Prepar3d v3

[sidler]

It's out!!

http://www.prepar3d.com/latest-news/

[stovall]

Not available yet for purchase or download. Thanks for the heads up on the announcement. Will be available September 30th.

[Boomer]

Looks like no upgrade, have to pay in full to get it.

[StormILM]

Even though a 64bit version is still a ways off (but still in the making), these two things (among many other improvements) stuck out to help deal with one major issue that has plagued FSX/P3D when using high end models and scenery:
-Improved memory management reducing overall VAS usage and spikes
-Unused terrain detail textures no longer loaded

That being noted, with this and many other major improvements in this version, it should perform quite well.

[flaviossa]

Well, for me, is no deal right now. Don´t see any advantage paying the full price again. Maybe someday next year.

[Navy Chief]

Full price again, but not 64 bit?? What's the advantages? Does not seem like much of a good deal to me at least.....NC

[UnknownGuest12]

Yes, will wait...think it will be too much to pay full again for an upgrade and not wanting to wait for orbx add-ons again...will triple installers work with v3? yep, gonna keep 2.5. And no 64 bit?
regards

[fsxar177]

Been reading so many people crying about 'full price'.

Really?

Anyone looked at what A2A is asking for ONE AIRCRAFT licensed for P3D?

Lockheed is graciously working on, fixing, and developing the whole dang simulator. Bringing the old technology, into the 21st century (finally).

For the life of me ...

http://www.fsxairsports.com/teasers/a2a.jpghttp://www.fsxairsports.com/teasers/p3d.jpg


Now, for the record. I'm not complaining about the price of either or.. Just making a comparison.

- Joseph

[StormILM]

LM made quite clear their intent/purpose of P3D from day one. Having seen some of the academic & professional training outlets that P3D (and the upgraded individual Addon Aircraft Packages) are actually aimed at, there is good reason for what they are charging. The scope is considerably beyond what most of us are used to within the original MSFS market (basic PC based entertainment). What those training orgs are asking for easily justifies the development costs & end prices. There may well be some branch-off technology from this that finds it's way into newer iterations of the FSX based side of the house which would be more likely to appeal to average users on a number of levels (including price and features).

[Penz]

Agree with Joseph.

I gladly pay for continuous development of the core sim.

[Mach3DS]

agreed. if your willing to fork over 50$ a pop for aircraft from a2a I'm not sure why this is such an issue? avatar mode looks very cool. Getting into and out of your aircraft as a person in 1St person or 3Rd person view and explore the area....Dino is already implementing it into his f35s. Also, real time cube map meaning realtime live environment map reflection generation. ;)

[DaveWG]

And Pete Dowson is on holiday...

[StormILM]

The upgrade is pretty extensive:

Autodesk® Scaleform® Integration

Gauges and panels as well as scenario object content can be built using Adobe® Flash® and integrated using Autodesk Scaleform.
Several UI screens have been replaced with Scaleform implementations such as the ATC window, the Menu System, the InfoGen, and Menu Prompts. These aforementioned UI can be themed by third party developers.

Avatar Mode

Enter and exit vehicles in Avatar Mode
Avatar fully controllable in first and third person views
Third party avatar support

