ACTIVE Help FTX Global Textures are Blurry / Only good from short distance

[walterg74]

Hi,

 

I purchased FTX Global, and just installed it on a clean FSX with no other add-ons as of yet.

 

The problem I am having is that textures look nice only from a *very* short area around the plane.

 

I have tried changing the LOD_RADIUS value with no visible difference... Also tried other tweaks/settings, but nothing (except getting better FPS with things like Bufferpools, Affinity Mask, etc)

 

Took some screenshots to show the problem, and see what the staff can suggest / tell me:

 

 

I was going to install other addons but I would rather wait to solve this before piling on other stuff, so really appreciate support here.

 

Thanks!!

[walterg74]

Adding a couple more:

 

 

 

Also, forgot to post my system specs just in case:

 

i7 4790K @4.4Ghz

16GB DDR3 RAM @2400

Sapphire R9 290 4GB

Win 8.1 on a 120GB SSD

FSX is installed on it's own 250GB SSD Drive

 

And this is my .cfg file:

 

[GRAPHICS]

SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED_10=1693750528
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693750528
D3D10=0
TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=4096
NUM_LIGHTS=8
AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=1
AIRCRAFT_REFLECTIONS=1
COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=1
LANDING_LIGHTS=1
AC_SELF_SHADOW=0
EFFECTS_QUALITY=2
GROUND_SHADOWS=0
TEXTURE_QUALITY=3
IMAGE_QUALITY=0
See_Self=1
Text_Scroll=1
HIGHMEMFIX=1
[bUFFERPOOLS]
Poolsize=0
[JOBSCHEDULER]
AffinityMask=252
[sOUND]
AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000
PrimaryDevice={00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
VoiceDevice={00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
SOUND=1
SOUND_QUALITY=2
SOUND_LOD=1
UISound=1
AmbientUI=1
[Display]
ChangeTime=4.000000
TransitionTime=4.000000
ActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
ActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=0,28,140,64
NonActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
NonActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=24,33,87,64
InfoUpperRightTextColor=255,0,0
InfoUpperRightBackGroundColor=0,0,0,0
InfoLowerLeftTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerLeftBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoLowerRightTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerRightBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoBrakesEnable=True
InfoParkingBrakesEnable=True
InfoPauseEnable=True
InfoSlewEnable=True
InfoStallEnable=True
InfoOverspeedEnable=True
BLOOM_EFFECTS=0
SKINNED_ANIMATIONS=1
TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=160
UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=0
WideViewAspect=True
[Main]
User Objects=Airplane, Helicopter
SimObjectPaths.0=SimObjects\Airplanes
SimObjectPaths.1=SimObjects\Rotorcraft
SimObjectPaths.2=SimObjects\GroundVehicles
SimObjectPaths.3=SimObjects\Boats
SimObjectPaths.4=SimObjects\Animals
SimObjectPaths.5=SimObjects\Misc
ProcSpeed=10764
PerfBucket=7
Maximized=1
Location=248,21,1288,800,\\.\DISPLAY1
HideMenuNormal=0
HideMenuFullscreen=1
DisablePreload=1
FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.40
[PANELS]
IMAGE_QUALITY=1
DEFAULT_VIEW=0
QUICKTIPS=1
PANEL_OPACITY=100
PANEL_MASKING=1
PANEL_STRETCHING=1
UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0
[Weather]
WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1
MinGustTime=10
MaxGustTime=500
MinGustRampSpeed=1
MaxGustRampSpeed=200
MinVarTime=5
MaxVarTime=50
MinVarRampSpeed=10
MaxVarRampSpeed=75
TurbulenceScale=1.000000
WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.com
WeatherServerPort=80
WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0
AdjustForMagVarInDialog=1
DynamicWeather=2
DownloadWindsAloft=0
DisableTurbulence=0
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=5
DETAILED_CLOUDS=1
CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8
THERMAL_VISUALS=1
[DISPLAY.Device.AMD Radeon R9 200 Series.0]
Mode=1920x1080x32
