REX describes Atmos Legacy as its MSFS 2020 visual-enhancement tool, while Atmos CORE is the separate next-generation atmospheric product built for MSFS 2024.  

The menus and available options may differ between the two products, but the professional workflow remains the same:

1. Establish a default baseline.
2. Back up the original state.
3. Apply one controlled visual profile.
4. Test it under repeatable conditions.
5. Keep only changes that improve realism without creating instability.

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STEP 1 – INSTALLATION, ACTIVATION AND BACKUP

Estimated Time: 10–12 Minutes

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1. Choosing the Correct Product

Before purchasing, verify:

• Simulator version.
• Product name.
• PC platform.
• Store account.
• Current compatibility information.
• Whether the product is an upgrade, legacy edition or separate licence.

Do not purchase Atmos Legacy expecting it to function as the native Atmos CORE package in MSFS 2024.

Do not install:

• An MSFS 2020 package into the MSFS 2024 Community Folder.
• An MSFS 2024 atmospheric package into MSFS 2020.
• Two versions of the same REX atmosphere package simultaneously.
• An old compatibility build beside the current release.

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2. Purchasing the Product

Purchase from the official REX store or an authorised retailer listed by REX.

Before checkout, confirm:

• Exact product title.
• Supported simulator.
• Account email.
• Licence type.
• Download method.
• Refund and upgrade terms.

REX lists Atmos Legacy and Atmos CORE as separate simulator-specific products in its current catalogue.  

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3. Creating and Recording Your REX Account

Create or sign into the account used for the purchase.

Record:

REX account email:

Store used:

Order number:

Product key or licence status:

Simulator version:

Installed product version:

Keeping these details together makes future reinstalls and support requests easier.

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4. Downloading the Installer or Product Manager

Depending on the purchase source and current REX delivery system, the product may use:

• A dedicated installer.
• A REX product manager.
• A retailer-based installer.
• Account-based activation.

Download only from:

• REX.
• The authorised store used for the purchase.
• A download link supplied in the official account.

Avoid old installers stored on third-party file-sharing sites.

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5. Preparing Windows and MSFS

Before installing:

1. Close Microsoft Flight Simulator.
2. Close related weather or visual tools.
3. Close the REX application if an older version is running.
4. Confirm sufficient free storage space.
5. Check that Windows Security has not quarantined part of the installer.
6. Record the current simulator version.
7. Record the current graphics-driver version.
8. Take screenshots of the default visual appearance.

This creates a known-good reference.

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6. Installing REX Atmos Legacy for MSFS 2020

For the MSFS 2020 edition:

1. Run the official installer.
2. Select or confirm Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
3. Verify the simulator package or Community Folder path if requested.
4. Allow the installation to complete.
5. Activate the product using the supplied account or licence information.
6. Launch the REX interface.
7. Confirm MSFS 2020 is detected.
8. Do not apply a preset yet.
9. Restart Windows if requested.
10. Launch MSFS 2020 once to confirm it still opens normally.

Atmos Legacy is the REX visual-enhancement product intended for MSFS 2020 and requires an internet connection for product operation and services.  

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7. Installing REX Atmos CORE for MSFS 2024

For MSFS 2024:

1. Run the current Atmos CORE installer.
2. Confirm Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
3. Verify the installation path.
4. Complete account activation.
5. Launch Atmos CORE.
6. Allow it to detect the simulator.
7. Confirm the connection or engine handshake.
8. Keep all initial settings at default.
9. Launch MSFS 2024.
10. Confirm that real-time changes can be applied without errors.

Atmos CORE is designed for MSFS 2024 and integrates directly with the simulator’s atmospheric systems rather than functioning merely as an external post-processing overlay. REX describes it as non-destructive and compatible with both DX11 and DX12.  

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8. Product Activation

Activation may require:

• REX account sign-in.
• Store account authentication.
• Product serial.
• Internet connection.
• Device validation.

After activation, confirm:

• The product launches.
• The correct simulator is recognised.
• The licence remains active after restarting.
• No activation loop occurs.
• Presets can be viewed.

Do not share licence credentials between unrelated users or computers unless permitted by the current licence terms.

