FS2004 → FSX (FS10)

There are several issues with bringing FS2004 and older aircraft into FSX.  FSX can handle much large texture images (2048x2048 and 4096x4096 as opposed to the 1024x1024 limit of FS2004).  As a result the way the textures are read has also changed and so FS2004 aircraft are no longer optimized for the game and performance will suffer a little as a result (most noricable on slower system).  Granted it requires a very powerful PC to display an aircraft using larger texture files but there are also typically less of them to display as more and more information is added to a single file.  Gone, or they should be, are the days of a single texture for a gear strut.

How the textures are displayed is different as well.  "Alpha Layers" that were used in FS2004 to create opacity and/or reflectivity do not work the same in FSX.  The result will be that canopies look different against the sky and clouds.  Parts that were textured using an Alpha layer to not display will still not display but so will everything behind them -- resulting in a "hole" in the aircraft or any other textured item (buildings and trees) behind that aircraft part.

In previous versions of FS developers would sometimes adjust the color of the part to a certain color rather than apply a texture.  It worked well and no one could tell.  But in FSX any parts not assigned a texture simply show up as black.

In the cockpit things have changed as well.  Gauges in FS2004 were often a combination of GAU gauges going back to previous versions of FS combined with newer XML based gauges.  Despite some changes in the XML code between FS2004 and FSX the earlier gauges will still work.  However, the GAU gauge design of FS2004 and earlier is not always compatible with FSX.  Most FS2004 gauges started life as an FS6 gauge and have been reworked.  But FSX will not load those older gauges and in same cases this means the aircraft will not display at all.  The best bet in this case is to alias the panel to another working aircraft while you sort out the gauges.  Thankfully many enthusiasts have reworked FS2004 and previous 2D panels with compatible FSX gauges and are reworking VC panels as well.

FS2000/FS2002 → FS2004 (FS9)

Floating aircraft and loss of animation.  A problem with all aircraft not designed for FS2002 or earlier and flown in FS2004 is the loss of all animation.  This is most obviously seen in the loss of extended landing gear so that the aircraft appear to float over the ground (Star Wars LandSpeeder style) when taxiing.  In flight the aircraft behave normally for the most part (see comments below) except that the control surfaces, air brakes, exhaust (if animated), etc., no longer move.

But there is a solution.  When you launch FS2004, answer "NO" to the question asked by the simulator to deactivate the functionality of certain "unsupported" features.  The animated landing gear, control surfaces, and most other working parts will work fine.  Spinning parts, such as propellers, no longer work but since Mirage have no propellers we are fine.

If you accidentally say "yes" you can reverse this by editing the [FrameCallNoWarn] section of the FS9.CFG file using NotePad.  Here you will find the name of one or several aircraft with "=0" next to it.  Change the value to "1" ( ...=1) and the "unsupported" features will work again.  An alternative is to simply remove that aircraft from the list.  You will be asked the question on next launch and can "Just Say No" at that time to restore animation.

The FS9.CFG file is a hidden file located here (depends on your OS):
        - Windows 2000 and Windows XP:
              C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9
        - Windows 9x and Windows ME:
              C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9

Longer takeoff runs.  Aircraft used in FS2004 but designed for earlier versions (or which use flight models based on aircraft from earlier versions) require noticably longer takeoff runs and lack the rate of climb they had with earlier versions.  In banked turns (what other kind is there?) there is also a loss of turn rate.  They are also in a noticable downward trim attitude so some trim adjustment after takeoff is necessary.

Some FS2004/FSX tricks:  Are you tired of ATC referring to your aircraft as simply "Dassault" or "Experimental"?  Do you want to hear the pilot and ATC refer to your aircraft as type "Dassault Mirage"?  Under the [General] section of the aircraft.cfg file edit (or add if necessary) the lines "atc_type=DASSAULT" and "atc_model=Mirage".  Using "atc_model=Rafale" also works.  Now that's cool! If you edit (or add if necessary) the line "atc_parking_types=MIL_COMBAT" ("MIL_COMBAT" needs to be all caps) under each individual aircraft section ([fltsim.x]) of the aircraft.cfg file, the aircraft will be directed to the parking area for military jets (trainers and fighters) if the scenery has been set up correctly.  This is more realistic (and secure) than being instructed to "Taxi to general aviation parking".  For larger aircraft like the C-130, Transall, or KC-135 use "atc_parking_types=MIL_CARGO" In FS2002/FS2004/FSX you can also have the ATC refer to you as an Air Force, Navy or Marine aircraft by editing (or adding if necessary) the line "atc_airline=Air Force" under each individual aircraft section, [fltsim.x], of the aircraft.cfg file.  For Navy use "Navy" or "Marine" instead of  "Air Force".  For Armée de l'Air you might use "atc_airline=Army".  Capitalzation is not important here.

FS5/FSFW95 → FS98/FS2000/FS2002

Visual problems: Polygon sorting vs. ZBuffering.  The flight models behave as expected when brought in through the FS98 Converter but there are visual problems.  In the case of the earlier Mirage III, Mirage 5 (and derivatives), and Mirage 2000, you will see a flash of color moving between the nose, wings, tail, extended gear, and in extreme cases, even the ground.  The image below shows this streaking effect above the wing between the wing tip and forward fuselage and below the wing between the ventral strake and mid-wing (indicated by red arrows).  This effect only occurs at certain angles.  Another effect can be a distorting in some shapes.  The tail of the Mirage 2000 is a good example of this.

This "3D Flash" was common on aircraft when FS98 (running in 3D mode) first came out.  A problem with polygon sorting and the use of single plane surfaces cause the effect (a throw back by designers to the days of FS4/AAF).  If you turn off 3D in Flight Simulator, the effects will clear up.  Because FS2000 and newer use ZBuffering rather than polygon sorting to display objects, the "3D Flash" effect is not present.  Since this is a known effect of 3D, aircraft designed since FS98 tend to be designed to avoid this visual effect.

Header photograph Copyright 1967, Israel Defence Force / Air Force.
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