[AccelerationPack]
ControlsFirstRun=0
HomePageFirstRun=0
[CONTROLS]
Controls_Default=Standard
Controls_Current=Standard
JOYSTICKS=1
KBDAIL=64
KBDELEV=64
KBDRUD=64
[TextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
[TextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
GForce=1,3
FuelPercentage=1,4
[TextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
GForce=2,3
FuelPercentage=2,4
[slewTextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
[slewTextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
[slewTextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
[DynamicHeadMovement]
LonAccelOnHeadLon=-0.020000
LonAccelOnHeadPitch=-0.010000
RollAccelOnHeadLat=0.010000
YawAccelOnHeadLat=-0.100000
RollAccelOnHeadRoll=0.100000
MaxHeadAngle=5.000000
MaxHeadOffset=0.300000
HeadMoveTimeConstant=1.000000
[VirtualCopilot]
VirtualCopilotActive=1
[uSERINTERFACE]
PageID=1
OpenATCOnCreate=0
SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0
PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=1
PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1
SITUATION=FLIGHTS\OTHER\FLTSIM
Map_Orientation=2
ShowAllACPaintSchemes=0
SelectAircraftManufacturer=All
SelectAircraftPublisher=All
SelectAircraftType=All
[ATC]
ShowATCText=1
COMM_MSG_NONE_COLOR=FFFFFFFF
COMM_MSG_ATC_USER_COLOR=FFB6FFB6
COMM_MSG_USER_ATC_COLOR=FFFFD21B
COMM_MSG_ATC_AI_COLOR=FF00FF00
COMM_MSG_AI_ATC_COLOR=FFFF7840
AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=1
UsePilotVoice=1
PilotVoice=0
[PointOfInterestSystem]
CycleSetting=0
[sCENERY]
LENSFLARE=1
DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1
IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=4
[TrafficManager]
AirlineDensity=20
GADensity=20
FreewayDensity=10
ShipsAndFerriesDensity=5
LeisureBoatsDensity=5
IFROnly=0
AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=3
[TERRAIN]
LOD_RADIUS=6.500000
MESH_COMPLEXITY=100
MESH_RESOLUTION=25
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=28
AUTOGEN_DENSITY=3
DETAIL_TEXTURE=1
WATER_EFFECTS=6
[AContain]
ShowLabels=1
ShowUserLabel=0
ShowLabelManufacturer=1
ShowLabelModel=1
ShowLabelTailNumber=0
ShowLabelDistance=1
ShowLabelAltitude=1
ShowLabelAirline=0
ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0
ShowLabelFlightPlan=0
ShowLabelContainerId=0
ShowLabelAirspeed=0
ShowLabelHeading=0
LabelDelay=1000
LabelColor=FFFF0000
[iNTERNATIONAL]
ASLAT=2
ASLON=1
MEASURE=0
[REALISM]
PFactor=0.000000
Torque=0.000000
GyroEffect=0.000000
CrashTolerance=0.000000
General=0.000000
UnlimitedFuel=True
AllowEngineDamage=False
TrueAirspeed=False
AutoCoord=True
RealMixture=False
StressDamage=False
GEffect=False
ManualLights=False
GyroDrift=False
CrashWithDyn=False
CrashDetection=False
AutoTrim=False
[sIM]
SYSCLOCK=1
[sTARTUP]
DEMO=0
SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1
STARTUP_DEMO=
LoadWindow=1
[FACILITIES]
COUNTRY=
STATE=
CITY=
GTL_BUTTON=1429
[Misc]
Com_Rate=7
[Trusted]
E:\FSX-SE\steamapps\common\FSX\ORBX\FTX_AU\FTXAA_ORBXLIBS\Scenery\ObjectFlow.dll.nuuukonqkclicereitowrauenzwrzetlobclcuul=1
E:\FSX-SE\steamapps\common\FSX\ORBX\FTX_AU\FTXAA_ORBXLIBS\Scenery\ObjectFlow.dll.tlauorirknirqhbociebrzwzqokwierhqzaiwaia=1
E:\FSX-SE\steamapps\common\FSX\gauges\Cessna.dll.bicaqncqbhirwqoauhlqzerencawnhiktrwhekle=2
E:\FSX-SE\steamapps\common\FSX\gauges\Cessna172.dll.anwhhlwaicuztwtlnwqcnrroklnnhuhqbzttbahz=2
E:\FSX-SE\steamapps\common\FSX\gauges\Cessna182s.dll.tklanhiaaznbahallcwhnclbcubzqowlqkwizezb=2
E:\FSX-SE\steamapps\common\FSX\gauges\CessnaWAlpha.dll.zoaeulbthhechobtkhbliwbcqobwzkwhcaroubak=2
E:\FSX-SE\steamapps\common\FSX\gauges\Bendix_king_radio.dll.ohzlnhzrzkqkzohbntlhaqlrezalrbahttqraocu=2
E:\FSX-SE\steamapps\common\FSX\gauges\Bell_206B.dll.acacuuuiqektbbwzrnbzbzuqncbeczrolruwkaeh=2
[FlightPlanMap]
LineWidth=2
SHOW_AIRPORTS=1
SHOW_VORS=1
SHOW_NDBS=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=1
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
show_waypoints=1
show_airways=1
show_markers=1
show_volume_boundaries=1
show_ac_twr=1
[MULTIPLAYER]
condAccoutPassword=0

