General

Stephen,

OpusFSX Version 2.07.2 Beta is now available for download on our web site.

OpusFSX Version 2.07.4 Beta is now available for download on our web site.

TrackIR Full Compatibility

Hi Don

Firstly, with TH2Go you should use a single main view on your main flying server, which is what you are probably doing already. Don't be tempted to use (misuse) our Windowed views feature to split your TH2Go screen area up, unless of course you don't mind beta testing some modifications for us. There is a known problem with obtaining the windowed view sizes when TH2Go is used, the window sizes do not match the physical sizes of the actual windows so our Save and Restore feature for Windowed views does not preserve their shape. But from the sound of it all this is irrelevant since you are using it in its intended mode - giving a wide full screen.

Now to answer your questions, good news on all counts I should think.

1. Not available at present but no need to wait unless you don't have Internet access on your main server system. Firstly the Live Weather Engine has virtually no adverse effect on your server. It is designed that way. In fact the OpusFSX server program has almost no measurable effect on the FSX frame rates (a reduction of about about 1fps). Secondly, the client side Live Weather Engine option will be available in the not too distant future. Of course available as a free upgrade. When available you will also have the option of running the engine on a non-FSX networked client, a spare laptop for instance. In this mode we will simply remove (inhibit) some of the inbuilt Sleep functions since we won't have to worry about affecting the local FSX sim.

2. Yes it can with the added option of off-loading it onto a non simulator networked computer system. In fact you could swap back and forth with a few mouse clicks. Tell the server it is active on a remote computer system, and tell the remote to activate it locally.

3. Perfect but also turn off the AS visibility effects. We recommend using REX, ActiveSky, or FEX high def sky and cloud textures, but don't activate the REX or AS weather engine. We do not provide any sky or cloud textures, we just create the most detailed weather and instantly load it into FSX, using the excellent high def sky and cloud textures provided by others. The operation of the weather engine is completely independent of the loaded textures.

If you using the client to display FSX views then you must install FSX along with the same scenery, sky and cloud textures etc. on the client. The only difference is that it is a non-flying FSX system. The sim is operating in a frozen state and blindly following the position and attitude data sent from the main 'flying' server via our OpusFSX IPC links.

Hope that answers your questions.

Regards
Stephen

Release version 2.10.4 has been posted on our website, this version incorporates some improvements to the Live Weather Engine, especially in stormy conditions. It also includes what was the prototype version of the new DHM airborne effects.

I would like to make a general request to all users downloading this latest release, who have high definition sky and cloud textures from REX or ActiveSky installed, to capture any interesting screen shots depicting interesting weather and cloud formations. Please email me the JPG images, we hope to create and fill out some Gallery pages. We are also going to produce some short videos showing off some of the AHM and DHM effects.

Regards
Stephen

Please read our Getting Started guide, you will find a copy in your d:\OpusFSX folder. The guide also describes how you can create a desktop shortcut for your FSXSERVER.EXE program, make sure you start it in d:\OpusFSX (if that's where you have installed it, check the properties of the shortcut), after that you can simply click on the shortcut to run the FSXSERVER.EXE program.

I am sure things will work out fine in the end. I think Tom gets a bit over-protective of his forum and doesn't like to see even the most minor of infractions taking place. But we have given him our assurances so I think the matter should soon pass and hopefully the user's forum will be back in operation soon.

Regards
Stephen

Dear Stephen, This weather engine is by far the best I've used to date! I've used Open Clouds, REX, and lately AS2012 since it's release.
I can't give opinions on technical large aircraft flights but flying around VFR low and slow in New England with REX textures is now  unbelievably realistic and  most of all accurate!

Thank you so much and keep up the good work!!! 

Hi All

Hi Rob

There are two methods you can use to load historic weather data. The first method allows you to import a text file containing a list of METARs. This method can also be used to define your own weather usually with a single global (GLOB) METAR statement. The OpusFSX Live Weather Engine (LWE) also saves all downloaded METAR statements into an OpusWeather.txt file. We use this method to reload a users weather if they report an anomaly they want us to look into.

The second method is more interesting. The OpusFSX LWE can save the current weather map as a named static weather theme for you to reload at any time and place in the future. You can use this feature to save any interesting weather scenarios from anywhere in the world, then reload them at a later stage at any other place in the world. That way you can simply build up a library of interesting weather scenarios of your own, or even swap weather themes with others. Each named static theme covers the entire detailed 992km by 992km weather region. In other words, the detailed weather extends over 300 miles in every direction. If you wish, simply look for any interesting weather anywhere in the world on the web, navigate your aircraft there, let the LWE construct the detailed weather map, after it has loaded, save it as a named weather theme, goto your Canadian airfield and load the static theme you have just saved and go fly. You can therefore save some interesting tropical weather or storm, save it, and use in Quebec.

The saved themes are simple to use, can be saved on your own system, swapped with other users, and reloaded any time in the future. Many OpusFSX users like storm chasing, the saved themes can also be used to repeat the experience at some other time and place of your choosing.

Hope that helps. Anyway that will probably be how we eventually build a library of downloadable weather scenarios. This will also involve input from users who could email interesting scenarios for others to experience (e.g. Anyone fancy hurricane Isaac over London).

There are numerous websites you can use to find interesting current weather to capture and reload. Personally I don't care for historic METARs, METARs are area specific so you can't load the weather anywhere else. Saved themes are like the old Martini ad, any place any time.

We like to keep things simple.

Regards
Stephen

Our last measurements taken with all features on and continuously updating a single connected client showed no detectable reduction in the performance of FSX. We say no more than1 fps to be on the safe side, but on multicore systems, especially six core processors the true value is probably zero.

Users have reported a frame rate increase of 3 to 4 fps using OpusFSX in place of other weather engines + EZCA. That is about right, but I would say its more likely to be 2 to 3 fps for each package replaced. Let's just say OpusFSX makes the best use of multithreading.

Regards
Stephen

No need to wait. Just purchase and install the release version. Then download the latest beta, uninstall and reinstall the beta. You only have to install the latest beta. It will sort out the previous version of files and convert them accordingly. Don't reinstall a previous version though, the software is not forward compatible, just backwards compatible with all previous versions.

Regards
Stephen

Hi Stephen,

No probs it wasn't a request for support just a comment it's probably a setting somewhere I need to find :p
If It looks like it needs any kind of interfacing between Opus and EFB I'll let you and Urs know....
Cheers
K

We are planning to help and provide as much support as possible ... please now refer to the new topic opened on VFR and IFR flight planners.

Hi Kevin

How much memory do you have and are you using Win 7 64-bit. I found FSX improved after I set the highmemfix option in FSX.cfg and increased my memory. I now have 12GB min on all systems. Have you tried Googling your problem, but I'm sure more memory and Win 7 64-bit would help.

Regards
Stephen

Good luck with the changes Kevin

Hi Ray,

For your P.S. question when you run the OpusFSX Server you'll see the version of the program on the top of the windows