The website and forum will be intermittently unavailable while we're making some security updates.
File uploads to the download hangar are also disabled until further notice.

A great FS9.CFG enhancement for blurry scenery textures

Use this forum to discuss technical issues related to the operation of your computer. Graphics, Hardward, Software, settings, etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
MIKE JG
MAIW Developer
MAIW Developer
Posts: 10976
Joined: 12 Aug 2006, 02:25
Version: MSFS

A great FS9.CFG enhancement for blurry scenery textures

Post by MIKE JG »

I just have to share this with the community. This FS9.CFG tweak is for all of us out there running what I would call a "lesser system". IOW running your basic PC that sometimes struggles to get good frame rates in complex graphical situations.

I ran across this over at Simviation.com in one of their screenshot forums. My FS9 setup has greatly benefitted from this tweak. And now I've confirmed that it indeed is a good tweak since one of our other contributers, John "VulcanDriver" has also used it with great success.

This tweak will help with the display of your FS9 ground textures. AFAIK that's all it's for, but the difference is amazing! If like myself and John, you have 3rd party addon ground textures, like a photoreal scenery set or in my case, Ground Environment Pro, you may not know what you've been missing all this time. That was the case for the both of us. Kinda like someone who has had lacik eye surgery and for the first time in their life, can see clearly. It's that moment of, "Oh, so that's what it really looks like, wow!"

So here it is.

Backup your current working FS9.CFG first!!!(found at C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9)

Once you've backed your current FS9.CFG file up, locate the following lines of code and replace them with the lines below.

TERRAIN_ERROR_FACTOR=100.000000
TERRAIN_MIN_DEM_AREA=10.000000
TERRAIN_MAX_DEM_AREA=100.000000
TERRAIN_MAX_VERTEX_LEVEL=21
TERRAIN_TEXTURE_SIZE_EXP=8
TERRAIN_AUTOGEN_DENSITY=5
TERRAIN_USE_GRADIENT_MAP=1
TERRAIN_EXTENDED_TEXTURES=1
TERRAIN_DEFAULT_RADIUS=8.500000
TERRAIN_EXTENDED_RADIUS=8.500000
TERRAIN_EXTENDED_LEVELS=1242456

That's it, save the FS9.CFG file and fire up your version of FS9 and hopefully you will be able to see a huge difference in the quality of your ground textures.

Here are the direct links to where I ran across this if you'd like to explore more tips and tricks:

Thread with this tweak:
http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1162937650

Thread with many great tips and tricks for getting the most out of your setup;
http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1166959332
Last edited by MIKE JG on 07 Dec 2008, 19:19, edited 1 time in total.
-Mike G.

Recovering flight sim addict, constant lurker.

Check out my real life RV-8 build here: RV-8 Builder Log
User avatar
KevinJarvis
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 920
Joined: 10 Jun 2007, 19:13
Version: FS9
Location: Jacksonville, Illinois, USA, Earth
Contact:

Post by KevinJarvis »

I have been using a tweek similar to these settings and it has really improved the ground textures.

These settings are a bit different so I'm going to give these a shot and see what happens.

Thanks for the tip.

KJ
Kevin Jarvis

Image

Image
djnocturnal
MAIW Veteran
MAIW Veteran
Posts: 1376
Joined: 26 Jun 2007, 02:22
Version: P3D
Location: KRDR

Post by djnocturnal »

just tried it, didn't notice any difference yet, but i'll keep flying and see what happens. thanks for the info!
User avatar
KevinJarvis
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 920
Joined: 10 Jun 2007, 19:13
Version: FS9
Location: Jacksonville, Illinois, USA, Earth
Contact:

Post by KevinJarvis »

The biggest thing that I have noticed is the ground textures load much faster when you change your viewpoint.

Other than that, I'm at a loss to see anything else at this time.

KJ
Kevin Jarvis

Image

Image
User avatar
VulcanDriver
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 4501
Joined: 11 Aug 2006, 20:58
Version: FSX
Location: EGHH

Post by VulcanDriver »

It may be machine / video card specific. On my old Pentium 4 PC it cured the blurred textures I get, sharper colours and faster loading of textures. I also got a slight improvement in FPS.

Faster machines probably would not need it.

Just a thought

John
John

"That is the biggest fool thing we have ever done. The A-bomb will never go off, and I speak as an expert in explosives." - Admiral William Leahy
User avatar
MIKE JG
MAIW Developer
MAIW Developer
Posts: 10976
Joined: 12 Aug 2006, 02:25
Version: MSFS

Post by MIKE JG »

VulcanDriver wrote:Faster machines probably would not need it.
John is correct, hence the bit about this tweak being for those with "lessor systems". If you have a high end setup already you probably won't notice a thing.
-Mike G.

Recovering flight sim addict, constant lurker.

Check out my real life RV-8 build here: RV-8 Builder Log
User avatar
KevinJarvis
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 920
Joined: 10 Jun 2007, 19:13
Version: FS9
Location: Jacksonville, Illinois, USA, Earth
Contact:

Post by KevinJarvis »

It helps me. Of course my system is not even good enough to be a 'lessor' system...lol.


BTW, here is the link for the tweeks I have been using.

http://www.flightsimguides.com/?p=24#more-24


Avsim also has a forum just for tips and tweeks. Good reading in here if you have the time.

http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az= ... &forum=177
Last edited by KevinJarvis on 26 Nov 2007, 23:30, edited 1 time in total.
Kevin Jarvis

Image

Image
matias
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Posts: 90
Joined: 09 Oct 2006, 03:00
Version: FS9
Location: Fresno, California

Post by matias »

Can someone help me with this? I can not for the life of me find the file fs9.cfg. I have looked everywhere and done searches for it. Any clues?
THanks
User avatar
Firebird
MAIW Admin
MAIW Admin
Posts: 12112
Joined: 11 Aug 2006, 21:04
Version: FS9
Location: EGLL

Post by Firebird »

Yep Mike says where it is in the first post, but you will need to make sure that you turn on the folder option to show hidden files and folders as the 'Application Data' level is a hidden folder.

Hope this helps.
Steve
_______________________________________________________
Image
Quid Si Coelum Ruat
_______________________________________________________
matias
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Posts: 90
Joined: 09 Oct 2006, 03:00
Version: FS9
Location: Fresno, California

Post by matias »

that did it thanks
Post Reply