NOTE: This section of the FSACTA only applies to FSX/P3D users, using Vpilot. This article is also optional, but recommended to get the most out of VATSIM.
Prerequisite knowledge:
In the previous article, you configured Vpilot and connected to VATSIM for the first time. At this stage, you can begin using VATSIM, but there is one more step you can take to increase your immersion.
Pilots on the VATSIM network fly a large variety of aircraft, more than what is availble by default in FSX/P3D. When Vpilot attempts to render an aircraft, it will look through your simulator files to try and find a model that best matches the one the pilot is flying. Due to the limited number of models that come with FSX/P3D, Vpilot cannot always find a match, and therefore it will resort to displaying the aircraft as a default white A321.
In the previous article, you configured Vpilot and connected to VATSIM for the first time. At this stage, you can begin using VATSIM, but there is one more step you can take to increase your immersion.
Pilots on the VATSIM network fly a large variety of aircraft, more than what is availble by default in FSX/P3D. When Vpilot attempts to render an aircraft, it will look through your simulator files to try and find a model that best matches the one the pilot is flying. Due to the limited number of models that come with FSX/P3D, Vpilot cannot always find a match, and therefore it will resort to displaying the aircraft as a default white A321.
In order to setup model matching, you must first acquire AI traffic models. There are several payware options (e.g. Ultimate Traffic 2), as well as freeware options (World of AI or SPAI). These addons provide real models for both offline free flight flying, as well as online flying on networks such as VATSIM.
To begin, simply download and install the desired AI addon. Ensure your simulator/Vpilot are not running during this process.
Note to World of AI users: WoAI doesn't come as a single download; instead it is split into packages for individual airlines. Instead of downloading each package individually (which would approximately 2 million years), you can follow the instructions in the video below, which provides a single download that contains most airlines.
To begin, simply download and install the desired AI addon. Ensure your simulator/Vpilot are not running during this process.
Note to World of AI users: WoAI doesn't come as a single download; instead it is split into packages for individual airlines. Instead of downloading each package individually (which would approximately 2 million years), you can follow the instructions in the video below, which provides a single download that contains most airlines.
Once you have completed the AI installation, open up Vpilot. Vpilot will automatically scan your root simulator folder for new models, and it will generate it's own ruleset file that it will use for model matching. Before connecting to VATSIM, verify your General aviation and airliner traffic sliders are still set to 0, as shown in the connecting to VATSIM article. Once that's done, you can simply connect to your simulator, and enjoy your new models!
Note, you may still see the occasional A321 as model matching isn't perfect, but you should also see significantly more realistic traffic, enhancing your VATSIM experience greatly.
Note, you may still see the occasional A321 as model matching isn't perfect, but you should also see significantly more realistic traffic, enhancing your VATSIM experience greatly.