Eh...that's debatable...

 

Sure, it's subjective, but given that PMDG hasn't included what you're referring to since the J41, it would appear that they have a similar stance.

 

Subjective or not, reality is something you have to face.  GSX (and others) have ground simulations available.  PMDG clearly has determined that this is a better avenue for simulating ground operations, instead of burning their own time to include stuff like that.  I'd say that's pretty straightforward, and rather reasonable.

 

$40?  Sure, but it works with all of your aircraft essentially.

 

My primary point being that PMDG has already created a dockable-airstair in FSX, so the modelling and texturing has already been done.  I'm no modeller but I can't imagine it is a load of work to reduce the relative size of the airstair in relation to the reduction in aircraft size from the 747F to the 777F.

 

 

I'm no modeller but I can't imagine it is a load of work to reduce the relative size of the airstair in relation to the reduction in aircraft size from the 747F to the 777F.

 

You're assuming that it can be copied and pasted in, model to model...

 

I honestly have no clue, and I imagine it could be, but again, it's extra work that can be omitted because it's already taken care of with GSX...

My primary point being that PMDG has already created a dockable-airstair in FSX, so the modelling and texturing has already been done.  I'm no modeller but I can't imagine it is a load of work to reduce the relative size of the airstair in relation to the reduction in aircraft size from the 747F to the 777F.

I agree completely.  Those who say "use GSX/AES" are missing the point. Why should you have to buy more addons to achieve this visual effect when a simple switchable piece of 3D model, non animated, will do the job?  FSX already provides ground service vehicles (not very well but they are there), the one thing missing is airstairs and they have traditionally been part of the aircraft model in MSFS, because the geometry is aircraft specific, not supplied by third party payware.

 

PMDG have supplied external models of the chocks, ground electrics and ground air when selected, so why not the airstairs for ramp use? It applies to both 777 (on a stand) and 777F (at the Cargo ramp). It could be controlled from the Doors menu as required.

You're assuming that it can be copied and pasted in, model to model...

 

I honestly have no clue, and I imagine it could be, but again, it's extra work that can be omitted because it's already taken care of with GSX...

Not everyone has GSX, Kyle.  GSX also has GPUs, etc, yet PMDG models those.

 

 

Those who say "use GSX/AES" are missing the point. Why should you have to buy more addons to achieve this visual effect when a simple switchable piece of 3D model, non animated, will do the job?

 

Are we really?

 

Again, as I've said many times already you can't say "simple" until you've done it before.  Which you clearly haven't because even when it's not animated, it is, in fact an animation of the external model (as I've also stated before).

 

 

 

Not everyone has GSX, Kyle.

 

Then go buy it, or somehow convince PMDG to do it, but so far they haven't wasted their time on it for the reasons I've stated about four or five times now.

 

My bike didn't come with the tools necessary to fix it or maintain it, but you don't see me complaining when I have to go buy metric hex wrenches to fix it.  Could the bike company go the extra mile to include a hex wrench when someone buys the bike?  Sure...but why?  Someone else is probably creating them, and those who need it will go buy it.

 

 

 

GSX also has GPUs, etc, yet PMDG models those.

 

I've already addressed this point...

Are we really?

 

Again, as I've said many times already you can't say "simple" until you've done it before.  Which you clearly haven't because even when it's not animated, it is, in fact an animation of the external model (as I've also stated before).

Yes you are. Basically "I've got GSX so I don't care that the 777 does not include them. So either get GSX too or suck it up."

 

Yes it's an animation, but with no intermediate steps to create. Just there or not there. So you need to create one 3D model of it. As for how difficult it is, if you can model something like the 777 exterior you can make an airstair very quickly and easily. Something so basic that many freeware addon modellers include airstairs (not to mention service vehicles, etc). That's extra work they don't get paid for, but they know it will make their download more attractive.

 

 

 

 

Then go buy it, or somehow convince PMDG to do it, but so far they haven't wasted their time on it for the reasons I've stated about four or five times now.

 

My bike didn't come with the tools necessary to fix it or maintain it, but you don't see me complaining when I have to go buy metric hex wrenches to fix it.  Could the bike company go the extra mile to include a hex wrench when someone buys the bike?  Sure...but why?  Someone else is probably creating them, and those who need it will go buy it.

