UK2000 FSX

Update 11/05/2007

SP2 NEWS

With the new FSX SP2 and Acceleration versions of FSX, its all change yet again!. There has to be a new version
of the Xtreme range to work correctly with this FSX Variant. I will probably not bother trying to tweek the current
FS9 code system but continue on and finish off the Pure FSX code system. I cant say exactly when the pure FSX
code verison will be ready, but sometime between November and the end of the year is likely

VFR Airfields project will also use this new system to insure it works correctly with FSX SP2

Update 17/05/2007

1) NEW May updates for all FSX products. Due to the release of FSX SP1, there are a few problems in using the
old version. So new updates are being released

3) There will not be a FSX version of UK2000 Part1-8 due to FSX is NOT compatible.
(FSX SP1 has done little for this)
This also effects singles, RAF south and Heathrow Pro (new Heathrow Due summer 2007)

Now the GOOD NEWS! - "UK2000 Lite"
As annouched at the IFC show, a new product will be made for users of FSX who are desperate to have the
UK2000 Scenery Part collection working (and british airport users).

The name has not yet been decided, so this 'lite' name is just for reference. Names like 'UK2000 VFR Airfields' are
a possible name. As I have said I dont yet have the time to remake the models from the old 1-8 for FSX, and also I
want to carry on with main airports, scotland and Ireland before doing so. But I have to do something as the demand
from users is very high.

The idea is to make a new set of ground files using FSX taxiways and aprons using FSX textures. These will be
made to fit exactly in to the Horizon VFR Generation X scenery. In addition the old Parts1-8 models will be
converted in to a format that can work in FSX.

I will be making the actual conversion tool sand ground layout tools required for this process, but it's likely I will get
someone else to do the airfield layouts. This will enable me to carry on with the other projects.

The estimated time scale is late 2007 for Volume1, there should be basic replacement for Parts1-8 that does work
in FSX. Some bits will be lost in this conversion and will not include anything new. So users of FS9 will not be
missing out and should stick to the current Parts 1-8.

Update 24/11/2006

With Stansted Xtreme nearing completion it's time for update on the FSX Situation. There are 3 main 'generations'
of scenery code. The first was around for FS98/FS2000, most of Parts1-8 are made using this type. The second is
32bit type which took over for FS2002/FS2004, some parts of Part7/8 ,use this type and all of Gatwick
Pro/Glasgow Xtreme and Stansted Xtreame use this second generation. FSX is of cause the third.

FSX was meant to be backwards compatible with atleast this last (FS2004) generation of code, but some parts
don't work correctly due to FSX bugs. One of these was the Transparent ground polygons appearing to hover over
ground, this fault is fixed by a simple change in the materials list. The second major bug is with transparent night
textures, there is no easy fix for this and ultimately its down to MS to patch FSX

However I have manage to 'work' around it which enables me to finish Stansted and to have full transparent texture
effects both day and night, without compromising the quality of the product.

What about the FSX code then?
Some may say why not use FSX code and all the new graphics advantages.
This new generation is totally different to FS2004 code, FSX code and materials are no longer processed every
frame rate, the idea being is that it speeds up the sim. This principle is fine if you made poorly designed FS2004
code, but as my latest work is fast anyway, there's no advantage to switch on this basis.

Of cause as we all know FSX is slowed down far more by all other extras so this improvement in the coding has
largely been negated!

What about the graphics advantage then?
Speed that's why!, you only have to turn on a few extra water effects in FSX to see what impact that has, if this was
applied to full detailed addon airport you only create a slide show

Eventually I will move to pure FSX code,(I will soon have the abillity to convert)but the bottom line is I make
airports,and they MUST work as a simulation no ta slide show. Shinny gimmicks and effects must come second to
this.

When PCs speed up then that's the time to use these new materials and code, but that time is not now.