Scenery "popping" into view.

[Zaphod]

Hi Guys and Gals.
I've had this problem with both FS9 and FSX and have tried changing the "TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT" in the FSX.cfg from the default value of 40 to anything upto 400 with no change. The autogen still pops into view. It's most noticeable at lower altitudes and when on approach.
I would appreciate any help as it's very annoying.
My system specs are below.

Zaphod

[Fozzer]

Its that Mk XIII Cray Super Computer I see in your signature, Zaph...

You need to upgrade to the Mk XIV version... ...!

I have the Sinclair ZX 82 model, and it runs fine, with no scenery popping problems.. ...!

Paul... ... ...!

[Daube]

The autogen in FSX appears late, there's nothing you can do about it.
It's less noticable with a dense autogen, but noticable nevertheless.
What values did you assign to the autogen tweaks in the FSX.cfg ?

[Zaphod]

Its that Mk XIII Cray Super Computer I see in your signature, Zaph...

You need to upgrade to the Mk XIV version... ...!

I have the Sinclair ZX 82 model, and it runs fine, with no scenery popping problems.. ...!

Paul... ... ...!

Hi Fozz...
Yes my genious son in law built it for me. Didn't cost a lot but I do miss my daughter.

Zaph...

[Zaphod]

What values did you assign to the autogen tweaks in the FSX.cfg ?

The only settings I changed were in "TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT" and I tried 150 , 250, and 400.
My autogen is set to dense.

Zaphod

[Daube]

Well, there's your problem
Post a full copy of your FSX.cfg here please, I'll try to run it through the Jesus website and add a bit of stuff inside.

[Zaphod]

You asked for it!
// This file was tweaked on Nov 29, 2011 at 12:08 GMT using Bojote's automated FSX Tweaking & Tuning Service
// Your 'original' fsx.CFG file was backed up at http://www.venetubo.com/fsx/805d942fc67 ... backup.cfg
// This file is optimized as follows: 8 core(s), CPU speed 2, HT 0, GPU 4, PREF 2
// You can visit Bojote's FSX Tweaking & Tuning service at http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html
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SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
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SHOW_JET=0
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SHOW_TERRAIN=1
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SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=0
show_flight_history=1
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PerfBucket=7
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[Daube]

Ok, let's make a first try. Please make a backup copy of your FSX.cfg somewhere (well, its content is already posted above anyways). Take the lines below and create a new FSX.cfg with them.

I have made the following modifications:
- I ran it through the Jesus Altuve website again, just to be sure. You'll have to reactivate your aircraft shadows and tooltips in the cockpit.
- I have activated the VSync fix, this will lead to a lower FPS but a more consistent image
- I have set the Texture Bandwith Mult to 400.
- I have added the DisablePreload tweak, to prevent the initial loading of the scenery prior to reaching the menu
- I have added the autogen limitation tweaks in the [TERRAIN] section. I set it to 1000 trees and 300 buildings per cell. Please try to set the autogen density slider in the FSX settings to "very dense", or even "extremely dense" for a try. (one crank below max is usually my favorite setting. You can try to alter the maximum trees number later, your CPU is able to handle at least 2000, but I wanted you to check with a low value first.


-------------------
EDIT: WAIT, there's a problem with these lines. I check again...

[Daube]

OK it was a problem with my copy-paste from the forum.

Let's do that manually.
Just add or modify the following lines:

In the [MAIN] section, just add the line
DisablePreload=1
This will disable the initial loading of the scenery prior to reaching the menu.

In the [TERRAIN] section, just add these two lines:
TERRAIN_MAX_AUTOGEN_TREES_PER_CELL=2000
TERRAIN_MAX_AUTOGEN_BUILDINGS_PER_CELL=300
I have altered the values once more. The above advise is still valid: please try to set the autogen slider to the max or one crank below the max.

Modify the FPS target in FSX to 30.

Modify the Texture_Bandwith_Mult to 400 or 600, and modify the texturemaxload (not the texture_max_load) to 9 or 6. Just test both.

For the Vsync, let's just let it as it is.

[Zaphod]

Daube, thanks for your imput.
I've only tried a couple of test flights since I applied your recommendations but apart from less trees (I think) I see no improvement in the autogen "popping" up.
As I mentioned earlier, I have this problem in FS9 also. It may be connected with the new hardware as I only really noticed it after I got my new PC.

Zaphod

[Daube]

The fewer trees is normal, since I have lowered the maximum number of them to 2000.
By default, it's 4500 per cell
However, letting it to default AND increasing the autogen density can have catastropic effects on the performance. If you limit the trees to 2000, then you can afford to raise the autogen density to the max or one crank below, without killing the performance.

With this technique, the area close to you will look more dense than in FSX with no autogen tweak and a lower autogen density slider.

[Gypsy_Baron]

Daube, thanks for your imput.
I've only tried a couple of test flights since I applied your recommendations but apart from less trees (I think) I see no improvement in the autogen "popping" up.
As I mentioned earlier, I have this problem in FS9 also. It may be connected with the new hardware as I only really noticed it after I got my new PC.

Zaphod

Autogen "popping" is a "feature" of FSX. ACES changed the way scenery is handled in an attempt
to maximize "performance", sacrificing the smooth blending of autogen in the distance that was
present in FS9.

It's going to be present no matter what you try.  About the best you can do is play with the LOD Radius.

I use this:

[TERRAIN]
//LOD_RADIUS=4.500000  //this is the default
LOD_RADIUS=6.500000
TERRAIN_MAX_AUTOGEN_TREES_PER_CELL=2500
TERRAIN_MAX_AUTOGEN_BUILDINGS_PER_CELL=3000

And I prefer lots of autogen....I absolutely hate the barren patches of "flat painted on buildings and trees"
that exist when autogen gets severely cut back. My sliders are maxed out and I can maintain 25-30FPS.
But the "popping" is still there.

   Paul

[Zaphod]

Thanks for all your efforts guys.
I guess I'll have to live with the Popping scenery. I have tried all of the recommendations with little, if any effect.
Perhaps if I fly in Fog all the time I won't see the scenery Popping? Doesn't sound like much fun though

Thanks.
Zaphod.

[Fozzer]

Zaph... ...

Have you tried reducing your "visibility" into the distance?

I assume the weather is always like it is in England, and reduce my visibility accordingly...between 10 and 20 Miles?
(..sometimes 5 - 8 miles!)
That seems fairly realistic to me...you cant see detail in the far distance, anyway!

I can just about see the fence at the bottom of my garden on a dreary day... ...!

Paul...peeing peering into the mist... ..!

[Zaphod]

Hi Fozz..
With my alcohol ravaged eyeballs I need all the distance I can get
But seriously, I seem to recall gave you me the same bit of advice when I was having problems in FS9. I'll try it in FSX and try not to bump into too many things.

Cheers.

Zaphod (whose eyeballs could do with a service)