Look in this thread for the screenshots (scroll down).http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=set..._page=show_mesgBasically I built an interface between Flight Simulator X and Google Earth. Legality is questionable - consider this is a proof of concept hack. The scenery is loaded *while you fly* and essentially available on a global scale. No, I cannot publish this program. The imagery looks a bit better than that of Mega Scenery L.A., but resolution (for now) remains limited to 4.75m/pixel.Going forward, I might want to provide an alternative tile backend, possibly to freely available USGS data or any other imagery services with web or FTP based online access. But none of these services will even come close to what Google Earth currently provides. I will keep you posted.Regarding Google Earth, I will probably have to discontinue using their service. The Russian guy who wrote the library I based the tile backend on got served with a nastygram from google. Too bad!

More screenshots. I actually fly at 1920x1200 pixels screen resolution with locked 15 FPS. These screenshots were downsized to a quarter of that area (960 x 600 pixels)I think I need a gigabit link between tile server and simulator PC. ;-)Ladies and Gentlemen, you are looking at Google Earth. The elevation data is still FSX stock, but I think it is exact enough.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/162133.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/162134.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/162135.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/162136.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/162137.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/162138.jpg

watch your back. hire a bodyguard. i'm only beginning to understand the implications...for now, two thumbs up!;-)

Why not approach Google and ask to collaborate on a Google product for Flight Simulator X/FS9? I dont think they have anything against making money on google maps and at the same time get their feet into gaming.Make a business presentation with someone who knows how to talk the talk and make a proof of concept product. Just make sure to approach the right people.

I totally agree on that idea. I think if you approached them the right way, they would compromise some sort of product which would make them more profit.

Nice, What FSX should have been!

Now just show us some Winter and Hard Winter shots! How many people want to fly in the same season all year round?Thanks,Jimhttp://www.hifisim.com/Active Sky V6 Development Team Active Sky V6 Proud SupporterHiFi Beta TeamRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/AirSource Member: http://www.air-source.us/FSEconomy Member:http://www.fseconomy.com/

Hard winter in San Diego? You must be kidding ;-)But generally, hard winter tiles might be generated algorithmically out of summer imagery, using side information like geographical region and more. But this is a complex image processing issue and the result may be suboptimal. This is definitely something to consider for future versions.Regarding night scenery: For MegaScenery LA they were able to algorithmically create "light maps" which allow a realistic appearance under night conditions. I think they must have preprocessed the images for contrast, isolating roads and buildings and then randomly placed bright dots on the lightmap. And they did not process any tiles which were known to be in unpopulated areas (based on some population density side information).Uh, I am getting too technical here. ;-)

I am sure that the next version will take advantage of Google Earth or more recently Microsoft Live Search.Stelios

>Why not approach Google and ask to collaborate on a Google>product for Flight Simulator X/FS9? I dont think they have>anything against making money on google maps and at the same>time get their feet into gaming.>>Make a business presentation with someone who knows how to>talk the talk and make a proof of concept product. Just make>sure to approach the right people.Interesting thoughts.Also, if Google decides to enter the civil flight simulator market with a self-developed flightsim (and having to compete only with MSFS), the results could be interesting in my opinion... :)Marco

Nice job!

Very nice job, but is it completely legal?I have a strange feeling that some problems might come up...I wish you success!Bert

One of my best friends works for google in sanfran as their senior network guru. I wonder if he has any pull with the powers that be there? ;) How's the frame rate with this compared to the default fsx textures?

"How's the frame rate with this compared to the default fsx textures?"Zat is ZE questeon! ;)Hugo

The Frame rate is equivalent to that of any large area third party photo scenery. I can actually run this with high mesh resolution (38m) at 80% terrain mesh complexity setting, resulting in a very realistic appearance of mountains and valleys. I have turned Autogen off, which results in excellent performance. The bushes and trees are on the photo scenery, so I don't need 3D objects