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P3D v3 Best way to create accurate taxiway lights

Frédéric Revol

Frédéric Revol

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Hi,

I'm well advanced in my current project but am struggling with the taxiway centerline lights. I have tried adding effects. While this works as expected, this is killing my fps as I cannot control how far I want the lights to display.

My questions:
1- Is there a way to control how far the effect can be displayed?
2- How do you guys add your centerlines without killing your fps?

Note, I have ruled out the default P3D lights. While this works -ish on straight lines (the light is floating above ground), this is a mess in turns.

Thanks all,

Fred
 
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gadgets

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I have tried adding effects. While this works as expected, this is killing my fps as I cannot control how far I want the lights to display.
Click to expand...
Everything has a price. When LM phased out BGL_LIGHTS (and other legacy technology) they took away our ability to create add-on stuff "cheaply". With P3D v2 onwards, you're "stuck" with effects. However, from my own experience, a few centerline light effects shouldn't have a dramatic effect on FPS.

1- Is there a way to control how far the effect can be displayed?
Click to expand...
Normally, the complaint is that the range of effects is insufficient. In any case, FPS is likely highest when you are close to the airport, so limiting range (which can be done in the .fx file) isn't likely to have much effect.

Don
 
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gadgets

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Which part of the .fx file should I try to tweak then?
Click to expand...
Frederic, the Special Effect SDK contains detailed information on the creation of effects and the use of the various parameters.

As far as I am concerned, the fx has a massive impact on FPS
Click to expand...
Only you can determine that. However, in light of your first question, I gather you did not create the effect you are currently using but, instead, are using an existing effect created for some other purpose. An examination of its parameters may reveal why its so inefficient. A few dozen simple light effects should not have a massive impact on FS.

Don
 
Frédéric Revol

Frédéric Revol

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ok. the reason I was asking is because I was struggling going through the SDK for effects. I guess I will have to find the answers on my own...
 
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gadgets

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It's in the Modeling SDK, entitled "Creating Special Effects".

Don
 
tgibson

tgibson

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Hi,

The simple way to get centerline lights that look good and don't hit frame rates is to turn off centerline lights at each intersection area. Then add disconnected Paths across the area, activating only centerline lights (and center lines, if you wish). These can be adjusted until your lighting and stripes look perfect everywhere.

Hope this helps,
 
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