Cameron
X-Aviation-
Posts
9,816 -
Joined
-
Days Won
414
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Latest X-Plane & Community News
Events
Downloads
Store
Everything posted by Cameron
-
Thanks for the information. Is this on a Mac or Windows machine?
-
Hi, Folks!, Let me just start out by saying the next update will give all of you some considerable FPS improvements. Read on! I wanted to give you an idea of where we're at for the forthcoming update. There's quite a bit going into this, and I'm not sure exactly when we'll get it out, but I would really like it to be within the next few days. Some of you have had concerns with performance, the combination of HDR, and comparing the Saab to other aircraft in these situations. I'm going to touch on that below, but first, here's a quick list of things you can expect to be included in the 1.1 update: • Fixed typo on GUI walkaround checklist • Added GPU sound • Fixed bug in Condition Lever joystick assignment • Desensitized joystick assignment • Changed animation of flap handle for joystick users • Fixed bug causing an error when CTOT was on and engines overheated. • Fixed bug in Anti-Skid system causing no CWP annunciation • Reverted to default sounds on Dot-Dash radio code • Fixed bug in window anti-ice system • Fixed bug in wing anti-ice system• Fixed bug in volume control GUI on "RESET ALL"• Fixed "pop" in prop sound• Adjusted generator cut-out parameter• Fixed avionics blackout when making abrupt moves with the throttle • Memory leak plugged - fixed There's a bit more included as well, but that's the main list of things to expect. We'll be sure to detail every little thing in your update e-mails when they go out and the update is available! Okay, so lets talk about performance. I know this has been a hot subject for some of you, and while majority of our customers are very happy, we really do want to work towards making everyone happy. The Saab 340A was a 3.5 year long endeavour and we set out to accomplish three things in the process: Create the most detailed and accurate 3D model for X-PlaneCreate a true study level simulation that mimics the real aircraft in essentially every aspect (really, the first aircraft to do this for X-Plane)Make the texture detail and sounds as accurate as possibleNow, I believe we successfully checked off all three of these tasks, however, with it came some consequences. The first had to do with HDR. The Saab simulates so many systems and has so much number crunching going on behind the scenes that the CPU is always working for you to run this. Adding in HDR places more burden on the CPU, and not just the GPU. Believe it or not, majority of your FPS hit is coming from the actual system simulation and NOT the geometry or textures in use. In fact, X-Plane can chew through quite a number of 3D geometry without a lot of consequence. Because of these two factors at play, HDR has been taking a pretty tough hit with the Saab. We also look forward to improvements in the future with Laminar working on HDR as the version 10 series continues to develop. There were also reports of a memory leak which we are happy to say we have fixed. This doesn't necessarily improve performance from the start, but it WILL solve the out of memory errors and the sudden slow downs later into a flight, so we're definitely happy to report that! With all the above said, and now that the Saab has been out, we have had a little breather, and gained our lost sleep back, we've been back at working on optimizing the Saab. By this I mean that we are going over every aspect of the Saab 340A code and looking at ways we can improve the time it takes the CPU to munch on our code and spit out results. With programming there can be 10 different ways to get the same result, but one of those ways can be much more efficient. Think of it like a highway vs. city streets. In most cases, the highway is always going to be the most efficient route to your destination, even if there's 10 different ways to get there through city streets! With the help of Ben Russell's new profiler we have been able to analyze every aspect of the code and have begun the work of cutting down heavy hitting code to run more efficiently on everyone's machines. So far the results have turned out to be quite promising. I don't know how far we'll get with this optimization before 1.1 is released, but rest assured 1.1 will contain some pretty nice optimizations none-the-less. You WILL see FPS increases in the forthcoming update, and over time I'm sure we'll continue to refine and optimize till we have squeezed every last ounce of optimizations out. For now, I'd like to show you test results of the current 1.0 build of the Saab that you all have, vs our 1.1 optimized code of the Saab as it stands now. I have ran various tests and setting changes in X-Plane across three different computers to give you an idea of what to expect. At this time I'm just posting one machine but will followup with the next two machines soon after. I will say that in EVERY instance, on EVERY system tested thus far (Mac and Windows) we are seeing considerable FPS increases. Keep in mind that everyone runs different settings. Higher resolutions require more VRAM, etc. I have tried to give you a relatively wide array of examples to get an idea: Computer Specs - Windows Desktop Machine CPU = i5 2500k @ stock speed RAM = 8GB GPU = GTX 680 4GB @ stock speed (2GB version will get similar performance. VRAM only helps on big monitors) X-Plane Settings Screen Resolution = Full-screen @ 2560 x 1440Texture Resolution = ExtremeTrees = PopulatedNumber of objects = TonsNumber of roads = Tons Number of cars = Kansas ResidentialWorld detail distance = MediumAirport detail = DefaultAnti Aliasing = 16xAnisotropic Filter = 8xPer Pixel Lighting = OnWhen HDR is shown, the following settings are applied Atmospheric Scattering = OnHDR Anti Aliasing = 4x SSAA+FXAAAnisotropic Filter = 8xThe following test was conducted sitting at the default runway location at KIAH. You will see that best case scenario with these settings we have gained 11 fps in the 1.1 update. In the next example rendering settings have been toned down as indicated below: X-Plane Settings Screen Resolution = Full-screen @ 2560 x 1440Texture Resolution = ExtremeTrees = SparseNumber of objects = DefaultNumber of roads = Default Number of cars = Siberian WinterWorld detail distance = MediumAirport detail = LowAnti Aliasing = 16xAnisotropic Filter = 8xPer Pixel Lighting = OnWhen HDR is shown, the following settings are applied Atmospheric Scattering = OnHDR Anti Aliasing = 4x SSAA+FXAAAnisotropic Filter = 8xThe following test was conducted sitting at the default runway location at KIAH. You will see that best case scenario with these settings we have gained 16 fps in the 1.1 update. All FPS listed are from f-act (actual FPS), and not the often higher number from f-sim. The other guys on the team are reporting roughly a 14 fps increase with version 1.1. The biggest point being here that there will be quite a bit of room for you guys to work, tweak, adjust and see improvements over 1.0. One other thing to note...these stats are taken at the airport. It is my experience that once off the ground and flying, X-Plane's FPS tend to increase, so these stats would be slightly higher in such scenarios. I'll be back soon with more stats from the Mac side!
