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/images/notams/notams19/skym0521.jpgSkyMaxx Pro v4 - A revolutionary weather rendering engine for bothX-Plane 10 and X-Plane 11! X-Plane's most popular and best-selling add-on is back as version4.0, and with some stellar new features! Maxx-XP, in co-operation with Sundog Software, and X-Aviation areexcited to bring you another game changing experience to the weatherrendering in X-Plane 10 and X-Plane 11! SkyMaxx Pro v4 is an X-Planecloud and sky replacement engine boasting all-new technology forX-Plane that it's almost like having an all-new sim! NEW FSGRW Integration: The FS Global Real Weather engine is nowable to process a wide variety of cloud identifiers, such as Cirrus,Cumulus, Stratus, Cumulonimbus and Towering Cumulus. Cirrocumulus,Nimbostratus and Stratocumulus depiction in X-Plane 11 is planned forthe near future. This detailed, cloud specific information is passedonto Real Weather Connector, allowing SkyMaxx Pro v4 cloud types andtheir corresponding cloud textures in X-Plane 11 to be correctlyinterpreted and drawn for different altitude levels, while at the sametime FS Global Real Weather injects real-time wind data into X-Plane11. This adds a highly sophisticated level of realism to the X-Plane11 world, and greatly enhances the immersive environment for bothlow-level GA flyers and high-altitude airline pilots. Quick Facts: Typically runs faster than X-Plane's default cloudsbut looks better, double the draw distance compared to SkyMaxx Pro v3with vast performance increases, introduces 3D precipitation,stratiform clouds, crepuscular rays, clouds aloft with wind speed,truly 3D clouds. VR compatible too! How SkyMaxx Pro WorksSkyMaxx Pro is a plug-in that disables X-Plane's cloud and weatherrendering engine, then replaces it with the SkyMaxx Pro version ofweather. It takes weather data from the already existing X-Planeweather menu that you are used to, so there's nothing new tolearn. What you gain are some amazing visual effects at almost noperformance hit! In fact, most of our test team showed that whenrunning default X-Plane clouds vs. SkyMaxx Pro clouds, SkyMaxx Pro hadbetter frame rates over the default X-Plane clouds! New Features In Version 4.0Designed to work with both X-Plane 10 and 11!- Code is implemented in SkyMaxx Pro v4 to know whether you are running X-Plane 10 or 11. Depending on which version, SkyMaxx Pro auto adjusts for the version of X-Plane you are running! Double your maximum cloud draw area compared to SkyMaxx Pro v3!- Big performance improvements allow clouds to be drawn across an area up to 320 km across surrounding your plane. Go ahead and crank up SMP's cloud draw area setting and achieve fast, realistic scenes at FL300 and above. New 3D precipitation system!- The new precipitation system represents rain, sleet, wet snow, and dry snow - as well as mixed precipitation that responds automatically to the ambient temperature. Precipitation is even lit by your landing lights! And a whole new precipitation control panel lets you tweak its appearance to your own liking. Precipitation is tied to individual clouds- Rain will start and stop realistically as you fly underneath or through the clouds All-new "HD Cloud Puffs" overcast representation!- Fly through large, thick overcast layers built from real HD cloud photos, without killing your framerate. Overcast clouds have never looked so good from above and below. Integration with SoundMaxx- Lightning effects in SkyMaxx Pro 4 will trigger 3D positional thunder sound effects when SoundMaxx is installed Highlighted FeaturesLens FlareCloud shadowsClouds aloft with wind speedCrepuscular raysFull 3D CloudsStratus and overcast cloud layers may now be represented by thick, volumetric clouds.Extends all the way to the horizonBoth solid and broken stratiform representationsAdvanced lighting model with real Mie scattering and fogbows!Realistic in-cloud effects for convincing IFR landings and takeoffsSimulated scud layerReal simulation of single, double, and multiple scattering of sunlight and moonlight through the clouds3D volumetric cloud layers adjustable up to 320KM wideUses "dynamically generated imposters" technology to keep frame-rates upConvincing high-altitude weather for jetliner pilotsSoft cloud / terrain blendingAdjustable soft blending of any cloud type with terrainMakes for gorgeous ground fog, or clouds surrounding mountaintops!Lightning effects in SkyMaxx Pro 4 will trigger 3D positional thunder sound effects when SoundMaxx is installedIntegrates seamlessly with the X-Plane weather menus Source
