PMDG had reported on their forum that they have contacted the REX team to discuss the possibilities.

 

I also found it interesting that Reed was here and didn't clarify your question. I assume that he doesn't want to answer of the program won't make all the changes automatically as he doesn't want to put a damper on the product before it's even released. For marketing purposes it might create more interest in the product and people talking about it by being vague rather than giving straight answers and possibly turning people off.

 

Jim, that's EXACTLY what I presume too.  Again, I could be wrong, but the statements are pretty clear; although the marketing flare adds some ambiguity, which your articulated perfectly. 

Jim, that's EXACTLY what I presume too. Again, I could be wrong, but the statements are pretty clear; although the marketing flare adds some ambiguity, which your articulated perfectly.

Well, I guess we see eye to eye and may have our answer unless Reed or Tim say otherwise. That's what I thought the entire time when the product description said that the USER can make changes in real time, not that the program would automatically keep adjusting colors and tones on its own as you fly.

 

We'll see. I hope it's a good program and the ASN guys can match or exceed it, if indeed they are working on something similar.

 

Hope you were not turned off Avsim by Louis. He's sometimes a forum bull as they say.

Let me answer several questions that seem to be popping.

 

1.) In regards to REX integration with PMDG.  We are working on a Weather Radar in partnership with MILVIZ.  What is different with this radar (which is in beta testing as we speak) is that it will work with any weather engine on the market including default.  After release to the public, we will provide an API to PMDG and several other 3rd party developers.   What is unique about this radar is its accuracy to cloud and precipitation location.  Nothing else out there close.

 

2.) In regards to clarity on how things operate within the next Weather Engine.  As I stated there are two components of one large API.  All the elements of the weather engine and texture and scenery modification now happens while you are in the sim.  You can manually control it or can have the weather engine control it based upon changing weather conditions.  This again ALL while you are in-sim.  But this will be all outlined in later press releases when we are ready to unveil in detail.

Exactly as I thought. Shame some couldn't get there.

 

There was nothing obfuscatory or ambiguous in what was stated, I put it down to deliberate bloody-mindedness.

 

Of course you don't want to reveal all at this stage.

Thanks Reed.

Tim stated that the product is in early alpha. To me, that means that it may be subject to considerable changes over the course of time up to release. *Perhaps* the exact usage isn't finalized yet, *perhaps* the idea is there but the implementation hasn't been achieved. If Tim or Reed state that the product has "functionality X" and it ultimately does NOT - now we have a clamoring of users complaining about not getting what was "promised".

 

I have absolutely NO more information than anyone else but IMHO, pushing for a firm answer on a developing product is a bit unfair.

 

Vic

Pushing them for a firm answer outside their own forum, which would give them moderator control, is also a bit devious.

So it seems I was right - nice - never doubt me lol

Thanks for replying to try to clear up things.

 

 

What is unique about this radar is its accuracy to cloud and precipitation location. Nothing else out there close.

I must ask, how quantify the last statement about nothing else coming close? As we understand from Robert at PMDG, the HifiSim folks were the first to come with a system that modeled radar precipitation returns accurately enough to be used in their models and wasn't a "cloud finder" like prior radar addons.

 

What does your system do differently or better than what the ASN system does currently to base the comment that nothing comes close?

 

I don't want the question to come across as crass or anything like that, but the current ASN radar and precip locations are pretty spot on, so I am curious as to what make yours so much better?

 

 

You can manually control it or can have the weather engine control it based upon changing weather conditions. This again ALL while you are in-sim.

Thanks for this. So your saying that the weather engine can control it on its own and will continuously be updating textures, colors and tone though out the corse of a flight? Not like before when you would download the weather and have REX inject average cloud and sky textures at one point for the flight?

 

If this ends up being true that it will constantly be changing the atmospheric conditions during a session without being prompted by the user, then you might be onto something great if it works.

More info here:
http://www.realenvironmentxtreme.com/forums/index.php?/topic/31585-rex-4-weather-directweather-force-update-1/

Seams like they've been working on this for a while...

Also, not to mention there is a whole network of servers behind this....I wonder if Reed could elaborate on that a little. Give us an idea of the depth of modelling as well as how accurate this product aims to be.

Also, will new textures be introduced or just maintaining the use the Rex 4 library...

Also...since the product is applicable from FSX on through P3d, how did you manage the part of on the fly cloud injection...while the sime is running !!!! Very nice !

 

Last but not least...!!  Are you still sticking to the schedule of releasing to FSX first?

@jimburke -

 

In regards to the radar.  First precipitation is based upon a grid/interpolation of weather reports and is completely detached from the cloud rendering.  It is different with the type of injection you use.  With WX Themes it is more grid oriented; whereas, with station by station mode it is more interpolated.  Basically a mess.  We had to build two different methods for each type of injection process.

 

Thus, we had to figure out way to remap the clouds and precipitation accurately - NOT USING SIMCONNECT - but our own method

 

Doing this we were able to read the clouds and precipitation in a reverse method to get an accurate representation of radar returns down.  Thus, as you fly towards clouds with precipitation in them you get perfectly matched precipitation and transitions between levels.

 

In regards to the weather engine you are correct the weather engine will control these elements and changes.  You will be able to modify in the settings what you want it to control.  

More info here:

http://www.realenvironmentxtreme.com/forums/index.php?/topic/31585-rex-4-weather-directweather-force-update-1/

 

Seams like they've been working on this for a while...

 

Also, not to mention there is a whole network of servers behind this....I wonder if Reed could elaborate on that a little. Give us an idea of the depth of modelling as well as how accurate this product aims to be.

 

Also, will new textures be introduced or just maintaining the use the Rex 4 library...

 

Last but not least...sisnce the product is applicable to FSX through P3d, how did you manage the part of on the fly cloud injection...while the sime is running !!!! Very nice !

 

Let me address the accuracy and modelling aspect.  One thing that has been our BIGGEST frustration is the lack of control of the weather injection process and after effects.  We knew the data we pushed into FSX, but some how Simconnect would get it all messed up.  With Station by Station mode interpolation of the weather would mess it up, with WX Themes it broke all the weather into a grid system.  So stations that fell within that grid would get the same weather.  In addition, transitions between regions of weather both vertically and horizontally causes all kinds of issues.  

 

In addition, it seemed the weather sometimes would just get misrepresented by Simconnect.

 

We needed to go beyond this.  Now we have control of all the key elements of the weather we need.  To be upfront here - there is one piece we are still perfecting, but are close to nailing it.  Once we get that it will be a done deal.  So cross your fingers.  With control of these elements the common issues go away.

 

In regards to textures for REX 4 will still be relevant and even more enhanced by what you can do to them while in the sim.

 

In regards to FSX to P3D applicability - our release will be accomplished in phases.  Phase 1 release will be for FSX only.  Phase 2 shortly after will be for FSX Steam.  Then Phase 3 will be for Prepar3D.  

May the force be with you.....! 

Thanks Tim..I wish people just not base their judgements based on the number of masters they have..REX ,ASN and pretty much all flight sim known names are in the business since long

Awfully ambitious list of features... It will be interesting to see how the product shapes up.

 

Just like SimAir