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9. Updating the Product

Before applying visual changes:

1. Open the REX application.
2. Check the installed version.
3. Install available updates.
4. Read the release notes.
5. Restart the application.
6. Reconfirm simulator detection.
7. Test with the default profile first.

Simulator updates may change environmental APIs, offsets or integration behaviour. REX’s update notes have included compatibility fixes for MSFS 2024 simulator updates, showing why both the simulator and Atmos CORE version should be recorded during troubleshooting.  

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10. Create a Backup Before Editing

Before changing any atmospheric profile, create a backup.

Depending on the product version, use:

• Built-in backup.
• Export-profile function.
• Restore-default option.
• Screenshots of every current setting.
• Written record of default values.

Record:

Default profile name:

Backup date:

Simulator version:

REX version:

Graphics driver:

HDR enabled: Yes / No

Monitor preset:

Do not rely solely on memory.

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11. Save a Default Benchmark Scenario

Create one permanent visual-test flight.

Recommended conditions:

• Default airport.
• Fixed stand or runway position.
• Same aircraft.
• Same camera angle.
• Same time of day.
• Same weather preset.
• Same cloud coverage.
• Same monitor brightness.
• Same HDR setting.
• Same graphics configuration.

Suggested test times:

• Midday.
• Sunset.
• Night.
• Overcast daytime.

This gives students repeatable conditions for visual and performance comparisons.

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STEP 2 – CONFIGURATION AND CREATING REALISTIC PROFILES

Estimated Time: 23–25 Minutes

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12. Understanding What REX Atmos Changes

Atmospheric visual tools may influence the appearance of:

• Sky colour.
• Horizon brightness.
• Haze.
• Visibility.
• Sunlight.
• Ambient light.
• Cloud colour.
• Cloud contrast.
• Night darkness.
• Dawn and dusk tones.
• Atmospheric scattering.
• Ozone-related colour.
• Overall environmental balance.

Atmos Legacy focuses on visual atmospheric enhancement in MSFS 2020, while Atmos CORE adds deeper real-time atmospheric and weather-related control inside MSFS 2024.  

The objective is not to make every flight look dramatic.

The objective is to create believable atmospheric behaviour under different conditions.

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13. Understanding Atmosphere Presets

A preset is a saved collection of visual settings.

Presets are useful because they allow students to:

• Save a known-good configuration.
• Switch between weather types.
• Build daytime and nighttime profiles.
• Compare subtle and dramatic settings.
• Restore previous versions.
• Share configurations where supported.

Create clearly labelled presets.

Examples

Avoid names such as:

or

Clear naming makes troubleshooting easier.

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14. Start From a Neutral Profile

Do not begin by moving every setting to an extreme.

Start with:

• Default simulator atmosphere.
• Default REX profile.
• Neutral monitor settings.
• Fixed weather.
• No reshade or external colour filters.
• No other atmosphere tool.

Then change one visual category at a time.

A neutral starting point makes it possible to identify exactly which setting created an improvement or problem.

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15. Sky Colour

Sky colour should change naturally with:

• Time of day.
• Sun angle.
• Weather.
• Humidity.
• Visibility.
• Geographic location.

A realistic clear midday sky usually has:

• Stronger blue above.
• Lighter colour towards the horizon.
• Gradual atmospheric transition.
• No harsh banding.
• No artificial turquoise cast.

Avoid:

• Excessive blue saturation.
• Purple daytime skies.
• Completely white horizons in clear weather.
• A colour tone that remains identical during every weather condition.

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16. Atmospheric Scattering

Atmospheric scattering controls how sunlight interacts with gases and particles.

It influences:

• Blue daytime sky.
• Red and orange sunsets.
• Horizon brightness.
• Distance fading.
• Sunlight appearance.
• Cloud illumination.

Adjust gradually.

Too little scattering may create:

• Flat sky.
• Dark horizon.
• Unnatural contrast.
• Harsh terrain separation.

Too much may create:

• Washed-out visuals.
• Excessive fog-like appearance.
• Weak shadows.
• Over-bright horizons.

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17. Visibility

Visibility determines how far objects remain clearly visible through the atmosphere.

It should match the weather.

Very High Visibility

Suitable for:

• Cold, dry air.
• Clear winter conditions.
• High-altitude environments.
• Post-frontal weather.