Updated User Interface

New default theme for v3
Fixed UI layouts, position bugs, and improved overall usability
ATC window now transparent and can be docked into main view
Menu system performance and appearance improved
InfoGen readability improved
Fixed bug in menu system where blank entries could be created
Fixed a bug where drop-down menu state would not always update while open
Added close buttons to docked views when window titles are enabled (feature was always present but no visual indicator existed)
Default scenario is now visible in Load Scenario screen
Fixed a bug where Prepar3D.cfg setting 'ShowATCText' was not enabling ATIS captioning
Fixed a bug where Prepar3D.cfg settings for ATC message color customization was not being respected
Fixed bug with InfoGen where text would not appear when pausing or entering slew after changing start page to 0 in scenario
Fixed issues with modifying default and favorites in save and load screens
Load scenario page now shows vehicle name along with scenario description
Trimmed down amount of menu items in certain cases including multiplayer and the context menu
Fixed bug with Flight Planner that would prevent a flight plan from saving out if it was between two airports with no intermediate waypoints
Fixed bug with certain text boxes where pasting text would not respect current selection and incorrectly move cursor
Fixed bug where undocking a message view would instead undock the main view
Fixed bugs with Scenario Startup screen where weather theme changes would apply when clicking cancel and user defined weather would not get applied when changed
Fixed bug that prevented multiplayer menu items from being added to customized menus
Fixed bug with Scenario Startup screen that prevented vehicle selection background from updating with the time of day
Enhanced ATC window to provide feedback when ATC communication is disabled, i.e. Sim Paused, No Electric, etc.
Fixed bug with ATC window that prevented UI from refreshing when switching from an AI camera back to the user
Updated graphics profile UI and added prompt when attempting to save over existing profiles
Time Preview window now takes up less space and readability improved
Updated visual style of scroll buttons to be more clean
Instrument Panel menu option now disabled if vehicle has no panels
Added restrictions on what items can be accessed during Structured Scenarios (default restrictions can be overridden by developer)
Removed redundant UIs used when importing and exporting controls
Reassigned menu shortcut keys to remove duplicates
Added Settings button to main menu screen
Fixed bug where "Esc", "Spacebar", and "Enter" keys would not function in Scenario Startup screen
Changing full-screen resolution while in full-screen now immediately changes resolution
Fixed bug with category selection in Settings menu
Fixed bug with UI scaling at low resolution and high DPI settings
Made OK/Cancel button alignment consistent across screens
Updated About Menu

Platform Improvements

"Flights" terminology has been changed to "Scenario" better reflecting Prepar3D's full land, sea, and air training capabilities
Fixed controller/joystick dropping issues with Windows 8.1
Fixed multiplayer issue preventing user log out when exiting
Multiplayer NET_VERSION correctly incremented to prevent different versions connecting with each other
Fixed a bug where the main view could be closed while window titles were enabled
Fixed bug where crash would occur when entering invalid license
Fixed bug where thumbnail images for scenarios and aircraft would not match correctly
Fixed bug where piston engine failure could reverse itself back to 100% health
Fixed and updated multiple areas in the Learning Center
Added more options in Scenery.cfg to accept more variables
Fixed bug causing certain library objects to be rendered in wrong locations
Fixed issue with multiplayer weather serialization
Oculus Rift VR headset fully integrated into core. Headset now appears in camera mode list if connected.
Fixed scenario reset bug where full scenery reload would occur when not required
Added content error reporting for gauge loading errors
Fixed an issue when deleting a scenario from the Load Scenario screen, the xml file would not get deleted from the Prepar3D v3 Files folder
Fixed focus issue with multiple views. Would sometimes cause the camera to change on the wrong view when using context menu
Panel-only prevented from being set on non-main views
Fixed bug that would cause frame drops when hitting escape during instant replay playback
Fixed bug that would cause full scenery reload to occur even when not moving vehicle
Fixed bug where application icon would not appear in taskbar when booting into multiplayer
Fixed bug that would always prevent user from entering lobby when booting into multiplayer
Fixed bug where TowerController could spawn on the ground in multiplayer
Added greater customization of InfoText appearance
Scenario captions now on by default
Fixed bug where child views could become panel-only after being opened
Scenery library items which cannot be found are now prompted for removal
Fixed bug that would prevent Scenario Briefing from being displayed in certain cases
Fixed bug that would prevent pilot records from updating
Fixed crash that would occur from misconfigured weapons and pylons
Fixed weather serialization bug in multiplayer
Fixed bug that would cause custom camera zoom levels to save out incorrectly
Invalid flight plans are now prevented from being saved
Fixed bug where non-unicode languages would alter starting location
Fixed bug with booting into multiplayer from command line that would prevent scenario from loading
Fixed bug that prevented cockpit button picking from working in FS9 BGL models
Changing default scenario now immediately writes out to the Prepar3D.cfg
Fixed bug that would prevent thunder sounds from being audible
Updated vehicle load failure popup to relay when user will be placed in viewer sim
Fixed issue that caused instability when using hoist and sling features
Fixed docked view positioning bug when undocked views were opened
Undocked views now position themselves on top of other open views
Change low speed thrust limit on propeller in order to better blend the low and high speed thrust calculations
User tips now enabled by default
Fixed bug that would cause the WindowPlugin system to hang when changing between certain vehicles during a crash sequence
Fixed bug where slew would not disengage when entering Instant Replay
Fixed bug where changing the assignment of the "esc" key would not register
Fixed bug that caused XBox 360 controller triggers to register as z-axis on first assignment
Added Camera Center Offset to camera configuration

