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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2016 16:43:14 GMT -5
Hi all. Anyone managed to download and try the demo version of the latest X-Plane? It seems to be getting a lot of compliments from the beta testers and on face value is now ahead of where FSX left off. Can't get a download over here, probably because the server is bombed out.
Roger
Just came back to say that I managed to get a download started this morning (Sunday 27Nov16) but at only 200 kbits/sec the download will take about 6 hours!! I'm not really much into flightsim these days (have too much to do on my now 3 ultralights....) but with the compliments X-Plane 11 has been getting I'd be very interested to hear what one of you guys with a fast internet speed has to say about it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 7:19:53 GMT -5
Hey all, I got the demo to download last night and I've just run it for the first time. Big problem was not knowing what the X-Plane keyboard shortcuts are (I've now found the instructions which I'll now read) and I've just found that there was a big Win10 update as well last night too that has reset my graphics settings to zero, but it looks very very good so far. Despite all that I've managed a quick flight in the Skyhawk. The scenery and moving object models look fantastic. I 'went outside the demo area' (Seattle Tacoma, which I look forward to exploring) and immediately came across the Nimitz, which I promptly landed on! Here's a screen shot. Fantastic!! So much better than FSX and that's even without me setting my graphics up. I then apparently released my brakes (not quite sure how) and it cat launched me. Initial reaction is that X-Plane 11 looks as though it will now knock FSX off the top spot and be THE sim to have. It's still in beta so may need to wait a little while the bugs are knocked out. Anyway, I shall now read the manual, set my graphics up and play a bit more tonight. I'll let you know how I get on - but in the meantime I'd say that if you have nothing better to do with your time, download the demo and try it yourself. Roger BTW the Nimitz was moving with a wake that lets you track it as you are turning in to land. Good stuff It also looks as though the demo is the complete sim that can be unlocked by buying a product key
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 8:59:57 GMT -5
Now look, you've got to give this a go, especially if you were happy enough just flying around a limited area in Flight. The demo Tacoma scenery is brilliant - moving airport traffic as well as vehicle traffic on all major and minor roads. The night lighting is fantastic - not just of the airport but also the lights of all the moving traffic. The water textures are disappointing but that's all I can say so far. There are even some intersting aircraft to fly the demo in - I've just been buzzing around at night in a Stinson that has superb detail.
It's new and all free - what's not to like?
This is I think the next generation, especially if the rest of the world scenery is as good as Tacoma, or can be made as good as by 3rd part developers.
Roger
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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 30, 2016 10:11:06 GMT -5
Hi Roger......Thanks for the news on X-Plane.
I'm just now getting up and running again.......my old girl died on my last week...(most likely the power supply I suppose).....but it was enough of an excuse to let me go buy a new computer. Not sure if I'm liking this Windows 10 stuff as yet...(you know...old dogs and new tricks....) but I'm sure I'll get use to it.
Anyway....it will take me months of tweaks to get things running the way I like....however, since I'm starting over again, I might as well give X-Plane a go.....but it's going to have to wait a week or so. My sister and husband are arriving in a few hours and I won't have time to get much done during their visit.
Keep posting your reviews/pictures.........I'll pop in from time to time to check.
Cheers!!
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Post by bhk on Dec 1, 2016 14:26:09 GMT -5
I've been thinking of getting this....will download it tonight based on Rog's words.
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Post by sgtmajor on Dec 2, 2016 2:20:03 GMT -5
Okay Roger........downloaded the demo and took a peek!! Ten minutes later I purchased the program and I'm installing as we speak. (smile)
Over the years I've acquired so much Flight Sim stuff, it's hard to just walk away from FSX. In fact.......I could probably own 2 or 3 3rd world countries for the amount of $$$$ I've spent on Flight Sim's over the years. (smile)
However, this appears to actually be a possible replacement for FSX.....at least in the sense of beauty.
I'll write more later.......looks like my install just finished and I'm anxious to go poke around a bit before bedtime.
