Transition from FSX to P3D - Things to keep in mind

[fsaviator]

I'd like to start a new thread to compile all the hints, tips, and tricks of transitioning for FSX to Prepar3d v2.  I'd appreciate if those of you that have made the leap would provide specifics about the hurdles (and surprises) you encountered in the process.

I'd like to keep this thread focused just on the transition from FSX to P3d v2.  I'd like to see this develop into a running list/dialog.

Things I envision in this thread include peculiarities of installing various FSX add-ons to P3d, changes in procedures, etc.

As I pack up my sim and start planning for build 3.5 back in the US, I am considering taking the opportunity to go over to P3d.

[quid246]

Off the top of my head... OPTIMIZE_PARTS=1 in your Prepar3D.CFG should give you a frame bump on most aircraft.

[Sam Llorca]

I transitioned from FSX to P3D2.5 and so far so good, I've been using it for a year and to me is more stable than FSX or FSXSteam, if tweaked correctly FSXSteam edition will handle the most common issue Out of memory error much better than FSX and P3D, if you keep the scenery on a decent level it will perform flawless, it can give you better frame rates too, I'm happy!
Image out the window is darker on P3D than FSX, there is an add on to fix that (FSX Shadow), be aware that not all previous scenery or addons are compatible with P3D2.5 but using the program Migration tool could help.
Never do an update, always download and install full
version.
[Main]
FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.01

[SIM]
SYSCLOCK=0
OPTIMIZE_PARTS=1

and I think that's all, my personal opinion and experience.

Here are some videos that may help, lots of information about it on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYcvBSj1-ig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCkqi8NxDjU

Cheers,
Sam

[tennyson]

I'm not sure if it's guts or stupidity, but I've always been a bit of a trailblazer, so I went over to P3D, almost as soon as it came out.

I'm also running ProSim and very few add-ons. I only fly in Australia and new Zealand, emulating the routes that virgin and Qantas fly and this allows me to concentrate on getting  all of my external ORBX and Fly Tampa scenery working flawlessly, instead of overloading my drives and graphics system with regions I never fly in.

Getting screens aligned and aircraft lighting is a pain, but thanx to Fly-Elise calibration Pro, on top of Display Pro, Wideview and widetraffic and the tweaked Jetstream model, all of this can be achieved with astounding results.

Without getting too specific and sounding like a salesman for ProSim, I personally cannot say enough about the constant development process that goes on behind the scenes with this software.
Every iteration brings about compatibility with some new hardware or a tweak to make some additional enhancement within the cockpit environment.

As well, talented followers like Humberto Miguel, who makes amazing ProSim Utilities programs, like ProSim Utilities which allows you to talk to Acars and IVAO and print Weather and  load sheets from within the cockpit, via an ACARS printer.

It's the icing on the cake, in my opinion.

And don't forget guys, P3D V3 is on it's way. I'd reckon we might even see it before Xmas, but that's pure speculation.

So, the wheels keep on turning......


Frank Cooper

[fsaviator]

Great posts guys.  Exactly the info needed.  Thanks and keep them coming.

[Sam Llorca]

Agree with you Frank!

[quid246]

One thing to keep in my, in my experience at least, is that you'll have less "breathing room" for VAS when it comes to scenery etc.  I've heard that FSX-SE is better in t his regard probably due to less eye-candy and smaller initial memory footprint.

Let's hope V3 finally brings us into the 21st century and is 64-Bit.