Basic Scenery Questions

[nomad13]

I finally got FSX and after a quick flight, I'm thinking some kind of general scenery upgrade is needed. Being an old CFS 2 guy, I'm hoping for freeware, but I got a feeling the good stuff is going to cost something. Stuff like Orbx Global is too expensive right now so I was looking at REX. Since it's 50% off, it's more in the ballpark. What would be best for a new installation, Rex Essential PLUS with Overdrive (https://store.rexdownload.com/texture-package-and-weather-engine-for-fsx-fsx-steam-edition-p3d-v1-v2-v3/2-rex-3-essential-plus-overdrive.html) or Rex 4 Texture Direct with Soft Clouds (http://store.rexdownload.com/texture-package-for-fsx-fsx-steam-edition-p3d-v1-v2-v3/7-rex-4-texture-direct.html)? They are about the same price. What's the difference between the two? Everything I've read so far says that the Soft Clouds are worth the money.

I'm thinking of using some Orbx freeware scenery if it is compatible with the REX software and probably hunt for freeware planes to get started. I probably would have done more research before posting, but I don't want to miss the REX sale, if that is what I'm looking for. I'm sure the members here know all about this stuff and what the best call would be.

Happy Holidays

[Dimus]

Go with REX4+soft clouds. More recent technology. Hoever, this will give you only environment enhancement (i.e. water, clouds, runways etc.) Nothing will change scenery-wise so it is compatible with everything.

Since also ORBX are having a big sale until year's end, I would suggest that you also get at least ORBX Global base.

[nomad13]

Go with REX4+soft clouds. More recent technology. Hoever, this will give you only environment enhancement (i.e. water, clouds, runways etc.) Nothing will change scenery-wise so it is compatible with everything.

Since also ORBX are having a big sale until year's end, I would suggest that you also get at least ORBX Global base.

So, ORBX is sort of like mesh and the LC Packs are the actual scenery and textures? What happens when ORBX LC Packs are installed over the stock FSX mesh?

[awstub]

There is some pretty decent freeware scenery available.... such as Blue Sky Scenery http://www.blueskyscenery.com/

Also, this site is good for finding freeware scenery: http://www.freewarescenery.com/fsx.html

[Dimus]

Actually no. ORBX Global base are replacement ground textures, not mesh.

Landclass (LC) is not textures, it is definition of what texture to use in a specific area to represent a town, forest, fields etc. ORBX goes even further by defining LC polygons in areas to define exactly the shapes of towns, villages, parks etc.

The ORBX LC packages will probably not work well with default ground textures as they are designed to use the ORBX Global ones. The results may be weird.

For replacement mesh you can not go wrong with the freeware FreeMeshX here:

http://ninetwopro.com/

[nomad13]

Actually no. ORBX Global base are replacement ground textures, not mesh.

Landclass (LC) is not textures, it is definition of what texture to use in a specific area to represent a town, forest, fields etc. ORBX goes even further by defining LC polygons in areas to define exactly the shapes of towns, villages, parks etc.

The ORBX LC packages will probably not work well with default ground textures as they are designed to use the ORBX Global ones. The results may be weird.

For replacement mesh you can not go wrong with the freeware FreeMeshX here:

http://ninetwopro.com/

I see. This ten dollar deal for FSX can wind up costing a few bucks. There's no doubt that ORBX scenery is beautiful.


There is some pretty decent freeware scenery available.... such as Blue Sky Scenery http://www.blueskyscenery.com/

Also, this site is good for finding freeware scenery: http://www.freewarescenery.com/fsx.html

I will check those out, thanks for the links. I may start out with freeware at first and see how that goes.

[PhantomTweak]

This ten dollar deal for FSX can wind up costing a few bucks.
If you mean that FSX is ten bucks, that's a good deal! I paid five for FSX:SE when it first came out, back in 2014, and the most I've paid for add-ons to date is $35.00 for a new joystick. I'm a cheap SOB :D FSX can cost you as much, or as little, as you like. Freeware is abundant for it. It's all I use...
Pat☺

[nomad13]

If you mean that FSX is ten bucks, that's a good deal! I paid five for FSX:SE when it first came out, back in 2014, and the most I've paid for add-ons to date is $35.00 for a new joystick. I'm a cheap SOB :D FSX can cost you as much, or as little, as you like. Freeware is abundant for it. It's all I use...
Pat☺

I play other sims so I have a Thrustmaster HOTAS X which is fine, so I'm OK there. The ORBX stuff looks incredible, they have an LC package for the area where I live that looks great, but I have limits on how much I spend on computer games.