SpeedTree Integration (IDV Inc.)

Platform now supports SpeedTree models which are high quality 3D trees, with wind animations and smooth LOD transitions
SpeedTree models can be placed using SimDirector

New Content

Virtavia Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk
India India Alpha Foxtrot Echo F-35A
18 new scenery library models of 3D trees (powered by SpeedTree)

Rendering and Performance Updates Updated Visuals and Performance

Updated HDR to increase default brightness and enhance color clarity
Developed animation blending support enabling lifelike avatar animations
Cube map render added to system enabling real-time reflections on objects
Fixed issues with water reflections that were affected by secondary views
Fixed bug with non-tessellated terrain that would prevent ground detail flag from being respected
Fixed visual bug with ground normal particles
Fixed bug where taxiway lights would shift at large airports
Removed old sun glare effect
Fixed issue where virtual cockpit night lighting would not work as expected
Fixed issue where global environment map would fail to load in some cases causing aircraft to look dull
Fixed shadow issues seen with bathymetry enabled
Added alpha write option for virtual cockpit panel textures
Fixed bug where GPU terrain would shift at high altitudes
Fixed light scaling issues
Fixed issue that would prevent models from instancing in certain situations
Fixed bug where applying vsync with triple buffering would cause rendering to freeze
Fixed bug where shadows would not display properly on non-tessellated terrain
Improved memory management reducing overall VAS usage and spikes
Fixed bug that caused different objects to burn through fog including the sun, moon, galaxy, airport lights, and lens flare
Fixed bug where material NO FOG setting was not always respected
Multiplicative particles now fog correctly
Fixed bug where pre-lit objects disabled fog
Fixed water rendering issues while using non-tessellated terrain including reflection appearance and shadow brightness
Optimized texture unloading during loads
Unused terrain detail textures no longer loaded
Added modifiable saturation effect to HDR enabling greater customization of visual appearance
Fixed bug that would cause panel transparency to also affect virtual cockpit panels if Mipmap VC Panels was enabled
Fixed issue where certain clouds would disappear at certain camera angles when on the ground
Exposed bloom material scalar to Prepar3D.cfg to allow finer control of bloom
Fixed bug that would cause fog to flicker when changing views
Fixed bug where fog would not respect ShowWeather flag in camera config
Fixed bug with fog appearance in reflections
Overall shader optimizations for increased performance
Fixed bug where certain scenery effects would only occur during the day
Fixed bug where landing lights would draw incorrectly at steep angles
Fixed bug where HDR and FXAA would not applied for one frame when switching views
Fixed crash bug that could occur when opening multiple views in quick succession
Fixed bug with wave animation wind offsets

Enhanced Particle System

Optimized particle system by better utilizing GPU and system resources by reducing CPU side work, supporting indirect draw calls, and improving sorting algorithms
Fixed issue where certain particle effects would not render due to prioritization errors
Fixed bug with particle lifetimes
Fixed z-fighting issue with particles using same emitter
Fixed issue where certain aircraft light emitters would not be deleted
Fixed bug where extrusions would not connect properly with certain effects

Enhanced Multiple GPU Support

Fixed bug where lights would not draw correctly multiple GPUs
Fixed bug where batched scenery objects would flicker across multiple GPUs
Fixed bug where scenery objects would not correlate correctly across multiple views
Fixed issue where effects would not synchronize properly between multiple GPUs
Fixed bug where particles and extrusions would flicker and get out of order in SLI

