I have been using GEX for years, even back into FS2004 I used GE Pro and UT, I have to say FTX Global looks really really good, in fact I think they are the only real competitor to the GEX+UTX combo. I guarantee you that this is only the beginning of a competitive war between Flight 1 and ORBX, one that we the consumer will win

Nice shot!

So did you install FTXG?  I'm still undecided myself.  I only have GEX NA and Europe so it would be really nice to have  decent scenery in Africa, Asia, S. America etc.  then I would fly there more.  So how much better is FTXG in these areas over the default?

So did you install FTXG?  I'm still undecided myself.  I only have GEX NA and Europe so it would be really nice to have  decent scenery in Africa, Asia, S. America etc.  then I would fly there more.  So how much better is FTXG in these areas over the default?

 

It's better but in those area the bad default landclass really becomes apparent... So although the textures are defenitely better, the landscape is quite repetetive. FTXG fixes landclass somehow in Asia and I've done a flight in Thailand that was fun. I also did a flight in Congo that, although a bit repetitive, was nice enough. However a flight I did somewhere in South America was quite boring: nothing but the same textures all over the place. Great textures but too repetitive.

 

So it IS better, no doubt at ALL but to make every flight in those regions worthwhile you do need addon landclass. Bring on OpenLC (also because it comes with extra textures, which makes it a lot more interesting than other landclass addons).

None of these screenshots/comparisons do FTXG much justice.  I installed FTXG this morning and it's clearly far superior.  The textures and autogen are much crisper.  The night environment is much better.  Finally I can fly around where I live, Guadalajara, and it at least has some semblance of what it looks like in real life.  The GEX textures looked like a low res mess and the city just looked like a bunch of random garbage previously. 

 

I've always thought the default textures looked like total crap. And I thought GEX looked like crap, just a different kind of crap than the default.  I won't really be happy until we get 3D ground textures that actually look real with grass and stuff, but at least we've taken the first step forward in years with FTXG.  It's worth the money because there's no other option.

Could someone please take off from KSRQ about North Bound and get to about 2500 feet around the Sarasota/Bradenton area and post an FTXG screenshot, I will do the same with my GEX 1.099 and UTX 1.6, see what the difference really is

Could someone please take off from KSRQ about North Bound and get to about 2500 feet around the Sarasota/Bradenton area and post an FTXG screenshot, I will do the same with my GEX 1.099 and UTX 1.6, see what the difference really is

 

Even better: create a screenshot with the coordinates showing (or post them along with the screenshot) and then someone can make the EXACT same screenshot. I won't mind giving it a try although I don't have UTX for that region.

Even better: create a screenshot with the coordinates showing (or post them along with the screenshot) and then someone can make the EXACT same screenshot. I won't mind giving it a try although I don't have UTX for that region.

 

I can do that, should be interesting to see the results

So did you install FTXG?  I'm still undecided myself.  I only have GEX NA and Europe so it would be really nice to have  decent scenery in Africa, Asia, S. America etc.  then I would fly there more.  So how much better is FTXG in these areas over the default?

 

Yes, I did install FTXG but haven't had the time to do that much testing yet. What I have seen though is that Sweden where I do most of my flying to me looks more green/real compared to GEX which I used before.

 

I've been busy the last couple of days doing a clean-up of my old FSX installation which was quite "dirty" after years of installing/uninstalling various texture addons etc but now I'm just finished and will make a complete system image backup before I re-install FTXG again since it currently won't let you uninstall it once you've installed it.

 

I find it quite strange having a software that can't be uninstalled "out-of-the-box" via the Windows Control Panel just like any normal software but appearently the way I understood it they are working on a separate uninstaller. However until that uninstaller is released it feels good making a complete backup before installing FTXG should I for some reason decide I don't want it after more testing to make sure I'm then able to revert back to the state before installing it.

 

I also read a post over at SimForums with some interesting information you might want to check out before deciding what texture replacement software to use. You'll find the post here -> http://www.simforums.com/forums/ftx-global-and-gex_topic46632.html

 

But to summerize...I do like what I've seen so far of FTXG and I'm looking forward to do more testing the next couple of days.

 

 

I also read a post over at SimForums with some interesting information you might want to check out before deciding what texture replacement software to use. You'll find the post here -> http://www.simforums.com/forums/ftx-global-and-gex_topic46632.html

 

 

I think it's important to note that your linked post is coming from the lead developer on the GEX products. Not that I'm implying everything he said is false or something, but I'm sure there's quite a bit of bias involved.

Before FTXG I was having trouble with autogen not loading in heavy scenery areas in complex airliners. System was just overdriving I guess and it couldn't keep up with the texture draw calls.

 

I noticed I didn't have this problem in the FTX regions though, even with autogen on max and more scenery complexity overall.

 

FTXG fixed this in the same way for the rest of the world. Now I can fly into LA, into FSDT LAX, in a complex airliner, and with autogen at max without missing a beat. Everything loads right on schedule. The test flight I just did was in heavy overcast no less. I've read (from Tabs, the PMDG developer) that Orbx has much more efficent and better optimized draw calls for autogen. There must be truth to that given my results.

