new to P3d so a new set-up = help needed

[towerguy]

I have installed the latest (v3.4?) P3d on my new machine (actually built nearly 8 months ago but haven't had time to use it till now).
As I haven't done any simming for a while I am virtually a newbie again - so please forgive the newbie questions.

What mesh do I use in P3D for NZ? Do I then put my Godzone subscription over this and where do I put it if I do? Inside P3D which is on a separate SSD or on another separate SSD again? and are there any special tools/programs I need in order to do this?

Also - I have Rex/overdrive but should I move to the new AS16+ASCA - which is better or can I mix and match them? I'd really like to get the best visuals I can as I'm running a 50" 4K TV for a monitor and it really shows any flaws.

I will no doubt have many more questions as I troll through all the other posts on this subject - thanks in advance for any help.
cheers
Craig

[toprob]

Hi Craig
I won't talk about mesh, as I use a manual install of Vector Land Class, but I guess that the most popular is Orbx NZ. Note though that Orbx does really need to go into your Prepar3d installation, which does bypass the recommended install methods.

There are Subscription installers for Prepar3d v3 now (anything listed as a 'multi-installer'), and I'd certainly recommend that you get them if you don't have them already. It means downloading everything again, but it does use the recommended install method for Prepar3d v3 -- the Subscription installers let you choose the initial location for a 'Godzone' folder which will include all the Subscription scenery, and any other Real NZ or Godzone scenery released from now on (and including Nelson now). The chooser displays the first time only, so you need to give some thought to where you'll put your addon scenery. The recommended method is to keep it separate from the Prepar3d installation, so if you have a specific drive for scenery then you can choose that. For people with only one drive, the default location, which is outside the Prepar3d install, is sufficient, but you can choose any drive/location based on what's going to work best for you.

There some info on the multi-installers here.

The multi-installers also use the new Prepar3d v3 method of activating scenery, bypassing the old scenery.cfg edit method which some people are wary of. Note that the multi-installers will automatically deal with scenery priority, provided you install the issues in order.

However if you don't want to redownload everything, you can use a migration tool, such as Estonia Migration. This is a good tool to have anyway, as it helps install older stuff which doesn't have an updated installer. Note though that the older installers will install into Prepar3d, rather than the location of your choice.

Clouds/weather isn't as simple, there are a lot of different opinions around. I use AS2016 and ASCA, which replaced REX Soft Clouds and ASN, and I'm very happy with it.

[NZ255]

What mesh do I use in P3D for NZ? Do I then put my Godzone subscription over this and where do I put it if I do? Inside P3D which is on a separate SSD or on another separate SSD again? and are there any special tools/programs I need in order to do this?

For a base you can use VLC or Orbx NZ. Both have a similar mesh from what I've tested.
I've got my Godzone subs installed in a separate folder (outside p3d) but on the same SSD as p3d.

Also - I have Rex/overdrive but should I move to the new AS16+ASCA - which is better or can I mix and match them? I'd really like to get the best visuals I can as I'm running a 50" 4K TV for a monitor and it really shows any flaws.

Up to you really, I'm still running ASN with default clouds and sky etc. Rob's posted some pretty nice screens with ASCA and AS16 but I've seen some 'interesting' ones on other forums.

I'm waiting for the new REX line up to see if that's worth it. Will probably be waiting a number of months though.

[towerguy]

Is the VLC a better or more accurate mesh than the Orbx? and am I right in thinking that I can load my subscription scenery over the top of the VLC?

also what is the better add-on for a general world wide improvement on the base scenery in P3D. I have done a couple of flights around the Colorado, Nevada, Utah area and it really is pretty stock standard bland.

thanks guys

[Ian Warren]

Is the VLC a better or more accurate mesh than the Orbx? and am I right in thinking that I can load my subscription scenery over the top of the VLC?

Yes Indeed, the VLC is more accurate , all subscription scenery , Godzone/RealNZ and all the freeware simply just plops on to it, there also is a lot more photo scenery incoming as well.

[towerguy]

Thanks Ian,
I got some monies as a birthday pressie last month so what's the best place to pick up VLC and how much, does Rob carry it as I'd prefer to support local where possible.
cheers.