SimDirector Updates

Added Lua scripting support to SimDirector. Scripts can be fired through actions and ScenarioVariables can be used enabling more complex scenario logic
Full avatar support in scenario creation. For example, the avatar can be referenced by other objects and can be given waypoints.
Added scenery import and export support in SimDirector. BGLs can now be created from scenarios with scenery in SimDirector which greatly simplifies the scenery creation process
Visual Path object added which can be attached to moving objects or waypoints
Fixed bug where hang would occur occasionally when exiting backstage
Updated internal error checking to prevent intermittent crashes
Fixed bug that would prevent mobile scenery from appearing in preview window
Fixed waypoint placement issue that would prevent waypoints from being placed close to other objects
Fixed validation bug with timers
Fixed issue where mouse cursor state would not change in certain cases
Fixed bug with Menu Prompt Trigger that caused windows to close prematurely
Fixed bug that prevented Jet Fighter Time Trial from loading in SimDirector
Fixed tabbing issues in Catalog UI
Fixed crash that would occur when attempting to play back VI session while in Virtual Instructor mode
Fixed bug where sound would distort when entering SimDirector
Fixed hang that would occur when booting directly into SimDirector
ATC menu no longer stays open when entering SimDirector or switching SimDirector modes
ThreatDome models added to object catalog
Color property now supports alpha (e.g. Focal Point Color, Area Definition Color, On Screen Text Color)
Fixed bug where SimDirector camera would be changed when switching the time of day
Fixed bug with failure system index that would cause all instances to trigger when index of "0" was used
Fixed bug where effects played in preview mode would persist when leaving preview mode
Removed empty scenery objects
Fixed bug that would cause a crash when entering SimDirector with auto validation on
Fixed issue with ViewChangeAction that would prevent camera list from repopulating when loading new scenarios
Fixed bug with POI scaling
Fixed bug that would cause app to be disabled when pressing Ctrl+V in a group
Enabling mouse yoke no longer prevents SimDirector controls from functioning
Triggers now have OneShot set to false by default
Improved scenario save and load times
Scenario no longer unpaused when starting recording playback
Fixed issue where help button was not selectable in undocked views
Fixed catalog view to show selected object when using arrow keys to navigate through menu
Fixed issue where SimDirector could crash if closed while changing modes
Scenarios can now be saved in .spb format
Snap to ground is now a global setting
Minor errors in scenario .xml files no longer prevent scenario from loading
Updated SimDirector settings page appearance and added options to enabled error logging
Scenario error logging now on by default
Fixed resource path issues that could occur when modifying scenarios in both core Prepar3D and SimDirector
Fixed issue where sounds in sound subfolder would prevent scenario from being previewed
Improved scenario loading times
ScenarioMetaData no longer required but still recommended
Validation window now opened if validation errors are reported during a mode change and user cancels
Fixed issue that could cause SimDirector to slow down after prolonged use
Object titles in Scenario Visualization now show ellipsis when string is too long to fit instead of just clipping out
Fixed crash that could occur on shutdown caused by invalid objects being accessed
TargetPlayer now settable in actions that can occur in multiplayer scenarios
Fixed bug that would prevent DisabledTrafficAirports Descr from updating
Failure Action no longer shows systems that are not applicable to current vehicle
Fix crash that could occur when loading scenarios with invalid containers
Modified FlightRealism object to prevent users from opening the Flight Planner, entering slew, and changing location, vehicle, or fuel during Structured Scenarios
Added WorldRealism object to prevent users from changing world settings (weather, time) during Structured Scenarios
Fixed bug where SimDirector UI styles would be applied to core application when leaving SimDirector
Updated OnCompleteActions to support multiplayer concepts including IsGlobal and Triggering
Triggers now have one shot set to true by default
Fixed bug where switching between an entity and scenery object would not correctly update the preview window
Fixed bug where Scenario Name and Description would be changed when leaving Preview mode with legacy flight (FLT) files
SimDirector window title now uses the File Name instead of Scenario Title
Fixed crash that could occur when bringing an item in the History into view
Failure Action can now be applied to specific subsystems
Fixed bug preventing weather settings from being respected in SimDirector
Added message box to show when LoadScenarioAction would fire in Preview Mode
Fixed issues with resource path when saving the same scenario both in and out of SimDirector
Fixed bug that caused placed objects that were scaled in SimDirector to cull out prematurely

