garymcginnis Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Hi all, first post! I was directed over here from Active Sky by Damian because of a "conflict" with Active Sky and FSUIPC that can't be figured out on his end. Below is a minor narrative. Active Sky Evolution Every time ASE does any type of weather update (station update or data download) it causes my panel to "flicker" for a split second. Almost like a terrible alias or something. I use to use Active Sky v6.5 for years (2007-April 2012). In April 2012, I did a fresh install of Flight Sim (after five years, it was time) and in the process migrated over to ASE. I immediately fell in "love" with its performance as well as DWC. However, every time some type of update occurred, I would get this flicker. I only fly the LDS 767 (and my POSKY767/757 merge) and tried to live with it until recently when I finally had had enough. Plus I built a new high end PC just for flight sim and don't want the flicker to continue to ruin the enjoyment of it (see specs in link below). Anyway, over about two days last week I was able to rule out many things and finally realized it was tied to FSUIPC and ASE. Damian, Dave, and myself worked for a very long time and the Active Sky team became completely stumped after trying everything they knew. They then got me back into ASv6.5 (for the time being I hope) and directed me to you Pete. Please help! I had always used the un-registered version of FSUIPC and never had issues with AS v6.5 before ASE but since going back to 6.5, I ran into that dreaded wind bug in FS9. A few days ago I finally purchased FSUIPC and it cleared up the issue right away. http://forum.avsim.net/topic/400977-terriablecrazy-winds-in-active-sky-v65/ So I do have 3.999z and it is registered. However, I still have the same panel flicker as before (I have had 3.999 which was released in Feb/2012 ever since I have used ASE). As I said, I really like ASE and its platform so I hope you can help me get rid of the panel flicker and get me back into using it. Until then, I'm using ASv6.5 and only get the flicker each time it downloads a new weather set (so once every 60 minutes or so as its server architect is a lot older/slower then ASE). Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Anyway, over about two days last week I was able to rule out many things and finally realized it was tied to FSUIPC and ASE. Damian, Dave, and myself worked for a very long time and the Active Sky team became completely stumped after trying everything they knew. They then got me back into ASv6.5 (for the time being I hope) and directed me to you Pete. Please help! There is nothing in FSUIPC which knows anything about the screen, and certainly nothing in it which could cause flicker. All it is doing is acting as a conduit for the weather commands from Active Sky. I had always used the un-registered version of FSUIPC and never had issues with AS v6.5 before ASE but since going back to 6.5, I ran into that dreaded wind bug in FS9. A few days ago I finally purchased FSUIPC and it cleared up the issue right away. Sorry, I'm now confused. Are you saying it's okay with 6.5 but not ASE? Since the weather interface is identical (it is just FSUIPC) then the difference must be in what ASE is doing compared to 6.5. Certainly HiFi would be the ones to identify that. So I do have 3.999z and it is registered. However, I still have the same panel flicker as before (I have had 3.999 which was released in Feb/2012 ever since I have used ASE). As I said, I really like ASE and its platform so I hope you can help me get rid of the panel flicker and get me back into using it. Until then, I'm using ASv6.5 and only get the flicker each time it downloads a new weather set (so once every 60 minutes or so as its server architect is a lot older/slower then ASE). It sounds like you really need to find ASE settings which make it behave more like 6.5. Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 (edited) No.... it is both ASE and ASv6.5 that cause the panel flicker. However, it doesn't happen that often in ASv6.5 right now b/c of the slower weather refresh rate with ASv6.5. We (Myself and the Hifi team (Damian and Dave)) have narrow it narrow it down to FSUIPC and Active Sky and how they work with each other. We've been working on this issue for a long while... and have tried tons of different settings. They have ran out of ideas and had me turn to you. So let me clarity.... before April/2012 (when i switched to ASE) I can't recall any panel flicker. Since then I have panel flicker with weather updates in both ASE and ASv6.5. ASv6.5 only occurs once an hour or more because of the different update architecture of ASv6.5 vs. ASE. Gary Edited March 1, 2013 by garymcginnis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 No.... it is both ASE and ASv6.5 that cause the panel flicker. However, it doesn't happen that often in ASv6.5 right now b/c of the slower weather refresh rate with ASv6.5. I think it is, then, an inevitable result of the weather refreshing action. i haven't used FS9 for about 7 years, so I can't really advise further. Can't you run ASE in global mode ("DWC" I think they call it). We (Myself and the Hifi team (Damian and Dave)) have narrow it narrow it down to FSUIPC and Active Sky and how they work with each other. We've been working on this issue for a long while... and have tried tons of different settings. They have ran out of ideas and