Hi all.A warning about using the California Mesh by John Wardle, recently uploaded to the AVSIM Library:This mesh will destroy ( flatten ) some areas of your sim's terrain. It also contains serious spikes and pits, as can be confirmed by using TMFViewer.I have not checked his other mesh uploads, but I suspect they are also poor in quality.It's really hard to understand why this author would upload this. Justin Tyme has uploaded a far superior mesh set for the western US, that does not suffer from these problems ( based on the better NED data set ). Justin has also taken the effort to correct anomalies as he is made aware of them.I seriously doubt Mr. Wardle has the ability to correct his mesh... if he had taken the time to check it with TMFViewer, he would have never released it in this condition.Meshes made with SRTM2BGL are generally an indication that the provider of that mesh has no understanding of the mesh creation process, and does not have the software needed to correct the flaws the raw SRTM data contains. The US has a vastly superior elevation source called the NED, that has corrected almost all elevation problems. That should be used for 1 arc second mesh for the US.The rest of the world can make good use of the 3 arc second SRTM data, but that data will require manipulation with GIS programs to clean and filter the raw data in order to produce trouble-free mesh. I suspect a great deal of this in NOT being done with meshes being uploaded to AVSIM and other Libraries.Over 200 persons have already uploaded the California mesh, and they will have problems. Those problems will only be fixed by removing the mesh from their computers.I don't know John Wardle. I have no animosity towards him. But his mesh will cause problems with other people's sim's, and the responsible thing for him to do would be to withdraw his meshes from the Library, until he his able to fix the anomalies.Dick

And this is the reason I'm sticking with Justin's FSGenesis mesh. We often see newcomers who throw out mesh with statements that it's not that hard to create. Then within a few weeks, they tend to become bored, don't finish the additional mesh they promised; let alone "all" the anomalies....................of which there are many!FSGenesis is in fact "cheap" payware with several freeware offerings such as the Western United States & the Rocky Mountain region. But the "many years" of support, makes it very well worth it!L.Adamson

Thanks for the heads up Dick, I too stick with designers I know and know what to expect. Seems that the more people that get into FS, the more that they want to have their 15 minutes of fame as a designer and we get all kinds of files that in my opinion are irrelevant and redundant. Uploads of faulty mesh, corrupted EXE files, files that belong to someone else hacked and uploaded by others, lots and lots of redundant files, including repaints, etc. Guess that is to be expected, wish there was a stricter scan process of uploaded files, but as they are volunteers, guess that is not an option. Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/PBTMCa.jpgCalVirAir International VACougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviation[link:www.cgrmtnhelos.com]Cougar Mountain Helicopters

Hi Michael.I don't relish the idea of being the "mesh police". In fact, I almost let this go without comment. But, if scenery actually hurts someone's sim, it should be pointed out.Scenery/terrain design is becoming MORE complex, as the sim itself becomes more complex. And the design tools needed to cope with this, and the attendant skill level required is rising. We could use more accurate mesh, landclass, roads, streams, lakes and coasts. While designing this, the first rule has to be as Hippocrates stated:First, do no harm.Dick

Hi Dick"Scenery/terrain design is becoming MORE complex, as the sim itself becomes more complex. And the design tools needed to cope with this, and the attendant skill level required is rising."How true. But at the same time it's become easier to create faulty mesh. After another recent experience I've learned to stick with the small group of mesh and scenery designers who get it right. You are hereby appointed Chief of the Mesh PoliceDavid