Jonnti46

But you've been saying that since actually May 2020 - "we can't reproduce it" yet it is there. I've offered to help but you don't want it, you need users to trouble shoot it who can reproduce it, last I heard was you were discussing with Xplane developers - I'm not sure what happened as I never heard any follow up. I understand VR users are not high up on the agenda... but the issue is not just for me. And it certainly sounds like there won't ever be a fix for this. Is it possible I can have the upgrade $19.99 refunded? I mean I can't use it, I flew with it once just now as an expensive test, I've been waiting for the fix in the v4 threads for months. I just won't use v4 or 5 and will continue to use Xplane default clouds. The whole thing is very disappointing as I had some faith it would eventually be fixed. The new beta clouds / I don't get the point aside from the poor VR performance (I've got all settings right back) and I'm running a *really* powerful system.

But you answered when I checked with you on the other thread - on the announcement thread. Surely you must know the issue - it is a long running thread, you've responed many times to it, not just to me but to others with the same issue. If there was a doubt, you could have outlined this - i,e, said don't pay for upgrade as issue was actually never fixed, but you said it was (not in this thread) but the other one. I'm finding it quite hard to accept, I bought something that whilst I understand was not fully VR supported, but was to some degree (v3 and then v4) then we had various issues trying to sort it out, you said you'd go back to xplane developers - then there was a "silence" for several months (I think from Sept last year) then next thing I hear is new version, I question before upgrade if it fixes the original problem, you did not say only with Volumatic new Beta clouds.... you actually were really vague. Then we have a kind of fix, but a frame rate issue. Never had this with V4.... When you say you truly did not know, why did you not beta test it? I have x3 different VR headsets, low end, to high end - could have done this for you *and* still paid of course for update... I do not understand this concept.... now we have situation where beta is unusable and original clouds no fix afterall, so I paid again for something I can't use? Can you understand why I might be upset at this stage .... after months of patience...

I'm afraid to report that actually the original problem is not resolved. If you use normal textures (Cumulus FAST), then you still will get double projection (although less bad) but it is certainly there. If you use the BETA Volumetric then you get no double projection issues, *but* the frame rate drops to 5 to 7fps in VR, as apposed to 90fps without VR. And as apposed to 60fps if using Cumulus FAST. So, the new beta will resolve projection issue, but frames drop dramatically even with draw area as low as possible, shadows off, Crepusular Rays Off, Cloud Terrain blending 0. There is something wrong in VR if you use the BETA Volumetric, (it is unusable) if you use the Cumulus FAST then same issue is basically there reported in June 2020.. never fixed. I new this was gamble paying for this upgrade - I figured I was going to be disappointed as I kind of new this would not have been fixed by the vague reply I got re the issue. As I waited *so* long - and then paid for a update that might have fixed it.... I think I'm fairly justified to be unhappy?

Thank you very much for the post, to be honest if I can turn down settings I'd be happy with that, I just could not use the software since June last year in any kind of bad weather as the effect was so disturbing. If that horrible cloud effect is gone it might be worth upgrading. I fully understand most users still fly without VR, but strangely, since I started VR I can't imagine flying without it - to me its as close to real world flying as you can get (especially with XPlane) not tried MSFS 2020 in VR (yet!).

I'm really interested to know if the original problem of VR clouds has been fixed that I raised in June Last year v4 (clouds making you feel cross eyed as you get near them and clouds / coming into cockpit) - I can't really get any clear information that it has been looked at. It a shame as I have x3 different VR headsets and could have helped to trouble shoot inc PIMAX 4K. I'm told VR is a fraction of the user base, so probably not very important - but I'd like to know as I'm really not able to use v4 due to this. If anyone has information on the new version 5 working with clouds in VR I'd be really interested to hear feedback? The feedback from developer is (it would seem) they are not sure....

Hi Does anyone who previously had VR problems (clouds making you go crossed eyed etc) have any news with the latest new release? The information seems "vague" as to whether this is actually fixed or has been looked at or tested. So, it would seem the only source of information might come from a user that once had the issue but now does not? Many thanks.

But we know this is depending on certain VR devices, as I first bugged this in August last year, and others also had same problems so it was well known, yet developers could not reproduce on their device, why not let someone with the actual problem beta test it? Would that not make sense? We’ve been waiting for ages / last status was it was being looked into with X-Plane developers and then nothing. So now, we have to buy it, no chance of a refund, and then find it might or might not work? It’s a really odd approach unless the developers can say it has actually been found re original issue?

Will it fix the long standing issue of double vision clouds in VR? I’d be pretty disappointed to pay for an upgrade if to then find it still is not working- especially with emphasis on the VR side on the update?

Because of the strains for 4k VR my settings are: Visual Effects: Medium Texture Quality: High Antiailising: 2x Anisotropic Flitering: x2 World objects: Medium RTX 2080Ti Driver: 27.21.14.5148 (21-6-20)

Its not clouds in cockpit - it is clouds that go strange in the near distance, which makes your eyes feel like you are going "cross eyed" its to do with the rendering and I presume reprojection in VR. It is really strange that you never see it, I can't think of any reason why it would be not be showing up in some headsets other than others - I have a feeling perhaps you are not looking for the same thing? Or looking for something different? Clouds in cockpit is something slightly different and might be misleading, they feel like they are in cockpit (perhaps), but they are not, the clouds switch / elongate in their form, and due to that lose the 3d effect which I think causes your eyes to do strange things / see double. It is most noticeable approaching them CU or stratus layers.

