So here I am, re-building my computer with Win 7 64-bit and then re-installing FSX aand all of the associated goodies. And I am admitting to having some crash problems with same. And then along comes someone claiming Prepar3d is the next Flight Sim. Try as I might, all of my investigations to date do not show any flight sim in Prepar3d.

 

Granted, it is a graphics simulation:

 

Prepar3D (pronounced “prepared”) is a visual simulation platform that allows users to create training scenarios across aviation, maritime and ground domains. Users can train anywhere in the virtual world, from underwater to sub orbital space. Prepar3D furthers the development of Microsoft® ESP™ while maintaining compatibility with Microsoft Flight Simulator X, allowing many thousands of add-ons to be used within Prepar3D.

 

So how does Prepar3d run like FSX? When I start up FSX, I get the title screen, choices on what to do, aircraft to fly, scenery, etc. And then I pick "Go Fly!" and fly! Just how do you run Prepar3d to "simulate" FSX? And what about the cost? Geez! The cheapest price is $199 for the main software, and then it seems like you need the Model Converter and Model Placer in order to import any FSX stuff into Prepar3d.

 

What I'm trying to say is why is Prepar3d being touted as the next Flight Sim? Please, someone, clue me in. FSX is working quite fine for me, and I have friends who are still running FS 9 and loving it.

I'll try to explain.

 

P3D is a further development of ESP, basically a basecode for FSX. It is the graphics engine including aircraft modelling, dynamics etc.Minus what you already said: no startup screen. LM have already said that P3D was never there to replace FSX, but rather for LM trainings and anyone wanting to use it commercially. There is an academic license, which doesn't cost $200. You can use that as well.

 

As for the aspect of simulation:

- There is a 3rd party startup application.Link.

- Developers are directly developing for P3D in parallel (FSDT, Aerosoft, HifiSim, REX, just a few exception that don't...)

 

And it really runs more stable, and is in continuous development with V2 knocking on the door in some time bringing us new DX11 graphics and 64bit engine.

 

So, what is in your opinion not good here?

What I'm trying to say is why is Prepar3d being touted as the next Flight Sim? Please, someone, clue me in. FSX is working quite fine for me, and I have friends who are still running FS 9 and loving it.

 

Prepar3D is meant for professional users, like flying schools, airlines and the military and is not a replacement for FSX. It just happens to share much of the same code, since Prepar3D is a continuation of Microsoft ESP (the professional version of FSX).

Simmerhead: I most certainly do not want to restart the arid and pointless war of words over Prepar3D so let me say this:

 

Many former users of FSX and many that still run dual setups have also installed P3D. It is the base code of FSX known as ESP which is subject to continuous further development. At the moment it can be characterised as FSX on vitamins, but the foreshadowed v2.0 will be FSX on steroids.

 

Like Word Not Allowed I am delighted with it and have no problem with its terms of use. If you agree with Simmerhead then don't use it, or if you are totally satisfied with FSX then stay with it. I am delighted that I changed and now run P3D exclusively.

Simmerhead: I most certainly do not want to restart the arid and pointless war of words over Prepar3D so let me say this:

 

Many former users of FSX and many that still run dual setups have also installed P3D. It is the base code of FSX known as ESP which is subject to continuous further development. At the moment it can be characterised as FSX on vitamins, but the foreshadowed v2.0 will be FSX on steroids.

 

Like Word Not Allowed I am delighted with it and have no problem with its terms of use. If you agree with Simmerhead then don't use it, or if you are totally satisfied with FSX then stay with it. I am delighted that I changed and now run P3D exclusively.

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone. I want to know why someone would convert to P3D, and how. If I have a database that works, I probably won't be installing a SQL program, so if I have FSX and wanted to reap the benefits of P3D, how would I go about doing so? What P3D software does one need, and how do I run my FSX aircraft and add-ons within P3D?

 

I just returned to flight simming after a few years out of the loop, and started seeing talk of P3D, but when I investigated, all I found was programming software. Now I want to know how I would use it to increase my sim experience. Are there any other forums out there that specifically speak to "running" P3D as an upgrade to FSX?

To answer your questions, as stated above, the LM team are actively improving upon the code of ESP/FSX while FSX is stuck back in 2006 and will never change. While visually you may see little changes at present, it is what's under the hood that is being improved to meet today's standards. Already, simmers report improvement in smoothness, sharpness, stutters, color and I can personally vouch for improved performance if you use multiple GPUs and multiple displays for Nvidia Surround.

 

And that is why many (like myself), are claiming this to be "unofficially", FSNext. You can port over many of your FSX add-ons in P3D which is also why the claim. Similar to FSX but a different sim setup entirely. It is not an "upgrade" you add to FSX. Go to LM P3D site to investigate further:

 

http://www.prepar3d.com/

 

As you say, if you are content with your FSX setup, by all means stay there. Many do the same with FS2004 as well.

 

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone. I want to know why someone would convert to P3D, and how. If I have a database that works, I probably won't be installing a SQL program, so if I have FSX and wanted to reap the benefits of P3D, how would I go about doing so? What P3D software does one need, and how do I run my FSX aircraft and add-ons within P3D?

 

You have to think of the two as two different sims, but they are very much the same and can be installed on your computer at the same time with no conflicts. Most FSX addons can be used with P3D, but the more complex ones might have to be ported over manually if they don't have a dedicated P3D installer. P3D is like FSX with SP3. More stable and tailored towards networked use. Also you'll find less default aircraft in P3D, and no missions/game elements.

 

Simmerhead: I most certainly do not want to restart the arid and pointless war of words over Prepar3D so let me say this:

 

Many former users of FSX and many that still run dual setups have also installed P3D. It is the base code of FSX known as ESP which is subject to continuous further development. At the moment it can be characterised as FSX on vitamins, but the foreshadowed v2.0 will be FSX on steroids.

