P3Dv5.1 HF1 Enhanced Atmospherics
One of the major benefits of P3Dv5 was the integration of Enhanced Atmospherics (EA) and TrueSky. From the very early days of my experiences with P3Dv5, I had issues (both performance and visual quality) with EA enabled. Of course, in the early stages EA was very much beta. But with each P3D update, I optimistically tried EA only to find myself disappointed in the outcome.
Today I’m running the very latest version of Prepar3D v5.1 (with hotfix 1) and while I’m glad to say that performance is no longer an issue with EA, the over visual quality is still absolutely terrible. I’ve read as much as I possible can, watched countless videos and the look with EA enabled is an over exposed, blurry sky with no defined cloud textures.
While I’m running a few extra texture add-ons such as TOGA Projects EnvTex and EnvShade along with ASCA, Reshade, and the Lucas Cavatoni preset, these don’t have any impact (good or bad) to the overall experience with EA enabled in P3D.
I’ve even followed a few steps to ensure my monitor is correctly color balanced (it was already), but double-checked. I’ve also read (can’t remember where) that EA just will not work with a non-4K monitor. However, I believe I’ve debunked this theory when speaking with a few others who have the exact same experience I’m having on 4K setups.
The bottom line (at least for me) is an assumption that Enhanced Atmospherics still just isn’t ready for prime time. Hopefully Lockheed Martin will continue to work through these issues. But for now, I’m enjoying a very stable, well performing P3Dv5.1 HF1 without Enhanced Atmospherics.
Until next time…
Happy Flying!!!
Jerry
Flyer1
January 15, 2021 - 11:08 am
Word that’s the truth. Well said finally somoene realized this.
PolynesianPinball
January 21, 2021 - 4:13 pm
While EA has come a long way, it still has a way to go before I enable it for routine flights I want to complete. Also, you might be interested to know ASCA does not work while EA is active as linked below. Another reason not to move to EA yet.
https://hifisimtech.com/asca/
Facts Jack
January 25, 2021 - 12:30 pm
I strongly disagree, my EA looks great but performance wise is junk. Maybe don’t run multiple shaders and programs that won’t run with EA enabled or are redundant. Also why have comments if you are going to groom them to your liking? Yes, we noticed you are doing that. Not a good way to run a site or be taken seriously.
GrizzlyBearSims
January 25, 2021 - 12:51 pm
What do you mean grooming comments? I don’t modify comments. I approve all comments pending they are on topic and don’t contain any hate or abusive language. I do see that you’ve posted two comments under two different usernames all logged on the same IP address. Both approved.