I don't suppose you've managed to get any further with this issue? Using real weather and now the winter is fast approaching, all those lovely clouds are much more in the cockpit than in the summer! I see other things were fixed but this strange situation of the clouds being re-projected incorrectly in VR is ever present. I see from other posts work was done directly with Ben at Xplane to correct issues when there was cloud issues inside the cockpit in normal mode (non VR), is it possible to investigate with them re this issue as well? It is hanging around for so long, I know it is just us VR guys suffering which is probably small, but when MS sorts out their VR I fear I might be jumping ship! It is such a shame as it basically means the whole immersion is lost as you get close to the clouds.

I understand, no problem, this is not important compared to some things going on in the world currently. I just wanted to let you know that I don't think visibility is a factor. Any cu cloud approaching from below, as you get close I'm sure you will see it, it "switches" suddenly. I can be looking dead ahead, not moving my head and it will happen. It is very easy to recreate (here at least). I can do a video if that would help - but will let you see if you can see it at a later date.

I did re-test with unlimited visibility - it made no difference to the main problem. I also selected the recommended cloud sets suggested, same issue. Such a shame you can't recreate it - that makes it very tricky to sort out.

I've tried solid procedural in the past and had the issue - but I will certainly re-test with this new version of XP and SMP.

Same. I discovered I can't roll back versions either due to the way x-aviation system works, I even tried SMP V3 (which would load and install) but when I switched to VR there were no clouds at all - so obviously that is not a useful test. I've heard X-Enviro does not have this issue, (but who knows for sure) and they say no possible refund if it does. It feels a bit like changing deck chairs on the Titanic, you will still sink in the end! Probably another set of issues with xEnviro (which is not as proactively developed). Hopefully eventually they can recreate this in VR and resolve it - it certainly was work fine with some version of x-plane and SMP - I just can't pinpoint exactly when it all went wrong. I think it was around version 1.41 of xplane. Being also real world pilot, clouds are somehow important to me, and SMP really got the edge - just not in VR!

The problem is I don't know if it is Xplane version updates that caused this, or if it is updates in SMP - I suppose I could roll back to SMP 3 (although I've never actually tried going backwards with SMP. No even sure if technically that is possible). Not entirely sure about this.

What VR headset do you use? I’m wondering if it is / could be a setting elsewhere as the developer can’t see the issue. I have a Pimax 5k headset, be interesting to know other types users see the problem to rule out VR settings - having said that, on an earlier version of xplane and skymax i did not have the issue. But it was a while ago now.

Sadly with latest version the issue is still there. At a initial test I'd say it is better than before, less disturbing, but that might have been down to the cloud types - not sure. To truly see this, you have to do a flight where you have a layer of CU clouds, climbing up towards them, at a certain point, just before you get really near them, (infront) they will suddenly change and almost look like they are being reprojected double or something, you can look to your side, clouds are still normal, but as you get closer still, the clouds to the side start to do the same thing. I did not notice them coming into the cockpit, but that might be to do with visibility settings. Really odd that you can't see this - it must be something like the way things are being handled or rendered. There is definitely a version of skymax pro that this was not an issue - I'd have to go back several versions to find it though.

it might be down to specific VR software / I've just tried numerous settings and it seems to only be happening with the most recently. It was certainly not an issue a few months back, perhaps changes in the way xplane is working (even before vulkan) it may have started happening around 1.40ish I think but obviously only in VR. Will wait for next version, although it sounds like if you cant reproduce it this is going to be tricky. Fingers crossed!

Did you manage to get any further with this? I noticed recently it is like a kind of "trigger" when it happens, as you approach the clouds at a certain distance, it is like when they change from one type of cloud to another ? if they do that?. I was thinking perhaps there is some kind of technique you use. Perhaps from a lower resolution image to a higher as you get closer? From a certain distance they all look fine, then as you get close suddenly they change into a strange form almost projected inside the cockpit or over the windows - and sometimes they do come in, its a really wired thing in VR and very disorientating. It might also be something to do with how the VR headsets are handling reprojections or something, i.e. they are getting confused by the change/reload of the cloud bitmaps?? Afraid I have no idea how this is working technically, but it is such a shame as your visualisations are absolutely the best! Just not for VR at the moment.

maybe when you have time try a lower visibility- (5NM) From the image you showed I think it would have been fine on my system because it looked like almost cavok with some high cumulus. I think I mainly see the effect of the line sweep of white cloud coming into cockpit with lower visibility.

These are the settings I use.

this is easy to test on ground. you don't even have to wear headset but just look at the desktop VR view, gently rotate headset from left to right (or vice versa) the cloud will pass through cockpit. You must do it very slowly as it is a very fast thing when moving headset. Obviously in the air flying every move in lower vis will generate the problem, its actually the same effect if you get near a cloud. Its like the clouds are becoming see through sheets of visability and you pass through them as you move the headset from left to right.

this is on the ground with weather set to Marginal VFR - here you can see the cloud or vis layer comes inside of the cockpit. Maybe it is a more useful test, I think it is part of / connected to the problem.

maybe this is what I am also seeing re the billboards but it sounds like a worse version of it, depending on how much weather / type of weather. Perhaps due to rendering settings / resolution etc. Also, I think visability is a factor, I think it makes it worse if it is low vis. It also might not be a clear cut thing, so many other factors with VR which are making it worse. Id say it is worse with real weather enabled and more cloud layers / worse conditions. With just a few cumulus and good visabilty it is not as bad. In the meantime I'll sadly switch skymaxx off - be great if and when you do find a fix. I appreciate not an easy one to track down and it is frustrating if you can't recreate it.