[Ian Warren]

Very Sure Rob has VLC or a direct link via his site, I also have it on my website, I went to the horses mouth , http://www.vectorlandclass.co.nz./

Edit: looking again just now there are also many other features as you explore Tim's site the things we forget

[cowpatz]

You need the free definitive P3D guide as published by P3D beta tester Rob Ainscough.

P3D guide

[toprob]

Thanks Ian,
I got some monies as a birthday pressie last month so what's the best place to pick up VLC and how much, does Rob carry it as I'd prefer to support local where possible.
cheers.

This is available from the Vectorlandclass website, although I don't think it has a Prepar3d v3 installer yet.

[towerguy]

thanks everyone
gives me some things to look up and read overnight tonight.
cheers

[cowpatz]

One thing lacking in P3D is good quality freeware airports. Some FSX sceneries work ok but not if they have FS9 objects in them.
That is where Orbx fits in as they do have many NZ airports that at least get away from the horrid default airports and some even have people flow as well that adds a little realism. It's just that some of the elevations are slightly out and can cause issues with other sceneries.
I doubt you will go back to FSX once you have it set up to your liking.

[Ian Warren]

My first airport/airfield/aerodrome was Wigram FS98/FS2000, then was Christchurch for FS2002/FS9, back then was only limited internet usage so it was just plod along and got that done, I think today I could return to doing it but currently there is a Christchurch, a Palmerston North, a Auckland and a New Plymouth ... only thing needs doing is the most hated of jobs is the Autogen , hence why I will stick to VLC currently rather work on flattens to fix ORBX elevations.

[Ian Warren]

It would have been great if ORBX asked the scenery people here again, fact there information is so incorrect regard to elevation, It dose look pretty but dribble about a hi-res mesh .. 'we have been thru this' since I don't or do little FS these days, still working on scenery tho do prefer to have honestly API data to work with.

[towerguy]

soooo...

looking at the moment at the following

AS16 + ASCA for the weather
VLC for New Zealand mesh/terrain etc
Orbx global base and vector for the rest of the world

all this to go on a bare bones P3d v3.4

does anyone see any striking inconsistencies, conflicts or potential troubles? Will they coexist reasonably well together or will it be a bullfight in a china shop trying to get them to work in harmony? It's a good chunk of money to lay out and find they don't go.

cheers
Craig.

[Ian Warren]

AS16 + ASCA for the weather
VLC for New Zealand mesh/terrain etc
Orbx global base and vector for the rest of the world

I personally believe that will pretty much Nail it

[towerguy]

downloading the above now so will probably be about a week before I get it all installed and tested and reinstalled and retested etc...

[towerguy]

okay - progress so far...

Got the Orbix Base and Vector both installed - after a minor issue with "permissions"
AS2016 and ASCA both installed and the weather looking MUCH better ...

First test flight of P3d v3.4 with all of the above - the Texan2 from Denver to Las Vegas in rough weather and not above 250ft agl through the rockies with most sliders at the high end...

... on a 4k UHD 50" screen -WOW! --- part way through the flight I actually had my stomach give a bit of a lurch while rolling inverted to cross ridge-lines and swing into the following valleys!
What a blast!

So next - can I load VLC on top of Orbix here in NZ or do I need to turn anything off first?
cheers

[Ian Warren]

Crikey , I still installing , I don't want to add ORBX yet specific , I want honest Elev: and also to add or start back the the AGN without conflicts , simply keep it default then everyone can use , P3D really is the road forward, normally I would have been in from the start ... it is one hell off a difference.

[Agent X20]

A common combination and the one I'm using is to use AS16 and ASCA for the weather, clouds and sky textures, with REX taking care of the rest of the textures. Before you put ASCA in you install REX and configure it to take care of your water, weather, runway etc textures (not the sky/cloud ones).

[towerguy]

Re REX,

I do have this on disk. As I have already installed the ASCA can I install the REX second and still do the same thing?
Will all this and VLC play nicely together with the Orbix packages already installed?

I could just go ahead and try it, but I don't want to have to go through the whole trouble shooting journey if someone else has already done this.

cheers for the help
Craig.