SDK and SimConnect Updates

The ATC, Menu System, and InfoGen support third-party skinning through the Scaleform SDK
SimConnect_WeatherRequestCloudState now returns correct range of values
Fixed bug with SimConnect_AIReleaseControl not fully releasing control of AI
Enhanced ISimObject property management
Additional improvements to path configuration files to support third party developers
Multiple configuration files added to support the path configuration system
Added command line parameters for developers to add or remove additional paths to core content
Sample projects updated to use Visual Studio 2013
SetupAcesRoot.ms script added back to 3dsMax SDK
Fixed incorrect Learning Center scenario names in documentation
Cameras can now be attached to model attach points
Base scenery can now be overridden without being deleted
DLL.xml can now be modified through command line
Scenery.cfg now supports command line activate and deactivate operations
Added Weather System PDK allowing developers to set weather related settings and interface with weather station data
Updated Learning Center descriptions for goals and mission objective SimConnect enumerations
XToMDL tool now displays exceptions more clearly
Updated carrier documentation
Restructured Add-Ons documentation
Added function to CabDir tool to strip trailing slashes or quotes from end of path
Corrected how up events and up/down data are returned when using SimConnect_MapInputEventToClientEvent with joystick buttons and POV hats
Added new blend mode for instrument panels to better support HUDs.

Installer Updates

Installer now split into three separate components which can be updated and installed independently: Client, Content, and Scenery.
Folder organization scheme modified to support new content and scenery installers
Updated versioning scheme for installed files
Legacy SimConnect clients no longer installed with Prepar3D installer. Separate installers for these are provided in install package if needed.
Process of activating from another computer has been simplified
The licensing and Digital Rights Management (DRM) system has been completely overhauled

[donnybalonny]

The biggest problem with P3D is not the price IMHO

Its the constant upgrades. Its just a few month ago that we had to reinstall everything in order to use V2.5. Now its a complete reinstall again. P3D is turning into being an install simulator instead of a flightsimulator.:banghead:

If P3D was updated with patches and a full install new update every 1,5 years or so, then it would make sense for me.

Besides, I´m not impressed by the long list of improvements. V2.5 also had a long list and what did it change for real?

The bad thing for those of us that wont be updating/buying is that we loose support for many new addons. Aerosoft only support newest version of P3D. And others will do the same. Good things are that we have FSX-SE that seems rock solid and with a far superior performance than P3Dv2.5. But, of course, I miss the better looking clouds in P3D. But as usual, life is a compromise and you cant get it all.

[donnybalonny]

And dont forget that its not only P3D that has to be reinstalled, its FSUIPC, its your weather machine, will orbx funcion or de we have to wait x years for a cuadruple installer (many orbx addons are still not P3Dv2 ready)
Will your favorite jet work or do you have to make a full price new purchase. Will FSX addons work
ETC ETC ETC.

When a 64bit version comes out, I might be interested, but something else has showed up before. (I hope so)

[Christoph_T]

I am very excited about the news. Didn't expect it this week:-)

But I think, that I will wait this time until the first impressions come in.
Further more I am very interested in the statements of all the third-party software:
- Will there be combability-issues with our addons?
- Do the third-party-companies use the relaese of V3 to demand our money again for the same addons?
(Of course I know, that (gladly) not all of the developers worke this way)
It all depends on the money to convert to the new version!!

One thing that makes me a bit wondering:
They are talking of V3 BUT at the same time they list many "bug fixes"
Well in understanding this should be part of a normal patch, right?!

[xpelekis]

Just made my day ....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FLlT_asO4A


Javier Fernandez - Published on Sep 24, 2015

This is a working test using animated crew for carriers in P3D. I's going to start working on a new carrier soon and I already have modeled an animated a library of crew members for it. I used an unreleased old model I did of the Spanish LHD Juan Carlos as the test bed.