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Interview: John Spahn About You Tell us a little bit about yourself and the sorts of things you have done or enjoyed besides flight simulation? My main interest is art. I have had a few members of my family who have influenced me; most notable are my two great uncles. My Uncle Tom was a costume designer who worked on mascots and movie props; he had a hand designing costumes for Star Wars. Uncle George worked for the movie industry out in Hollywood during the 50's, and retired as a set designer for Sea World in San Diego. I don't know if it is genetics or the people who were in my early life but I have always enjoyed art. Other than designing textures for X-Plane 10 I am a tattoo artist and do sign work. I enjoy back country backpacking; as a matter of fact I just completed a 42 mile hike on the Black Forest Trail in Slate Run, PA (USA). I think everyone should disconnect and spend some time with nature. For me it helps to recharge my batteries and it also gives me time to think about life and new ideas. I gain inspiration from nature for my add-ons. Oddly enough I love technology. I gained an education as a Biomedical Technician during my time with the US Army. Basically I repair and certify medical equipment. During my schooling we learned how to read electronic schematics; I developed an interest and understanding of how technology works which fuels my interests in areas like X-Plane and aviation. Do you have any real world aviation experience, fly any planes, or own any aircraft? My real world experiences with aviation are limited to flying commercial airliners or hopping on a Chinook or Blackhawk. Oh I also took a ride over Lancaster, PA in a C-172 during autumn (very turbulent). When did you first get interested in using a flight simulator and what attracted you to use them? During my deployment to Kuwait in 2003 I picked up a copy of MS Flight Simulator. This was inspired by watching military aircraft around the base. I thought to myself what a great job that would be. I also thought about the technology behind aviation and how I would love to know more about it. When I fired up the sim and heard the sound of the engines spooling up there was a lot of excitement. Do you do flight simulation full time and if so what made you decide to go full time? I spend most of my time developing nowadays. At one point I was getting into learning the finer points of aviation. I wanted to peruse a PPL, but children and career put a hold on that. For now I get a great amount of satisfaction by developing a product that people enjoy. It also is an outlet for my artistic side. What advice would you give other aspiring developers that would like to make a living designing for X-Plane? I want to put this in a bullet format, I swear by this: Before you start development listen to the community and find out what they want. Provide the best customer support on the planet. You are not special no matter how sophisticated your add-on is. Constantly improve upon your product. Enjoy what you do. Me personally, once I stop enjoying developing for X-Plane I will take a break, regroup and start again. I will spend more time with the family, five kids BTW, or take a hike... Development When did you actually start developing for flight simulators and what got you interested in it? I switched over to X-Plane 9 when my Windows computer crashed and I moved to Linux. X-Plane was the only flight simulator that worked on Linux. I loved how technical and open ended X-Plane was versus FS2004. My fiance bought me X-Plane 10 and leading up to the release I was intrigued by the new "Plausible World" that the team at LR was working on. I wasn't impressed with the urban environment at all. I understand what Laminar Research was trying to accomplish but I still felt as if orthophotos and LR's "Plausible Scenery" could co-exist. What's great about X-Plane is how intuitive the system is for third party developers. I'll use UrbanMAXX as an example. UM is basically a texture replacement for the default urban textures in X-Plane 10 you have three elements: Texture file *.DDS *.ter file Library.txt DDS texture files are great for scenery development, for instance I hand edit the mip maps to help soften the textures at a distance. This method helps to keep my textures from looking repetitive. The *.ter file is a text file that set the parameters for the DDS texture. Some elements that are included in the *.ter are the use of normal maps, composite textures, texture scale, and LIT textures to name a few. I actually spend much of my time here tweaking the parameters to refine the look of the product. The Library.txt basically tells X-Plane what *.ter files to replace with your custom scenery. This ties the package together and allows you to create a scenery package that can simply be read in the Custom Scenery folder from the X-Plane root directory. Armed with the knowledge I developed UrbanMAXX and became a developer for X-Plane. What types of designs and projects have you worked on over the years? Back during my FS2004 days I