Distance to max object display

[muskokaandtahoe]

In MSTS-X, has there been a decision about how far out from the camera will an object remain visible? And if it has, how far will that be?

I'm hoping this will be several miles. See in MSTS the value used is 2000m; this is more than adequate for most objects and in most circumstances. But here's where it really fails: In any situation where the terrain is fairly flat you have a possibility of visibility well out towards the true horizon and while many man made objects will not be visible at great distances there are many large structures that will remain visible: tall buildings, large bridges, water and gas tanks, and not least, the ground itself.

The ground running out to the point of horizon is, IMO, most problematic in MSTS. It is basically missing. The use of distant mountains, while very useful when there are foreground hills, doesn't work when there isn't anything but flat ground (or water) running out towards the horizon. Having hills 10 miles away appear only 2000m away (with nothing to hide the horizon line) just doesn't work.

Large bridges or buildings are also visible at distances greater than 2000m and large bodies of water can be greter than 2000m wide.

So there are actually many circumstances where a long distance to max object display would serve the route builder rather well.

Am hoping MSTS-X can address this better than we have it today.


[b]Dave Nelson
SLW Route Design: The Cal-P, 1950.[b]
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/muskokaandtahoe/Avatars/Dancing_Genma.gif
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/muskokaandtahoe/Avatars/4ad3d633.jpg

[cougar]

Assuming that MSTS2 will use the same world environment of FSX, the visibility of objects (depending on LODs) will be far greater than 2000m. In FSX, large buildings and other objects can be seen many miles away from the planes. Also, distant mountains are already handled as part of the terrain in FSX. What I like in FSX is that it takes into account earth's curvature. For example, large objects like distant mountains starts to appear in the horizon gradually from their top to their base. I hope all of these nice features will be maintained in MSTS2.

[tdragger]

>Assuming that MSTS2 will use the same world environment of
>FSX, the visibility of objects (depending on LODs) will be far
>greater than 2000m. In FSX, large buildings and other objects
>can be seen many miles away from the planes. Also, distant
>mountains are already handled as part of the terrain in FSX.
>What I like in FSX is that it takes into account earth's
>curvature. For example, large objects like distant mountains
>starts to appear in the horizon gradually from their top to
>their base. I hope all of these nice features will be
>maintained in MSTS2.

What he said.

[muskokaandtahoe]

Miles huh? That's very good news. Thanks for sharing it.

[b]Dave Nelson
SLW Route Design: The Cal-P, 1950.[b]
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/muskokaandtahoe/Avatars/Dancing_Genma.gif
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/muskokaandtahoe/Avatars/4ad3d633.jpg

[NSFAN]

Sounds awesome, can't wait to see what other features will be available in the sim. Still a long time to go yet and I'm already in suspense...but please, take your time! :)