Moderate Visibility

Suitable for:

• Typical temperate weather.
• Slight humidity.
• Normal summer conditions.
• Light haze.

Low Visibility

Suitable for:

• Mist.
• Humidity.
• Pollution.
• Rain.
• Fog.
• Dust.

Do not use unlimited visibility during every flight.

Realistic visibility often improves depth perception by allowing distant terrain to fade gradually.

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18. Haze

Haze creates atmospheric depth.

Correct haze can make:

• Distant terrain appear softer.
• Cities blend naturally into the horizon.
• Summer conditions feel humid.
• Sunsets appear deeper.
• The atmosphere feel less artificial.

Too little haze can make the world look:

• Sharp at every distance.
• Flat.
• Game-like.
• Unrealistically clean.

Too much haze can hide:

• Terrain.
• Runways.
• City skylines.
• Mountains.
• Approach references.

Match haze to:

• Weather.
• Season.
• Region.
• Time of day.
• Temperature and humidity.

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19. Cloud Appearance

Although REX Atmos is not necessarily replacing the full weather engine, atmospheric settings can affect how clouds appear within their environment.

Review:

• Cloud brightness.
• Shadow depth.
• Horizon blending.
• Sunlit edges.
• Overcast neutrality.
• Cloud-to-sky colour balance.

A realistic cloud profile should not make every cloud:

• Brilliant white.
• Extremely dark.
• Overly blue.
• Too sharply outlined.

Use several cloud presets when testing:

• Few clouds.
• Broken clouds.
• Overcast.
• Storm.
• High cloud layers.

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20. Sunlight and Daytime Lighting

Daytime lighting should preserve:

• Cockpit readability.
• Terrain detail.
• Natural shadows.
• Cloud definition.
• Realistic brightness.

If the profile is too bright:

• Runways become washed out.
• Cockpit panels become hard to read.
• White aircraft lose detail.
• Cloud edges clip.

If too dark:

• Midday resembles late afternoon.
• Terrain shadows become crushed.
• Cockpit areas lose detail.
• HDR may appear incorrectly calibrated.

Adjust the atmosphere before using monitor brightness to compensate for every problem.

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21. Sunrise and Sunset Profiles

Sunrise and sunset are the easiest conditions to over-edit.

A realistic profile should contain:

• Warm colour near the sun.
• Cooler colour away from the sun.
• Gradual horizon transition.
• Natural cloud illumination.
• Controlled saturation.

Avoid:

• Intense red covering the entire sky.
• Neon orange terrain.
• Purple clouds in all directions.
• Excessive bloom.
• Overexposed sun.

Create a separate sunrise or sunset profile only when the product supports automatic or manual switching cleanly.

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22. Night Lighting

A night profile should preserve darkness without making the simulator unusable.

Review:

• Sky darkness.
• Horizon glow.
• Moonlit conditions.
• City light visibility.
• Airport lighting.
• Cockpit brightness.
• Cloud visibility.
• Black levels.

Excessively bright night settings can make:

• The sky look grey.
• Clouds glow unnaturally.
• Rural areas appear illuminated.
• Airport lights lose contrast.

Excessively dark settings can make:

• Taxiways unreadable.
• Terrain completely disappear.
• Clouds invisible.
• cockpit windows appear pitch black.

Balance the atmosphere with the aircraft’s own cockpit-lighting controls.

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23. Day and Night Profiles

A single profile may not perform equally well at every time.

Create separate profiles where useful:

Day Profile

Focus on:

• Balanced sky blue.
• Controlled horizon.
• Terrain visibility.
• Cloud contrast.
• Natural sunlight.

Night Profile

Focus on:

• Realistic darkness.
• Controlled horizon glow.
• Airport-light contrast.
• Moonlight.
• Reduced haze brightness.

Dawn and Dusk Profile

Focus on:

• Warm horizon.
• Cooler upper sky.
• Cloud illumination.
• Balanced exposure.

Test transition periods carefully. A preset that looks good at exactly sunset may look poor thirty minutes earlier or later.

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24. Monitor Calibration

Visual profiles are affected by the monitor.

