this is for real pilots who use X plane too...  it really helps to use zoom  on final approach for visibility...but if its not realistic its not a good habit former for people who want to fly real planes also at some point..

if you are a pilot or commercial pilot especially..do you think its better to skip the zoom or is some zoom  more realistic than the 0 zoom setting on say any of the twin general aviation planes like the Baron 58 or Cessna twins or  even a 172,,,?

My screen does not have the "infinite resolution" of my Mk 1, Mod 0 eyeballs - esp on clear days IRL.

In fact, I usually run HD Widescreen or 2K at best, so even the fine text in the cockpit frequently needs a zoom-in (and thank god for pop out displays/instruments!).

Then you have to take into account that XP scenery, though adequate for visual nav, isn't so highly detailed that you always pick your way forward thru the landmarks to the airfield - lots of stuff missing in that regard.

And even with custom orthophotos/TrueEarth, etc., and being on a long final to a familiar airport, I can't always pick out the runway even though I know pretty much exactly where it is.

IRL can be even harder, of course, because you have zero control over visibility/weather, but same/same, I'm good with a bit of zoom here and there for confirmation in sim.

I mean, is using Zoom any more of a "crutch" than an instrument approach?

Edited November 14, 20223 yr by UrgentSiesta

Is zoom really required if the correct field of view is set in the sim? A correct FOV will mean everything out the window is the correct size and will look the same as IRL.  To aid with visual identification I think there are several things to add to the sim.

1.  SimHeaven X-World so buildings are in the right place, shape and size.
2.  Use ortho that raises situational awareness.
3.  Use X-Roads to remove AI roads, to just leave roads in the ortho itself.
4.  Global Forests to place correct tree type and size in the right place.
5.  Although I find the lighting in XP12 public beta to be fantastic, using a tool like Reshade to remove colour casts, add some saturation/vibrance and get black/white points correct all help with visual identification.
6.  XP12 needs a good sharpening filter to bring out detail, especially in the distance.  I use Reshade filters for this - Luma Sharpening or Contrast adaptive Sharpening (CAS) are really great for picking out details without adding artefacts.
7.  Hardware like TrackIR that allows your sitting position to be correct - also means instruments are all life size.  TrackIR allows easy head movement so you can scan instruments and the outside easily.
8.  A camera tool like X-Camera that allows easy selectable views in cockpit.  My main view shows a split between inside/outside.  I have a cruise view which raises the camera to mostly show an outside forward view.  I have a landing view to show essential instruments, but also high enough so the runway does not disappear during the flare.  Views can be changed very quickly - TrackIR allows easy scanning from these base positions.

I find airports to be more easy to spot using the above tools/plugins.  I also love XP12 without the ortho, but it does add to the realism and ability to spot visual reference points.

9 hours ago, MrBitstFlyer said:

Is zoom really required if the correct field of view is set in the sim? A correct FOV will mean everything out the window is the correct size and will look the same as IRL.  To aid with visual identification I think there are several things to add to the sim.

 

I believe this is only true in VR, You'll never be able to get the same scale on a monitor as in reality (but unfortunately I can not afford VR,  I would love thou).

29 minutes ago, soaring_penguin said:

I believe this is only true in VR, You'll never be able to get the same scale on a monitor as in reality (but unfortunately I can not afford VR,  I would love thou).

That isn't correct.  There are many online FOV calculators that will give you the correct field of view for your monitor and seating distance from the screen.  Think of it as taking a frame of your monitor screen to a real aircraft cockpit but blackout everything except what you see through the monitor frame - obviously everything you see will be life size, but the field of view will be restricted.  Setting the correct FOV in game will replicate that view.

You then just move your seating position in the sim so instruments are life sized.  The only problem now is scanning the cockpit - a TrackIR, or as you say VR, will enable this.  I find the TrackIR and well placed cockpit cameras make scanning straight forward.

Edited November 15, 20223 yr by MrBitstFlyer

12 hours ago, 4df5 said:

do you think its better to skip the zoom or is some zoom  more realistic

"quick zoom in VR" works very much like focusing on a spot (even when not in VR), if you are talking about "always zoom" - no, get your FOV set up properly tbh.

7 hours ago, MrBitstFlyer said:

That isn't correct.  There are many online FOV calculators that will give you the correct field of view for your monitor and seating distance from the screen.  Think of it as taking a frame of your monitor screen to a real aircraft cockpit but blackout everything except what you see through the monitor frame - obviously everything you see will be life size, but the field of view will be restricted.  Setting the correct FOV in game will replicate that view.

You then just move your seating position in the sim so instruments are life sized.  The only problem now is scanning the cockpit - a TrackIR, or as you say VR, will enable this.  I find the TrackIR and well placed cockpit cameras make scanning straight forward.

Greetings.

When you have a moment would you pass on a source for these calculators? Thanks.

1 hour ago, dbw1 said:

Greetings.

When you have a moment would you pass on a source for these calculators? Thanks.

For a 16:9 monitor, formula would be:

FOV = 2 * arctan ( 0.4358 * (monitor inches) / (screen distance));

Or use this chart:

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/gqnctwgrrj

(e_d slider is the eye distance in inches, x axis the monitor diagonal, y axis the resulting FOV).

2 hours ago, dbw1 said:

Greetings.

When you have a moment would you pass on a source for these calculators? Thanks.

FOV Calculator 1
FOV calculator 2
FOV calculator 3

The calculators above are for flat screen monitors.  If you have a curved monitor you will get more FOV for the same screen size.  This Spreadsheet works for both flat and curved monitors (download so you can edit the data in the green boxes).  I had a flat screen monitor with a correct FOV of 48 degrees, but I now have the same size monitor that is curved, giving a field of view of 56 degrees.

MrBritsFlyer,

Many thanks.

Measure your screen width and divide by 2.

The tangent of Half your FOV  = half screen width / distance from screen.

It's surprising small for my 27" screens. About 45° This is a bit irrelevant when using one screen (just choose what looks good) but is important when using multiple screens. The horizontal FOV naturally affects vertical FOV.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uae776m46zmffkq/IMG_20220826_0001.jpg?dl=0

Edited December 5, 20223 yr by The_Flying_Potato

1 hour ago, The_Flying_Potato said:

This is a bit irrelevant when using one screen (just choose what looks good)

Nothing irrelevant about a correct FOV.  Speed and distance perception will all be wrong if you just guess.

1 hour ago, MrBitstFlyer said:

Nothing irrelevant a correct FOV.  Speed and distance perception will all be wrong if you just guess.

Who's guessing? In that case, it ought to be illegal to do anything else but inpout one's head's distance from the screen! Give it a go; see what you get for a FOV with a 27" screen, using a reasonably hardware setup.

Also, a bit irrelevant is not the same as a totally irrelevant. I'm able to speak English, you know?

Where did I guess?