In fsx, default planes looked like cartoons and payware ones looked almost real to me.
But in MSFS2020 it is vice versa for my taste. Default asobo planes look incredible whereas famous payware ones don’t look at same level.
I hope other groups like FBW, Salty or WT will improve other default planes. Especially Beechcraft Kingair. It looks gorgeous
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Very difficult to agree with this statement.
The Just Flight PA28s look fabulous. The Carenado aircraft are always very nice looking. The PMDG DC-6 is nothing short of spectacular. The Aeroplane Heaven C140 is a gem. The MilViz Corsair is fantastic.
I’ll stop there. 
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DC-6 is using 2D textures in some places of the cockpit. I haven’t reviewed other but Ceranado is not as good as the default ones for me
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Looks are not so relevent, this isn’t a beauty competition. It’s about how they fly. So long as the textures are sufficient then that should be good enough.
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It is always very important how good it looks. And for this topic I just wanted to talk about it
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Try flying the payware C22J or BN2 Islander. Both have terrible graphics but superb flight models.
If you want to go for beauty over substance then that’s your call, but know you are missing out on a flight simulation experience.
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The key phrase in your post is “for my taste.” Fair enough, we all have different tastes and vive la différence!
To my taste, the DC-6 is beautiful looking model, with excellent flight characteristics.
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@ TangledBinkie44 I think I couldn’t make myself clear. I am not saying about how they fly or why we should select either side, which is better etc. Certain payware planes always flew better than default ones. I am not saying anything about their flight models.
What I am saying is how far default planes have been developed while payware planes couldn’t come to that level.
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Sure, but perhaps you are missing the point; the reason for this: payware producers quite correctly are concentrating on getting the flight model correct, at the expense of looks as this aspect is not so important. Whereas Asobo produce excellent looking aircraft but pay less attention to how they fly. If Asobo got the balance right then we’d be in a better place.
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I never really bought payware planes for their looks but they did look better. I bought them for the more advanced systems modeled and improved interface (more systems/buttons that worked). That being said the built in aircraft are FAR beyond FSX. And the modding community has really pushed them to the next level.
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While I also love the DC-6 there is no denying that it looks very cheap in places. Especially the cockpit walls. Outside texture deficiency is not too important as I only use cockpit view, but boy, the cockpit lining is bad. And the 2D air inlet… Nah. That should be fixed. I’d go with the op. I often find myself going back to default planes because the visual fidelity really is great and it is part of the experience. And with mods like the WT C4 or the JT-A 172 they are not really lacking functionality.
I really wish the BN-2 had better textures/ instruments. The light version has shadow issues on the panel and stuff like that. The only thing that comes somewhat close is the Arrow.
I also have high hopes for the upcoming PC-6
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I agree that in visual model technology and level of perfection Asobo are still ahead of most payware aircraft developers.
Sound design is another area where I think Asobo really excel.
What I think the payware developers mainly provide is variation; if you want to fly a Piper rather than a Cessna you need to use third party products. Also, in a few cases (which I am sure will grow over time), the payware developers offer more in-depth systems modeling and more accurate flight models (e.g. better matching POH performance). And a whole bunch of quality of life things, such as correct pilot head position by default; little details that show that they “get it”.
As for what the balance should be that is purely a matter of taste.
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This depends entirely on the particular payware add-on in question, since quality ranges from “wouldn’t have been acceptable even in FSX” to “far exceeds the default FS2020 aircraft.”
It is true that visually at least, the FS2020 default aircraft are much more respectable than the default aircraft in previous versions of the game. They still can’t hold a candle to Carenado in visual fidelity, though.
The visuals of the default planes are phenomenal, far ahead of default planes in other sims and even ahead of plenty third-party planes. Then it of course depends on the product, but still, credit where credit is due.
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The reason default planes look so ■■■■ good is that a lot of stuff is applied on via the “decal method”; that is, the texture is applied via the model directly instead of through texture files. Also, they have really detailed comp (shine) and norm (depth) files. It takes a lot of effort to do that but Asobo appear to have extremely talented material/graphics developers (as any game dev company should).
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I agree that default planes are looking great, problem is how they fly and half of the things are not working correctly. Also agree about Carenado planes, I have 182 and Mooney and visuals does not impress me at all. Yeah exterior models are good, but they must be joking with some interior textures and modelling. But try Aerosoft CRJ or JustFlight Arrows, they are miles better in functionality and IMHO also looking better than default planes.
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I’ve not yet paid for an additional aircraft (and Xbox has fewer anyway).
the Junkers may be my first.
Well, that’s your opinion. If I will spend my money on plane, it has to fly well, looks good and most of the things should be functional. JustFlight, Aerosoft etc. shows that’s not that a big problem to have all of this and still not cost fortune.
That might be a stretch? True for the B747 and a few more, not at all for something like the DR400 or the Cap10, most stuff works just fine on those and many others.
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the Asobo default airplanes really are beautiful and that’s all about how this sim shines. Asobo really can do visuals. But I’m curious why their planes are so great to look at while some developers really struggle. Different tools?