Consider:

• Brightness.
• Contrast.
• Gamma.
• Colour temperature.
• OLED black levels.
• Local dimming.
• Windows colour profile.
• Monitor game mode.
• Viewing environment.

Students should avoid creating a preset to compensate for a poorly configured display.

Before adjusting REX:

1. Set monitor brightness to a sensible level.
2. Avoid extreme colour-enhancement modes.
3. Use a neutral or accurate picture mode.
4. Confirm Windows output range.
5. Check whether the display is SDR or HDR.
6. Disable unrelated colour filters.

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25. HDR Considerations

HDR can change:

• Sun brightness.
• Cloud highlights.
• Night-light intensity.
• Black levels.
• Colour saturation.
• Perceived contrast.

Create and test separate profiles for:

• SDR.
• HDR.

Do not assume an SDR preset will look correct in HDR.

When testing HDR:

• Confirm Windows HDR is enabled.
• Confirm MSFS HDR is enabled where required.
• Calibrate Windows HDR.
• Avoid clipping cloud highlights.
• Check cockpit displays at night.
• Review the sun and horizon.

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26. OLED and High-Contrast Displays

OLED displays can produce:

• Deep blacks.
• Strong contrast.
• Bright highlights.
• Highly saturated colour.

This can make aggressive REX presets appear more extreme than on an IPS or VA monitor.

For OLED:

• Avoid crushing shadow detail.
• Avoid excessive night darkness.
• Control colour saturation.
• Review airport lighting.
• Check cockpit displays.
• Test HDR carefully.

Students should not copy visual values blindly from a user with a different monitor technology.

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27. Creating a Realistic Clear-Day Preset

Use the following workflow:

1. Select a fixed Clear Skies preset.
2. Choose midday.
3. Position the aircraft at the permanent test airport.
4. Return REX to default.
5. Adjust sky colour slightly.
6. Review horizon brightness.
7. Add only enough haze to create depth.
8. Check distant terrain.
9. Check white aircraft surfaces.
10. Save the preset.
11. Repeat the test at a second airport.

The profile should remain believable in more than one region.

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28. Creating an Overcast Preset

An overcast atmosphere should appear:

• Cooler.
• Less saturated.
• Flatter than clear weather.
• Lower contrast.
• More diffuse.

Avoid making overcast weather:

• Bright blue beneath clouds.
• Deep orange at midday.
• Extremely dark unless storm conditions justify it.
• Artificially high contrast.

Test:

• Cockpit brightness.
• Runway visibility.
• Cloud base.
• Terrain colour.
• Horizon blending.

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29. Creating a Summer Haze Preset

For warm and humid summer conditions:

• Reduce distant clarity.
• Increase subtle haze.
• Soften the horizon.
• Maintain runway visibility.
• Keep nearby terrain detailed.
• Avoid turning haze into heavy fog.

Test over:

• London.
• Mediterranean destinations.
• Large cities.
• Coastal areas.
• Low-level approaches.

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30. Creating a Winter Profile

Winter conditions often have:

• Cooler colour temperature.
• Lower sun angle.
• Longer shadows.
• Potentially clearer air.
• Less warm haze.
• Stronger surface contrast.

Do not make all winter flights blue.

Adjust subtly and compare with the actual weather conditions.

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31. Matching Atmosphere to Seasons

Atmospheric appearance should support the season.

Spring

• Moderate visibility.
• Fresh colours.
• Changing cloud cover.
• Softer sunlight.

Summer

• Strong sun.
• Humidity.
• Increased haze.
• Warmer sunsets.

Autumn

• Lower sun.
• Softer light.
• Cooler mornings.
• More muted skies.

Winter

• Low sun angle.
• Longer shadows.
• Cooler tones.
• Potentially clear, crisp visibility.

REX also offers a separate AccuSeason product for seasonal foliage and terrain colouring in MSFS 2020, but atmospheric and seasonal tools should still be tested independently before being combined.  

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32. Matching REX to Live Weather

When using Live Weather:

• Do not force a clear-day profile into fog.
• Do not use strong blue skies during heavy overcast.
• Keep the profile flexible.
• Compare METAR visibility with the simulated result.
• Check cloud brightness.
• Review precipitation conditions.
• Test sunrise and sunset transitions.

Atmos CORE is designed to work with Asobo Live Weather and simulator presets in MSFS 2024.  

