Yet another one of my threads allowing you to spend my money. My new system should be here in a week, but I'm still trying to map out my initial purchases. You would think I'd call it quits after spending nearly 1900$ but nope, FSX out of.the box won't cut it for most of us.

 

The NGX is my first purchase after I've set up the system and sim and completed all of the required tweaking, but I have a few questions as to what I should get next.

 

Orbx or UT? Is there a big difference? The reason I like the idea of ultimate terrain is because it's one big package for one price. Is orbx worth the added costs? I fly all over the states so I would prefer to have landclass over the entire country and not just one region.

 

REX or Flight Environment? Both are great based on my fs9 use, but which do you prefer?

Perhaps the best would be UTX and ORBX Global when it comes out. Supposed to be out first half this year. You could get UTX EU and US for all your vector data and lay ORBX Global textures over it.

I thought ultimate terrain and orbx were the same thing? Aren't theyboth land class files?

I thought ultimate terrain and orbx were the same thing? Aren't theyboth land class files?

No, UTX is vector data like roads, streams, lakes, coast lines and comes with landclass. ORBX Global is the texture replacement that goes on top of it so to speak. ORBX Global will replace your default FSX ground textures like GEX does, but it one package for the whole world, rather than GEX packages that cover continents.

 

ORBX Global is different product than their regional specific products like PNW, AU, CRM, etc.

 

You can use ORBX Global without UTX or lanclass products, with just default FSX, but UTX will enhance it as would stand alone landclass.

There's a reason I've been coming here with my flight sim questions for nearly a decade... You guys are the reason why.

 

Sounds like I'll pick up ultimate terrain and orbx global when it is released.

 

Now, what about sky and cloud textures? Anyone have a preference now that I'll be picking up UT?

Now, what about sky and cloud textures? Anyone have a preference now that I'll be picking up UT?

Before you go buying REX or FEX, if you like Ed's (edetroit's) screen shots and videos, try the remastered Pablo Diaz HDEv2 FSX freeware set. It's not available here but can be found via google search on another flight sim site. Its two packages, one for the clouds that work in both FSX and FS9 and another download for the remastered sky textures that are FSX only. What ever you do, dont try to use the FS9 sky textures in FSX, not compatible and will crash your sim.

 

I own REX and think the HDEv2 is still the most realistic looking sky available and its free. Just make sure to use the DXT clouds and not the 32bit ones to save FPS and RAM.

Before you go buying REX or FEX, if you like Ed's (edetroit's) screen shots and videos, try the remastered Pablo Diaz HDEv2 FSX freeware set. It's not available here but can be found via google search on another flight sim site. Its two packages, one for the clouds that work in both FSX and FS9 and another download for the remastered sky textures that are FSX only. What ever you do, dont try to use the FS9 sky textures in FSX, not compatible and will crash your sim.

 

I own REX and think the HDEv2 is still the most realistic looking sky available and its free. Just make sure to use the DXT clouds and not the 32bit ones to save FPS and RAM.

Jim, thanks for that. I'll definitely give it a whirl.

Another vote here for the Pablo Diaz HDEv2 package.  By far the most realistic (meaning subtle, natural, looks like what I see out my window) skies I've seen in FSX.

I echo what Jim and Alan say about HDEv2. I own FEX and REX and could have a saved myself a $100 bucks if I had know about the freeware FSX version HDEv2, although I do use the REX Sparkling water set in the DXT version

 

You can find the downloads here for the HDEv2 downloads: http://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=hde+

 

The top download is for the FSX version of the sky set and the 2nd package is the cloud set. As Jim mentioned use the FSX version for the sky as the sky set in the second package is for FS9 only and wont work in FSX. The clouds however will work in both sims.

Since it looks like I'll be passing on the payware, do you guys have some water textures that I should pick up as well?

Since it looks like I'll be passing on the payware, do you guys have some water textures that I should pick up as well?

 

 

That's a good question and I haven't even look for any.

 

However if you are flying in DX9 mode and not using the DX10 Preview I would also highly recommend another freeware gem called FS Water Configurator, link here: http://www.strikingsoftware.com/fswc.shtml

 

It allows you to tweak the water shaders and get rid of the horrible milky white water at night when the moon is out, as well as control the reflects of the sun off the water. There are a bunch of presets to try as well if you dont want to tweak the slider settings yourself. After weeks of fiddling with it I found the preset called Orion's Favorite or something to that effect of Orion's something or other, to work the best and give a great looking set of reflects of both the sun and moon at night. You can also use it with the ENB mod as well, just not DX10 Preview.

 

Using this will help you tweak the default water, plus UTX has some water settings in it as well.

Try FSX Water Configurator, a small freeware utility. It does not add any textures, but it provides easy access to the water settings, mainly the reflections, and also comes with a few preset themes. Very useful IMHO.

 

EDIT: Beaten to it.

Edited April 10, 201313 yr by OE-LAT

Will give it a shot.

 

Thanks guys.

I was a REX user for many years but ever since buying AS2012 sp2 last week, REX is in the recycle bin :lol:  AS2012 is so much better on fps and their weather module is amazing!

I am going to try HDEv2 as I am currently using REX textures... I have progressed from FEX on up to REX.  Looking at the screenshots it seems like an amazing set.  I still like the extra options in REX, but for the sky and clouds, HDEv2 looks like a very complimentary set.

 

I also use JSGM mod enabler for installing sets like these (backs up your files and you can easily enable and disable).... I used it when installing Adam Mills EU tile set (which I highly recommend and saved me from having to purchase GEX Europe).

 

JSGM Mod Enabler:  http://www.gamefront.com/files/21681483