P3D - New Cloud performance fix

[Ian Warren]

This is for people who might not visit Avsim or the P3D forums.

QUOTE

Quote from Beau on September 4, 2014, 11:24
Hello all. We found the issue that is likely causing the majority of cloud related issues in 2.3. Some of the cloud math got tweaked during 2.3 development and the size of clouds got doubled. We do plan on releasing a hot fix but will first prioritize known issues to see what fixes we can get in reasonably soon. In the meantime, you can resolve the cloud issue by doing the following:

• Browse to the ShadersHLSL folder. This is in the main application folder where the Prepar3D.exe is. You may need elevated permissions to do this if you installed into program files with standard windows security settings.
• Open Cloud.fx in notepad or another text editor
• Look for this this line (should be around line 301 if you have line numbers enabled in your editor):
  

  Code: Select all

  GetScreenQuadPositions( quad, width, height );

• Scale the width and height down by half with this change:
  

  Code: Select all

  GetScreenQuadPositions( quad, width[b]*0.5[/b], height[b]*0.5[/b] );

• Save your changes and close the file

Clear the shader cache so it rebuilds:

• Go to DRIVE:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2\
• Delete the Shaders folder and/or all of its contents. This will clear the cache.

[/quote]


I, like others have found that we get better performance with Detailed Clouds set to Maximum.
I've turned Volumetric fog back on - it was giving me bad frames before as there were 4 times as many pixels in the cloud sprites.
If you use Active Sky next, check that P3D Low Cloud Offset under Cloud Options is set to 0. This has been recommended by Hifi and I found it was already set in the latest 5360 build.

A picture taken out the cockpit departing CH this late afternoon:



Nick

[Ian Warren]

It dose look good Nick, one thing pointed out when trying the PAC737 Simulator and shown the difference , not sure there settings, they testing clouds with the Professional P3D - it is very impressive.

[toprob]

Thanks, I missed that, even though I visit their forum often. And it really does make a difference!