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33. Matching REX to Weather Presets

Fixed weather presets are best for visual creation because they are repeatable.

Create profiles using:

• Clear Skies.
• Few Clouds.
• Broken Clouds.
• Overcast.
• Rain.
• Fog.
• Storm.

Once the preset looks consistent across fixed weather, test it with Live Weather.

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34. Combining REX With Other Visual Tools

Be careful when combining REX Atmos with:

• NVIDIA Freestyle.
• ReShade.
• Monitor colour filters.
• Windows Night Light.
• HDR enhancement.
• Other atmosphere packages.
• Weather-engine visual controls.
• Simulator colour modifications.

Multiple tools may all change:

• Saturation.
• Contrast.
• Haze.
• Brightness.
• Colour temperature.

This makes it difficult to identify which program caused the final appearance.

Use one visual layer first.

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35. Save Profiles Professionally

For each profile, record:

Preset name:

REX product and version:

Simulator version:

Weather preset:

Time of day:

Location:

HDR state:

Monitor mode:

Date created:

Performance result:

Include screenshots from the same camera position.

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STEP 3 – PERFORMANCE, COMPATIBILITY AND RESTORE TESTING

Estimated Time: 10–12 Minutes

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36. Establish a Default Baseline

Before applying a REX preset, record:

• Average FPS.
• 1% lows.
• Frame times.
• GPU utilisation.
• GPU clock.
• VRAM usage.
• MainThread status.
• CPU usage.
• Loading time.
• Screenshot of the default atmosphere.

Use the permanent benchmark scenario.

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37. Apply One Preset

Apply one profile only.

Do not simultaneously change:

• Weather.
• Clouds.
• Graphics settings.
• HDR.
• Driver settings.
• Monitor mode.

Then repeat the same benchmark.

This isolates the REX configuration.

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38. GPU Impact

Atmospheric changes can alter the rendered scene by affecting:

• Lighting.
• Cloud appearance.
• Atmospheric depth.
• Visibility.
• Sky rendering.
• Real-time environmental calculations.

Monitor:

• GPU utilisation.
• GPU frame time.
• VRAM use.
• GPU clock.
• Power draw.
• Temperature.

Atmos CORE is built for real-time integration with MSFS 2024 and supports DX11 and DX12, but students should still benchmark their own configuration rather than assume performance will be identical across systems.  

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39. FPS Testing

Test the following:

1. Default atmosphere.
2. REX preset applied.
3. REX application running with default values.
4. REX application running with the custom preset.
5. REX closed or disabled where supported.

40. Cloud Comparison Test

Use the same Broken Clouds or Overcast preset.

Compare:

• Cloud brightness.
• Shadow depth.
• Edge quality.
• Horizon blending.
• GPU utilisation.
• Frame times.
• Visual banding.
• Highlight clipping.

Take screenshots from:

• Cockpit.
• Exterior.
• Above the cloud layer.
• Below the cloud base.

Do not judge cloud appearance from one camera position only.

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41. Lighting Comparison Test

Compare at:

• Midday.
• Golden hour.
• Sunset.
• Night.
• Dawn.

Review:

• Runway exposure.
• Aircraft surface detail.
• Cockpit visibility.
• Cloud highlights.
• Horizon.
• Airport lights.
• Terrain shadows.

A preset should not create severe overexposure or crushed black areas.

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42. Visibility and Haze Performance Test

Test:

• Unlimited visibility.
• Moderate haze.
• Low visibility.
• Fog.

Monitor whether visual changes affect:

• GPU load.
• Frame pacing.
• Terrain streaming appearance.
• Photogrammetry visibility.
• Airport approach smoothness.

Changes in visibility can alter the amount of distant scenery visible, so apparent performance differences may involve the total scene complexity rather than only the atmosphere application.

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43. Shader Interaction

After:

• A graphics-driver update.
• A simulator update.
• A major REX update.

the first flights may show temporary stutters while shaders or graphical resources rebuild.

Do not immediately clear the shader cache.

First:

1. Complete one benchmark.
2. Repeat it.
3. Compare the second and third run.
4. Check whether stutters reduce.
5. Clear caches only when evidence supports it.

