This was discussed a while back, but I thought with the recent string of beta releases, it deserves another look. I haven't been able to do any flying in quite some time due to work and home obligations, but I've been able to find some time recently. It was after leveling off at FL330 in CAVOK conditions that the issue was brought into sharp relief.

 

I searched the web looking for updated info on this issue, and there hasn't been any mention of it outside of the past discussions on it. So, I thought I'd bring it up again, and ask where this issue ranks in the "stuff to address" priority.

 

In the previous discussion, I saw a lot of... well, with all due respect, denial from fellow X-Planers that there was an issue. It was brought up several times that the sim has a 100 nm view distance. From my own recent flights, I can unequivocally say that this simply isn't reflected in the sim. As it was used as an example before, and as it is something I am extremely familiar with, I will use Mt. Rainier as an example. I live south of Tacoma, about 40 miles from the mountain, and can see it every time the treeline opens up and it's not overcast. I work near Boeing Field in Tukwila, just north of Sea-Tac, which is about 75 miles from the mountain. Again, on clear days and with an unobstructed view, there sits the mountain looming over the horizon.

 

Here is a shot from KBFI in real life:

 

Half-way down the right side, there's a large split-level building. That's where I work. In fact, in the Boeing Country scenery package for X-Plane, I can position myself at the very door I enter and exit every day, which has a clear shot of the top of the mountain over another building. Here's the view from that position in X-Plane 10. I've drawn a rough outline of where it should be.

 

 

And finally, the view from altitude. I don't know exactly how high this shot is, as I'm using the free camera, but it's a reasonable guess at a lower level cruise altitude.

 

 

You'll notice the grey void in the background. You will also notice in both shots that visual details are down to a minimum. I did this to have the maximum frame rate I could to avoid an automatic "fog in" that happens when the frames drop beyond a certain level.

 

The point of all these pictures is to make the unambiguous case that despite the 100 nm CAVOK visibility setting in the weather screens, and despite past claims, there is a clear delineation point where scenery simply will not load in beyond a certain point. Which brings me back to the question: Is this being worked on, and is it something that can be fixed in version 10?

 

I love X-Plane. I'm not bashing it or in any way defaming the game or Laminar. I'm simply curious as to whether or not this is something that will be going away in this version cycle.

 

Thanks!

This was discussed a while back, but I thought with the recent string of beta releases, it deserves another look. I haven't been able to do any flying in quite some time due to work and home obligations, but I've been able to find some time recently. It was after leveling off at FL330 in CAVOK conditions that the issue was brought into sharp relief.

 

I searched the web looking for updated info on this issue, and there hasn't been any mention of it outside of the past discussions on it. So, I thought I'd bring it up again, and ask where this issue ranks in the "stuff to address" priority.

 

In the previous discussion, I saw a lot of... well, with all due respect, denial from fellow X-Planers that there was an issue. It was brought up several times that the sim has a 100 nm view distance. From my own recent flights, I can unequivocally say that this simply isn't reflected in the sim. As it was used as an example before, and as it is something I am extremely familiar with, I will use Mt. Rainier as an example. I live south of Tacoma, about 40 miles from the mountain, and can see it every time the treeline opens up and it's not overcast. I work near Boeing Field in Tukwila, just north of Sea-Tac, which is about 75 miles from the mountain. Again, on clear days and with an unobstructed view, there sits the mountain looming over the horizon.

 

Here is a shot from KBFI in real life:

 

Half-way down the right side, there's a large split-level building. That's where I work. In fact, in the Boeing Country scenery package for X-Plane, I can position myself at the very door I enter and exit every day, which has a clear shot of the top of the mountain over another building. Here's the view from that position in X-Plane 10. I've drawn a rough outline of where it should be.

 

 

And finally, the view from altitude. I don't know exactly how high this shot is, as I'm using the free camera, but it's a reasonable guess at a lower level cruise altitude.

 

 

You'll notice the grey void in the background. You will also notice in both shots that visual details are down to a minimum. I did this to have the maximum frame rate I could to avoid an automatic "fog in" that happens when the frames drop beyond a certain level.

 

The point of all these pictures is to make the unambiguous case that despite the 100 nm CAVOK visibility setting in the weather screens, and despite past claims, there is a clear delineation point where scenery simply will not load in beyond a certain point. Which brings me back to the question: Is this being worked on, and is it something that can be fixed in version 10?

 

I love X-Plane. I'm not bashing it or in any way defaming the game or Laminar. I'm simply curious as to whether or not this is something that will be going away in this version cycle.

 

Thanks!

 

They have some Idias when they go 64bit!

Yes, this is something that always "irritated" me in x-plane, and that "hallo effect", but after all the positive aspects outperform some of the limitations...

Yes, this is something that always "irritated" me in x-plane, but after all the positive aspects outperform some of the limitations...

 

Oh, I agree. Mountain flying and GA in general in X-Plane are a treat. It's just when I get the urge to fly the big iron that this comes into play. Especially now as I'm anticipating that Ramzess 777 coming soon.

I don't have 10 yet. But isn't there a [3D Bump Map] option that has to be selected to increase distant topography out to 100 miles?

You have to enable "3D Bump Maps" from options.

Interesting.

 

 

Did not know this.

Man is that 747 really gonna try to take off from that tiny runway?

Man is that 747 really gonna try to take off from that tiny runway?

I just started X-Plane in KBFI with the 747 and it was automatically positioned in that runway.

Oh OK! I thought is was the X-Plane default AI!

I've got to be missing something, then. Below is a shot similar to Velin's. All details turned down to maximize frame rate, with the exception of the world detail distance (very high), and 3d bump maps.

 

 

If it's me and not the sim, anyone have any idea what else could be causing this?

I've got to be missing something, then. Below is a shot similar to Velin's. All details turned down to maximize frame rate, with the exception of the world detail distance (very high), and 3d bump maps.

 

 

If it's me and not the sim, anyone have any idea what else could be causing this?

Try setting 100nm visibility in the weather options.

Try setting 100nm visibility in the weather options.

 

That was also set. The slider was all the way to the right.

Maybe atmospheric scattering and HDR only allow this to happen? I need to open the sim and check...I could be wrong, but his screenshot does look like the atmospheric scattering is enabled.

Maybe atmospheric scattering and HDR only allow this to happen? I need to open the sim and check...I could be wrong, but his screenshot does look like the atmospheric scattering is enabled.

I have HDR and atmospheric scattering enabled.