Long thread. But am I the only one who is unimpressed by the screenshots? Or maybe I'm just not excited about a texture addon. (Is it more than textures?)

 

It goes without saying that Orbx PNW was a revolutionary product, but this addon seems much more "lite."

Agreed Ryan. Some of the shots in the ORBX forum look great, but they are just that, images used to sell the product, so advertising and not typical of what some users will actually see.. Personally while I can see them getting lots of sales from ORBX enthusiasts, it might make users think less about getting new regions or airports since the change between the regions and default will be less noticeable.

 

Considering the new tiles have realigned autogen, that will make it better than the default depending on each individuals settings.

poor freeware scenery developers now have to match any photoreal base they have to ORBX dark textures and/or default.

I agree - based on comments here, I think many are setting themselves up for disappointment. The funny thing is, in numerous articles on the Orbx site, there have been good explanations of what the product is and isn't, including warnings that this won't make the whole world an Orbx region. And yet...

 

I think most people is starting to understand what this product does and does not...Atleast I am so I won't be dissapointed.

 

Yes we all know that out of the box FTX global isn't gonna change much except getting better and more correct textures, denser autogen and night lightning for the whole world.

But, this will be a tool where you actually can handcraft you own "FTX region" with adding landclass, mesh coastlines etc where available(that will tell Global to put the textures in the correct Place according to the real world if the landclass data is good).

And some places in the world have very good landclass alternatives e.g Norway freeware landclass addons(wich by the way is more accurate than UTX, about 95% accurecy on mesh and lanclass data versus the real world). So with this product Norway would come very close to what  an FTX region would look like(except the photoreal content that sometimes comes With these regions)....

 

If people can't see the value in this, then Im sorry, your loss. But for me this takes FSX to the next level.

Shouldn't Orbx have come out with FTX Global 7 years ago? It seems like it's trying to close the barn door after the horses went to the glue factory .

 

Maybe it's their last kick at the can trying to milk money out of FSX sceneries.

Yes we all know that out of the box FTX global isn't gonna change much except getting better and more correct textures, denser autogen and night lightning for the whole world.

 

That last point regarding night lighting for the whole world may be a bit premature. From the Orbx forum:

 

Lights look amazing! No traffic lights or anything?

John Venema: Yes there are traffic lights at some intersections in EU cities and more to come, perhaps we will add much more light density and traffic lights in a post-release patch once we have significant customer feedback.

 

Since I fly mainly in NA and enjoy dusk and night flying, this is something I'm going to be watching to see what comes out.

 

Kaboki - As you seem to be quite knowledgeable regarding FTX Global - Since the lighting is supposed to be close to zero impact on FPS, Can I run UTX intersection traffic lights in conjunction for even more light density?

I was originally planning on getting FTX Global for FSX until I saw this video…

 

http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/topic/59546-ftx-global-90-second-video-over-phoenix-arizona/

 

I was always under the impression that Orbx scenery was 3D (like X-plane 10), having no flat painted buildings. This video (at 0:50) shows what looks like painted rooftops, buildings etc.

 

While the FTX Global scenery does look better than FSX default and GEX (which I own for NA and Tropics), I do not see that much of an improvement for “me” to buy it right away, especially if there are still flat painted buildings etc.

 

As they make improvements to FTX Global, I will most likely get it at some point in the future or when I eventually move to P3D V2 (if applicable).

Shouldn't Orbx have come out with FTX Global 7 years ago? It seems like it's trying to close the barn door after the horses went to the glue factory .

 

Maybe it's their last kick at the can trying to milk money out of FSX sceneries.

 

The regions are still under development so I can't see what has changed except that we get a new cool product to play with.

 

Seems like people think there always has to be an agenda behind everything this "big evil" company Orbx is doing...

 

But yes, FTX Global in a businuess perspective can turn out too be a very good milking cow for Orbx with DLC's constantly added to make the product better, but this will also benefit other scenery designers as most other addons will fit into Global...

e.g Flight1 has atleast gotten me as a new customer because I wanna enhance the lanclass preparing for FTX Global. In the end it will benefit us as cutomers too because we can make FSX look better..

So for me this looks like a win win situation for all parts...And what's is the bad thing about making good bizniss B)

 

 

Kaboki - As you seem to be quite knowledgeable regarding FTX Global - Since the lighting is supposed to be close to zero impact on FPS, Can I run UTX intersection traffic lights in conjunction for even more light density?

 

:lol: Im far from being an "expert" on FTX Global, just reffering to what has been advertised so far and what Orbx has explained about this product on their forums. Sorry I can't answer you on that.