Repeatedly clearing shaders can recreate first-run stutters.

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44. Simulator Update Compatibility

After a Sim Update:

1. Read the REX release notes.
2. Confirm official compatibility.
3. Update the REX product.
4. Return to the default REX profile.
5. Test the simulator.
6. Reapply one custom preset.
7. Compare the result.
8. Avoid editing multiple profiles until stability is confirmed.

REX has issued compatibility updates following MSFS 2024 simulator changes, including fixes to environmental data and integration behaviour.  

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45. Visual-Conflict Testing

If the simulator looks wrong:

1. Disable ReShade.
2. Disable NVIDIA filters.
3. Disable Windows Night Light.
4. Set the monitor to a neutral profile.
5. Disable other atmosphere tools.
6. Return REX to default.
7. Restart MSFS.
8. Test a fixed weather preset.
9. Re-enable one visual tool at a time.

Common conflict symptoms include:

• Purple or green sky.
• Excessive brightness.
• Black clouds.
• Extreme saturation.
• Washed-out cockpit.
• Flickering atmosphere.
• Broken sunset transitions.
• Grey night sky.

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46. Weather-Engine Conflict Testing

Do not assume every weather application can control the same atmospheric elements simultaneously.

When testing:

1. Use Asobo Live Weather only.
2. Test REX Atmos.
3. Disable other weather engines.
4. Record the result.
5. Add one supported weather engine.
6. Repeat the benchmark.
7. Check whether both tools are altering haze, clouds or visibility.

Atmos CORE officially supports operation with Asobo Live Weather, simulator presets and ActiveSky FS, but students should still test their exact versions and settings.  

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47. Loading-Time Test

Measure:

• Simulator launch to main menu.
• Main menu to cockpit.
• Time for REX to connect.
• Time to apply a preset.
• Time to restore default.

Compare:

1. REX not running.
2. REX running with default profile.
3. Custom preset active.

A major delay may indicate:

• Outdated product version.
• Authentication delay.
• Incorrect simulator path.
• Security-software interference.
• Integration failure.
• Conflict with another atmosphere tool.

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48. Stability Test

Complete:

• A short daytime flight.
• A sunset transition.
• A night flight.
• A weather change.
• A two-hour flight where practical.

Monitor:

• CTDs.
• REX disconnection.
• Stuck preset.
• Flickering.
• Memory growth.
• GPU usage.
• Frame-time spikes.
• Simulator weather transition.

Record the exact point at which any problem begins.

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49. Restore Procedure

Every student must know how to return to default.

General restore process:

1. Close MSFS.
2. Open the REX application.
3. Select the original or default profile.
4. Use the built-in restore function where available.
5. Remove or disable the active custom preset.
6. Restart the REX application.
7. Launch MSFS.
8. Load the permanent benchmark.
9. Compare with the original screenshots.
10. Confirm performance has returned to baseline.

Do not delete random simulator files manually.

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50. Clean Troubleshooting Procedure

If restoration does not work:

1. Record the installed product version.
2. Export custom presets.
3. Close MSFS and REX.
4. Use the official uninstall or repair option.
5. Restart Windows.
6. Confirm MSFS works without REX.
7. Reinstall the current product.
8. Activate it.
9. Test with defaults.
10. Reimport custom presets only after stability is confirmed.

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Common Problems

REX Does Not Detect MSFS

Check:

• Correct product version.
• MSFS has been launched at least once.
• Correct installation path.
• Current REX update.
• Windows permissions.
• Firewall or security software.

---

Preset Does Not Apply

Check:

• Simulator fully loaded.
• Product connected.
• Correct simulator selected.
• Profile saved.
• Application updated.
• No conflicting atmosphere tool.

---

Sky Looks Over-Saturated

Check:

• REX colour settings.
• HDR.
• Monitor colour mode.
• NVIDIA Freestyle.
• ReShade.
• Windows colour profile.

---

Night Is Too Bright

Review:

• Horizon brightness.
• Haze.
• HDR black levels.
• Monitor brightness.
• Moon conditions.
• Airport-light exposure.

---

Clouds Look Too Dark

Review:

• Cloud-lighting balance.
• Atmospheric contrast.
• Weather preset.
• Time of day.
• Other visual filters.