had me turn to you. You've really narrowed it down to the weaknesses of FS9's weather engine. You can try running FSUIPC without ActiveSky, and ActiveSky without FSUIPC, but I don't think you'll have the weather control you want. All you've really concluded is that changing the weather makes FS9 flicker. So let me clarity.... before April/2012 (when i switched to ASE) I can't recall any panel flicker. Since then I have panel flicker with weather updates in both ASE and ASv6.5. ASv6.5 only occurs once an hour or more because of the different update architecture of ASv6.5 vs. ASE. Seems that the increased flicker rate in ASE compared with 6.5 has merely made you aware of something you possibly didn't particularly notice before. All FSUIPC is doing here is allowing ActiveSky to set the weather. I really don't know any other way to tell you this. Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aua668 Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Hi, Quite some time since I used FS9 together with ASV. You should search for RenderToTexture in combination with DXT clouds. Don't remember, which combination was necessary and which created flickering and which resulted in CTD. But by searching for these terms you will find the solution. But is has definitely nothing to do with FSUIPC. Rgds Reinhard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) I think it is, then, an inevitable result of the weather refreshing action. i haven't used FS9 for about 7 years, so I can't really advise further. Can't you run ASE in global mode ("DWC" I think they call it). You've really narrowed it down to the weaknesses of FS9's weather engine. You can try running FSUIPC without ActiveSky, and ActiveSky without FSUIPC, but I don't think you'll have the weather control you want. All you've really concluded is that changing the weather makes FS9 flicker. Seems that the increased flicker rate in ASE compared with 6.5 has merely made you aware of something you possibly didn't particularly notice before. All FSUIPC is doing here is allowing ActiveSky to set the weather. I really don't know any other way to tell you this. Regards Pete I flew a few flights to test this issue without ASE/ASv6.5 and using the 15 minute update within flight sim. It "worked" but it wasn't great and it doesn't work on oceanic flights. I'm not sure what you mean regarding ASE and global mode. Hi, Quite some time since I used FS9 together with ASV. You should search for RenderToTexture in combination with DXT clouds. Don't remember, which combination was necessary and which created flickering and which resulted in CTD. But by searching for these terms you will find the solution. But is has definitely nothing to do with FSUIPC. Rgds Reinhard Already tired that.... didn't fix it. Plus I use a lot of DXT textures anyway...... Edited March 2, 2013 by garymcginnis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I flew a few flights to test this issue without ASE/ASv6.5 and using the 15 minute update within flight sim. It "worked" but it wasn't great and it doesn't work on oceanic flights. I'm not sure what you mean regarding ASE and global mode. Check the options. Doesn't ASE provide you with a "direct wind control" (DWC) option? That invokes global mode. Oh, wait a minute. I'm not sure that applies to FS9. It was added into FSX's facilities by Microsoft on my request, because contrlling the weather accurately and consistently in FS9 was virtually impossible. So I'm now thinking you are stuck until you move on to FSX or P3D. Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 So there is nothing to fix this flicker then? Dang.... I guess I'll stick with ASv6.5 for the moment :neutral: First world problems :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 If that is the case though.... can you help me with FSUIPC settings and ASv6.5? I am having an issue with the altimeter jumping all over the place. One moment it will be at 41,020 and then 40,900 and it keeps doing this throughout the flight. I have tried many different settings within ASv6.5 and FSUIPC but can't seem to eliminate it. Only started occurring since I went back to ASv6.5 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I am having an issue with the altimeter jumping all over the place. One moment it will be at 41,020 and then 40,900 and it keeps doing this throughout the flight. I have tried many different settings within ASv6.5 and FSUIPC but can't seem to eliminate it. Only started occurring since I went back to ASv6.5 i've no idea what is causing that, but try QNH smoothing in FSUIPC. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Hi Pete, I have smooth pressure selected on with the default setting of 5 seconds. One thing I am going to try is un-checking Smooth Winds in FSUIPC and keeping it checked in ASv6.5. I am wondering if both FSUIPC and Active Sky trying to smooth the winds could be causing this altimeter issue. There is a picture of ASv6.5 settings floating around on the internet that shows the smoothing box un-checked in FSUIPC and checked in ASv6.5. http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?224833-ActiveSky-6-5-FSUIPC-Questions Will report back! Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Hi Pete, I turned off the wind smoothing box within FSUIPC and it seems to have been turned on again. So I will continue to mess with it but in the mean time, here are my FSUIPC and ASv6.5 settings. Any suggestions? Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 3, 2013 Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 I turned off the wind smoothing box within FSUIPC and it seems to have been turned on again. If you turned it off and "okayed" out of the options, there's no way it gets turned on again unless you have some program forcing it on. So I will continue to mess with it but in the mean time, here are my FSUIPC and ASv6.5 settings. Any suggestions? No, sorry. But I can't really read pictures like that. All the settings are recorded in the INI file, so it is more productive to paste that here rather than take such rather yucky pictures! Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 [General] History=IETFK0Y5Q06POLR0MIBVO TCASid=Flight TCASrange=40 TrafficScanPerFrame=10 AxisCalibration=No CentredDialogue=Yes ClearWeatherDynamics=No OwnWeatherChanges=No WeatherReadInterval=4 MoveBGLvariables=Yes MainMenu=&Modules SubMenu=&FSUIPC ... UpdatedByVersion=3999z AxesWrongRange=No ShowMultilineWindow=Yes SuppressSingleline=No SuppressMultilineFS=No TimeForSelect=4 WeatherReadsFast=No LuaRerunDelay=66 WindSmoothing=Yes AutoTaxiWind=No PropTaxiWind=No TimeSetMode=Partial WhiteMessages=No ThrottleSyncAll=No GraduatedVisibility=No LowerVisAltitude=0 UpperVisAltitude=25000 UpperVisibility=6000 GenerateCirrus=No WindShearSharp=No UpperWindGusts=No ExtendMetarMaxVis=No CorrectVSsign=No MouseWheelTrim=No MouseWheelTrimSpeed=1 BrakeReleaseThreshold=75 AxisInterceptIfDirect=No DontResetAxes=No DisconnTrimForAP=Yes ZeroElevForAPAlt=Yes AutoClearWeather=Yes ExtendTopWind=No WindSmoothness=-8 SmoothPressure=Yes PressureSmoothness=5 SmoothVisibility=Yes VisibilitySmoothness=2 MaxSurfaceWind=0 WindLimitLevel=200 WindDiscardLevel=400 WindAjustAltitude=No WindAjustAltitudeBy=2000 MinimumVisibility=0 MaximumVisibilityFewClouds=0 MaximumVisibility=0 MaximumVisibilityOvercast=0 MaximumVisibilityRainy=0 OneCloudLayer=No ThinClouds=No ThinThunderClouds=No CloudThinness=1000 ThunderCloudThinness=10000 CloudTurbulence=No CloudIcing=No WindTurbulence=No SuppressAllGusts=No ExternalOptionControl=Yes AutoTuneADF=No KeepFS98CloudCover=No ShowPMcontrols=No MagicBattery=No RudderSpikeRemoval=No ElevatorSpikeRemoval=No AileronSpikeRemoval=No ReversedElevatorTrim=No StopAutoFuel=No TrapUserInterrupt=Yes NavFreq50KHz=No ClockSync=No SmoothIAS=Yes SetVisUpperAlt=No VisUpperAltLimit=6000 MaxIce=-4 MinIce=-4 WindSmoothingDelay=8 WindSmoothAirborneOnly=No LimitWindVariance=No VisSmoothingDelay=0 VisSmoothAirborneOnly=No TrafficControlDirect=Yes SuppressCloudTurbulence=No SuppressWindTurbulence=Yes SpoilerIncrement=512 JoystickTimeout=20 PollGFTQ6=Yes BlankDisplays=No ZapSound=firework ShortAircraftNameOk=Substring UseProfiles=Yes FixWindows=No FixControlAccel=No [JoyNames] AutoAssignLetters=No 0=CH PRO PEDALS USB 0.GUID={5E75BEF0-34EB-11E2-8007-444553540000} 1=CH FLIGHT SIM YOKE USB 1.GUID={5E75BEF0-34EB-11E2-8008-444553540000} [sounds] Path=C:\FS2004\Sound\ Device1=Primary Sound Driver Device2=Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) Device3=Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio) Device4=Realtek Digital Output(Optical) (Realtek High Definition Audio) [JoystickCalibration] AllowSuppressForPFCquad=Yes ExcludeThrottleSet=Yes ExcludeMixtureSet=Yes ExcludePropPitchSet=Yes SepRevsJetsOnly=No ApplyHeloTrim=No UseAxisControlsForNRZ=No FlapsSetControl=0 FlapDetents=No ReverserControl=66292 Reverser1Control=66422 Reverser2Control=66425 Reverser3Control=66428 Reverser4Control=66431 MaxThrottleForReverser=256 AileronTrimControl=0 RudderTrimControl=0 CowlFlaps1Control=0 CowlFlaps2Control=0 CowlFlaps3Control=0 CowlFlaps4Control=0 MaxSteerSpeed=60 Rudder=-16380,0,512,16380 [buttons] Buttonrepeat=20,10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 3, 2013 Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 Looks okay, but then most things are just your options, as you might wish. I'm not really sure what you expected me to make of it, but just as a test you could switch off all FSUIPC's weather actions, using the button on the first tab. Make a copy of the INI first so you can reset everything they was you have it. To be honest I seem to remember that the flickering weather in FS9 was just one of the many reasons I changed completely over to FSX as soon as I could! Not sure about panels though. I don't have any panels visible at all, but i can't see how weather updates can flicker a 2D panel. Seems more likely to be a video driver problem, maybe related to weather flicker (cloud popping etc). Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 The first tab does in fact say all Weather settings off. All I'm looking for now is how to get rid of the altimeter flux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 4, 2013 Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 The first tab does in fact say all Weather settings off. Exactly. That's the one. Press it then and see. All I'm looking for now is how to get rid of the altimeter flux. Pressure variation you mean? FSUIPC does have QNH smoothing, and I see you have it enabled and set to the default of 1mb over 5 seconds: SmoothPressure=YesPressureSmoothness=5 That should work in FS9 (I never got it working in FSX unfortunately). Maybe you need to try a different period? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 I will try next time on the sim but the AS team had me mess with it as well and I never was able to turn it on via the module.... in the mean time I have tried 1 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, and 15 sec. Maybe try 30 seconds? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 Hi Pete, As I thought.... unable to change the "weather settings" button on the first page. I put 30 seconds in for the pressure change and it looks like it has smoothed out the jumpy altimeter. Will advise if anything changes. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 Spoke to soon..... Though I think I may be on to something. Maybe you can help me tweak it from there. My winds settings are: 0 8 8 I noticed that when the wind changes by a knot or two, this altimeter flux occurs sometimes. Thoughts? Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Though I think I may be on to something. Maybe you can help me tweak it from there. Sorry, unlikely as I haven't used FS9 for so many years. My winds settings are: 0 8 8 What's 0 8 8 mean? I noticed that when the wind changes by a knot or two, this altimeter flux occurs sometimes. Thoughts? Sorry I don't understand what you mean. Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 0 8 8 In that order on the winds page of FSUIPC..... Sorry I don't understand what you mean. Regards Pete When the wind starts to change by more than a few knots, I noticed the flicker will sometimes occur as well. I think it is where I enter the new winds area since the wind bard on the internal Active Sky weather radar has changed to a drastically different number but since I have the wind smoothing, my in game winds don't change much. Said another way..... I'm started to wonder if the altimeter flux is not being caused by the pressure changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 0 8 8 In that order on the winds page of FSUIPC..... So I need to load up FS9 and look? Can't you say what they mean? It would be quicker, else it'll be tomorrow night now. When the wind starts to change by more than a few knots, I noticed the flicker will sometimes occur as well. I think it is where I enter the new winds area since the wind bard on the internal Active Sky weather radar has changed to a drastically different number but since I have the wind smoothing, my in game winds don't change much. Flicker is caused by weather updates. If you stop your weather program it will stop. Or update to FSX and use global mode weather. Said another way..... I'm started to wonder if the altimeter flux is not being caused by the pressure changes. Er ... I thought you actually MEANT pressure changes when you referred to "altimeter flux". Obviously pressure changes affect the altimeter reading. Altimeters are just barometers, measuring pressure! What on Earth did you think was going on if not pressure changes? Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymcginnis Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 It was just an observation based on the winds..... I still think it is also pressure related but I'm trying to give you all relevant data which may in turn trigger something in your memory from a previous reported issue :cool: 0/8/8 is on the first picture I posted regarding wind smoothing...... Something like 0 seconds and 8 seconds for each degree and 8 seconds after weather update. What I have occurring is the altimeter is jumping around occasionally.... one minute it will be at 34,020 and the next it will be at 33,900. Increasing the pressure value to 30 seconds did help however but it is still there. And it isn't turbulence; I have suppress turbulence selected. Not everyone likes FSX :mrgreen: Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dowson Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Something like 0 seconds and 8 seconds for each degree and 8 seconds after weather update. Oh, those. Purely user choice. I always found the default values quite good. Keeping every 1 knot wind change from occurring for 8 seconds at a time is quite extreme -- the actual intended wind at you altitude or location will tend to be wildly different to what it is supposed to be and what the reports say because it would take so long to change! And the third figure is a suspension of freeze on weather after going into the Menus and changing weather, not after any programmed update. That's so that new weather being deliberately set there can take effect and avoid confusion by nothing happening! What I have occurring is the altimeter is jumping around occasionally.... one minute it will be at 34,020 and the next it will be at 33,900. Increasing the pressure value to 30 seconds did help however but it is still there. And it isn't turbulence; I have suppress turbulence selected. That is indeed a pressure change and it will occur when moving from one weather area to another. Again 30 seconds is a ridiculously long time to keep a 1 hPa change to. The default always worked fine for me. I think you seem to be desperately trying to suppress quite normal things in FS. A more reasonable type of smoothing will stop outrageous changes which can even stall the aircraft, but you must expect weather to change when flying as it does in reality. As does turbulence -- why suppress it when it is set to occur according to the real weather? If you don't like weather changes why use a weather program at all? Just set the "clear weather" theme in FS and be done. Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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