Richard64
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Posts posted by Richard64
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Hi Peter, me again.
We have talked about the ceiling height and the part that the level set in FSX plays in Cumulus X.
However although we add a Cu BASE level in FSX what determines the TOP level.
Are there any rules governing this or can we enter any figure we choose?
Regards
Richard
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OK many thanks Peter.
The imperial to metric conversion is no big deal. I have made myself a small spreadsheet to do this.
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Many thanks Peter, the reason I am asking these questions is that I am trying to replicate as closely as possible real world weather with data collected from weather sites such as SkyLinkWeather.
One problem I have is trying to determine thermal strength from the data I collect.
I have found several formula for calculating this and they work, however when I enter the thermal strength in CX it is very weak and almost impossible to use.
For example one calculation gave a thermal strength as being 2 meters per second but this entered into CX was totally insufficient and I had to increase it to 3.5mps to have any chance of success and then only with a diameter of 1000m to 1400m.
And sorry, another question.
If I have determined that the cu cloudbase is say, 4000ft (1219 meters)and this is set in FSX, how do you enter that figure in CX.?
Is that the minimum lift height that you would enter and if so what do you enter the maximum as?
Regards
Richard
PS added later.
Peter I have just realised that the lift height question has been asked before.
However if I have set a cloud base in FSX what should I put in CX.
Sorry bit confused over what you should enter if CX picks up information from FSX.
PPS, FSX settings are imperial and CX is metric so I guess as long as you make the conversion that's ok, but is it possible to change CX to imperial.
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Hi Peter and many thanks.
Can I please ask another question and that is am I right in thinking that temperature and dewpoint settings in FSX have no influence on how CX behaves?
Looking forward to the new version of CX.
Regards
Richard
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Hi Peter, will you answer a question for me.
In the CX Users Manual you state that a value of zero produces a purely vertical thermal while a value of 1 produces a leaning effect etc.
Does this mean that a value in between these 2 values will give a corresponding effect i.e if I entered a value of 0.5 would this have the effect of producing half the leaning effect of the value of 1.
Hope you understand what I mean.
Regards
Richard
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OK I see what you mean Peter.
I have now created a folder in C called script and in the CX path I now get C:\Script\
I think I'm almost there.
Many thanks again
Regards
Richard
Hi Peter, all is now sorted.
I have even put the script files on another drive and configured CX to that drive and it all works fine with none of personal file path details showing.
I have now completed all my tasks and am having them tested.
I have even written some instructions on how to configure CX for those who have a drive other than C.
Many thanks again
Regards
Richard
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That's more or less the problem that I stated previously, in this case involving your personal user name which is a part of the hidden real path to "My Documents" and which is presumably not existing on anyones else computer. The solutions is to agree on some extra directory, e.g. C:\Scriptfiles, to store the scriptfile there, just for use of CumulusX!. This could be created easily by anybody assuming everyone has drive C:\ and being administrator of his/her own computer.
regards,
Peter
OK I see what you mean Peter.
I have now created a folder in C called script and in the CX path I now get C:\Script\
I think I'm almost there.
Many thanks again
Regards
Richard
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Picture looks, good but the CCS compatbility checkbox should be ticked. Go also to the main panel, untick "AutoThermals" and tick "Script-Thermals" instead. Leave "Ridge Lift" ticked.
as said above
This makes CumulusX! using the script-file upon entering competition mode.
Please check, properties of CumulusX! thermals are other wise different from CCS2004.
The purpose of the .cmx-file is similar to the ini-file of CCS2004. They do not contain locations of thermals but only the overall conditions for automatic thermal generation. It will be practically impossible to align the automatic generation of thermals with each other without the original author of CCS2004. To my knowledge, even the sequence of thermals in CCS2004 is not even repeatable (as in CumulusX!). Morover, behaviour of CumulusX! thermal are meanwhile on a much more advanced level, than those of CCS2004.
That's fine but on a german computer there will be no folder "c:\program files\...", but "c:\Programme\..." instead. So a german participant has either to create an extra folder structure "C:\program files\Microsoft Games\..." all the way down to "...\CumulusX!\" to put the script file to a location where it is found by your original .cmx file. Or, he has to patch the ".cmx" to a different path which will be discovered by sim_logger and rendered as an invalid flight.
FS creates the weather situation by setting the weather observation at weatherstations. By setting "Global Weather" all stations are reset to the same settings.
Using a weather theme presets the stations as well, but creates a sort of dynamics which produces moving clusters of clouds. This is not very well documented and the results are not very well predictable. In CumulusX! this has led frequently to blue areas, though some clouds were locally visible.