 

 

Edit: Just noticed those 2 black squares on the 1st screenshot of this post. That just must have a been a glitch on the screenshot taking, I did not see those in the actual sim.

 

Also for reference, this is just taking off from KIAH in Houston (just plain take off and continuing straight).

 

 

Edit 2: Just in case (cause I know support staff will ask )  Yes, I did install the latest libraries.  My process after installing FSX was:  Install FTX Global, FTX central, "apply", download latest libraries, install them, FTX central 2, select and "apply".

 

Thanks!

[walterg74]

Re-positioned myself to some 6000+ feet and took a couple more:

 

I decided to also try a different location, went to London City, and saw this:

 

 

 

 

WTH??? Does this seem like a problem with my install..?

[Nick Cooper]

Hello,

 

It's helpful to say whether you have FSX or FSX Steam at the beginning of your

topic and you don't say if you had FSX installed previously.

 

Can you clarify the second point please, I recognise the fsx.cfg file as that of the

Steam version.

 

I would suggest first that you remove the tweaks you have added to your fsx.cfg file,
ideally by deleting it and allowing FSX to build another.
You do not need them, FSX Steam is already tweaked.
You might also try locking the frame rate at 31.
Then set your LOD radius back to 6.5 and see what it looks like.

[walterg74]

I would suggest first that you remove the tweaks you have added to your fsx.cfg file,

ideally by deleting it and allowing FSX to build another.

You do not need them, FSX Steam is already tweaked.

You might also try locking the frame rate at 31.

Then set your LOD radius back to 6.5 and see what it looks like.

Hi Nick, funny you should say that because it's what I did a few minures ago

I will try again, just in case to delete .cfg file again and run clean, with the exception of LOD radius.

Just in case, is it correct that it is not what it should look like?

[Nick Cooper]

No, I have a clean install of FSX Steam and the textures are not

blurred like that at a LOD radius of 6.5.

Please don't think I am ignoring your next reply, it is late here in the UK.

[walterg74]

No, I have a clean install of FSX Steam and the textures are not

blurred like that at a LOD radius of 6.5.

Please don't think I am ignoring your next reply, it is late here in the UK.

 

No worries, I know we're all global

 

Anywho, just tried that again:

 

- Deleted .cfg file, started up the sim, went into settings and selected my resolution (1080p) and quit.

- Edited .cfg to change LOD to 6.5

- Started it up again, results below... same thing I'm afraid

 

 

[walterg74]

Ok, tried something else...

 

Went to check my video settings. As pasted I have a Radeon card, so I went to setup a profile specific to FSX and turned on things that seemed to be missing (AA through the driver, setting the Anistropic filtering to 16x, etc) and turned OFF things that I thought were either not relevant or could be adverse to this, like the AMD optimizations, tessellation, crossfire mode, etc....

 

Overall it *seems* I don't know if I would say "better" but at least blending in more. Now I don't know if this is just the effect of the AA "smoothing it out" or if this is it and it's how it's supposed to look, as it is still noticeably "washed out" right around the limits of where the sharp textures end, which is at about the same place as before (but maybe it's subjective and this is just how it should look).

 

Here they are:

 

[Nick Cooper]

Good morning,

 

I would think you now have the settings as they should be.

I see you haven't limited the frame rate.

There will always be a little blurring in the extreme distance

but with a bit lower visibility set the view should be just about

right.

[walterg74]

Good morning,

 

I would think you now have the settings as they should be.