 

Like Word Not Allowed I am delighted with it and have no problem with its terms of use. If you agree with Simmerhead then don't use it, or if you are totally satisfied with FSX then stay with it. I am delighted that I changed and now run P3D exclusively.

 

So why did you start a pointless war of words Ian?

 

Don't use it? Where have I stated that it shouldn't be used? All I am saying is that P3D is a software tailored for professional/commercial (like ESP) use unlike FSX which is a game. Simple conclusion: If you want the most realistic and professional simulator experience, go with P3D. If you just want to have fun FSX is the way to go as it has more gameplay variety. I'm a happy P3D user, but use many other flight sims as well. Different horses for different courses.

GPBarth.. I think you're confused. P3D = Lockheed Martin's "Prepar3d" - www.prepar3d.com

 

NOT the programming stuff you see when you google "P3D".

 

It is basically FSX, same structure, same folders for the most part. Just is MUCH more stable, all the little bugs FSX had are being worked on actively. FSX is going nowhere since there is no more support for it.

 

All you need is the FSX2P3D (FSX to Prepar3D) migration tool to install your aircraft and sceneries into p3d. For me I simply have most of my add-on sceneries in a standalone folder, and I was able to just add them to the library within P3D.

I think everyone's polite replies here are confusing for a newbie.

 

Prepar3D is FSX on steroids. If you load it up you immediately realise you are in an improved FSX environment that works very much as you would expect a small upgrade to your existing FSX (though under the hood it is much more than this). Thus, it is very familar and an easy upgrade. You do not need anything else (Model Converter whatever) to make it work immediately.

 

Ignore - for your flying pleasure - most of the quasi-theological deabte about what it is, what the licence entails and just fly in a much improved but evolutionary FSX sim! Then when you want to get the maximum out of what is a better underlying flightsim then come back here to use these pages to guide you on how to install your add-ins, expansions, hardware, tweaks etc.

 

You can try it for a one month non-recurring US$9.95 - which has to be good value. Install it and make your own decision. I suspect you will not regret it.

I think everyone's polite replies here are confusing for a newbie.

 

Prepar3D is FSX on steroids. If you load it up you immediately realise you are in an improved FSX environment that works very much as you would expect a small upgrade to your existing FSX (though under the hood it is much more than this). Thus, it is very familar and an easy upgrade. You do not need anything else (Model Converter whatever) to make it work immediately.

 

Ignore - for your flying pleasure - most of the quasi-theological deabte about what it is, what the licence entails and just fly in a much improved but evolutionary FSX sim! Then when you want to get the maximum out of what is a better underlying flightsim then come back here to use these pages to guide you on how to install your add-ins, expansions, hardware, tweaks etc.

 

You can try it for a one month non-recurring US$9.95 - which has to be good value. Install it and make your own decision. I suspect you will not regret it.

Ost, you have been the first one to explain what I was looking for. I looked at the Lockheed site, and truthfully could find nothing about running P3D as a flight sim. Lots of stuff about "professional systems" and programming (Gee! Now you can simulate the space shuttle - from under the sea to deep space!).

 

So I can install P3D, port over my FSX stuff, and run it as a flight simulator, and it works a lot better than FSX. I like that for one big reason - I bought FSX when it first came out, and to get it to work when I resumed simming (after a few years of neglect), I had to update it several times, and in the process learned that MS had "walked away" from flight sims, and FSX was about all I could expect.

 

BUT - I stumbled across P3D, and found out it is a continually-evolving program, not neglected. And that it runs better than FSX. When I investigated further, I hit the brick wall of no good information. So it is indeed worth $200 to me (in the end), if P3D will keep me flying long after MS has "left the building." Thank you for making it simple for this old man (I turned 66 on Sunday. the 11th), who can still fly a mean A2A P-51!

Just remeber that those $200 won't include the 2.0 upgrade if and when it comes. The 2.0 version will probably be an even more stable software platform able to utilizie current computer much better.

Ost, you have been the first one to explain what I was looking for. I looked at the Lockheed site, and truthfully could find nothing about running P3D as a flight sim. Lots of stuff about "professional systems" and programming (Gee! Now you can simulate the space shuttle - from under the sea to deep space!).

 

So I can install P3D, port over my FSX stuff, and run it as a flight simulator, and it works a lot better than FSX. I like that for one big reason - I bought FSX when it first came out, and to get it to work when I resumed simming (after a few years of neglect), I had to update it several times, and in the process learned that MS had "walked away" from flight sims, and FSX was about all I could expect.

 

BUT - I stumbled across P3D, and found out it is a continually-evolving program, not neglected. And that it runs better than FSX. When I investigated further, I hit the brick wall of no good information. So it is indeed worth $200 to me (in the end), if P3D will keep me flying long after MS has "left the building." Thank you for making it simple for this old man (I turned 66 on Sunday. the 11th), who can still fly a mean A2A P-51!

 

I am pretty certain you can just buy the academic license which is only $50. There's no "proof" that's necessary to prove you are just using it at home to learn on your own. If you do plan on selling simulator sessions then yeah, you need the $200 license.

GPBarth,

 

As Ivan suggested, go for the Academic version unless you wish to do some development of code or add ons in P3D. A strong suggestion for the porting over of your FSX add ons seamlessly, look at the tools P3D offers in their website and also the fantastic Flight Sim Estonia migrator.

 

Like I posted in another thread, I am enjoying stability like I never had before in a flight sim, sharper graphics, much better framerates. A true joy.

Can WOAI be installed to Prepar3D?

Yes - the file system is the same pretty much. I have UT2 installed to prepar3d.