Using real weather overwrites the weatherstations with lot of different data which are interpolated in the places in between, leading sometimes to weird results. Moreover the global weathersettings from before remain unaffected and can affect the overall result of CumulusX! and CCS2004. When using real weather you should either use clear weather theme first to reset the global data, or define global weather settings that matches somehow the real weather (which can only be done ad hoc, but not in advance).
For competitions I recommend using the global weather settings only, but no weather themes. You can also start with a global weather settings and introduce some local variations. In script mode only wind changes and changes of the cloud base are of practical relevance.
FSINN allows turning off using the server weather, which I recommend. I think SB doesn't allow turning off the weather, so this might be a problem. You can leave the weather server on, but it will not create reliable the same weather both on FSX and FS9, to say the least. You should follow the rules for real weather usage then, i.e. using cleaer skies in advance.
best regards,
Peter
Richard
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Hi Peter, and many thanks although I have to confess I'm not 100% sure what you mean.
I have attached a picture which shows the CCS2004 panel and settings (entered by my colleague) and CX panel and settings which I have entered after converting from imperial to metric.
I have also entered into the CX panel the path to the CCS2004 script, but have not checked the CCS2004 compatibility box?
I have then save these CX settings as a .cmx file and CX does go into competition mode.
However I do not understand the following.
1. Why should you have to enter the ccs2004 script file as well and
2. Should I have the ccs2004 compatibility box checked or Unchecked.
3. Would it not just be easier in the long run to have 2 separate files. 1. ccs2004 script file for FS9 users and 1 CX .cmx file for FSX users?
For your info I have found that CX will accept the path to the ccs2004 script file providing the script file is in the ccs2004 folder in programme files, which I have.
One other point and that is when using CX in Competition mode and flying on line using either FSinn or SB should we be using real weather or clear weather.
I can never understand the relationship between the different weathers,although I think you have explained it to me before, can't remember though.
Regards
Richard
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Hi Richard,
CumulusX! goes in competition mode if a .cmx file is found alongside with the FSX -FLT file. In the .cmx file also the name of the script file is stored and the operation modes of CumulusX!. That ensures that everybody uses automatically your predefined settings. If you don't do this, one may have settings left over from previous sessions. However the script-file as such should override the standard settings of CumulusX!. I recommend not to use inversion layer features in the script file as the random number generators of CCS2004 cannot be reproduced by CumulusX!. The visibility flag is also not supported so I would set it to 1 for all thermals. Though the airtexture feature is not implemented in CumulusX!-script-mode,too , this won't have an overall influence on gliding performance.
So you should do the following:
Make a mission or an .flt-file that defines you FSX situation, as season time of day, weather and the like. I recommend using the "Global Weather" mode, to simplify things.
Create a CumulusX! script file (*.dat) defining the location of the thermals.
Then open the CumulusX! control panel and define all CumulusX! settings as required including the path to the script file. There is a localization problem with the script file path as many directory names depend on the localization of the Windows installation. I propose therefore to store the scriptfile in some extra directory, e.g. C:\Scriptfile\*.*, which can be made available at any localization.
Then save the .cmx-file under the same name as your mission or flight file, but with the extension .cmx.
Package the the mission and/or the flight file together with the .cmx file and the .dat file and distribute it. Except from the scriupt file these should usually go in the FSX user files directory.
If you don't have a computer with FSX available you cannot run CumulusX!. In this case you have to do the .cmx-file manually by using the appendix of the documentation.
I must admit, that I have not paid much attention to the script-mode last time, so it might well happen that one or the other bug may pop up.
best regards,
Peter
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Hi all and hope someone can help with this.
I wont go into all the details but suffice to say that with a colleague I am creating some tasks for both FS9 and FSX based on RW tasks.
Now to try and be fair to all we decided to create the weather in CCS2004 and use the compatibility capability in CX so that users would have the same conditions.
However I notice that when in script mode CX does not go into competition mode only when I create a CX .cmx file.
Now is this normal? and
How does using script mode affect CX users if CX does not go into competition mode.
And any general advice regarding this is welcome.
Regards
Richard.
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OK thanks guys all duly noted.
Richard
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Hello James and thanks for the speedy reply.
My frame rates for a, say Wolfgang Piper glider are about 100FPS and this drops to about 50FPS for the Discus so I do not think this is the problem.
I have a fairly good set up and rune the frames rates at unlimited as my system operates best like this.
I have tried the realism settings at different points but that has not made a lot of difference.
However I will try as you suggest by putting the glider into a slight nose down attitude on release.
Richard
Later, OK James that seems to work fine, many thanks.
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Hi all, I hope someone can help me.
I have the Discus but find it difficult if not impossible to control especially on launch.
When I release the tow the aircraft goes into a stall from which I cannot recover.
I am using Winch X and Cumulus X and have the "realism" settings set to easy.