 

Maybe you people with all these questions could go over to the Orbx forum and ask there, that would take some strain off my shoulders having to repeat myself over and over again and use all my spare time helping out with all these questions...

 

Man, they need to start paying me soon :lol:

 

 

I was always under the impression that Orbx scenery was 3D (like X-plane 10), having no flat painted buildings. This video (at 0:50) shows what looks like painted rooftops, buildings etc.

 

From what i can see in that video it looks just like it suppose to be, I can't see anything wrong, I see alot of 3D buildings very densely placed just like with any other Orbx region....

One question: Does FTX Global include accurate elevation mesh, or should I keep my FS Genesis mesh?

 

No mesh will be included, so keep your FS Genesis.

Thanks!

Here's the latest update about Bodø(unfortunatly no more freeware(?), but still);

https://www.facebook.com/BodoScenery

 

"As you know I have had problems with mesh, which is crucial for realism in the Bodø scenery. I have recently become an Orbx Developer, and therefore I consider to release it through Orbx, as they have the tools, libraries and expertise needed to get it done. Nothing is certain yet, but I can say that there will be no public beta or release date. Sorry to those who have been waiting for the beta.

Regards Tore Stranden"

 

FTX Global is going to be amazing. I also have all the Norwayspecific freeware, and it is simply put fantastic. Biggest problem is ie when taking off from ENBR, Bergen look like...well, a few houses here and there, but it looks nothing like Bergen should look like or even resemble Bergen. I don't expect FTX to make Bergen photoreal, but I do believe it will enhance the scenery greatly and make it much more enjoyable, at least for those of us flying in Norway:-)

I was originally planning on getting FTX Global for FSX until I saw this video…

 

http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/topic/59546-ftx-global-90-second-video-over-phoenix-arizona/

 

I was always under the impression that Orbx scenery was 3D (like X-plane 10), having no flat painted buildings. This video (at 0:50) shows what looks like painted rooftops, buildings etc.

 

While the FTX Global scenery does look better than FSX default and GEX (which I own for NA and Tropics), I do not see that much of an improvement for “me” to buy it right away, especially if there are still flat painted buildings etc.

 

As they make improvements to FTX Global, I will most likely get it at some point in the future or when I eventually move to P3D V2 (if applicable).

I fly KPHX default all the time. That looks 10 times better. it looks like it has more of PHX as well...not just 1994 like the default scenery has.

Why do that? FTX Global will actually enhance all those other scenerys you have. Lately I have been enhancing my FSX world with all kinds of scenerys from other devs just to be ready for FTX Global and have more correct, coastlines, mesh, landclass as FTX Global is just textures and you would need good lanclass to tell Global where to put them. You can even use photoreal sceneries in areas where you have that as they will just place themselfes ontop of FTX GLobal..

 

Only thing you'll have to remove is GEX obviously..

Good to know - thanks!

New Release Date 15.7.13 for FTXG checkout FTX forum full page update on proceedings.

I was thinking about keeping FSX default until FTXG comes out but now its delayed, should I install GEX till its out? Will there be any problem if I return to default textures with the backup?

"As you know I have had problems with mesh, which is crucial for realism in the Bodø scenery. I have recently become an Orbx Developer, and therefore I consider to release it through Orbx, as they have the tools, libraries and expertise needed to get it done. Nothing is certain yet, but I can say that there will be no public beta or release date. Sorry to those who have been waiting for the beta.

 

Regards Tore Stranden"

 

Great news actually, I think this will make the scenery even better and maybe speed up things as he now gets paid for doing it. And I actually tought It was to much to give away for free anyway. B) He has also started working on ENNK Narvik for FTX Global and FTX Norway region when it gets released..

I reccomend everyone to go to Orbx and read the latest news about FTX Global there you all will find answers to most of your concerns about FTX Global and clear up alot of questions about compitability and stuff http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/portal/

 

They say that most addons from other devs will work with FTX Global but not everything so beware about that before purchasing....

Could also be a good idea for those with buttloads of scenerys from other devs to wait until other users have reported back what works an what will not work.

 

I personally own most scenery addons that has been released for FSX to this date so I'll be happy to report back what sceneries will cause issues.. I can be your guinea pig as Im not afraid to dive into the unknown :lol:

 

Cheers

I reccomend everyone to go to Orbx and read the latest news about FTX Global there you all will find answers to most of your concerns about FTX Global and clear up alot of questions about compitability and stuff http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/portal/

 

THANK YOU for the link! This post cleared up so many questions marks I had about Global and FTX regions.