-
Is your operating system set to any specific language or decimal format as well?
-
This one has been discussed to no end and can't happen. Laminar is going to need to step in there. Got a job? Quit it.
-
AWG Sim - Sky Environment XP Development
Cameron replied to account641's topic in Scenery Development
I think you need to have a very good, thorough read through this thread. -
AWG Sim - Sky Environment XP Development
Cameron replied to account641's topic in Scenery Development
Reputation. -
Jimbo and Atomic, Both of you are basically reporting the memory leak we are already aware of. Thanks anyway for the info!
-
Huh?He wants to be able to drag the TQ window yellow bars rather than the 3D model levers, Jim.
-
At least an honest effort went into it, and that it's appropriately priced for what otherwise would have been a bland airfield. No need to knock it. Thread closed.
-
Thanks! Was just curious.
-
Understood. Some of this sounds shader related to me. Tell me, do you find a good balance of this in X-Plane's default clouds?
-
Can you explain this a bit more?
-
Man, it would be so much easier to "work" with you if you actually took the time to read a thread. Not the first time you've done that. In this instance, the answer to your own nagging is so close to this post of yours that it's disappointing you even commented.
-
[SOLVED] Having Trouble Getting CLs to Work with CHs
Cameron replied to signmanbob's topic in Saab 340A
No worries! -
[SOLVED] Having Trouble Getting CLs to Work with CHs
Cameron replied to signmanbob's topic in Saab 340A
Please see the already existing topic where this is solved and slated for the next update. -
Thus far you are the only one to say anything, both here or via support e-mail channels. It doesn't mean you're the only one (or it could), but we just haven't heard from anyone else. MdMax may be onto something, but it would be you who needs to first try. What happens if you change the locale from comma to decimal?
-
[Closed] DC3 update - compass info please
Cameron replied to rjsagel's topic in Douglas DC-3 (no longer in use)
I appreciate you taking the time to share your concern, Dirk. We haven't forgot about you or the update. Cheers! -
We've already fixed the gear issue a few days back for the forward coming update!
-
[Closed] DC3 update - compass info please
Cameron replied to rjsagel's topic in Douglas DC-3 (no longer in use)
Dirk, Please utilize the appropriate Saab forum to allow us to help you sort out any issues you have. We do not ever give release dates and will not do so here. We have a very good track record with following through, and rest assured we'll do so here as well. -
-
This post is complete and utter sarcasm to which you know cannot be further assisted. Posting stuff like that when you KNOW the answer is a waste of time. You know exactly where to get Saab support, and I will not play that game. I am entirely happy to help you (as is the other staff) on real technical issues, just like we have in every other thread or post of yours. But to continue to antagonize a situation where you have already been given an answer will not fly here. We'll see you after you have a 15 day cooling down period. You were warned in your XACARS thread to stop with the antics, but you did not comply. Enough is enough.
-
You're in the right spot for Saab support, and you know that. Please don't play games. You've had plenty of other posts/topics which have had replies to real, technical issues. Your issue is computer specific. Somehow you've managed all this time to not have such an issue, and all of a sudden have it now. It's not some widespread thing, and the only thing I can recommend to you is to test, change, or even re-install X-Plane from a demo install and see where that leads you. I'm afraid in this case you're the one who is going to have to help yourself, and I'm not going to argue it either.
-
I understand this. It doesn't sway me, but there are plenty of posts here from real users, as well as reviews on the actual product page for you to gauge the product. The gap between reality and this product is essentially non-existent from a simulated system standpoint. It took 3.5 years to develop this for good reason. It's up to you now to decide whether you want to dive in or not, as I can only say so much. This topic has gone round and round for two whole pages, and so at this juncture I am going to put a close to it...not because I am dissatisfied with your responses, but because you asked a question, and you received an answer. That's really the end of it. There are certainly much bigger fish to fry. I can say without doubt you are missing out on a very beautiful simulation that represents the real aircraft and its systems in a very big way...more-so than any product for X-Plane ever released, and that's a bold statement on my part. Have a good one, Tristan, and hopefully we see you in the friendly skies someday soon!
-
I don't have an answer for you other than reply 49. This is a flight simulator with many variables at play, including a rendering engine. We are 1/10th the entire equation. Sounds to me it hasn't consistently been 2-3fps for you. But, aside from what you already know how to do with setting adjustments, I have no further recommendation.
-
Stop trying to compare it to other aircraft. Not even remotely the same.