I have calibrated my joystick. (Microsoft Sidewinder)
Richard
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1. You have to clcik twice.
2. No FSX was a bitch here. I will take a look, if I can solve it.
Joachim
I have been given the boxed version 1.5 for Xmas and my BT engine will not retract even clicking twice.
I have followed the instructions but nothing seems to work.
I have also run the repair option from the disc but that has made no difference.
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The document you refer to was written by myself and Peter Dodds.
However we are/have updated it.
It will be in several parts 2 of which are available now at http://www.ukvga.org.uk/documentation.php
The next document will be for the more advanced and include details on Caiset Instruments etc.
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Hi Richard,
that is all the trouble if one makes data public which is not primarily intended for end users. Everyone starts guessing and wasting time to figure out how to change it.
The "Thermal Energy" value cannot be changed at all, but is a function of geographic latitude, season, and local solar time. It is used to make an estimate, when thermal activity start and when it ends. It is also used when distinguishing between favourable and unfavourable places of thermals in the mountains. It is not (yet) used to define strength of thermals.
Strength, frequency, and other parameters of thermals can be adjusted using the configuration pane of CumulusX!. For this, activate CumulusX!' main window and select from the menu "Tools/Configuration". You can do this prior to start FSX. CumulusX! will always memorize most recent settings.
If you have problems finding thermals, first make sure that you are looking at the right places. CumulusX! clouds look different from the usual FSX clouds, but not very much anymore. To identify the clouds, try weather theme "Clear skies" and turn on CumulusX! flag "UnBlue". If you see clouds then, these are exactly those to look for.
In addition, it can be difficult sometimes to estimate the right leaning of the thermal column, if there is a relevant wind component. At "Clear skies" wind is zero, so this should simplify things, too.
best regards,
Peter
Hi Peter, well that is very much what I thought and you have now confirmed that for me.
The more I am using CX in different countries the more I am understanding.
I have to say that it is a great tool and together with Winch X makes gliding far more "real"
Thanks again
Richard
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You'll have to forgive my ignorance of how some things work, I'm not very technically minded.
The thermal energy that I see in the debug window varies according to the month I set in FSX, in June it is about 4.0 and today of course theres nothing.
However I still don't seem to be able to get much lift despite flying to as many thermlas as I can.
What can I do to influence the thermal energy i.e increase it and hence create more lift.
I have been to Australia and the lift there is fantastic.
I know that Australia is a hotter country and the UK is not so hot, weather wise but is there any way I can create more lift.
I have played with the settings in the configuration panel but don't see much difference.
Richard
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A pity his ASW22BLE never ever saw the light of day - much was promised but nothing delivered in the end
Yes well there you go.
I want his permission to repaint his ASW28 but I have singuarly failed to make contact with him, or Wolfgang for that matter.
I guess I will just have to add some sort of disclaimer.
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Have you tried any Condor forums? I noticed a few members that haven't signed in to the forums since about the same time that Condor was really taking off, and he was one of them if I read it right.
Scott
Thanks Scott, he doesn't seem to figure much there.
Richard
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Hi all, can someone help me again.
I am trying to contact Peter Franke who produced the ASW28.
I have tried all the usual channels.
Any help and I would be obliged.
Regards
Richard
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Should try it out myself, btw, but CumulusX! looks at any weather (be it from VATSIM or not) and adapts with its thermal engine to what it finds. If VATSIM gives you nice weather, you will have CumulusX! thermals amongst it, if there is stratus, there will be none. If there is clear skies you might have blue thermals. Check with the debug window, the number of thermals 25 km around you will be shown.
Curious whether they fixed their weather transmission meanwhile. Afaik, neither SB4 nor FSINN send FSX weather correctly. You are advised always using real weather, instead.
best regards,
Peter
Many thanks Peter, the reason I ask is that I am the CEO of a new gliding club shortly to be launched, the UK Virtual Gliding Association and of course we will be making extensive use of CX, WinchX and other tools in both FSX and FS9.
PS, do you any idea how I can contact Wolfgang Piper?
Regards
Richard
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You're right, they add up. English is not my native language either and I'm always unsure about "superpose" and "superimpose". My dictionary knows both of them.
And CumulusX! will work, even if FSX thermals are deactivated in the FSX options screen.
best regards,
Peter
Hi Peter, how does Cumulus X work when FSX is connected to VATSIM?
Does VATSIM weather (clear or real) override Cumulus X?
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Hi all, I would like to be able to write script files for use in both CCS2004 and Cumulus X, would someone be kind enough to point me in the right direction, preferably with some examples.
Many thanks
Richard
CX Thermal Lean factor
in CumulusX!
Posted
Thank you Peter, understood.
Regards
Richard