After landing at 'who-knows-where' in Northern Germany a few moments ago ( I'm going to get a map!), I wanted to put down in this post what I feel really makes this simulator platform so special, at least for this poster:

 

Where to start off...well...ok....the 'little' things of detail that is inherent in the sim.

 

1. Roadways, bridgework, that do not collide with each other in the matrix.  If a regional or local road is crossing the path of a highway or interstate, it goes under the highway or interstate, by means of a concrete structured bridge. If cars, buses, trucks, emergency vehicles etc (all there in XPX) are on that roadway approaching the overpass..they travel under it...and then past it, naturally as in real life. They don't travel through the other object, or merely disappear into thin air. This is not dependent also on altitude. This behavior is seen as long as they are visible to your view.  Trains that travel down the railway lines...including freight and passenger formats. In Germany tonight, I was following the Rhine in a northerly direction and to my surprise, a train exited a train tunnel mountainside and progressed over the railway bridge to the other shore. Vehicles that travel at the 'right' speed for the roadway.  Headlights that work, taillights that illuminate. Intersections that are controlled by actual traffic lights that GO RED OR GREEN as required.  Speeding police and other emergency vehicles along the roadway where observed

 

2. Forests:  In flying over a German mountain range near the banks of the Rhine River, I noticed that each and every tree had a proper shadow upon the ground. Not merely 'representations' of a shadow..but a shape that closely was the tree form that was casting it. Such details as these, was adding to my 'this is real' factor in flying over and observing. Also, in that forest, there were trees of different heights, different shapes, perhaps different species. Again...mimicking the real world. Again...allowing you to enjoy the moment..and fly on...

 

3. As mentioned, there is no other simulator produced that will give you spectral and real world observation of light, shadow, and ray direction, as XPX does. None.  If you have HDR as 'on', you will see a living, moving and 'breathing' cockpit, as not only will light move and highlight a surface within the cockpit and for that matter, the entire interior, but that it even affects thrown 'long shadow' of  EACH KNOB, DIAL,THROTTLE quadrant, each seat, window,table, light fixture...within the cabin...that AGAIN, adds to the fact that this is real...that the ambient light and source is real...and you fly on and on....

 

4. Water bodies. What can I say?  This simulator gives the most true-to-life treatment of how light and depth play out in the real world.  As I flew over the Rhine River tonight, the river run, changed hues of blue, surface ripples became more or less pronounced as I banked, and as sunset set in, the entire gamma changed to adjust to the receding sun...flippin' fantastic to observe!!!

 

All of the above, with all of the so many freeware and payware airports that are available, along with superb 3rd party and freeware air-frames, has made this in my view, the premiere flight simulator platform, to give you as close as is possible, to the real-world experience of flying an aircraft, and flying it over Terra Firma.

 

Mitch

Nice post Mitch, you have a way of sharing you enthusiasm that motivates others.

After landing at 'who-knows-where' in Northern Germany a few moments ago ( I'm going to get a map!), ....

 

1. If cars, buses, trucks, emergency vehicles etc (all there in XPX) are on that roadway approaching the overpass. ...

 

When flying in Germany, you urgently need german emergency vehicles (and trains) - if you don't have them already. I know a quite good addon :lol:: at x-plane.org  or alternatively at x-pilot.

 

If you like them and want to have them worldwide (although not realistic, of course), please read the included pdf for instructions.

Absolutely nailed it. Good post!

 

Only (slight) gripes I have with the visuals are coastlines / river banks which are too linear, lack of water coloration and variety, poorly textured urban autogen, lack of cloud variety, and for some reason my scenery shadows only show when I'm right on top of the autogen.

 

Sounds like a lot, I know, but it's more than made up for by the goodies which Sea already pointed out. Overall, this sim looks gorgeous.

When flying in Germany, you urgently need german emergency vehicles (and trains) - if you don't have them already. I know a quite good addon :lol:: at x-plane.org  or alternatively at x-pilot.

 

If you like them and want to have them worldwide (although not realistic, of course), please read the included pdf for instructions.

Have it!  Thanks!