Cheers!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 3:50:30 GMT -5
Steve, is it X-Plane 11 that you've bought as I thought it was still in beta? Or have they sold you X-Plane 10 with a key to download 11 when it's ready for market? I must admit that I am behind the curve and if 11 is now all done and bug-free I'll probably buy it too. I'm looking forward to hearing what you find.
From what I've seen, this will kill FSX as there'll be little point in developers now working on scenery and aircraft for it. It'll make sense for them all to switch to X-Plane because the kernel is so much more powerful.
I did another flight around Tacoma last night and noticed two long freight trains passing each other on the railway lines near the airport and when you fly low and slow at ground level unbelievably the sim is still convincing with beautifully designed individual autogen buildings, moving and parked cars, traffic lights etc etc. It's all amazingly well done and shows what the whole sim world could look like once developers get going on it.
Just came back to add.... I see it's still the beta, which is OK as you also get access to all the upcoming upgrades to program, scenery etc but as download speeds are so sloooowwwwww.... over here I'll have to think whether it's worth buying now with the probability of having to do further downloads in the future or waiting until final release.
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Post by sgtmajor on Dec 2, 2016 9:34:49 GMT -5
Sorry Roger....I didn't say that right. It is actually X-Plane 11 Beta, however, purchasing 11 your installation key will now also allow you to install 10 if you choose. I'm happy enough with the Beta, I don't plan on installing version 10.
Before heading off to bed last evening, I did start the long 3-4 hour download of the entire world scenery which I see now is complete, so I'm anxious to do a little flying this morning. From what I've seen thus far, I like it!!
Comparing X-Plane to FSX right out of the box, X-Plane seems to have a slight edge over FSX, although I think FSX helicopters in general are much, MUCH better. But keep in mind I have perhaps ONLY about 30 minutes total flying time in X-Plane at this point.
I was amazed that it actually recognized my joystick etc., as I use a VERY old ThrustMaster Joystick which has been out of production for many years now.
I'll try to write more later.......but for now......I'm pretty happy with the purchase.
Cheers!
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Post by sgtmajor on Dec 3, 2016 1:48:40 GMT -5
Okay.....after spending most of today in and out of X-Plane and FSX....here are my thoughts at the end of the day!
Well....I've decided you can't really compare it to FSX as it's apples vs oranges actually. While both are flightsim's..... they appear very different as I got to messing with them. Each has it's own set of strengths, however, I've found they both have their weakness too. I predict that if X-Plane continues to make improvements with new releases then eventually it will win the top spot..........provided the developers of add-on's will make the switch too.
I see that Carenado has versions of all their aircraft for X-Plane. If more developers make the leap...then it will succeed, however, if folks like A2A only concentrate on FSX and P3D then X-Plane will continue to struggle along and who knows how it will play out.
I'm very pleased with my purchase of X-Plane....I must admit that I do like it more than the Dovetail Games Flight School....however, I'm sure I'll probably bounce back and forth between X-Plane and FSX for a while yet.
Cheers!!
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Post by sgtmajor on Dec 6, 2016 10:40:12 GMT -5
Now that I've had this program for a few days and the "newness" has worn off etc., I must admit I do enjoy, however, I'm still primarily an FSX fan. Will this EVER replace FSX.......perhaps someday, but there are still too many things I haven't gotten used to........bearing in mind this is STILL a beta version. All I can hope is that I either figure out what I'm doing wrong.......or they fix it.
Biggest issue thus far............Night lighting is breathtaking.........sort of. There is this large area of light coming from somewhere and does not blend at all. (Talk about 50 shades of grey!!!!!) If I pan to one side of the aircraft, everything is dark and beautiful with all the night lighting, traffic, etc., etc., however, panning the other direction there is this HUGE issue...so daytime flights is all I've been able to do.
Cheers!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2016 11:22:27 GMT -5
I'm reading your thoughts with interest Steve. I haven't had that problem with the demo - I wonder if it's something to do with your graphicas card? I turned all the settings up to max the other day and reduced my frame rate to what looked like low single figures. Funny thing is that after playing with the sliders, I don't seem to have been able so far to get things back to where they were after it auto-installed.
And I've got to give things a break now as I have family visiting from this coming Thursday right through to New Year with only a few days break in between, so no time for playing or even flying in real life, which is annoying as the weather is fantastic right now.