I see you haven't limited the frame rate.

There will always be a little blurring in the extreme distance

but with a bit lower visibility set the view should be just about

right.

 

Allrighty, it does seem as it should. I guess the higher up you go as well the more into the distance you see, and with a fixed LOD Radius of 6, 7,etc. anything beyond that is, well.. out of scope..

 

Framerate was not limited, just playing around as this is the first add-on to get installed, but I will definitely look at locking it later this week as I get time to keep playing with it.

 

Last thing then, what exactly do you mean with "with a bit lower visibility set"? It is some specific setting I can/should change?  Also, would the til7mipmap setting in the .cfg file do anything?

 

Thanks!

[Nick Cooper]

I just meant a bit lower weather visibility, then the haze would obscure

the out of focus scenery in the distance.

I think you have the scenery looking about as good as it can.

[walterg74]

I just meant a bit lower weather visibility, then the haze would obscure

the out of focus scenery in the distance.

I think you have the scenery looking about as good as it can.

 

Ah ok, gotcha.  I wil try playing around with that too then to see how it comes out.

 

Just to answer your previous question, which I didn't,  you are right it was in fact the Steam version initially.

 

The thing is I had both the boxed and Steam installed in parallel.  My plan was to install the ORBX stuff and scenery products in general into the SE version (because it performs better,leaving the "classic" for pure photo scenery use), something that Ed told me could not be done out of the box, as the installer always looked only for the standard FSX registry keys, and did not bother to check for co-existence and give you that option (and also that as all installers are the same, and he would not be re-compiling all those, which is disappointing but understandable as I guess when SE came out the installer itself still worked so it was probably a "if it 'aint broke..." approach).

 

I made a couple of .reg files to simply change the app path of the standard FSX keys to point to my SE install paths, and installed Global. then just changed FTX Central's *config.xml files to modifiy "/Microsoft/FSX" to "/Microsoft/FSX-SE" and everything worked fine...

 

Thing is, when I encountered this, I thought maybe it was because of what I had done, so I reverted keys again and tried with boxed FSX. But when I saw it was the same I knew that was not the case (and later verified when after tweaking my video settings and switching keys again, FSX-SE worked just fine too with the correct visuals).

 

Only now I ruined my boxed FSX and have to start over    But hey, at least I learned something...

[jmorvay1971]

There is such a thing as over-tweaking.  Nick's statements are tried and true.  best advice I have received here was from Jon V himself.  If you find your sim doesn't run as it should, you need good hardware.  Tweaks have been snake oil for so long now that people automatically think it's necessary.  When I recently upgraded to a better rig, I came here first and looked at what the ORBX folks had under the hood.  With that info, I was better informed on what to get and I am happy to say that I am glad I did.  Last night, I noticed way too many wierd things going on in my FSX:SE so I blew away my fsx.cfg and created a new one.  Aside from slider settings in sim, I only added what was necessary.  Your LOD is rather, well, large.  I keep mine at 4.5 and stay satisfied with that.  I gave up on "chasing frames" and trying to max out the system to get the most realistic experience.  I learned from the pros that it is more important to have a stable sim, one that functions the way it should because we are piloting aircraft, not on a ride-along.  I admit though that I don't lock my frames, as you do, but I get enough frames to have a smooth flight.  I recently discovered that running Steve's DX10 Fixer was no longer necessary, like i used to with my old system.  I did a test, first running Steve's DX10 Fixer with DX10 checked in the sim, frames were hovering around 30.  I uninstalled the DX10 Fixer and put FSX;SE back to DX9 mode, now I'm getting steady 40's for frames, which just proves that your mileage may vary, depending on hardware.  I thought it odd at first, but then quickly recognized that being thankful that the sim was running well was something to behold.

 

-Jim

[walterg74]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your comments, will definitely keep it in mind, hiwever, this was not about performance and fps at all, simply about the textures not displaying properly.

Regarding DX10, it's not always about FPS either. Some people reported they can add more stuff and eye candy without a performance hit (i.e. Sure you get 40 in dx9 but you can get a ton more stuff in with dx19 and still get 30) plus the added visuls dx9 just doesn't have.

Edit: LOD radius 6.5 large? Really..? I think it's very conservative by today's standards and hardware specs...