How to use the DirectX 9 version of RealFlight Evolution

[Jeremy Babbar-Sebens]

RealFlight Evolution was recently updated to use DirectX 11, a modern graphics library that is required by many newer computers.

However, some older computers may not support DirectX 11, so we are providing a way to run the final DirectX 9 version for those users. Note that this version will not be updated to support new DLC and software fixes. It is provided as a courtesy only.

To switch to this version, you will need to join the "directx9_deprecated" beta branch on Steam. To do so:

1. Right click on "RealFlight Evolution" in your Steam Library.
2. Select "Properties"
   
3. In the Properties dialog, click the "Betas" tab
   
4. In the Beta Participation list, click "directx9_deprecated"
   
5. RealFlight Evolution will undergo an update to switch to the beta branch.
   
6. Launch RealFlight Evolution. You should now be running the DirectX 9 version.

If you upgrade your computer to be DirectX 11 capable, you can switch back to the main branch by using the previous steps, but selecting "none" for your beta.

Note that this setting is per-computer, not per-account. Even if you need to use "directx9-deprecated" on your old computer, you can still use DirectX 11 on your new one.

 

[Swoose2]

This does not work for me, it still requires me the enter a beta access code but none is provided. I have just wasted my money on the whole RealFlight thing, thanks to "progress", I prefer the old program which worked well for years.

 

[Ryan Douglas]

@Swoose2, it sounds like you need to restart your Steam client and make sure it is not in offline mode so that it becomes aware of the new beta branch.

It isn't necessarily obvious that just clicking the 'X' in the upper-right corner does not in fact close Steam all the way. It continues running in the background unless told explicitly to exit. There are two ways you can do that:

1. By choosing Exit from the Steam main menu:
   
2. By right-clicking the Steam icon in your Windows system tray and selecting Exit. (You may need to click the arrow, circled, to expand the icons before Steam will be visible.
   

 

[asj5547]

This does not work for me, it still requires me the enter a beta access code but none is provided. I have just wasted my money on the whole RealFlight thing, thanks to "progress", I prefer the old program which worked well for years.

There is no "Beta Access Code" needed, (circled yellow) after you have selected the beta you require, simply hit the X in the top right of the beta select screen.
See attached picture.

 

[technoid]

Can you run the directx9_deprecated "and" the DX11 Beta or Retail version on the same computer at the same time? I was wanting to test something on the directx9_deprecated version but I don't want to remove the DX11 retail I'm running now.

 

[asj5547]

I switch between the deprecated and regular betas quite often for testing new Intel drivers etc.

 

[technoid]

I switch between the deprecated and regular betas quite often for testing new Intel drivers etc.

I was hoping the DX9 old beta would have it's "own" directory RealFlight Evolution DX9 and the DX11 Retail version would be just RealFlight Evolution so I could have both of them installed at the same time and run either one from a shortcut on the desktop. That way I could test stuff in both versions without having Steam install them when I switch between them. Is that what you're able to do?

 

[Ryan Douglas]

No, there's really no way to have them both installed simultaneously. You'll need to switch between the beta branches in Steam to go between them, which will involve a download.

Note that they do use different <Documents> subdirectories, so the two versions won't affect each other as far as settings and content. In fact, a word of warning: don't try copying the .ini between them. I can't remember the specifics off the top of my head, but it will lead to a crash somewhere.

 

[technoid]

No, there's really no way to have them both installed simultaneously. You'll need to switch between the beta branches in Steam to go between them, which will involve a download.

Note that they do use different <Documents> subdirectories, so the two versions won't affect each other as far as settings and content. In fact, a word of warning: don't try copying the .ini between them. I can't remember the specifics off the top of my head, but it will lead to a crash somewhere.

Got it, thanks. And thanks for letting me know not to intermix the ini file.