FS Scenery -- Add On Products

[BJ]

I've always used the default scenery in FS 2004, but would like to consider improving things. There is so much out there that I'm a bit
confused about it all. Is mesh the way to go or start with? What about Mega-Scenery? or some of the other products recently released
like Ultimate Terrain. Is it different from mesh? At what point does one over do it? I assume it's not all compatible or one product might
defeat the purpose of another one, or cannot be installed on-top or others, etc. What about frame rate hits?

Anyone out there with some experience in this area that might offer me some direction to get started is appreciated!

My system: Windows XP Home
Anthon 64 3200
1 G Ram
128 video card

Thanks!

[olseric]

Terrain mesh is nice and thanks to FS Genesis, it is free for the entire USA. I have it installed and it definately makes a world of
difference in showing elevation differences.

[SWAFO]

There's free mesh available here: http://www.simviation.com/fsdterrainsrtm.htm

Try that out first. That's what I use, and I love it!

[lightrail]

I have FS global 2005 and it makes a world of difference. I bought it because I didn't want to be bothered with downloading 12 gb of file
data (i.e. the free stuff).

[DBE]

Aargh! 12 Gigs on a 600Kbit connection...

[jboweruk]

At least FSGlobal is on DVD's, and don't forget that you get a lot of bang for your buck. For a start it's not just a terrain mesh, FSGlobal has
some feature whereby it actually starts drawing the mountains at the horizon, so they don't just suddenly pop up on you like they normally
will; now before you go ouch the impact on FPS is absolutely minimal with this as the textures used are only 2d and minimal (after all you
are seeing them at maximum visible range). When I say it looks absolutely incredible I'm not doing it justice, you actually seem to get that
real look of the terrain fading away to the horizon like in real life, even down to that clear nearby to misty faraway look.

I would not want to fly without that and FScene installed anymore.

[sjwk]

I bought FS Global recently too - does make a huge difference. But does anyone also know of any (preferrably free!) decent replacement textures? Not
necessarily photorealistic aerial images or anything, just some nicer and more varied default ground textures?

Steve.

[SWAFO]

You don't have to download all the scenery at the free site at once. I don't! The whole scenery set is 8.27 gigs, but that's for the whole
world! I only fly in the US, and I've been downloading the scenery files one by one depending on the area I'm currently flying in the
country. This means that typically I'll download 1-4 14MB files every time I fly in a new area. This isn't a problem! It certainly wouldn't be
that much of an issue on a 600K/sec connection. I'm running 1500k/sec (quite a bit faster than yours though), and each download only
takes about 2 minutes... it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes on your system.

I believe Nem downloaded all of the free scenery and put it on DVD-ROM's. Perhaps you could persuade him to send you a copy!

[BJ]

Thanks folks for the info! Can you generally add other stuff like Mega-City scenery on-top of installed mesh terrain or other products like
some of the airport stuff I've noticed?

Bye.

[olseric]

Yes, you should be able to without issue.

[DBE]

SWAFO wrote:
This isn't a problem! It certainly wouldn't be that much of an issue on a 600K/sec connection.

It is when you're sharing your connection with two Ipod-clad teenagers..

BJ wrote:
Can you generally add other stuff like Mega-City scenery on-top of installed mesh terrain or other products like
some of the airport stuff I've noticed?

Just make sure that the additional scenery is above the mesh stuff in your list of add-on scenery.