Prepar3D version 2.3 released

[cowpatz]

The latest version of P3DV2 is out. It is free and is available as a patch or complete download.
Got to hand it to these guys for their continual development. V2.4 is scheduled to be out by the end of the year too. Hopefully this will include SLI support but that will depend on Nvidia playing ball.

[toprob]

Thanks for the heads-up.

Hmm, the recommended 10.6GB full install or the 144MB patch? I think I'll try the patch first. I really need to look at a larger plan...

[toprob]

Wow, just wow.

The forums are reporting some issues with the patch, but it worked great for me. Just the usual 'computing space requirements' delay, but I've done enough P3D patches to know that this is an ideal time to go make a cup of coffee.

Previously I was getting quite poor performance with clouds, although I tend to have the settings up very high, which isn't recommended for my mid-range system. With 2.3 I can now fly through clouds without the drop to <10FPS, now in clouds I get 22 -- 30 FPS, which is great for me. (Without clouds, I get 40 - 50 FPS.)

I will need to tweak it a bit, as I do get very slow-drawing textures when I start it up, but once they load up, I'm more than happy.

[cowpatz]

I downloaded the patch but now get a fatal error message after the sim runs for about 5 to 10 seconds. Antivirus disabled for the download and install as well downloaded again just in case of a corrupt download. I have posted for advice on their support forum.
I really, really, really don't want to go down the 10 GB download/reinstall road unless I absolutely have to.

QUOTE (toprob @ Aug 12 2014,11:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow, just wow.

The forums are reporting some issues with the patch, but it worked great for me. Just the usual 'computing space requirements' delay, but I've done enough P3D patches to know that this is an ideal time to go make a cup of coffee.

Previously I was getting quite poor performance with clouds, although I tend to have the settings up very high, which isn't recommended for my mid-range system. With 2.3 I can now fly through clouds without the drop to <10FPS, now in clouds I get 22 -- 30 FPS, which is great for me. (Without clouds, I get 40 - 50 FPS.)

I will need to tweak it a bit, as I do get very slow-drawing textures when I start it up, but once they load up, I'm more than happy.

Glad it is working well for you Rob.
Yes I get very slow start up textures on start up. In an external view it is like watching an aircraft being assembled bit by bit. It seems that this texture load issue on start up is a common feature but is OK once initially loaded.
I honestly thought it would be quicker with a Titan card.

[AdrianPetford]

It is a pain, but personally I always go for the full clean install. I did patch successfully from 2.0 to 2.1 so that method does work reliably, but there seem to always be minor issues later. Fortunately, as I only use P3D-compatible addons at the moment the complete reinstall does not take long and I'm usually back up and running within a few hours.

I've just downloaded 2.3 and am defragging the host drive ready to install. Judging by Rob Ainscough's videos, we are in for a real treat with this version. I was never really satisfied with 2.2 so am very pleased to move on to 2.3.

[cowpatz]

Yes I have succumbed to having to do a full install. 10.6 Gb at 260KB/s download speed = friggin all day!!!! ....and 25% of the data cap.

[AdrianPetford]

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Aug 12 2014,12:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes I have succumbed to having to do a full install. 10.6 Gb at 260KB/s download speed = friggin all day!!!! ....and 25% of the data cap.

It's a great shame LM don't mirror the files to local servers. Not only would that spread the load it would also help avoid hosing up data caps. I think I just about got in early enough to get my copy (that said, it was still a long haul) but once the news has spread, expect LM to be dead for most of tomorrow.

I also always MD5 checksum the downloaded file before installation just to make sure everything is as it should be.

[jpreou]

Rob, or others, any difference with cloud shadows enabled. Killed my system on 2.2. I'll be waiting a few days until I run the 2.3 patch (if that doesn't work I'll do the full download).

[Ian Warren]

One you wonder when they may go for a boxed version when they final complete, amazing how divided its getting across every FS platform, problem and issues with FR and even on ultra hi-end systems.

[toprob]

QUOTE (jpreou @ Aug 12 2014,11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rob, or others, any difference with cloud shadows enabled. Killed my system on 2.2. I'll be waiting a few days until I run the 2.3 patch (if that doesn't work I'll do the full download).

Yeah, when I talk about poor cloud performance, I really mean cloud shadows, so 2.3 has given more than doubled the performance with cloud shadows.

[cowpatz]

I removed the FSUIPC dll and it seems to run ok. This seems to be a known issue now. Pete Dowson is on holiday until the 17th (bad timing). I find it hard to believe that Pete did not have (or was given) access to a copy of the beta whereby this issue would have become apparent.
Also do not apply the patch if you have installed the flight planner hotfix.
A very bizarre release from LM really.

[NZ255]

QUOTE (AdrianPetford @ Aug 12 2014,11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's a great shame LM don't mirror the files to local servers. Not only would that spread the load it would also help avoid hosing up data caps. I think I just about got in early enough to get my copy (that said, it was still a long haul) but once the news has spread, expect LM to be dead for most of tomorrow.

Coming down at 2.5MB/S for me

[cowpatz]

2 1/2 hrs and 2.21 GB downloaded....the wonders of the modern non CBD internet
Roll on fibre.

Edit: Now 7 hrs of downloading and a mere 5 hours to go.