NZFF

With all of the editing discussions going on today it put me in the mood to try some of my own. Basically, this screenshot has been merged into a real photo. I wanted to use real photo water, and runway (but ended up having to take the grass as well)

Here is the original: http://www.airliners.net/photo/-/-/0988795/L/

This is approaching Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. icao code RJBB

Nice - hard to tell the real thing from the sim!

Here's a thought I've carried around for a long time without properly phrasing it.

In the simulated world, I rate consistency as much more important than absolute realism or authenticity.

I remember flying wire-frame planes in a 2D world, and being delighted with the whole thing.
Upping the ante by making 3D aircraft models was a big step, but I remember being disappointed then in the surrounding scenery.
Scenery caught up somewhat, but the yo-yo has gone on ever since.

I am actually quite picky about what aircraft I will use in a given scenery in the sim...
I am distracted by a plane that is "better" than the background, and vice versa.
I can understand wanting to improve a SS by replacing the water, and perhaps the grass, because those are the weakest elements of FS.
But in so doing, it's easy to overshoot, and simply make the FS scenery remaining, look shabby.

I believe it's the case in Alister's SS above.
Flipping between the real and edited shots, I just simply prefer the RL version, because it's more consistent.
Not because there is anything wrong with the FS shot (Alister's work is brilliant as we all know).

This is the basis of my rant about not importing RW material into screenshots.
I demonstrated the flipside of this some time ago, to my embarrassment.
I had a movie edited up, of Warbirds over Wanka (Real).
I was so taken with Robin's photoreal scenery, and the Duxford AI planes, that I decided to splice some FS footage into the movie.
It was a Mustang if I recall, seen from spot view over the display area.

When I showed the finished product to some friends, they all said it was great, but I should maybe take the cartoon bit out of the middle!
A state of the art FS model, on some of the best scenery available!
Looking at it with the benefit of hindsight, I can see how pathetic it must have seemed.
And why people look at simmers with something approaching pity...

We are years away from realism in FS, and our brains compensate hugely while immersed in the sim.
You can consistently bluff the brain , but don't show it an anomaly, because it will sit up and take note.
Consistency is everything.
Whew.
PS THAT was long, but there's another rant waiting: Realism vs Authenticity...

Good stuff, I've been to Kansai in real life, back when the airport was only occupying one man-made island. By the looks of things, you have the second one up in your screenshot too (or was that part of the photo?)- where can I download the scenery you are using?

Only cost me $29NZ a few weeks ago, probably less now as the exchange rate has improved. Plus I got 4 extra airports with it for free effectively

http://www.overland.co.jp/japaneseairports/j5_kansai.html

There is a nice freeware one I was using prior to buying this one. I was hoping to have two runways with this one, but guess it wasn't finished when they made it. Freeware from avsim: kansai.zip (but you'll need a FS2004 afcad)

Fantastic edit, looks real

hells ... little snippet of flightsim added in airport boundaries , FS sky , if you framed that with your fav cockpit , your have people asking were they get that scenery from superb Alister

Montie wrote:

QUOTE (Montie @ Feb 8 2008, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fantastic edit, looks real

Most of it is Unlike your art Montie

Thanks guys.