PMDG 747-400 Update 17APR05: The Virtual Cockpit

[rsrandazzo]

Captains-Here's a first look at your new office!http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/pro...G_744_VC_16.jpgA few moments ago we have made live the first in a series of presentations on our site that will familiarize you with our upcoming PMDG 747-400 Queen of the Skies.The purpose of these small presentations is to offer you an opportunity to see the product as it nears completion, and to allow you to learn about many of the innovative new features that are being included in this ground breaking airliner simulation.This weeks presentation focuses on the virtual cockpit environment, and describes some of the features and technological advances that we have made in this important area for airliner simulations.We have included nearly 20 in depth images to give you a good, up close look at the cockpit as it stands today. I am certain that you will be excited by what you see!These images might also help you understand why we have been very quiet about the current status of development. Some of the technology being developed for PMDG 747-400 Queen of the Skies was borne out of the desire to produce this highly detailed Virtual Cockpit environment. Obviously VC's prsent a challenge in terms of realistic modeling, but they also present a challenge to the PC's in use by many "main stream" simmers.We have spent thousands of hours developing new core technologies to allow increased frame rates and decreased processor loading from within the VC. I think you will thoroughly enjoy the fruit of this labor.PMDG 747-400 Queen of the Skies is an extraordinarily complex product that reaches all new depths of complexity, realism and sophisticiation. This simulator is not an example of "convert existing technology into a new airplane." This simulator is an all new platform from the ground, up- and represents some very innovate thinking and development toward bringing you the most advanced 747-400 simulation achievable within reason on todays platforms.The tendency in the Flight Sim addon market is to load press releases and advertising with supurlatives that include the words "Most Realistic" and "Ever." As such I think you will find our marketing for this product to appear a bit under-stated by comparison.Spend some time looking over the presentations that we will be putting together during the coming weeks, and we think you will begin to share our excitement for this innovate and detailed new product.As I've mentioned, this particular update covers only the animation and visual aspects of the Virtual Cockpit. We recognize that many of you will have questions about other aspects of the aircraft, including the external model, 2D cockpit, systems, failures, etc...We will be getting to most all of these in subsequent presentations, so your patience is appreciated.Enough words from me- go take a look at your new office:http://www.precisionmanuals.com(Follow the links from the news item!)

[fly_ebos]

Robert,As I have been the one who has been pushing for information in recent days, let me thank you for giving it to us!And she really looks great :)

[744pilot]

OH MAN THIS IS JUST GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest ahmedem]

That is some mouth watering update, how can could anybody have doubted you guys, you certainly haven't disappointed far from it in fact, this looks like one heck of a special project, amazing guys.I greatly appreciate the update, thank you.

[bigtallman]

SENSATIONAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!One thing though, stop posting pics of a real cockpit and show us the virtual one!!!!:-jumpy All the best and congrats on making a huge leap forward:-wave Richard

[Guest CAL737]

There is no word in the English language that can properly describe my amazement.I have always been a die-hard 2D panel user, at least until now...:) Forget about "pushing the envelop," I think you guys just rewrote the book on Flight Sim!I would say "Keep up the great work PMDG" but then 'great' is too weak of a word.Travis Menard

[Guest BAW843]

Looking very tasty indeed .... :-) Great work Thanks for informing us Robert look forward to seeing the 2D cockpit presentation !!Cheers

[Guest Daniel Pimentel]

Sweet. As long as the results in our systems are as promised (performance-wise), there's no doubt in my mind that this one is going to tear anything else to pieces. :)Daniel P.http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpgMember of SJU Photography. [A HREF=http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?userid=9004]Click Here[/A] to view my aircraft photos at JetPhotos.Net!The official psychotic AA painter. :)

[hseilz747]

OK, these pictures and statements reveal three things:1) PMDG has a whole staff of aerospace engineers working for them in the dark basement of their secret headquarters.2) PMDG has hidden relationships with Microsoft and Boeing and god knows who else. (Have you seen William Boeing lately? ;-))3) PMDG will need to hire several accountants just to deal with all the money they will make with this project.No, seriously... I usually don't comment on preview pictures because I'm always a bit sceptic, BUT THIS IS JUST AMAZING! If it only flies half as good as it looks now, PS1.3 can finally enjoy it's well-deserved retirement.Good luck for the final development phase! And take your time, PMDG! This baby needs to be treated carefully :-hah Holger SeilzBAW0715

[N520AT]

EXCELLENT JOB PMDG!Way to go Mr. R! :D:-eek

[michal]

I went through every single screen and can only say BRAVO!. It is all very subtle, tasteful, done with a light touch - exactly same adjectives come to my mind as in the case of the Rhode Island scenery. Both represent pinnacle of state-of-the-art in their markets. No heavy-handiness that you see in other VCs. However when I read this statement Weighing in at nearly 60% of the polygons used in previous PMDG products it makes me wonder. 60% implies fewer polygons yet when I look at nicely done leather headrests, sheepskins, fine details of pilot's left window's frame, etc. it looks like actually more polygons are at work here. Or is some behind-the-scene optimization responsible for all this magic?Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2

[Guest flight78]

Hi ! what is there to say?? WOW its UNBELIVBLE !! :( :( thank you so much PMDG. Sorry about being pushy in my last post.Take care and good luck with this marvelous aircraft.Best regards: Alexander

[Guest]

She looks amazing. I just purchased your 1900C, which gives me all of your products. Looking forward (counting the days!) til she is released, especially the Freighter. And then the MD-11F!! Thanks! Looking forward to see which repaints will be available for the F on release of the first version as well. edit: one more question. she seems to sit a bit low in the VC. Shouldn't this beast be towering above everything? I'd love a high up view like the RFP model in the VC.

[Lonepilot]

O H M Y D E A R G O D!!! :-yellow1

[Guest Josve]

Oh yes.....looking really great!!Johnny"I'LL BE BACK"[div align=center]http://www.avsim.com/hangar/fly/josve/aat.jpg ][/div