MESH AND TOPO

[Charl]

Excellent idea! This will make the NZFF something more of a one-stop shop for all NZ flightsim needs.
I'll open the discussion, then:
I've done a re-install of FS2004, and am building up back to where I was, which is to say it was fine until I fixed it...
While doing some AI for NZWR, I noticed this:



I removed all AFCADS, and tried moving the mesh up the display list, but no difference.
Can't recall having flown from Whangerei before, so it may not be the re-install's fault.
Any ideas here?

[Christian]

Hi Charl

This is a known problem actually. What happens is that MS has put flat areas beneath every airport (since runways have to sit on a level surface). The old coastline was so out of whack that this flat area now extends into the water with the new topo coastline. Unfortunately, there is no fix (as the topo doesn't touch any aerodrome information), unless you fix the flatten area yourself (which isn't that easy).

Currently, I'm pulling together features for a new TopoX for FSX. This will most likely include a complete make over of all airstrips listed on the AIP site (including the missing ones). On top of that, I figured out a method to blend those flat areas with the 20m mesh. That'll fix all problems with airstrips...

Cheers,
Christian

[Charl]

Ah OK.
I'm sorry to put such a horrible opener on your forum, I am otherwise utterly delighted with the RBE products and have them all installed.

If there is to be a topoX, what's the future of the current software?

[Christian]

Charl, to be honest I haven't decided. Currently, my efforts are concentrated on a close to release scenery pack which isn't NZ related. (There will be an announcement in the next couple of weeks.) Then, I'm going to spend time on an FSX version of the topo scenery (the mesh should just carry over). In regards to supporting the 'old' topo for FS2004, the current plan is to keep the topo pack as is. If there should be a considerable market for FS2004 topo improvements I'll consider making a topo+ pack (or whatever I will call it), including revisited aerodromes, etc. It'll all come down to the time I have available.

Don't worry about the opener. It's a support forum after all

Cheers,
Christian

[rick66]

Hey Christian, your mesh and topo is outstanding! if you do decide on a topo patch how much work is involed( a great deal i`m thinking) in defining the coast line with beaches much like (dear i say it here) voz, i`m sure up for paying for a patch if you ever decide on doing one? Cheers Rick B)

[Snowman]

Hi Charl. I had the same problem myself at Wahangarei. The raised water at the ends of the runway were there in the default airport, and also in David Quirey's photoreal scenery. I installed Luke Clarkes version of Whangarei (nzwr_v11.zip), and no more raised water !! I prefer Davids photo terminal etc, but will settle happily for the better look of the water in Luke's scenery.

Hi Christian. Awesome work in the mesh and topo. Dunno how we ever managed to put up with MSs original look to NZ. Between you and Robin Corn, simmers all over the world will be able to see what its like to fly in the most beautiful paradise on earth.

Lawrie.

[Christian]

Hi Rick

The beaches are a bit of a problem in FS9 since they don't match the water and you can get ugly water holes due to a bug in FS9, so I avoided the issue. There are other reasons why I never tackled the problem to do with the data I'm using. In the end it was a question of delaying the topo for a few months or release it to the public.

FSX may be a different story. I hope MS fixed their bug which would be one big step towards coastlines in FSX.

Christian