Skies for FS2004 - successes & shortcomings

Forum dedicated to Microsoft FS2004 - "A Century of Flight".

Skies for FS2004 - successes & shortcomings

Postby akoyeh » Sat Dec 01, 2018 1:23 pm

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Additional thoughts regarding my 4 uploads thus far https://simviation.com/1/browse-Scenery-39-0 along with plans for future releases. In the future, if you don't find these uploads on the linked page then clicking through to the next page or two should locate them all. Presently they're all listed together at the top of the page.


* Serene Skies for FS2004 - 10 different sets of daily-rotating full skies in 1 package. These are all calm, muted, and peaceful daytime skies representative of atmospheres containing particulates and/or higher humidity conditions. Have dealt with reducing the highly-oversaturated default sky textures, especially the Sunrise and Sunset colors that are so incredible at first but then grow overpowering after a while, also reducing the length of time it takes for the pre-Sunrises & post-Sunsets. Night Skies have a very subtle and realistic presentation and illumination to them.

* Overcast Skies for FS2004 - 3 sets of specialty skies, each set containing only 1 sky for displaying uniformly across all 10 sim days. Designed for flying below or in the clouds, 5/8 to 7/8 cloud density settings working well. Thin Overcast is for winter snowing conditions as well as those lighter rain days. Moderate Overcast is for heavier low pressure fronts that can bring precipitation for days. Thick Overcast is for those heavy-duty storms that will turn on the street lights at noon, intense with thunderstorm conditions. Night Skies are also a bit deeper.

* Bright Skies for FS2004 - 3 sets of skies, each set containing only 1 sky for displaying uniformly across all 10 sim days. For lower altitude VFR flying days, relfective of clearer and cleaner atmospheric conditions. Sunrises and Sunsets are more colorful and dramatic although the aircraft, clouds, terrain, trees, and waters are rather inaccurately colored at certain times and illumination transitions are awkward here and there. Each set has subtle perspective and hue variations to them, working well in a variety of weather conditions. Good sets overall for casual daytime and nightime flying.

* HighFlyer Skies for FS2004 - 3 sets of specialty skies, each set containing only 1 sky for displaying uniformly across all 10 sim days. Primarily for atmospheric illumination and color levels aiming to better represent 35,000 feet altitude. These are each very compromised sets, Sunrise and Sunset times transitions are not very good, especially the times before Sunrises and immediately after Sunsettings. Lower alititudes are not represented very well. Set 2 is the most balanced set overall, Set 1 is the lightest and Set 3 is by far the darkest and murkiest. The deepest nighttime textures with less illuminations.


These first texture sets are only a start and are far from being perfect. With all going well, my winter projects will be taking on Version 2 of each of these initial texture sets, going through the tonal pixel markers during Sunrise and Sunset times for better accuracy and representations for even lighting transitions as well as better color hue tonal marker displaying for aircraft, clouds, terrain, trees, waters, etc. The goal is to design and produce the most realistic sky sets yet.

Thank you to all simmers giving these initial sky set tectures a go of it. Happy flights to you all.



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akoyeh
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Re: Skies for FS2004 - successes & shortcomings

Postby akoyeh » Sat Dec 01, 2018 5:53 pm

akoyeh wrote:.
* HighFlyer Skies for FS2004 - ... Set 2 is the most balanced set overall ...

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Just had another look at these. Set 3 is actually the best at altitude, not Set 2. Rather dark and murky at lower altitudes, yes, but the best @ 35,000 feet.



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akoyeh
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Re: Skies for FS2004 - successes & shortcomings

Postby hertzie » Sun Dec 02, 2018 1:34 pm

It seems that the designer is almost the most critical :D ......

Man, you're doing a wonderful job, and as you should know: nobody is perfect.

Many thanks for making FS9 still going strong!!

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Re: Skies for FS2004 - successes & shortcomings

Postby Skywatcher » Mon Dec 03, 2018 10:33 pm

Thanks for the explanation. You are doing a brilliant job on these!
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Re: Skies for FS2004 - successes & shortcomings

Postby akoyeh » Sat Dec 08, 2018 7:24 pm

hertzie wrote:It seems that the designer is almost the most critical :D ......
Man, you're doing a wonderful job, and as you should know: nobody is perfect.
Many thanks for making FS9 still going strong!!


You're too kind, hertzie, but thanks. Indeed, perfection will never be achieved, though there
is always "better". Am confident that they will be too, knowing just how to pursue this now.


Skywatcher wrote:Thanks for the explanation. You are doing a brilliant job on these!


You're too kind as well, Skywatcher, though appreciated. Perhaps the next releases will be
closer to "brilliant". Have got a good start on the version 2s already. Keeps me off the streets. :-)

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Re: Skies for FS2004 - successes & shortcomings

Postby akoyeh » Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:19 am

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Quick update: Am moving right along working Version 2 of each set. It's proceeding well though quite slow, fussing over individual pixels, blendings, tonal markers, light transitions, and a boatload of testing. If you remotely liked any of versions 1 then you'll love version 2s. :-) Best guess of release for V2 of "Serene Skies: mid January, others to follow.

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Re: Skies for FS2004 - successes & shortcomings

Postby Roypcox » Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:31 am

I really appreciate your talent and time in revision of 2004 really great work and enthusiasm!!!
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