[ce_zeta]

Looks like an expensive expansion.

I hope that they will release a 64 bits version in the V3.x development branch.

P.S. Wow amazing BPE!!

[ak416]

v3? Should have been 2.6... full price again, and for what? Some bug fixes, native Oculus support and "avatar mode"? No thanks... :biggrin-new:

[zswobbie1]

And dont forget that its not only P3D that has to be reinstalled, its FSUIPC, its your weather machine, will orbx funcion or de we have to wait x years for a cuadruple installer (many orbx addons are still not P3Dv2 ready)
Will your favorite jet work or do you have to make a full price new purchase. Will FSX addons work
ETC ETC ETC.

When a 64bit version comes out, I might be interested, but something else has showed up before. (I hope so)

Yup, As it IS a new program, as opposed to an update of your existing install, it obviously will be a new install, with everything you require/need having to be re-installed.

[Double J]

Got sucked into buying the last P3D beta...... not this time.

[Boomer]

The biggest problem with P3D is not the price IMHO

Its the constant upgrades.

Ditto that! I am blessed that the cost does not concern me but the constant changes & upgrades I find irritating. In my youth I loved to stay on the cutting edge of technology. Now I just want it to work! My free hours are precious few & I don't want to fill them up tweaking, configuring or just trying to get it to work. What I want & will pay handsomely for is stability.

[flaviossa]

The price $$$ is not the issue. Paying for the same thing over and over is. As said above, the majority of the itens are FIX for bugged things. Paying for a working SLI profile? Don´t think so.
And yes, install all of it again is a problem too :biggrin-new:

[ST0RM]

Looks like no upgrade, have to pay in full to get it.

Yes, I noticed that too. Kind of a kick to the junk.

Sadly, they've fixed the dropped USB joystick bug in Win 8.1 with v3, but will it be patched for v2.5?

[n4gix]

One new feature should make many happy. They have developed a new "update system" that will no longer require a full re-install of future fixes.

[Penz]

I totally want an avatar.

[n4gix]

Expanding a bit on my previous comment about the new update system, here are some comparisons:

Full installer = 10,245,970 KB
InstallClient = 104,350 KB <= this is the last update package

As you can see, updating will be much, much easier and faster now! :ernaehrung004:

[Spikehughes]

As an P3 outsider I have been watching this LM program with interest over the past few years - but I have gotten FSX up to such a decent level of quality and performance (using DX10Fixer)AS Next,Softclouds, Orbx, etc., etc., that I have always been reluctant to purchase the Prepar3d offering - reading about others issues with 3rd party equipment and the fact that many of my quality products don't work or would need to be repurchased .. as far as I can see - that cost equation has not really changed with V3.0 except a clearer delineation on what a student is vs an individual =- and an increase in listed price to purchase.. As for VAS issues - I will watch this over the weeks and months ahead and see if there are any real benefits to be had.


I await some more proving video clips ... meantime back to FSX aceleration

[TuFun]

"Region is Orbx NA NorCal, Airport is FlightBeam's KSFO HD, graphics settings are at the end of the video ... it is recorded in 4K and is using NI for 4X SGSS AA. Hardware is 5960X with two Titan X's in SLI performance mode."

Wow! 4k! I guess you'll need two Titan/980ti's to do that!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v=VBWCMJqitoU

[UnknownGuest12]

[QUOTE=TuFun;982996]"Region is Orbx NA NorCal, Airport is FlightBeam's KSFO HD, graphics settings are at the end of the video ... it is recorded in 4K and is using NI for 4X SGSS AA. Hardware is 5960X with two Titan X's in SLI performance mode."

Wow! 4k! I guess you'll need two Titan/980ti's to do that!

QUOTE]

Hi Tufun

"Region is Orbx NA NorCal"
So, is it possible to install Orbx products (meaning triple installers) on P3D v 3? don´t have this one, only global, europe and nz, few airports, but don´t want to wait months once more for Orbx updates. Apart having to pay again, this is the main reason not to upgrade to V3...

