Activesky evolution

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I just purchased ActiveSky about a month ago. I dont think I have heard of Evolution. Is this an addon for it? (I guess I should check the link).
 
Lionheart said:
I just purchased ActiveSky about a month ago. I dont think I have heard of Evolution. Is this an addon for it? (I guess I should check the link).
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It's the newest version Bill. If you have Active Sky Advanced, then you get to update to ASE for free.
I like it, I think its the best version yet. No complaints so far, seems pretty stable.
Has some new features, easier to use than ASA.

Info:

http://www2.hifisim.com/node/1044
 
I agree it does seem to be the best version yet. The one thing I keep thinking I'm seeing is a better cloud density and layering depiction.

I had a minor adjustment getting used to the new red interface, but the more I use it, I'm starting to like it better than the old look. :)

FAC
 
I'll try to answer that from a personal experience and view point. :)

I had ActiveSky6.5 as it transtioned from FS9 to FSX, then ASX and now ASE. I've never found anything that I don't like about the whole transition and ActiveSky family of products.

I also own REX2. I bought it to see if there was anything at all in it that backed up all the excitment that surrounded it. I worked with it for part of a day during some flights and promptly deleted it and went back to ASX by the end of the day.

Then about a week later, thinking I hadn't given REX2 a fair shake, I re-installed it and played around with it for another day or so. Once again after that, I let REX2 return all my default settings and then turned ASX back on and let it take back over all my weather needs.

I still have REX2 installed, but I don't use any parts of it at this time and now with the ASX upgrade to ASE, I have an even less desire to give REX2 another shot.

I haven't canned REX2 completely, that's why it's still on the system this time. :)

Personal opinion:
ASX/ASE - The GUI interfaces are more intuitive and functional. I also find that in most weather situations that I've flown in the ASX/ASE weather just looks more natural as to what I would expect. Overall ASX/ASE work and look like a favorite tool in my tool box. Reliable, simple to use and it gets the job done.


REX2 - The GUI interfaces are very clumbsy and some like the flight planner and weather view map are not very useful at all for the type of flying that I do. REX2 can make for some really good staged screenshots showing some really hi-rez clouds, but at other times the colors of the sky and reflected light off the aircraft don't look natural at all. I also noticed much more of a cookie cutter repetitive cloud pattern almost everywhere I looked in REX2. I'm pretty sure that some of the clouds that I was seeing were identical to other clouds that were in the area, they were just rotated in various directions to minimize the repetitive effect. I barely ever notice that with ASX/ASE. Overall REX2 seems to be more about eye candy than real functionality. That functionality may actually be there, and I'll go back one day to take another look when I feel like wading through all the eye-candy bloat it's hidden under.

FAC
 
tigisfat said:
activesky has always been a sham
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I take it you've had activesky to be able to make such a judgement? If so give more detail before using a word like "sham". I don't find it to be a "sham" at all!!

I have evolution and I think its the best weather/cloud simulator I've had yet!!

Sham n. 1. Something false or empty purporting to be genuine. 2. One who assumes a false character. Not genuine; fake.
 
ASE is great, and a free update to ASA. I have no issues.
And I find they (Mr. Jim Skorna) give great support, on their forums and by e-mail.
Can't judge REX, since I don't own it.

Cheers, Rob
 
I've used it since day #1 of its release, and I have been very satisfied.

Is it the "real world"? - heck no. But it sure makes flying more appealing. I also use REX2 to set up the "theme", and let ASE manage it. Does not really impact FPS to a great degree either.

All in all, a good investment, for me.

Bill
 
tigisfat said:
activesky has always been a sham
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I don't know how anyone could make a statement like that.

It is FAR more accurate than the default real-world weather. The things it does for visibility graduation and fog and such are genius. I never use the REX weather because it is an absolute pain. I only use REX for textures these days. ASE is a breeze to use and customize. I also notice no FPS impact with it running, unlike previous versions of Active Sky.

On top of all that, they offered it as a free upgrade to previous customers! :applause:
 
Welll, i'm no expert on weather, but i normally fly out of the airport litterally in my own back yard which is KRDM.. Now, I've had several times where Rex2 has insisted on it being overcast and raining when in fact a quick gander out my window showed that it was sunny and at the worst, partly cloudy. I've never had that problem with either ASX or ASA. They seem to get the weather correct, i dont know how. However, you mix ASA's or ASX's weather with REX's clouds and now your talking something to drool about..
 
warchild said:
Welll, i'm no expert on weather, but i normally fly out of the airport litterally in my own back yard which is KRDM.. Now, I've had several times where Rex2 has insisted on it being overcast and raining when in fact a quick gander out my window showed that it was sunny and at the worst, partly cloudy. I've never had that problem with either ASX or ASA. They seem to get the weather correct, i dont know how. However, you mix ASA's or ASX's weather with REX's clouds and now your talking something to drool about..
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Since you have ASA, Pam, I'd really recommend picking up the free ASE upgrade then.
It really improved a lot of things from ASA.



Other thing for all, ASE also gets real-time Airmets and Sigmets for CONUS now.
 
well, see, my ASA was an upgrade from ASX.. I'm afraid that ASE wouldnt be free for me, and at this time, my finances prohibit me from spending too much on anything, including flight sim.. But its something i've wanted to do since its release, especially since i'm not only a terrible screenshot artist and need all the help i can get, but i also love the drama that a good weather generator can add to the experience.
 
Warchild, I think you're OK for an upgrade

From the HiFi website

All ASA customers can upgrade to ASE at no charge by visiting our support and downloads page. This offer is available for a limited time, so get your upgrade now!
Note that the free upgrade applies to ASA only, not previous products.




You have ASA, it doesn't exlude the path you have used to get ASA.






This Forum question supports this


http://www2.hifisim.com/node/1127


 
Hi Almost All,

Thanks for all the mostly positive feedback! Just let the one poster continue to be a :crybaby: and he will move on soon.

Also to the one poster who was wondering if he qualifies for the free upgrade: if you own a valid ASA key you can upgrade to ASE for free. It doesn't matter how you purchased the ASA key.

Thanks,
 
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