Some advice please on Orbx FTX Global?

[K2rockall]

I was looking into the getting Orbx FTX Global, but as it's a lot of money, not to mention all the other Orbx add-ons just wanting to know whether it is worth it?

 

The promo video looks amazing compared to the default textures, but I've seen some other videos posted by users of it and whilst it definitely looks better - not sure 99 Australian Dollars better.

 

Also I'm worried what will happen to my freeware and payware sceneries which I've added when FTX Global installs. The payware airports I have are better than anything which Orbx Global would offer so want to know whether these would be retained after an FTX Global install. Some of the freewares like Grand Canyon also look far better than the Orbx Global version.

 

Also does Orbx Global improve anything other than Ground textures? Are airports and buildings across the world enhanced at all or any other famous landmarks featured which are often missing in the Default FSX?

[Rupert]

I was looking into the getting Orbx FTX Global, but as it's a lot of money, not to mention all the other Orbx add-ons just wanting to know whether it is worth it?

 

The promo video looks amazing compared to the default textures, but I've seen some other videos posted by users of it and whilst it definitely looks better - not sure 99 Australian Dollars better.

 

Also I'm worried what will happen to my freeware and payware sceneries which I've added when FTX Global installs. The payware airports I have are better than anything which Orbx Global would offer so want to know whether these would be retained after an FTX Global install. Some of the freewares like Grand Canyon also look far better than the Orbx Global version.

 

Also does Orbx Global improve anything other than Ground textures? Are airports and buildings across the world enhanced at all or any other famous landmarks featured which are often missing in the Default FSX?

 

Hey K2rockall,

 

Welcome aboard! I am a several years now huge advocate of ORBX GLOBAL! One reason is there is a ton of freeware local addons available online only to those who have FTX GLOBAL. Another is that almost anywhere I travel in the world, Global is already there!

 

I'm presently flying in a "Around the world in 80 days" rally. This rally, like the book, begins and ends in London UK. As of today I'm leaving Aomori Japan for a trip through Russia where I'll travel far north to make the short hop over to Sarah Palin's Alaska and then Canada. Eventually I will continue across the US etc. and back to London across the Atlantic.

 

Like all the other entrants I've kept a diary of my trip, complete with many screen shots. I have had many other entrants talk about how great my screen shots are.

 

The majority of comments are "How did I make them look that great?" Honestly at least 90% of these screenshots are direct screenshots from what I see using Orbyx Global!!

 

IMHO ORBX Global is the best bang for the buck scenery software I've ever bought or even seen!;)

 

Rupert

[bdf369]

Have a look at Terra Emergence Project, it's free.

https://www.facebook.com/ALeclercqCreations/

 

FTX Global really just replaces textures but that includes some autogen improvements including textures and night lighting. It shouldn't cause any problems with airports but it doesn't improve them either. For airports that include photoreal, they may be color-matched to default textures and therefore might not blend all that well with replacement textures, though some airport developers offer alternate photoreal backgrounds that color-match to GEX or FTX global.

 

Personally I prefer to use UTX and GEX, I think FTX looks over-saturated. Unfortunately UTX only covers USA, Central America, Canada and Europe.

[dogdish]

First piece of advice? WAIT FOR ORBX SALES! Usually right around 48% off! Also, I rarely buy anything brand new for 2 reasons. No discount and new items ALWAYS will need updates.

 

To save A LOT of money, don't buy the airports. However here I don't follow my own advice :rolleyes:. Just the Base, Vector and openLC's will give you an amazing flight sim experience. Night flying will blow you away!

 

Don't forget the free demos...

 

FTX Global Iceland (If you want the Global line of products).

 

or

 

NA Pacific Northwest and AU Tasmania (If you want to go with less coverage, however more detail if you usually stick to certain areas).

 

https://orbxdirect.com/demos

 

Also get a Pilot's Global Mesh product so the elevations around the whole world are realistic. Fully compatible to ORBX.

 

I've got 2010, but they have a newer 2018 version.

 

https://www.pilots.shop/cms/

 

I would think your current airports would co-exist OK with Global. Just as long as you don't have a texture replacement product installed like the ORBX Global is.

[K2rockall]

Thanks for the advice guys. Think I'll wait for an Orbx sale as suggested as likely in December and try out the demos, which should give an indication of whether or not the frame rate will be adversely affected.

 

Desperate to do something with my default FSX scenery wise, but at an affordable price. Whilst the default North America is generally really good and believable I tried flying into Lagos, Nigeria this evening and it was diabolical. The airport looked awful and the city is effectively missing. I've generally found Asia to be pretty lacking as well. Particularly China...Shanghai and Beijing on FSX default --- no words!

[K2rockall]

Just tried installing the Orbx demos, but can't get them to work. Downloaded FTX Central and installed the three demos. Also manually downloaded the demos, but they're loads of individual zip folders, which then have one file in which can't be recognised by any programme?!

 

Tried loading up FSX in Iceland, but the only effect it's had is to lower Keflavik Airport runways below ground level - so very negative. Everything else no change. No 3D lighting or anything which Orbx is supposed to do. How do I install into FSX Steam Edition and get them running? Very disappointed so far and puts me off investing any money on Orbx's products.

[mallcott]

Have a look at Terra Emergence Project, it's free.

https://www.facebook.com/ALeclercqCreations/

 

FTX Global really just replaces textures but that includes some autogen improvements including textures and night lighting. It shouldn't cause any problems with airports but it doesn't improve them either. For airports that include photoreal, they may be color-matched to default textures and therefore might not blend all that well with replacement textures, though some airport developers offer alternate photoreal backgrounds that color-match to GEX or FTX global.

 

Personally I prefer to use UTX and GEX, I think FTX looks over-saturated. Unfortunately UTX only covers USA, Central America, Canada and Europe.

 

To expand on this: In principle FTX Global is `just textures` but the reality is that FTX also makes other changes to core sim files to improve convenience with their operating approach and commonality between their various modules such as Vector and the Regions.

 

FTX Global also requires changes to the object library - but it's all automated in the installer and GUI. None of this is relevant if you use only FTX Global or tie Global in with other FTX products but it is necessary to go about manually integrating if you also use UTX.

 

As the poster above mentions it I will also clarify: GEX and FTX Gloabl are NOT compatible.

 

As Global is `just textures` it makes no substantive changes to the scenery library so will not impact on installed sceneries already in the sim. It may even improve the colour blending.

 

FTX Global changes the world texture set but if you only fly in a particular region the all-in-one approach of the regional packages which includes textures, mesh, vector graphics AND custom settings may be preferable IF they cover the region you fly in. Of course FTX Global and the FTX Regiosns are designed to work together so the blend between them is seamless.

 

Finally with FTX Global you also have access to a large number of FREE enhanced airfields and airports.

[Egsjr1956]

Open FTX Central. Then open FTX global vector. Open control panel and run the airport elevation corrections. The installation into steam should be automatic.

[K2rockall]

Thank you. Bit confused though. I don't have FTX Global Vector. I thought I could try the demos before I committed to buying anything from Orbx? When I load up FTX Central and go on 'Orbx Libraries' the Control Panel is greyed out. When I click on the FTX Global Iceland Demo the 'configure this product' with Control Panel next to it is also greyed out. All I can do is either 'Install', 'Uninstall' or read the user guide.