For technical reasons some features need additional configuration steps so there is a simple python based configurator included which can be found inside the SAM Seasons root folder (usually X-Plane 11\Resources\plugins\SAM\lib\SAM_Seasons). Alternatively you can do the configuration manually by following the text hints placed inside the the options folder but it's easier to do with the configurator so the manual configuration should only be used if you can't use the configurator for some reasons. 


To make use of the configurator you need to install the Python runtime (this is not much different than installing Java or a VC++ runtime required by other applications) so please download and install Python if you want to use the configurator from 


https://www.python.org/downloads/ 



The following options are available:


  • Changing forest density (useful if your graphics card can't handle the increased forest density well)
  • Install or uninstall the terrain normal maps (useful if you are low on VRAM)


To run the configurator simply double click on the file 'Configurator.py' you can find in the SAM Seasons root folder (this is usually X-Plane 11\Resources\plugins\SAM\lib\SAM_Seasons). You may want to create a shortcut on your desktop to the configurator but don't move the file itself, it only works if it's in the right place. 




Main Menu


The main menu consists of the following options: 


1) Forest Density 

2) Normal Maps

3) Quit 


To choose an option simply type the corresponding number and press enter (for example type 1 and press enter if you want to change forest density). 




Forest Density


If you are experienceing performance issues using SAM Seasons it will very likely help to revert the forest density to normal (which matches the original X-Plane forest density). 


1) High Density (Default)

2) Normal Density 


Choose from one of the options above by typing either 1 or 2 and press enter. The configurator will change the forest density according to your choice and return to the main menu. 




Normal Maps


SAM Seasons as of version 1.0.3 features additional ground normal maps providing some additional detail to the ground textures depending on sun angle. If you don't like this feature or if you are getting performance issues (especially related to GPU performance and VRAM consumption) it might help to disable the normal maps. 


There are two options to choose from:


    1) Install Normal Maps (Default)
    2) Remove Normal Maps


After choosing one of them by typing the corresponding number and confriming with enter please wait while some files are copied over, this might take some time.




Closing the configurator


To close the configurator choose the option 'Quit' by typing 3 and confirm with enter, then type Q and confirm again pressing enter. You can also close the configurator anytime by clicking on the X in the upper right corner of the window.