Little bit of X-Plane 12 goodness

[VintageAirplaneFanNZ]

Hi all, just updated my XP12 to the latest version (12.1.0b3), and thought I would show off a quick screenshot using the built in tools. No post processing on this one....all straight from the sim

[Adamski]

Nice! Is there a depth of field setting?

[VintageAirplaneFanNZ]

Nice! Is there a depth of field setting?

Yes, its under "VIEW' "Show Screenshot panel" (its at the bottom of the dropdown menu).
Here are some screenshots of the window and the options you have.

[Adamski]

Right ... that's IT!! I'm updating my XP12 beta NOW!!!

[chopper_nut]

I'm impressed with the new beta. I got quite a performance boost. Very stable platform now. Auto Ortho, Sim Haven and Global Forrests and it's pretty close to MSFS

[Splitpin]

Great stuff Nick, I've been thinking about upgrading ....Now I will.
Which option do you recommend, the digital download or via steam ? I've got 500gb free on my C drive , but I also have a new 2tb external drive waiting for something to do.

[Adamski]

Is this only available with the 12.1.0 beta? I'm on 12.0.9-rc-5 and don't see that option

[VintageAirplaneFanNZ]

Is this only available with the 12.1.0 beta? I'm on 12.0.9-rc-5 and don't see that option

It came in the 12.0.1 update. Worth the update as its just gotten graphically better and the FPS is better as well.

[VintageAirplaneFanNZ]

I'm impressed with the new beta. I got quite a performance boost. Very stable platform now. Auto Ortho, Sim Haven and Global Forrests and it's pretty close to MSFS

Indeed! compared to the last version (12.0.9), its a massive jump in quality. It still has a little way to go to beat the visuals from MSFS (dont have that one so not sure what the specs to run it are like), but its def better and my sim of choice

[chopper_nut]

:wub: Great stuff Nick, I've been thinking about upgrading ....Now I will.
Which option do you recommend, the digital download or via steam ? I've got 500gb free on my C drive , but I also have a new 2tb external drive waiting for something to do.

I don't think that it makes a heck of a lot of difference. Whichever one is cheaper I suppose. I'm running it direct from Laminar. My install is 210GB which is actually only the USA default scenery, a smattering of payware airports, Traffic Global, Simhaven and Global Forests. I think it looks terrific.

[Adamski]

OK ... new beta installed with no problems ... now I get to do the D.O.F. stuff!

A grey, wt day at Ardmore:


Without the effect:


No XP12 session would be complete without a Spitfire shot!


XP12 aircraft model detail is great but [I agree] the terrain falls well short of MSFS standards - even with ORBX TE South (above). If only MSFS had the XP12 GUI!

[emfrat]

Interesting shots, Adam.
Does XP model precipitation, and if so how would your first shot look with rain blurring the distant background rather than the DOF tweak?
ATB

[Adamski]

Does XP model precipitation, and if so how would your first shot look with rain blurring the distant background rather than the DOF tweak?

I'll try and set up another shot with rain. You certainly get rain showing near the aircraft (a bit more subtle than in MSFS) - and get the usual windshield effects. However - I haven't [yet] seen any banks of rainfall in the distance, as you do in MSFS.

[Adamski]

Here are some more rain shots. IMHO XP12 lighting is better than MSFS - but it does tend to over-darken a lot. These shots were taken at around 1pm ... in heavy cloud/thunderstorm conditions ... but I don't think they should be *that* dark!











Default XP12 terrain still leaves a lot to be desired - too many repeating objects/tiles. Payware scenery helps, but can get expensive! So far I have Orbx TE UK North & South, plus the odd carry-overs from XP11.

[emfrat]

Thanks, Adam - that's an impressive set. No rain as yet in AFS4, but I did create a decent sort of fog by setting cumulus height to low with density high, then winding back visibility. I dd it before taxying out at NZAA, and it seems to be very localised. By the time I found Ardmore, the sun was shining

[chopper_nut]

Here are some more rain shots. IMHO XP12 lighting is better than MSFS - but it does tend to over-darken a lot. These shots were taken at around 1pm ... in heavy cloud/thunderstorm conditions ... but I don't think they should be *that* dark!











Default XP12 terrain still leaves a lot to be desired - too many repeating objects/tiles. Payware scenery helps, but can get expensive! So far I have Orbx TE UK North & South, plus the odd carry-overs from XP11.

My MSFS is broken and doesn't give me the option to install SU15 and says I'm offline when I'm clearly online so I'm back on XP12. I'm running Auto Ortho and Sim Haven objects both freeware. It looks pretty good really, not that far off MSFS. I like XP in that it's silky smooth and doesn't feel like it's on the verge of falling apart the whole time. It'd just be nice to have some more payware quality airports. I think the rain effects on the ground are better than MSFS but in flight it can be a bit inconsistent. Weather modelling is improving but probably a little behind MSFS right now.

[VintageAirplaneFanNZ]

These shots are looking great! I broke my rudder pedals so need to get that sorted before I can do some more flying. Loving the pics, please keep it up as Im dying without my pedals!
Will post more pics once IM back to flying condition!!

[VintageAirplaneFanNZ]

Some pics while I get to making some rudder pedals Used the mouse for this flight....and used a free download from the org plane. Apparently its a Piper PA18...has a tri carriage so ground handling is a bit easier

[Splitpin]

Some great shots there fellas. I hope to get this up and running over the weekend.

[VintageAirplaneFanNZ]

Looking forward to seeing some pics from your flights!