I am confused - I have a subscription to R. Taburet's Mesh server, but I never really know which mesh or landclass to use. The names indicate a region, but then I am confused between the different types available. Hence, a couple of questions:1) What is the difference between Gaia and SRTM mesh?2) What is the difference between landclass and mesh? Mesh is re-arranging textures, landclass is objects, right?3) When there is both a mesh and a landclass for a region , can I use them both at the same time?4) For Switzerland, there is a mesh file called "SRTM_AUSTRIA_SWITZERLAND.zip (137MB)" and another one called "srtm_v2_alps.zip (156MB)" - do they go on top of each other? Or is it "either or"?Thanks for any hints

1) I'm not familiar with Gaia; someone else will have to handle that one.2) Mesh is the topography of the land (i.e., the shape of the mountains, hills, canyons, etc.). Microsoft's mesh uses points relatively far apart (I've heard 2km) to define the mesh, so it's relatively low resolution compared to mesh that uses points every 30-something or every 70-something meters or so. It's like the difference between the shapes you'd get if you laid a dry handkerchief over your face vs. a heavy, wet handkerchief. The wet cloth will conform more closely to the actual contours, while the dry one will still show where your nose and eyes are. Landclass is the collection of patterns used to paint the mesh. For instance, landclass tells the simulator which parts of the terrain are painted to look like forests, which should be farm fields, cities, desert, etc. Objects like 3D buildings are completely separate from mesh and landclass.3) You need both mesh and landclass for any area, but if you install a custom mesh, and do not install a landclass to go with it, you're still okay because the simulator will still use MS's default landclass. And vice versa.4) Looks to me like it's "either/or."

"Objects like 3D buildings are completely separate from mesh and landclass."Not exactly true. Autogen is driven by the underlying landclass texture. Change farmland to city, and Autogen will change, populating the landscape with 3-d buildings where trees and shrub once stood, as an example.-John(Author--Landclass Assistant)

JohnDo you happen to know whether - apart from the commercial Megascenery stuff - anyone has done any good landclass for Long Island?I have Justin's beta stuff for the entire USA installed at present. Not bad at all, but he missed out my swimming pool and the old bike leaning against my neighbour's shed, LOL.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

I haven't seen any, but Long Island should be a breeze to do I'd think. To me, the Florida Landclass Project is still one of the greatest freeware projects to come down the pike...-John

Just to answer your question about the difference between Gaia and STRM. First of all, they are both types of mesh. The difference is the source date from which they have been compiled. In practice Gaia mesh is less detailed than STRM though is slightly more frame rate friendly. Another practical difference is, that because Gaia mesh is less detailed the files are smaller. If you're looking for maximum accuracy I would go for STRM. Gaia mesh is in my opinion good as long as you're not looking to recognise every little hill and dale!

Hi Mozart;1) What is the difference between Gaia and SRTM mesh?Basically the gaia mesh was designed back few years ago when srtm was not yet available - Ofcourse - in today world - srtm terrain is the first choice for areas other than usa - I just left gaia mesh uploaded on mapserver - as a extra choice - but you should go for srtm terrains - and for Canada the cded coverages - or the usgs terrains for usa.2) What is the difference between landclass and mesh? Mesh is re-arranging textures, landclass is objects, right?that has been answered already - but you can always email me if you like further clarifications.4) For Switzerland, there is a mesh file called "SRTM_AUSTRIA_SWITZERLAND.zip (137MB)" and another one called "srtm_v2_alps.zip (156MB)" - do they go on top of each other? Or is it "either or"?yes they do - with the also freeware - srtm_v2_alps.zip - an alpine srtm scenery wich i progress as the void feeling techniques were improving to where are today with much better before from when originally srtm was became available.srtm_v2_alps.zip - can also be used on its own if you prefer - choice is your.ray

Thanks for all the explanations and to you, Ray, for your great site!Cheers