Technique behind volumetric clouds

Hey,

as we know, the clouds of AF looks amazing compared to other, especially mobile, sims. But we also know, that they’re just like “transparent” pictures and no actual clouds.

What’s the real difficult issue behind volumentric clouds? I’m asking just for interest. I have no knowledge of programming or performance issues.

I recently discovered, that on Mac/PC you can change daytime and visibility with the push of a button while the sim is running. But it’s not possible for the cloud density. Maybe because there’s an issue with the pictures.

There’s this FS widget app, I’m using and it has this world cloud database. Could this be a possibility to achieve something like “real clouds” before real weather comes? Cause it should be somehow possible to see borders of cloud densities while flying.

How far is IPACS with the integration of better cloud systems or weather systems? Where’s the priority in this topic? Is it more like 30% or 60% done? Did you already internally tested new weather or cloud systems?

And what about the integration of a real calendar with actual correct positions of the suns and the moon and “real time”?

I know, a lot of questions, but I’m actually bored and want to educate myself a bit. 😁

Greetings

What about a technique to make a more realistic cloud progression along the flight plan?

Quote from Jugac64

It would be nice, but it is not so important. We are lucky to have a sim with great performance, super stable and great flight model, that we can run in multiple platforms.

Volumetric clouds are not a trivial task and resources expensive.

Thats correct! But I would love to see the implementation of a realistic cloud progression while flying and don’t need to adjust it by my own.