X-Plane 12
X-Plane 12.3 Beta Adds Vulkan Improvements and Experimental Weather Radar
By Matt Henderson · · 2 min read
Laminar Research releases X-Plane 12.3 beta with improved Vulkan rendering performance and an experimental weather radar for default aircraft. The update targets stuttering on high-end systems and enhances the visual fidelity of storm cells.
Laminar Research has opened the public beta for X-Plane 12.3, a major update that introduces several rendering enhancements built on the Vulkan API. The most notable change is a reworked command buffer management system, which promises to reduce micro-stutters on systems with high core counts and advanced graphics cards. Early testers report frame rate improvements of up to 15% in dense scenery areas like New York (KJFK) and London (EGLL), though results vary by hardware configuration.
Also included is an experimental weather radar simulation for the default 737 and Citation X, which uses the new particle-based weather system to display precipitation returns. While not yet on par with third-party solutions, it represents a significant step for Laminar in integrating advanced avionics with the weather engine. The radar is accessible via the EFIS control panel and can be toggled between WX and WX+T modes.
The update also introduces a new 'volumetric fog' option that improves visibility calculations during low-visibility approaches, making ILS approaches more visually demanding. Laminar cautions that this beta is not for virtual airlines reliant on stability, as some plugins may not yet be compatible. Users can opt in via the X-Plane installer, and feedback is encouraged through the official forums. A stable release is expected by the end of the year, pending beta results.
Tags: X-Plane 12, Laminar Research, Vulkan, Weather Radar