High Definition Environment v2.1

[brianwilliamson]

I feel frustrated with some of the cloud software which I have bought over the years, as most of it gets bloated with things we either do not need or does not work.
I was pleased to find a simple free cloud based program that I think actually works !!

I have only tried this in V3 to get an idea if it is worth installing in the Sim. Here is a comparison shot between standard p3d clouds and HDE Cumulus clouds only. It would seem that the Cumulus are the only ones needed  to install.

Let me know what you think.............

Brian W.

[Marco ERJ]

I personally do think they look more photo-realistic. How well do you feel they "mash" with the rest of the visual environment? Sometimes I feel that having something or another look very realistic actually detracts from the whole because it makes the non-photoreal elements seem overly synthetic...So I would be curious to see the whole picture.
Those are some darn good looking clouds nonetheless! 
Thanks for sharing!

Marco

[brianwilliamson]

Looks fine with Orbx scenery, as always I feel one of the most important parts of a flight sim are the clouds, just as  in real flying.

Just been looking at Rex Sky Force 3D ( I bought REX ESSENTIAL PLUS 10 years ago. ) which looks impressive, but have been unable to find out if it works on client setup.

Anyone using Rex Sky Force 3D ??

.............Brian W.

[blueskydriver]

Hey Brian,

IMHO, after watching some YouTube reviews it looks the same as REX Essentials Plus Overdrive to me. And, in the videos I watched the users had Active Sky (AS latest version) inconjunction with REX Sky Force 3D. So, the clouds in REX look good, but the weather engine is not up to the Active Sky level.

This indifference has been a long term issue for REX and that is why I always used AS with it. Albeit, seeing the simulated clouds on a desktop monitor or watching a YouTube does not convey it for a full-size cockpit with a curved screen. Still, it's not much of a difference on a curved screen, it's just bigger in size, more or less.

Would I upgrade to REX Sky Force 3D now? Nope, I would hold off until they get the bugs worked out and do something with the weather enginr. Then again, if I did upgrade, my computer specs are not up too par. So, like always it's the never ending story of chasing the Flight Simulator Hardware and Software Rainbow...

Of course all of this is just my opinion, so if you install on your setup how about giving a video review of it in the curved screen aspects.

John

PS I didn't look for the server client abilities, if any.

[Jason L]

I've been a long time customer of Hifi's programs.  I currently use AS + ASCA.  I recently added TOGO's Envdir.  I've been very happy with the results.    You need a lot of horsepower under the hood to get it to really shine with the higher def resolutions.  2048x2048 minimum with the 4096x4096 really shining.

Also depends on what you are invested in already.  Are you a previous REX user?  Then that is the most financially smart way to go to get good results.  Hifi?  They offer nice discounts for return users.  Envdir works with AS and ASCA directly so you can get it directly inject and change textures while in flight.

[brianwilliamson]

Very interesting John. As I have said before that most of the programs tend to be bloated and hard to use. One thing that amazed me with the free program above , was the simplicity of installing and un-installing . That is how they all need to be.

We will keep listening to some more info on the subject/

............Brian W.