Regards

[TuFun]

Rob is a beta tester who did the video, so not sure on ORBX products install on v3.

[flaviossa]

JV about orbx products X P3D v3: http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/topic/103534-prepar3d-v3-free-multi-installers-coming-for-orbx-regions-vector-olc/
So you will have to wait again for the installers. (I´m waiting till now for some of the airport installers for p3d v2.5) :sleeping:

[UnknownGuest12]

Read all previous posts in related ORBX Forum and my main doubts remain...hope someone will be so kind and make matters clear to me. (posted this in Orbx Forum)


1-Do Orbx users have to download everything once more or there will be a patch/patches to previous triple installers?


2-Think not, but read about some of Orbx products beeing installed on Prepar3d, with triple installers, no problems found. Is this true? If so, how is it done?


Have jus a few of Orbx products, they make THE difference, and will not buy v3 until everything I own (Orbx) is updated. Waited months for triple installers, not wanting to do the same again, will keep 2.5 for the moment.
Thanks

[CanadaKen]

I'm one of those guys who think FS9, FSX and P3D Academic were/are too inexpensive. I agree totally with other members who wonder why someone would complain about a $50 P3D Academic purchase then 5 minutes later pay what PMDG or A2A charge for their aircraft.

I was in e:mail contact with a couple of ACES Team members years ago and told them it was crazy for me to be able to buy FS9 the day it came out for $29.99. I think I paid $35 for FSX the day it came out. Now when you compare the levels of support and development by LM on P3D compared to MS I think Lockheed Martin has been brilliant.

The new Updater is worth the price of admission alone! Access to the Settings button from the start page was way up on my list and it's in V3.0.

I think may users forget what it was like dealing with Microsoft and their "You will buy it and you will like it" attitude or their "We've got your money and we will fix it when we get around to it" attitude. Remember MS's Beta is other developers Alpha! :sour:

CK

[falcon409]

I think, at least for me, the fact that 2.5 is installed, works and looks great, all utilities are up to date with that version and nothing is broke is enough to forego any new version offerings. Yes I understand that it's an ongoing WIP sim and I need to keep doing the updates/upgrades to stay current, but that doesn't concern me. I know that's incomprehensible to some but I'm sure in time you'll get over it, lol.

[Alan_A]

When I started with Prepa3d 2.x, it was a refreshing change from FSX - much better performance out of the box and better graphics. Over time, for me personally, it became more of a tweakfest than FSX had been. After a couple of weeks of trying to get SLI to perform without artifacts on 2.5, I loaded up FSX Steam on a lark (had bought the license on one of those $5 sales) just to see how it ran. The answer: better than FSX Gold (much smoother, better frames) and in many respects better than P3D, which had acquired a family of stutters somewhere along the line. So for the moment, I'm enjoying FSX:SE - it's an easy environment to live in, comparatively inexpensive, no need to worry about incompatibilties, and no need to play word games with the licensing. I'm by no means decided against P3D 3.0 - I might try it out at some future point, depending on user reports - but I'm not feeling compelled to rush in today. My $.02.

[davido53]

I've had P3D and now almost exclusively flying FSX:SE simply because it runs better. As far as support, I don't see much evidence of it. In fact, I don't see much evidence of a lot of people on P3D forums...they seem to be deserted.

FSX has problems too, though...trying to install some freeware ORBX products today and got 'unhandled exceptions'.

Still, $59 ain't bad for a whole new sim when you compare the cost of aftermarket stuff.

[fsafranek]

Expanding a bit on my previous comment about the new update system, here are some comparisons:

Full installer = 10,245,970 KB
InstallClient = 104,350 KB <= this is the last update package

As you can see, updating will be much, much easier and faster now! :ernaehrung004:
Yep, and we did it 11 times this summer. I did scrape off the whole thing last night and put on the latest build and yes, that does take a while.
:ernaehrung004:

[fsafranek]

Rob is a beta tester who did the video, so not sure on ORBX products install on v3.
Orbx is on the featured developer list so hope they've had someone on the beta team to test P3D as well as their own stuff.
:ernaehrung004:

[YoYo]

Looks like no upgrade, have to pay in full to get it.

http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p762/xmywastedyouth/tumblr_lvvadaeRM71r8058ko1_500_zpsa9ff68d6.gif

Disaster idea for me. They solved some of bugs (and Im sure some exists still like seasonal textures) and want money - full price for it again? Big problem of P3D is many incompatible versions also.

