Maximum LOD in Prepar3d4 - for LM

[pmb]

We had a disussusion over at AVSIM on the old mountain texture morphing issue. In this context, it was not clear if LOD_RADIUS is still limited to 6.5 in Prepar3d4 as it was in Prepar3d3, which means we can't raise it in prepar3d.cfg above the GUI maximum value of 6.5.

Can someone from the LM crew confirm/deny this?

Thank you and kind regards, Michael

[pmb]

Sorry, no one prepar3d for a quick answer? Maybe this helps:

LOD_RADIUS in prepar3d.cfg of Prepar3d4 is limited to 6.5: yes [ ] no[ ].

One million thanks and
kind regards, Michael

[WarpD]

Since I use a higher LOD than that... why do you think it's limited?

[pmb]

Since I use a higher LOD than that... why do you think it's limited?

There was a claim on AVSIM. It says that if LOD_RADIUS is raised from below 6.5 to higher values RAM usage would raise until 6.5 but not further for higher LOD_RADIUS values. I wanted to verify/falsify that claim. This is the source:

https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/5052 ... nt-3650210

#6 by laserit

Besides, I feel this is an interesting question in itself.

Kind regards, Michael

[WarpD]

My LOD_RADIUS is set to 14.5... I see details out to the horizon when flying lower altitudes. I am uncertain as to why people insist/assume that increased LOD requires a significant increase in memory. It all depends on the actual detail, not just the level itself.

[pmb]

At least it doesn't seem implausible - but perhaps also not mandatory - that the higher detail on display would require more memory to keep it, as it seems to be the case up to 6.5.

I am also a bit puzzled by the fact that a higher LOD above 6.5 doesn't seem to have any serious influence on fps on my system.

That's why I asked someone from LM for a final answer to settle the case. Unfortunately to no avail.

Kind regards, Michael

[garrettprs]

Funny, I tested this over the Grand Canyon on Sunday. Saw zero difference between the GUI's 6.5 and any custom CFG value over 6.5. Saved the scenario and took screenshots each time to make sure...

[WarpD]

A question... what do you think the value of LOD_RADIUS affects visually?

[kevinfirth]

A question... what do you think the value of LOD_RADIUS affects visually?

That's a really great question that lots of people would probably appreciate a clear answer to? :)

[WarpD]

I want those who are asking about it's value limits to explain what they think it affects.

[pmb]

A question... what do you think the value of LOD_RADIUS affects visually?

Here is a tentative answer from my side, based on the AVSIM discussion and on my own investigation. I expect the occasionally heavy texture morphing ("snapping") in mountains at a certain distance observed by me and some other VFR pilots to be either minimized or removed at all, for a sufficiently high LOD value. The higher LOD might just cause the textures to snap earlier into their place required by the high-resolution mesh.

My observations are quite promising in this respect (and agree with those of Freemesh creator AvitorMoser) but still could be placebo, thus I am careful in classifying them as "tentative". A couple of videos might clear this which I may or may not produce at a point. Of course my observations will turn out to be placebo if LM clearly states maximum LOD still being locked to 6.5.

But still no answer from their side being the only ones really knowing.

There may be potentially more effects, but this is what I am interested in at present.

Kind regards, Michael

[WarpD]

SteveW has a nice post at the end of that thread that helps.

I use LOD_RADIUS=14.5 and I really don't see mesh popping when flying GA. I suppose I might see some if I were flying a jet through the hills at high speed.

[Fervex]

http://www.prepar3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124850

[pmb]

http://www.prepar3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124850

I have been following this thread as well, but I just don't get it.

Kevinfirth states there clearly: "The maximum LOD radius that is allowed by P3D4 is 6.5."
No objection by Beau Hollis or anyone else form LM.

In the AVSIM thread SteveW states: "I use LOD_RADIUS=14.5 and I really don't see mesh popping when flying GA."
(Which I read the way he does see more mesh popping at lower LODSs).

To me this is quite confusing and I really would appreciate a clear statement from LM, which was the very object of my question.

Kind regards, Michael

[hermes82]

I do fly fast jets through the hills as a default or test flight from glasgow to RAF lossiemouth, the first set of mountains are 34 miles south west of glasgow on the isle of jura and this is the main place i notice the mountain scenery popping into focus, I read this post earlier and decided to try a higher LOD and went from 4.5 to 6.5 with little overall improvement then tried at 9.5, absolutely no difference between that and LOD 6.5, I have a KFA2 gtx950 so I don't expect my machine to keep up with the big boys but it does the job quite well, I agree with pmb, it would be handy if LM could clarify whether or not LOD past 6.5 is actually going to be ignored by p3d or if going above 6.5 is beneficial in any way, with regard to GA I have no problems with it either but the better I can get my pc to run at 450 knots at 250 feet the better it will run with GA