famous Nimitz Pack is THE must have, together with the T-45 and F-14 (both in FSX native version) from Dino Cattaneo, some of the greatest freewares ever made for FS !

- for Gliding, search for AeroTow and CumulusX in the FSX section of the forum, I had made some presentation topics. Aerotow lets you choose and guide the towing aircraft, and CumulusX will analyse the terrain shape and the winds around you to dynamically generate ridge lift !
EDIT:
http://205.252.250.26/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaB ... 1225281864
http://luerkens.homepage.t-online.de/peter/

- installing sceneries made for FS9 in FSX will often result in a lot of frustration because of textures problems or autogen conflicts. The only 100% safe choices are the landclasses and the meshes. Landclasses and meshes that were done for FS9 will work nicely in FSX (although a FS9 landclass is usually much less detailled than a FSX landclass, because there were much fewer terrain types available).

- you'll also have to read the various tutorials from NickN in order to set your video card and to learn the tweaks of the FSX.cfg.

- what else.... ah well, when you'll have a precise topic in mind, just ask, it will be easier

Good advice I might try some of these out!

My personal top recommendation for FSX is AussieX airports, but mainly as I like flying in Australia (Warning 2GB+ download!)

Matthew

[Frequent Flyer]

Totally agreed with Daube and Matthew.

A few other suggestions:[list]
[*]Freeware 3D lights from Deltasim (see ApplePie's guide).
[*]Ants Aussie Airports (works well with OZx).
[*]Ant's De Havilland Tiger Moth (I'd call it the freeware A2A Piper Cub with Accusim).
[*]Also, regarding HDE, there are textures ranging between Extremely HQ and Low Quality. Choose the textures that work the best on your computer.
[*]As for Frank and Daniele's sceneries and activation codes, see Frank's note on his site: http://www.google.com/translate?u=http% ... pair=it|en. Unfortunately Daniele can't answer Emails at the moment, you can Email Frank for the codes.
[*]In your Email to Frank, ask for links to his other sceneries. He has got around 30 or so other sceneries for places around the world (Alps, Dolomites, Himalayas, Grand Teton park etc.)
[*]Don't forget to download FSWC. Its awesome!
[*]Brett Henderson's Bonzana is a treat to fly. The handling is awesome, go get it!
[*]Any airplane by Dino Cattaneo and Tim 'Piglet' Conrad is recommended. All have beautiful interiors and exteriors.
[*]A fix for AFG's Beech 300, making it 100% FSX Compatible: http://www.alliedfsgroup.com/forum/view ... p=901#p901
[*]Milton Shupe's Spartan Executives and Howard 500, native FSX versions, from here: http://fsnorthwest.net/ (you must register)
[*]Try not to get Nor-Cal "updated" aircraft. Some don't work, some partially work, and some don't have permission from the authors

[olderndirt]

It's just like putting on your glasses, first thing in the morning, and the whole world comes into focus - let the games begin  .

[patchz]

[color=#000000]Thanks all for the suggestions and advice. I have saved this page rather than try to remember it all. Fat chance.

[Daube]

The transparency issue is because you didn't have the correct support package level.
This birds needs FSX SP2. You can get your FSX to the SP2 level either by installing the SP1 and the SP2, or by installing Acceleration which basically contains SP1, SP2, and some addons (planes, sceneries, and new features).

Have a good night. I can't wait to see your screens and repaints with your new FSX birds  8-)

[olderndirt]

[quote]Oh, one more thing. Dave, I installed the Meyers 200D without realizing it was for Acceleration and it showed up transparent. But after I added Acceleration, it works fine now. Neat little bird.