Learn how MSFS 2024 aircraft LOD settings work, which graphics control to change, and what fixes sudden model pop-in or blurry aircraft.
MSFS 2024 has no separate aircraft LOD slider. For normal flying, open Settings, then General and Graphics, enable the advanced or custom controls if required, and adjust Objects Level of Detail. This changes object LOD behaviour globally; an aircraft's actual LOD models and switch points come from its installed package.
Where is the aircraft LOD setting in MSFS 2024?
The relevant user setting is Objects Level of Detail, not Terrain Level of Detail.
- Open Graphics settings: From the main menu or pause menu, open Settings, General, then Graphics.
- Enable custom controls: Select the custom or advanced graphics view if a global preset is hiding or locking individual settings.
- Find Objects Level of Detail: Raise it to retain more object detail at greater distances, or lower it to reduce processing load.
- Apply the change: Return to the same aircraft, airport and external-camera position so the comparison is meaningful.
- Check performance: Test at a detailed airport with traffic running, not only in an empty rural area.
Objects LOD is a global control. It also affects scenery objects and other SimObjects, so there is no supported way to raise aircraft detail while leaving every other object unchanged. On console builds, advanced graphics controls may be limited; if Objects LOD is not displayed, that platform profile does not provide an in-sim override.
What does Objects Level of Detail change?
Objects Level of Detail can influence how long higher-detail 3D object models are retained, but it does not edit aircraft files or create detail that the model lacks.
| Setting | Effect on aircraft | Main cost |
|---|---|---|
| Objects Level of Detail | Can delay transitions to lower-detail object and aircraft models; results depend on the aircraft package | CPU main-thread load, plus some GPU and memory use |
| Terrain Level of Detail | Does not directly control aircraft geometry | CPU load from terrain and ground detail |
| Texture Resolution | Affects texture sharpness rather than the aircraft's mesh | VRAM and loading pressure |
| Render scale or upscaling | Changes apparent edge and instrument clarity, not model LOD selection | GPU performance and image quality |
| Traffic settings | Control traffic quantity, substitution or culling rather than an aircraft's authored LOD stages | CPU load and model matching |
For a fuller explanation of the two sliders, including practical starting points, see our guide to tuning Terrain LOD and Objects LOD.
Why do aircraft still pop or look blurry?
Aircraft pop-in is often a content, traffic, texture or culling issue rather than a low Objects LOD value.
- One add-on changes shape abruptly: Its developer may have used aggressive screen-size thresholds or poorly matched LOD models. A global slider cannot fully correct the package.
- Every aircraft loses detail too early: Raise Objects LOD by one step and repeat the same external-view test. Revert the change if frame time rises sharply.
- Markings or cockpit panels look blurry: Check texture resolution, render scaling, upscaling and available VRAM. These are texture or image-quality problems, not geometry LOD.
- Multiplayer aircraft use generic shapes or liveries: This normally indicates model substitution or unavailable matching content, not low LOD.
- Distant traffic disappears completely: Traffic limits, distance culling or an aircraft-package fault may be responsible. Extreme viewing distances are also culled deliberately.
How high should Objects LOD be?
There is no universal aircraft LOD number because the slider also affects the rest of the scene. Start from the simulator's default, increase it gradually, and stop when aircraft transitions look acceptable or performance becomes CPU-limited.
Dense hubs, complex airliners and heavy traffic expose the cost much faster than a simple aircraft over sparse terrain. If the developer overlay reports a CPU or main-thread bottleneck, follow our main-thread performance checks before raising Objects LOD further.
Can I edit an add-on aircraft's LOD files?
Only the aircraft author can properly change an aircraft's LOD chain, geometry and transition thresholds.
Developers create several progressively simpler models, assign their screen-size thresholds, and inspect the transitions with the SDK and Developer Mode tools. End users should not edit encrypted, official or marketplace-managed packages, and changing configuration values cannot manufacture missing geometry. Package updates may also overwrite unsupported edits.
Anyone building an original aircraft can use our aircraft-development overview for the broader model, draw-call and texture-memory workflow. For an ordinary installed aircraft with bad LOD transitions, the practical fix is an updated package from its developer.