DeltaWho

100% no on this. API is not out the oven yet.

It was not, or never dead last. - 12.0.8 We put in a range of fixes and improvements to networking (e.g. CTDs, Xavion connectivity, infinite loading loops and more.) - POST 12.1.0 we also have more improvements, mostly related to synchronization. Pawel has been working solely on networking. - The "In Progress" list isn't some list of our priority. We're targeting consistent and regular improvements to networking as a whole. So lets have cooler heads please.

😆

No I've only mentioned what 12.0.9 will bring in that post. No need to come to other conclusions for now (although you are free to imagine :P) Which part? More to come in future

I'm Dellanie from those Discord Q&As. Some points here - The video for the second Q&A will be out soon. It's currently sat unlisted on a you tube channel waiting for us to come back from break. - Better aliasing is on our roadmap... both very near term and future. 12.1.0, will introduce improvements to MSAA, but as you can see from the slide, TAA is our endgame.

I see (I think :P)

Shamelessly? Maybe I've missed some tonal context here?

Sure. Just pointing out what's actually happening. I just came to provide context. Can read up more about what's coming here : https://www.x-plane.com/2023/10/coming-in-x-plane-12-0-8-and-beyond-roadmap-update/

Not true. There's changes being made for 12.1.0

There was no attempt at fixing clouds in RC1

XPD-14720 : To be fixed in 12.1.0 Thanks for the find @turbomax. But please use the bug reporter next time!

Filed a bug for you.

Re Jetways, the only times I've seen this occur is when a user is in an internal camera mode. X-Plane doesn't have adequate draw-order logic in this viewpoint, so you can end up with items rendering in-front of the aircraft at a close distance.

Most of these sky models are based off the same published papers and techniques. So for the first time (without the need for a third-party) XP will have a physically based sky-model. If you want to do a "request for comment" from Laminar, I'm sure they will be able to explain in-depth... but that's as far as I will go without breaking NDA 🙂

Depends how and where you slap it. Current XP AO is this weird checkboard/low resolution... thing. Only enabled for exterior and barely noticable. Done correctly or allowing for baked AO channels (without the need to combine in the diffuse layer) could really improve the look of XP and provide some much needed depth. Better AO can also massively help with scenery and getting package footprints down... and quality up.

I think what's interesting here though... is how a few simple technologies really do push the look of XP in places very close to MSFS. The sky model is basically identical. Imagine if they had introduced a grass material shader right now for 12. Increase the intensity of AO, and you'd have something pretty uncanny.

Just bare in mind, I don't think the global scenery has been recut for 12 yet. Normally one of the last things to happen, so it could be the case that Laminar insert higher density mesh (although I doubt it without tesselation, so I agree with your point there. )

I honestly don't get some of the intent behind some of these posts. Comparing Laminar to Bohemia interactive or Bandai Namco who (more than likely), have profit margins, resources and capital that blow X-Plane out of the water and cater to a much broader demographic. Are Laminar slow to the party every generation. Absolutely. Outerra was doing better scenery and environments a full decade behind X-Plane. Does that mean Laminar are oblivious to what people want and how to progress the sim in a constructive way? No. Not only is their current work now shining through for XP12, but alot of their design choices are why people still prefer X-Plane to this day. Despite visually superior products, it's still a versatile and adaptable simulator.

Not quite, rigging and most of the basics are pretty quick on the 3D modelling side. The roadblock comes in when you want to control that in XP. Say for something like GSX, you need to set up a whole module that can sequence and position people. That's development time figuring out how to do 3D pathing, integration with aircraft systems (e.g. boarding cargo) and playing animations at the right ques. Also having wings that are not split up into seperate objects, animating spring and wire components on landing gear, potential fuselage flex for hard landings, bending trees/grass, jetways and jetway canopies/rotundas. Also potential for as you said, ragdoll. Rope, clothing (for what reason I dunno, but have fun with that xD)

To steer this topic back on track, this does look like a cracking development. May have to try it out as I'm currently enjoying zipping around the UK 😄

I think you're being a bit "overly" in this topic. I gave a simple reason it's not possible in XP currently. That is all. Even if I were to agree on some of your points (which I do actually). There are other roadblocks and realities that may not make this feasible for Laminar and third-party devs immediately. That is a topic for critically-minded people that I simply do not even wish to deep-dive in (given this forum has an infamous reputation for derailing topics :D) But having spoken to several of my "X-Plane collegaues", I think everyone and their mother is excited to see potential future technology, and I personally would love to see a GSX-esque plugin in X-Plane

Actually it isn't. Without vertex animation in X-Plane, this feature is dead in the water for even plausible looking characters.

I'm currently staring at pirated forums, and the counter of the amount of people stealing my work. I love the libertarian fantasy, but it really does not align with reality.

Exactly. Well... a good chunk of them at least :D.

Yes (although I've not heard about appearances of volumetric clouds... or if Ben is still hiding that). But also again, alot of the effects wasn't done yet. Scenery assets getting further work, snow was mentioned to work in the same way as rain, but not previewed yet (so clearly more weather based effects coming), more water enhancements. So clearly the imagery from laminar is going to improve in the upcoming months.