actually started development of a home cockpit. This was a hobby that fed my interest in electrical engineering. I wish I had an image to share but I forget my MySpace login. With X-Plane, for the most part, I focus globally. Some of my products were a result of just tinkering. UrbanMAXX was my first payware offering. Next was SkyMAXX; this was my attempt at bringing more vivid skies in X-Plane. CloudMAXX was released early in the X-Plane 10 development run, clouds were FPS killers and I came up with CM to help people out. GlacierMAXX was a proof of concept for applying normal maps to terrain textures. BeachMAXX brings a more tropical look to the X-Plane water by adding details to the coastlines. I also have three simple airports under my belt, PAAQ, KLXV and 37PA (Smoketown Airport). Additionally I teamed up with Peter at Aerobridge Studios to help develop Meigs Field. I set up the satellite imagery and gave some feedback on development. Peter is a talented airport designer and a friend of mine. What were some of your favorite, most challenging and popular developments? UrbanMAXX is by far my favorite add-on. I feel it adds a missing element to X-Plane 10 that everyone should have. The biggest challenge for me right now is WinterMAXX. I am working on a complete set of winter textures for X-Plane 10. The challenge is dealing with the massive amount of textures and data that needs editing. What are some of the more unique or special aspects of what you create vs what other scenery designers develop? I like to think globally when coming up with a new project. What software packages and tools do you use to develop? Photoshop Notepad ++ X-Plane Scenery Tools Do you develop payware/freeware or both and why? Both, I try and provide more freeware to the community but projects like UrbanMAXX do take time and I feel releasing it as payware is justification for me and my family. Who would you consider to be your mentors or inspiration in the flight simulator development world if you have any? Andras Fabian (Alpilox), he has shared his extensive knowledge of X-Plane with me many times. I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without him. I also gain inspiration from guys like Brian Godwin, Dave Robertson, Peter Tram and Chris K to name a few. The small time guys really innovate and help keep me going. The Team How many people work with you or your team? Just me. What other developers or teams have you worked with and what where their roles I teamed up with Peter at Aerobridge Studios to help develop Meigs Field. I set up the satellite imagery and gave some feedback on development. Future How do you choose your next new design or project? I am constantly lurking on forums and blogs. I may not participate, but I listen to the concerns of the community. I build a mental list of what seems to be the main gripes with X-Plane scenery. I look to see what I can do to fix them and determine if it is a project I can tackle or not. What simulators do you design for now and what ones do you plan to develop for in the future? I'll be sticking to X-Plane for now. In what ways do you see development changing in the future? I want to grow a team and tackle larger projects. Diving into X-Plane 10 I see huge potential but I am limited in my skills and time. I feel if I have the right team we could address major deficiencies in X-Plane 10. What can sites like FlightSim.Com do to support you and the hobby better? The most helpful aspect of any community is any constructive criticism I receive. I think any group should be honest with a developer to help them improve. How do you feel about the future of flight simulation in general? Personally I think real world aviation and flight simming are connected. Unfortunately I feel flight simulation suffers because of our current financial situation. Since real world and simming are connected I feel the money involved in getting a PPL restrict growth in the aviation and simming as a whole. But I think the dream of flight will stay alive during this rough time. If technology advances in the future there will be a renaissance and flight simulation will benefit. With that being said I see X-Plane being on the forefront. What are some of the most important things a site or community can do to help the developers? All I want is for users to speak naturally about my add-ons. I try to maintain modesty and I look forward to feedback. This helps me develop and update my products. One way a community can help more than anything else is to report unbiased reviews of products. I gained more sales from an honest open review or a users recommendation. What would you like people to know about you or your team and work? I give 100% when I develop and I want to help X-Plane grow. John Spahn http://maxx-xp.hiking-pa.com -
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