As it was before V3 = 64 bits and new sim..... (so promises only). It isnt a v3. its a something like 2.6v and jump for cash only. I dont need any Avatar, I have free ORBX Bob for walking, dont need FPS game for 199$.

I decided do not buy next P3D - no any discount for owners of V2. Maybe I will wait for V4 with full price again ;>.

In the next Year Dovetial will finish new sim based on FSX/Flight. I'll check for this. Bye bye Lockheed Martin....

[dvj]

Is this not an FSX general discussion forum? Maybe move this thread over the dedicated P3D forum? :dizzy:

[Mach3DS]

I understand the reasoning in not wanting to upgrade. I don't understand why it's coming as such a shock that they are charging for it? If DT actually produces something it will be fantastic. Currently my real feeling is that although it's great to have all this "interest" in flight simulation it feels like the community has been fractured because not all versions arenalike. So another "new" sim based on FSX will only further fracture.... FSX FSX:A FSX:SE FS(DT) P3Dv1 P3Dv2 P3Dv3... Definitely P3D doesn't have the same reach that a purely entertainment sim would have....I see a great rift coming...especially if this new DT sim changes structure yet again. Not completely from the users but devs must just be put in a pickle...to try and keep versions straight for each product by sim....a lot of extra work. At some point when do you say we're not supporting xyz platform anymore? As a beta tester it hard to just handle 2 sims...although seems like P3Dv3 will not be much different from v2 in terms of functionality.

[stovall]

Is this not an FSX general discussion forum? Maybe move this thread over the dedicated P3D forum? :dizzy:

dvj, this has been considered. Because many FSX users also use P3D some of the discussion effects FSX topics and users. The discussion definitely could effect FSX users planning to purchase or change over to P3D v3.

[YoYo]

I understand the reasoning in not wanting to upgrade. I don't understand why it's coming as such a shock that they are charging for it? If DT actually produces something it will be fantastic. Currently my real feeling is that although it's great to have all this "interest" in flight simulation it feels like the community has been fractured because not all versions arenalike. So another "new" sim based on FSX will only further fracture.... FSX FSX:A FSX:SE FS(DT) P3Dv1 P3Dv2 P3Dv3... Definitely P3D doesn't have the same reach that a purely entertainment sim would have....I see a great rift coming...especially if this new DT sim changes structure yet again. Not completely from the users but devs must just be put in a pickle...to try and keep versions straight for each product by sim....a lot of extra work. At some point when do you say we're not supporting xyz platform anymore? As a beta tester it hard to just handle 2 sims...although seems like P3Dv3 will not be much different from v2 in terms of functionality.

Right also....

[davido53]

1. not impressed with Virtavia
2. still looks like it has that 'dark' texture problem that 2.5 has
3. I take back my 'problem with ORBX' and FSX...ORBX is awesome (now that I got my free 100 airports or so working with FTX global)

[falcon409]

. . . . .As it was before V3 = 64 bits and new sim. . . . . (so promises only). . . . .
I can tell you that from the very beginning LM had stated that a 64bit version was not in the cards for the foreseeable future. That, however did not keep so-called "experts" who claimed to know a guy who knew a guy who used to be married to a guy who knew someone who worked for LM and they said something about 64bit from pushing the question about a 64 bit system every chance they had. Usually LM would just ignore them so as to keep from lending any credence to the rumors. A lot of BS from people who really didn't have any idea what they were talking about.

To my knowledge LM has never "promised" that this version was definitely going to be 64 bit, as a matter of fact, the only thing they might be willing to admit to at this point is that it's being considered.