December 25, 20241 yr Hey everyone! Throughout the years, I had heard about mesh addons a lot. But I could never figure out why people spend bucks for a payware mesh. I just want to know the difference between a freeware and a payware mesh and how a mesh add-on impacts the graphics or experience of flight simming. Also what are the best options of freeware and payware mesh available for FS9. And last but not the least, is it honest to spend bucks on payware mesh? Thank you! "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford Rupayan Ghosh, New Delhi, India
December 25, 20241 yr My only payware mesh is the UKVFR high-resolution offering for (most of) the UK ... it gives a higher level of accurate detail than any shareware I've tried. Great for areas like the Welsh valleys, the Lake District or the Scottish highlands. Of course, it's only noticeable "low-&-slow", which is what UKVFR, with it's associated photographic scenery, was all about. In areas like the European Alps or the Pyrenees, and parts of Scandinavia, a similar level of detail can be appreciated, but only if you're low enough and slow enough to see it in the first place! All mesh is only as good as it's source data, and as we know, that's not always complete, so it's the level of correction and attention to detail (time spent testing) that may well justify the difference between paying for a product which is "as good as it's going to get" and a shareware offering with potential "holes and spikes". Do bear in mind that FS9 does have inherent mesh resolution limitations, one area that FSX was able to improve on! Edited December 25, 20241 yr by chris_eve afterthought
December 25, 20241 yr Author 4 hours ago, chris_eve said: My only payware mesh is the UKVFR high-resolution offering for (most of) the UK ... it gives a higher level of accurate detail than any shareware I've tried. Great for areas like the Welsh valleys, the Lake District or the Scottish highlands. Of course, it's only noticeable "low-&-slow", which is what UKVFR, with it's associated photographic scenery, was all about. In areas like the European Alps or the Pyrenees, and parts of Scandinavia, a similar level of detail can be appreciated, but only if you're low enough and slow enough to see it in the first place! All mesh is only as good as it's source data, and as we know, that's not always complete, so it's the level of correction and attention to detail (time spent testing) that may well justify the difference between paying for a product which is "as good as it's going to get" and a shareware offering with potential "holes and spikes". Do bear in mind that FS9 does have inherent mesh resolution limitations, one area that FSX was able to improve on! Thanks for your post! Got to know a lot of things from it! Although all my queries asked haven't been resolved. I would appreciate if someone would volunteer to explain me all the questions I asked in the 1st post with appropriate reasons. Thank you! "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford Rupayan Ghosh, New Delhi, India
December 29, 20241 yr On 12/25/2024 at 6:37 AM, USMC Aviator said: Hey everyone! Throughout the years, I had heard about mesh addons a lot. But I could never figure out why people spend bucks for a payware mesh. I just want to know the difference between a freeware and a payware mesh and how a mesh add-on impacts the graphics or experience of flight simming. Also what are the best options of freeware and payware mesh available for FS9. And last but not the least, is it honest to spend bucks on payware mesh? Thank you! The resolution is the only critical thing. It all comes from the same free source and is processed by computer software to be compatible with Flight Simulator. So equal resolutions will look the same. The only bonus you might get for commercial products is roads, rivers and lakes corrected to fit the mesh, which otherwise rather spoil the effect. This is usually based on purchased GPS data so justifies a premium price-wise. But I think the only one compatible with FS2004 is no longer available so that probably isn't a factor. John My co-pilot's name is Sid and he's a star! http://www.adventure-unlimited.org
December 30, 20241 yr Author 18 hours ago, John Hinson said: The resolution is the only critical thing. It all comes from the same free source and is processed by computer software to be compatible with Flight Simulator. So equal resolutions will look the same. The only bonus you might get for commercial products is roads, rivers and lakes corrected to fit the mesh, which otherwise rather spoil the effect. This is usually based on purchased GPS data so justifies a premium price-wise. But I think the only one compatible with FS2004 is no longer available so that probably isn't a factor. John Thanks for your detailed response! I think most of my doubts are now answered! But there still remains a question of mine: As you said, the only payware mesh for FS9 is not available for purchase, so would you recommend some decent freeware mesh for FS9... Thanks in advance! "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford Rupayan Ghosh, New Delhi, India
December 31, 20241 yr At the other website, the one that starts with f and ends with sim, look up FSGenesis/ Justin Tyme for full 38m mesh for USA. Its a few packages and can take some time to download, but this is what most of us started with and still have. Have fun!
December 31, 20241 yr 12 hours ago, USMC Aviator said: Thanks for your detailed response! I think most of my doubts are now answered! But there still remains a question of mine: As you said, the only payware mesh for FS9 is not available for purchase, so would you recommend some decent freeware mesh for FS9... Thanks in advance! Sorry, I can't - I downloaded mine many years ago from a site that old age doesn't allow me to remember. Sorry if I wasn't clear: FS2004 mesh may be available commercially, but I don't think you will get it with road/river corrections FSX mesh is compatible with FS2004 FSX road/river adjustments are not compatible with FS2004. Hope that helps. John My co-pilot's name is Sid and he's a star! http://www.adventure-unlimited.org
December 31, 20241 yr Author 9 hours ago, John Hinson said: Sorry, I can't - I downloaded mine many years ago from a site that old age doesn't allow me to remember. Sorry if I wasn't clear: FS2004 mesh may be available commercially, but I don't think you will get it with road/river corrections FSX mesh is compatible with FS2004 FSX road/river adjustments are not compatible with FS2004. Hope that helps. John Thanks for that explanation! 9 hours ago, trioer said: At the other website, the one that starts with f and ends with sim, look up FSGenesis/ Justin Tyme for full 38m mesh for USA. Its a few packages and can take some time to download, but this is what most of us started with and still have. Have fun! Thanks for that, I found the files in the website you are talking about. I will try to download and install all of them in my sim! But I was looking for a global mesh as I mostly fly in Europe, Japan, China & India. But thanks for that stuff! My USA experience will surely be elevated by that! 😊 Edit:- I just found this freeware resource: https://simviation.com/1/fs2004terrainmesh It says that it's a global mesh but I am not sure how accurate it is. Can anybody say something about this package before I attempt to download this huge project! Edited December 31, 20241 yr by USMC Aviator "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford Rupayan Ghosh, New Delhi, India
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