---

FPS Drops

Check:

• Clouds.
• Visibility.
• HDR.
• GPU utilisation.
• VRAM.
• Resolution.
• Live Weather complexity.
• Other visual tools.
• Airport scenery.

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Stutters After Updating

Allow shaders and graphical resources to rebuild.

Repeat the benchmark before clearing caches.

---

Visuals Break After a Sim Update

Restore the default profile, update REX and confirm compatibility before reapplying custom settings.

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Student Practical Assignment

Create, Test and Restore a REX Atmos Profile

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Part 1 – Installation

Simulator: MSFS 2020 / MSFS 2024

Product: Atmos Legacy / Atmos CORE

Store used:

Product version:

Activation successful: Yes / No

Backup created: Yes / No

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Part 2 – Profile Creation

Create one realistic profile.

Profile name:

Weather type:

Season:

Time of day:

Location:

HDR: On / Off

Monitor type:

Adjust and record:

• Sky colour.
• Horizon.
• Visibility.
• Haze.
• Cloud appearance.
• Daylight.
• Sunset.
• Night brightness.

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Part 3 – Visual Comparison

Capture the same camera position using:

1. Default MSFS.
2. REX default.
3. Custom preset.

Review:

☐ Sky colour.

☐ Horizon transition.

☐ Haze.

☐ Cloud brightness.

☐ Terrain visibility.

☐ Cockpit exposure.

☐ Sunset saturation.

☐ Night darkness.

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Part 4 – Performance Test

Part 5 – Restore Test

Confirm:

☐ Custom preset disabled.

☐ Default REX profile restored.

☐ Simulator restarted.

☐ Default atmosphere visually confirmed.

☐ FPS returned to normal range.

☐ No leftover visual conflict remained.

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Student Checklist

Correct simulator product selected.

Product purchased and downloaded.

REX account configured.

Product activated.

Current update installed.

Default screenshots captured.

Backup created.

Neutral preset established.

Sky colour adjusted.

Visibility tested.

Haze tested.

Cloud appearance reviewed.

Day profile created.

Night profile reviewed.

HDR configuration checked.

Monitor type considered.

Seasonal weather considered.

Live Weather tested.

GPU impact recorded.

FPS and 1% lows compared.

Shader behaviour reviewed.

Visual conflicts tested.

Simulator-update compatibility checked.

Restore procedure completed.

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Lesson Summary

You have now installed, configured, tested and restored REX Atmos for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Remember:

• Atmos Legacy is intended for MSFS 2020.
• Atmos CORE is the dedicated atmospheric product for MSFS 2024.  
• Never mix packages between simulators.
• Create a visual and performance baseline before editing.
• Back up the original profile.
• Build subtle presets rather than pushing every setting to an extreme.
• Match haze and visibility to actual weather.
• Use separate day and night profiles where necessary.
• Account for monitor calibration and HDR.
• Avoid stacking several colour and atmosphere tools.
• Test clouds, lighting, sunsets and night conditions independently.
• Compare FPS, 1% lows, GPU use and frame times.
• Allow shaders to settle after updates.
• Restore defaults before reinstalling or editing simulator files.
• Keep simulator, REX and graphics-driver versions recorded.

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Knowledge Check

1. Which REX Atmos product is intended for MSFS 2020?
2. Which product is designed for MSFS 2024?
3. Why must the two simulator packages remain separate?
4. Why should a backup be created before applying presets?
5. What is an atmosphere preset?
6. Why should visual adjustments begin from neutral values?
7. How does haze improve atmospheric depth?
8. Why should visibility match the weather?
9. What makes sunrise and sunset profiles easy to over-edit?
10. Why may separate day and night presets be useful?
11. How can HDR alter the appearance of a preset?
12. Why should OLED users avoid copying settings blindly?
13. Why should fixed weather presets be used during visual testing?
14. Why should ReShade and NVIDIA filters be disabled during initial testing?
15. How can distant visibility affect overall GPU workload?
16. Why may stutters appear after a driver or simulator update?
17. What should be done before clearing shader caches?
18. How should compatibility be checked after a Sim Update?
19. What is the correct first step when a visual conflict appears?
20. What confirms that the simulator has been restored successfully?