by Steve Waite » Thu May 03, 2018 3:45 pm
Testing and Graphing - using IF as a test harness:
With >augmented and Pro editions we can get IF to capture data including fps during the run of the sim. Use sparingly for test purposes, there's no need to add-in this feature for serious flying. Special Edition and Pro versions paint a graph of the data, or the data can be imported by a spreadsheet with .csv format.
But let's look at how we might do a performance test that gives us essential feedback results, avoiding results that fool us.Set a two minute pause time in Settings.
Set the frame rate recording and csv recording ON and enable up to five items in the recorder (Records Page) hold shift and click to disable all. Choose frame rate, average fps, fps - delta, quality rating, delta.Q.
Settings in Cold and Dark page: Uncheck both PAUSE-ED options.
Build a flight with weather, and in scenery, no IF traffic (set zero).
Start the flight and save the view looking over the instruments across the airport, with some buildings in view / half view. IF Menu: Save Settings.
Set with no AI or traffic set in the sim. Set up low scenery and general settings with VSync=Off and Unlimited on the slider, set AA low. Save the sim settings and close the flight.
We run the test at least once before making timed runs where we just press Fly! (or hit Return) to start the flight, it ends with the pause, we close the sim and review the graph or other data.
We also run the test at least once before making timed runs after making any changes to the settings, Affinity, scenery density and so on.
When reviewing overall hardware performance we start by using low graphics settings to avoid flat-lining against graphic performance limits. Otherwise we might not see realistic changes in CPU and system performance.
How to interpret the graphs is another matter.
software architect at codelegend.com
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