Two reasons, it's a hefty $39 for something which will further load up my already straining FSX set up. Lots of things trying to take up limited resources. I rely largely on default scenery for the same reason. The 777 pushes my system to the edge and adding another addon will mean it probably won't run at all.

 

As for your bike analogy, my bike came with a basic tool sufficient to undo all fixtures necessary to maintain it. Not very user friendly but it can do the job. If you want to buy fancy sockets to make that easier that's your choice.

 

I've already addressed this point...

Not properly. The PMDG external GPU animation does not have any impact on the ground power to the simulator, it appears when it's selected from the FMC CDU. So the GSX GPU animation, if used, can't affect the 777 electrical power simulation. Same goes for their chocks.

 

You say PMDG are avoiding duplicating what GSX provides (conveniently ignoring the fact that GSX provides a GPU and chocks). Is this official PMDG information or is it just your assumption. PMDG have provided this kind of thing before, so why not now? I don't expect a full cargo loader simulation, but I think stairs are a reasonable thing to provide as part of the aircraft model. Obviously the GSX users won't need to use the option.

Unless I've been missing something, where in GSX is there a GPU?

Would it be trolling to demand folding wings at this point? Some airports are small. I don't care if Boeing designed them but never built them! This is a simulation right! :Devil:

the T7 is too high so that will be impossible. 

Unless I've been missing something, where in GSX is there a GPU?

The website mentions a GPU as one of the features.

Didn't they run really close to the animations limit in FSX hence no PMDG native ramp vehicles?

 

 

PMDG have provided this kind of thing before, so why not now?

 

The reasoning behind their decision is actually none of our business, unless some of you are shareholders (please, someone try to say they own PMDG stock).

 

Simply put, stairs weren't included for a reason (known wholly to them) and they never promised you stairs or told you that you were buying stairs before taking your money and sending you home "stair-less".

 

People really need to stop arguing pointless topics. If you want something to stare at while sitting at the gate, there are several products out there to give you exactly what you want.

The website mentions a GPU as one of the features.

 

Ok, I had a look at it. What it says is: "Direct Airplane Interface™ allows interaction with complex 3rd party airplanes featuring custom door controls, ground equpment like Gpu, Wheel chocks, many popular airplane addons like the PMDG 737NGX, 747 and MD11..." What this means is that GSX reads the state of the airplane, if the doors are open, if the chocks are in, if the GPU is connected, etc. GSX does not have a GPU itself. 

PMDG created dock-able stairs for their 747s.  I kinda wish they would bring them back, and wondered why they stopped incorporating those stairs into their future (then) products.

 

Doing things like that take up animations - we'd rather use them for things that are used often in the actual cockpit like the motion of the Korry switches, 3D exterior lighting, real time options changes like the standby instrument types etc.

The reasoning behind their decision is actually none of our business, unless some of you are shareholders (please, someone try to say they own PMDG stock).

 

Simply put, stairs weren't included for a reason (known wholly to them) and they never promised you stairs or told you that you were buying stairs before taking your money and sending you home "stair-less".

 

People really need to stop arguing pointless topics. If you want something to stare at while sitting at the gate, there are several products out there to give you exactly what you want.

I see nothing wrong with polite requests for modest additional features. If they are politely decline (as Ryan has done above) then that's the end of it as far as I'm concerned.  But he might just as well have said "that's a good idea, we'll include it".

 

Ok, I had a look at it. What it says is: "Direct Airplane Interface™ allows interaction with complex 3rd party airplanes featuring custom door controls, ground equpment like Gpu, Wheel chocks, many popular airplane addons like the PMDG 737NGX, 747 and MD11..." What this means is that GSX reads the state of the airplane, if the doors are open, if the chocks are in, if the GPU is connected, etc. GSX does not have a GPU itself. 

There are screenshots on their site of an airliner with GPU, stairs, etc attached as well as ground service vehicles around it. So GSX must provide a GPU object to put near the sim.  If that's related to the sims logic all the better.  Therefore there is a GPU in GSX.  I never suggested it could provide ground power to a sim. 

There are screenshots on their site of an airliner with GPU, stairs, etc attached as well as ground service vehicles around it. So GSX must provide a GPU object to put near the sim.  If that's related to the sims logic all the better.  Therefore there is a GPU in GSX.  I never suggested it could provide ground power to a sim. 

Ok, well I have GSX. I can tell you with absolute certainty that there is no GPU which is part of GSX. The only screen shots I see that have one are of the NGX, and show the NGX's GPU.