Real or surreal (the pros and cons of photographic scenery)

[Jimmy Angel 19]

I've been considering purchasing the Pacific Northwest Megascenery if it ever gets released (since it covers the area where I live), but I'm not sure if I really like flying around the satellite scenery. It just feels too much like you are flying over a photograph sometimes (I own the Southern California version). Also, the load times are a bit of a killer, and texture loading during flight can be problematic.For me, the default scenery with a few enhancements is more immersive, and the autogen gives a good sense of reality and speed at low altitude.With add-ons like the upcoming FSGenesis "Roads, Streams, Rails, Utilities", the default scenery gets overlaid with accurate VFR references. I also use the FSGenesis landclass, which gives me a pretty good representation of the urban sprawl in my flying areas.Add-on's like Holger's "US North Cascades Mountains and Northwest Washington Coast" provide accurate coastlines, lakes, rivers, streams, roads, railroads, and power lines over a small area. I understand that Holger is also working with FSGenesis now, and I'm hoping that they are going to be releasing accurate coastline data for large areas, since it makes a big difference. I have a hard time looking at those simple, pointy default coastlines after flying around Holger's scenery and the payware Orcas Island.So, I guess I prefer the surreal over the real.However ... that said, I keep looking at the screenshots of the England VFR scenery and it looks really good. If they ever come out with Ireland I'd probably buy it.

[Jimmy Angel 19]

Minor correction to my post above ... Holger is working on a project for FSAddon, not FSGenesis ... I can't wait to see what he's been doing, as his scenery for the North Cascades is the best thing since sliced bread.

[MartijnPleines 0]

I agree with you, Jimmy.It's just like you say, unless the photographic scenery has been enhanced with matching autogen as well, it's like flying over well, a photograph. It does get better as you get higher, but if you prefer to go low and slow, I think the landclass tiling/autogen combo gives a better feel for height and speed, and any repetitive patterns are less noticable when you are low.Best,Martijn

[Guest jennifer]

I too agree with Jimmy. In addition to his points, I would also miss night lighting and seasonal textures. With the kind of addons he mentions and the default textures I certainly find it immersive. Incidenatally, for those who do like photoreal textures, I think the Visualflight textures for England are hard to beat. Just one other thing. I just bought VFR terrain from 'Visualflight'which is a combination of very detailed mesh (the most detailed available for MSFS) *and* accurate coastlines (for England), so accurate in fact, that it picks out harbours, piers and the like. In my view this really is a breathtaking addition.....as long as you fly over England though! best wishes

[oqvist 11]

Yeah the only benefit of Photorealistic scenery is the higher frame rate really. But then if you go to fast it start to blur instead. But I found landclasses to be pretty repetitive at areas and that photorealistic scenery usually helps against. Though I do preferr landclasses and autogen instead.