 

BTW, I flew out of FSDT KDFW, max autogen, at night, with full nightlighting in the Aerosoft A320 last night and frames stayed locked at 30 minus a slight drop to 26 on takeoff with the terminal in full view. That was completely impossible before and I'd of been in the teens with UTX lighting. Simply amazing that I can do that in those conditions at night now.

I think it's important to note that your linked post is coming from the lead developer on the GEX products. Not that I'm implying everything he said is false or something, but I'm sure there's quite a bit of bias involved.

 

Yes, I'm well aware of that and I think most people are who have been in the FS community for some time but as you say maybe it's good pointing that out.

 

Of course you as a customer must always make your own decisions how much you want to listen to and believe from a developer especially when there's a discussion regarding 2 competative products. However my personal experience when it comes to the developer of GEX I have nothing but good things to say. He has been part of this community and contributed to it not only with products he developed but also with his expertise for many many years now giving endless help and tips to people so me I do listen to what he says.

 

Edited to add in all fairness speaking about the two developers behind the products in this discussion that although I don't have much personal experience of the developers behind FTXG nor their products (only bought REX in the past which I never liked) I heard lots of good stuff and from what I have both heard and seen myself many of their scenery products appear to be nothing short of amazing when it comes to details etc. Reason I haven't bought any of their products before is there has not been any products in the areas where I do my most of my flying.

 

Like I wrote in my previous post I did buy FTXG myself and I think I would have even if I had seen this post from the GEX developer before I bought FTXG and from what I've seen so far it looks really good especially in the areas where I do lots of flying (Scandinavia) and I'm looking forward to see what it looks like when I have the time for a longer flight somewhere down in Southern Europe.

 

I will do a fair test and if I like it I'll keep it and if not or if I start noticing I'm locked into a corner where I no longer can install whatever product I like in the way the linked post talks about I will simply get rid of it equally fast as I installed it. 

Edited August 1, 201312 yr by WebMaximus

I have been using GEX for years, even back into FS2004 I used GE Pro and UT, I have to say FTX Global looks really really good, in fact I think they are the only real competitor to the GEX+UTX combo. I guarantee you that this is only the beginning of a competitive war between Flight 1 and ORBX, one that we the consumer will win

 Now that's the key, isn't it? just like the battle between the various weather programs - every time a new one comes out, there are those who predict the demise of the "others".  Textures are visuals, therefore they are subject to the whim of the viewer.

 

I bought FTXG for P3D - I have GEX in FSX and *I* prefer it - doesn't make it better - I just prefer it. Also, IMHO, the cost vs benefit for someone who has a good install of GEX/UTX just isn't there.

 

In my P3D install however, it is well worth it. Are the colors a little green in areas? Yup! Does it bother me? Nope but I do not expect pinpoint accuracy and color matching from this type of product. It looks good enough.

 

As to NickN's comments re FTXG method of overwriting textures - I've known Nick for quite a while and he just tells it like it is. People are reading WAY to much drama into his post.

 

There are quite a few programs out there that literally put hooks into your system that are just fine - UNTIL you try to uninstall them - then you have to do some work. Personally, I want to know what a program is doing on my system so *I* can make an informed decision. Doesn't make those programs bad, just something to be aware of.

 

Bottom line for me - it was worth it to buy FTXG for P3D - but not worth it *to me* to replace my GEX/UTX install.

 

Vic

Can somone go to 4a6 and take a few screens with FTXG I want to see if its worth it or if I should just buy mega scenery Alabama

Well I finally got around to installing FTX Global. This took awhile because I had to save some flights at some of my favourite locations in coastal British Columbia and the northern portions of Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Then I did screenshots for all the locations with GEX/UTX and then screenshots of BC with Orbx PNW.

 

Next came the installation of FTX Global and screenshots for all locations with just FTXG and UTX.

 

Observations: FTX Global is very green biased. This green tint is noticeable even compared to Orbx PNW, which surprised me to say the least! Whether this is more accurate than GEX or Orbx PNW will depend on how green the areas you fly are.

 

Conclusion: At this point in time I think I will return to GEX for my textures as I found FTX Global too green for the northern Canadian Prarie Provinces and I have Orbx PNW which is vastly superior for BC.

Here is the real deal, FTX global just for textures not coloring is very very competitive and the autogen is well done like you would expect from Orbx. However GEX has more experience and a truly dedicated company (GEX only exists for 1 purpose vs Orbx which does a few different things even though they are related) to this "fight" which is what is giving them that slight upper hand right now. With GEX V2 (I know US/CAN V2 is coming soon) and the GEX team using new 3D bump mapped textures it is going to get interesting to see where this leads. For people who already own GEX+UTX I would just stick with GEX & UTX for now as there is little difference between the products, however for the newcomer they now have 2 really viable options and if you have many Orbx FTX sceneries then FTX Global is just right for you even now, just my 2 cents.