I’m now not sure the orbx product actually fixes any morphing, it’s just that the base mesh resolution in NZ is quite good so it’s not much of a jump in lod to the upgraded one, you probably don’t notice when it changes in most areas because the overall look is quite similar.
The meshes added by Asobo in the world updates sometimes use far higher res data so maybe we’re just noticing the added lod steps changing since there is likely more of a jump from the default.
Just my thoughts and I may be wrong about orbx somehow minimizing the lod changes, they are a partner company so maybe have insider access to some features?
And let’s be realistic here we are never going to get the highest res mesh all the way to the horizon, this just places an enormous load on the gpu and memory and is just poor optimisation since none of that detail can even be seen.
I’m sure they’ll improve the current switching to be less noticeable or happen further out or something but I feel some of you in this thread are still not going to be happy with whatever they do.
I haven’t used it, so can’t give any input as to the veracity of their claims but the comment from their blurb stood out to me as I really do dislike the terrain morphing issues currently plaguing MSFS:
“…without any blurring and minimal LOD morphing when flying over the diverse terrain of New Zealand.”
And under key features: “ * Compiled to reduce LOD morphing”
So they certainly seem to be pushing a lack of morphing as a selling point. Need to go and watch some video reviews to see how it works in reality, I do find it very jarring when mountains are visibly changing shape right next to you!
I really hope to see mesh shading implemented along with or after DX12U, I think it could help massively with just these sort of issues.
I now take that comment back, I’ve flown around extensively with the free Alps meshes on flightsim.to and there is significantly more pop up. The orbx mesh is much better at a higher resolution.
As I’ve found out recently, orbx apparently know how to use the cgl format to implement custom meshes, vs the apparently inefficient bgl format that is used with the free mods. It is entirely possible doing it the intended way via cgl files allows them to improve on the lod switching.
I haven’t spotted any morphing at all in my flights so far. Thats not to say they’ve completely eliminated it…but i haven’t seen it myself in a good 15 hours of mountain flying. If it’s there its very subtle… not like the ridiculous morphing even with default scenery, never mind the free addon meshes.
Cheers for that, I spent the better part of a year and a half pootling around NZ in light aircraft so very tempted to pick it up if it’s worthwhile…. How’s the crater lake at the top of Mt Ruapehu look with the mod? That was one of my more memorable flights!
For all of you who didn’t want to purchase a payware mesh for NZ, there is now a freeware mesh that has popped up on flightsim.to for New Zealand.
Once extracted, it takes up 9.7GB of harddrive space compared with Orbx’s 523mb. Will be interesting to test out some domestic routes with each mesh loaded to see a difference.
I’ve only had time to check out the freeware mesh very briefly, but the Remarkable Mountains next to NZQN (first shot) look great, however it seems some places like D’Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds have been textured with sea rather than ground (second shot)
I had lots of stutters with the freeware mesh, compared with the rest of the freeware published recently on flightsim.to in Europe, Alps, Canary islands, etc if anyone test this mesh could share his optimum graphics settings to avoid those stutters. Thanks
I have the Orbx mesh and very happy with it. So much so I done a 3hr flight in a cub crafter x on South Island Have Milford sound NZMF freeware which together with ship AI brings it all together. It’s like I’m back in Milford sound again. The time put in by the guys doing the addons greatly appreciated. Happy to pay creators as I’ll fly NZ a fair bit.
Update for NZ Mesh finally available in Orbx Central today!
Changelog
LiDAR sources used for Marlborough North, Canterbury Banks peninsula, Auckland, Westport, Wellington and Queenstown areas
Compatibility for Sim Update 9 changes
D’Urville Island now included
At the time of this release, our Landmarks Auckland City product still requires some additional minor tweaks to cater for the new LiDAR sources and we will advice when that has been updated.
Excellent - OrbX should always continue their absolute awesome work enhancing bigger areas of our precious Flight Sim 20 to perfection!
I think OrbX has already covered Antarctica and UK, and now New Zealand. Wonderful!
They should absolutely do some cool exotic holiday islands like Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza, Corse, Hawaii, Scotland with Inverness and Loch Ness, Bahamas, Kuba, Jamaica and others
I wonder how the scenery will compare when Osobo release the NZ world update next month, They have not advised if the orbx nz scenery purchased will need to be removed to make way for the free world update? Or will it still apply ontop of the update, maybe Orbx will announce soon!
