Tools

727: I Gave My PC a Little Push

| Tom Tsui

Probably like most of you, I don’t deliberately overclock my computer even though the hardware I got are OC-capable.  Normally I just leave it to the BIOS to auto tweak the computer a bit by default.

Surely this is fine as our systems can run to spec stably.

Unfortunately, no difference from other flight simulators, the MSFS 2020 performs better on better performing computers.

Therefore I lately further enabled XMP, thru which I got about 8-10 fps increase in MSFS by pushing the DDR4 RAM from standard 2400MHz to its rated 3200MHz.  That’s not insignificant I dare say.

Continue reading →

726: Set MSFS Priority to High at All Time #2

| Tom Tsui

The “Prio-Process Priority Saver” that I used to set my computer’s CPU priority for MSFS to High as reported in my Post 714 no longer works after my computer’s firmware was upgraded to TPM 2 compatible, which is required for the coming Windows 11.

Instead, I am using Continue reading →

723: My SU5 Tuning #4 – ReShade

| Tom Tsui

In MSFS, objects in far distance, even on a clear fine day, are too hazy to me.  This is one thing in particular I dislike.  And the Sim Update 5  (SU5) further worsens it as the overall color tone has been washed out, making the scenery looks very dull.

I use ReShade to tune the screen to my preferences.  Click image to enlarge.
Reshade_03L
The app is somewhat like the “Shade for FSX” that changes the atmospheric effects in FSX in the old days, but ReShade for MSFS is more sophisticated.  And most importantly, I don’t see any impact from using it at all.
Continue reading →

714: Setting MSFS Priority to High at All Time

| Tom Tsui

Probably you have heard many suggestions saying that by increasing the CPU priority of a flight simulator from Normal to High, the program will run more efficently and stably.  I found it’s true on P3D and MSFS in my case.

Instead of manually changing the CPU priority to High everytime when MSFS starts, I am using the following simple app to help save my preferences for good.

It’s called Continue reading →

713: Custom Camera Restore Utility

| Tom Tsui

It is quite annoying when the custom cameras I created for full forward view (see my Post 638 and 697) are reverted back to their defaults after MSFS 2020 or the addon aircraft themselves updated.

Therefore I created a small utility called MSFS_Camera_Restore to help put my custom cameras back quickly in case such situations happen.
CameraRestore05The objective of the utility is straightforward and requires no learning curve.  And it has virtually no limit to the number of cameras to be added.  Moreover, the original camera will be backed up prior to its adding to the utility, too.

For those Continue reading →

696: SkyElite Version 1.3 Preview

| Tom Tsui

In the last few days, I got a chance to test the beta version 1.3 of the SkyElite for MSFS by 4FlightSims.

One of the improvements that impresses me is the fixing of text displays on soft keys and info pages that I reported in Post 659.  Now they are properly aligned.
SkyElite13-GIF1Regarding new features, the most significant should be the SE1000 AHRS mode in the PFD.  Although it is different in style and operations from the G1000s on the default aircraft in MSFS, it functions equally as good in general.
SkyElite13-GIF2
In addition, Continue reading →

691: G1000 on FIP now MSFS Compatible

| Tom Tsui

Regarding Simgeneering’s G1000 MFD implemented for Logitech’s Flight Instrument Panel MFD (FIP) reported in Post 677, do you like me feeling a little disappointed since it is for FSX only?

No more, John, the developer, informed me that he has created a new version of the MFD that is compatible with MSFS now.

Besides needing more memory, system requirements are generally the same as the previous version.  That’s great.

You can check out more information about the MSFS version on John’s Simgeneering here.

Do note that this G1000 MFD requires Continue reading →

680: Third Level or Further Down Below

| Tom Tsui

Due to vulnerability of the Community folder in MSFS, I recently useaddonlinker01 the MSFS_Addon_Linker to map all my external apps to the folder in oder to keep things manageable just in case.

Everything works fine except the RealSimGear app for the GNS430 and 530, unfortunately.  It was similarly put under the Addons folder where I store all my external apps.

The app seemed to be loaded into MSFS successfully but only a few buttons work. Continue reading →

677: G1000 on FIP is now Possible

| Tom Tsui

Have you ever had an idea if the G1000 instruments could be shown on the Logitech’s Flight Instrument Panels (FIPs), it would be great?
G1000-MFD
It is possible now.

John of Simgeneering, a private pilot in New Zealand, said he was inspired to create his own since he couldn’t find one on the market for his instrument rating training.

So far, he has implmented an emulator for the G1000 MFD (Multi-function Display), which Continue reading →