Keep the comments coming Steve
Roger
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Post by sgtmajor on Dec 6, 2016 13:30:13 GMT -5
..... I wonder if it's something to do with your graphicas card? I turned all the settings up to max the other day and reduced my frame rate to what looked like low single figures. Funny thing is that after playing with the sliders, I don't seem to have been able so far to get things back to where they were after it auto-installed. Interesting thoughts Roger.....I'm thinking along the same lines. I downloaded and installed the newest driver for my graphics card this morning. (nVidia 1080) Popping back in, I don't see much of any difference. The odd thing....I don't recall having this issue with the demo version....but then again, I was only in the demo for a very short time and I went ahead and purchased the program. Additionally.....I don't recall having the issue with the first flights.....but then again, I can't honestly say I even did a night flight.....I just didn't pay that much attention. I installed the entire global scenery which took about 4-5 hours (I let it installed after I went to bed).... and then fiddled with sliders etc., turning everything up to the max to see if how well it would run. This new computer churns out the program as smooth as silk....but that persistent nasty "glow" is still there and I can't seem to get rid of it. I'll have to visit the forum and see if anyone else is having issues. Here's a screenshot...... If you pan to the around to the other side of the aircraft, the sky is completely black. Strange!!! Cheers,
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Post by sgtmajor on Dec 6, 2016 20:44:42 GMT -5
Roger.......it's taken all day, but I found a thread over at the X-Plane site where someone else reported this same thing. The response was that it was a known bug they are working on.
So......there's still hope. (smile)
Cheers!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2016 6:30:07 GMT -5
That's good Steve. I think the idea of making a beta available to the whole audience is very good because that way all of the bugs and niggles will be vey quickly identified and sorted. Pity MS didn't do that with FSX - the 'audience' ie the trade and others closely associated with flightsim - were so overawed that they'd been chosen by the god MS to test their software that they apparently let all the bugs go through.
Is Xplane-11 a sign of flightsim at last coming of age? I think Lockheed Martin wanted to do that with Prepar3D/FSX but the material that they had to work with was 'of the time'. Xplane-11 is 64 bit and its engine seems to be capable of so much more than that of FSX. You only have to look at the buildings, autogen, moving vehicles and trains and just the quality of the modelling to see that.
I'm sure that just as there are/were stalwarts who swear by FS20002 and FS9, there will be those who will do the same with FSX. Also, there are lots of people who have invested a great deal in 3rd party aircraft and scenery. But I can't see where it can go from here, whereas the future looks golden for Xplane-11. I may be wrong, but...
Roger
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Post by sgtmajor on Dec 7, 2016 18:22:45 GMT -5
I agree Roger....I love having the end users look things over and be allowed to input "ideas." That just makes good business sense to me.
I see an update came out this morning. While it didn't fix the night rendering issues, I'm glad to see the gauges in the 172 were fixed. That flickering was bothersome. I also found the 172 has a "Bobblehead" in the glove compartment. (Smile) Not sure if that has always been in there....but clicking on it puts it up on the instrument panel. (smile) Of course, I had spent quite sometime yesterday re-mapping all my joystick buttons to the same as FSX. With this new update, it changed everything back to the default. (smile) Perhaps instead of re-mapping again, I will just try to get use to the X-Plane key mapping. I hadn't realized until today, that you could actually use the mouse button to pan around the cockpit. Now I REALLY like that.....makes much more sense. Additionally, you can use the arrow keys to adjust height and position. I too like that better than FSX.
Bottom line.....I really think they are on to something...but it's going to take the 3rd party developers to really make it happen. I never did buy into the Prepar3D by Lockheed Martin. Perhaps it's just me....but reading the licensing agreement, I can't honestly say I'm a student....so the academic portion didn't fit. The final disclosure with the big red "X" showing it's not for personal entertainment, was the part that I just couldn't get around. I know.....many have....but not this guy. Just can't do it.
The best part about X-Plane so far............it's made me get FSX back out and use as I'm wanting to compare. I still enjoy FSX.....but X-Plane is a good looking sim!!!
Cheers!!
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