NZFF

Hi Everyone in Godzone!

I am reaching out to all FSX developers out there to let you know of Lockheed Martin Prepar3D. http://www.prepar3d.com

Late last year Lockheed Martin purchased the rights to Microsoft ESP, which is the commercial license version of Microsoft Flight Simulator X. It is backwards compatible with FSX! Target markets include flight schools, pilots, heavy equipment operators, academic, military, government and so on. There is a developer network that has been created to allow existing FSX developers to get two copies of the product, plus future Lockheed add-ons for US$9.95 per month. (The client application normally retails for US$499 for commercial end-use.)

We just released Prepar3D v1.0 to the market last week (1 November). It has a few new features compared with FSX, including the ability to go under the water in submersibles, updated shader model and user interface. Also the SDK has been updated with working samples and explanations of how to implement the new features, such as multi-channel, sensor views and so on. I think the biggest thing is that we have opened up the communications channels to the development team so that if there is a problem and it is posted online, you will most likely get answers to issues direct from the person responsible for that feature. Also, we are going to be regularly updating the application with point releases throughout the year. We do intend looking at performance increases next year as well and updating the core engine up to DX 10/11.

I would really like to encourage anyone considering a look at Prepar3D to go to the website and sign up for the dev network. You do not have to be an experienced developer to join and you can cancel at any time if you are not happy with us!

Regards,
John Nicol
Prepar3D Team

Look interesting, if its the same esp engine does that mean i could build into fsx with it or would i have to build a new sim like fsx , i want to walk a avatar with the right physics within FSX could i use this software to build a engine within a engine via simconnect ? or like subs water environment reefs etc taping that into fsx ,i have the idea how this could be done but to have the code that you seem to have , if it worked this way could be a revolution ..

thank you for the heads up need any beta testers ?

Thanks John- Sounds very interesting.

A couple of questions- Is the client app/license a one off cost? Do you envisage Prepar3D development diverging from the FSX core code much? (i.e. is forward capability of current addons likely into the future?)

It says on the site that FSX SP2 addons work in prepar3D

Timmo wrote:

QUOTE (Timmo @ Nov 9 2010, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks John- Sounds very interesting.

A couple of questions- Is the client app/license a one off cost? Do you envisage Prepar3D development diverging from the FSX core code much? (i.e. is forward capability of current addons likely into the future?)

Hi Timmo,

The client license is a perpetual license, so one off cost.

We are maintaining backwards compatibility for as long as possible. So it is currently compatible with FSX SP2. As we add new capabilities in, these may necessitate some changes, however it will be our intent to provide conversion utilities if these are needed.

Regards,
John

creator2003 wrote:

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Nov 9 2010, 09:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Look interesting, if its the same esp engine does that mean i could build into fsx with it or would i have to build a new sim like fsx , i want to walk a avatar with the right physics within FSX could i use this software to build a engine within a engine via simconnect ? or like subs water environment reefs etc taping that into fsx ,i have the idea how this could be done but to have the code that you seem to have , if it worked this way could be a revolution ..

thank you for the heads up need any beta testers ?

Hi,

Prepar3D can be used stand-alone, or as a simulation framework that you can use to build new simulator capability with. So that means you could build a brand new user interface and put "Prepar3D inside". Now this isn't to build new games, we cannot use it in this way, but it could be used for commercial applications. We are planning on ground capability in the future and currently we do have bathymetric terrain (underwater) built in. I guess you could interface Prepar3D in with FSX using simconnect.


Regards,
John