Get the USA Enhanced Version!

I have to echo kiwikat's sentiments --- long slow download but -quick and easy installation -- currently flying over NY and have to praise the new winter textures.  They are even more beautiful than I was expecting - EXCELLENT WORK GENTLEMEN !!!

 

 

Just so everyone knows...   I modified the GEX textures at no request of compensation from Anthony or Flight1 for the US/CAN modifications. I did it because GEX is a cornerstone in MSFS addons and to help continue that legacy, and, most important to provide an upgraded FSX experience for the community

I hope everyone enjoys the changes.

 

Anthony designed the original textures correctly... he just needed a bit of the ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) touch in post production to finish them up and bring out what he designed into them.

and I have more ideas to step up the sim AGAIN

 

I slammed close to 2 months worth of work into about 4 weeks in order to get this to you as quickly as possible and to assist Anthony so he could move on to Europe

 

 

 

 

Nick:

I just took a flight over Phoenix Arizona, my hometown, and I'll tell you this.. the southwest is looking just incredible right now. Even if I set my texture resolution a little lower, everything is just so 'crisp' for lack of a better term. Again, THANKS so much for everything!

630mb downloaded, just over 5 hours to go.  60kb/sec.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thats what I love about living several time zones away from you yanks - you're all asleep when I download!!! (11% already!)

Seriously Nick and Anthony - amazing work!

Nick - processing all those textures in just a handful of weeks, FOR FREE - you're either crazy or just too darn good! I hope Anthony is going to send you a serious amount of alcohol.

Shame I've got to get through a day at work before I can test (at least I can use their internet connection for the download!)

Paul

Originally posted by Timest999 Nick you should be SLEEPING! LOL!! But that is darn funny Thanks to you, I haven't slept yet this evening, I'm having WAY too much fun with your masterpiece! Off to bed now though.

 

LOL

I was asleep... I woke up for a few minutes to get a shot of water and remembered an image I was having some fun with last week that I meant to post... so I posted it and went back to bed

 

Isn't that a gas about the look?  When I was testing I just kept flying and did not want to stop to go back to work!

 

 

 

I'll try and download it again. With all the "traffic" last night, I think maybe a corruption took place?

 

Ken

Originally posted by pwheeler Thats what I love about living several time zones away from you yanks - you're all asleep when I download!!! (11% already!) Seriously Nick and Anthony - amazing work! Nick - processing all those textures in just a handful of weeks, FOR FREE - you're either crazy or just too darn good! I hope Anthony is going to send you a serious amount of alcohol. Shame I've got to get through a day at work before I can test (at least I can use their internet connection for the download!) Paul

 

I'm just crazy... 

 

Actually, this all started because I was reading several posts where people were saying things like GEX was no different than default and were commenting about color wash issues..  I could see the difference in game but some people simply do not take notice to the same things others do. Also, I dont care how good someone says they are with computers.. I usually find they are not getting to see what I do and do not even realize it.

 

I started decompiling the DXT files to see where the problem may be and to find out just how much different or same they really were and that is when I started to discover the true and -massive- differences between the default FSX textures and GEX.

 

After that I ran some test to see if the textures were truly washed or if it was a post production issue...

 

When I saw how much detail Anthony had put into his work and people were missing it, I had to do something about it. The product was taking too much flack for things it was really not responsible for and had really been designed to show. Post production effects and highlighting work is not the same a graphics production and it takes a team to accomplish those end results. FSX is not FS9 and as such the techniques for final texture processing can take greater strides in enhancing to take advantage of the engine.

 

One of my side-lines was in engineering consultation and I was contracted to review many feature film and TV special effects in the 80's and 90's for technical errors and suggestions to upgrade for final editing, (ILM, Paramount, etc…  too many films and shows to name but Star Wars and Star Trek, Apollo 13, True Lies, etc are on that list) I have been around the entertainment post production real world so I know there is more to graphics than their initial creation.

 

After running preliminary tests to be sure my assessments were correct.. I decided to create a mod of the original textures to demonstrate that GEX did deliver what it claimed, upgrade everyone’s experience and try and help Anthony out. The textures in this package are the SAME with the exception of four which were added to cover landclass files and where they were leaving blank spots.

 

Originally I stated I would modify the textures and would make them available as a mod to the originals and that I would make it freely availble to Anthony as an alternate. I am a man of my word. When I say I will do something, it gets done, and, without shifting mid-stream in my intentions.

 

During processing I discovered there was a lot more that could be done besides simply running the textures through scans and so I committed myself to doing this job right at the same terms.

 

So there you have it. I did this because Anthony deserved to have the flack taken off him for something that was really not his fault, and, to help the title maintain its legacy for cornerstone MSFS add-ons. The most important end result would be the MSFS community would have a superior option to lift and raise the bar on their sim experience.  

 

This update and the correct use of landclass, and, learning how to set up the drivers with Nhancer, and, learning how to tweak the monitor output of the drivers should put it all to rest and get people back in the cockpit where they belong.

 

As for the booze, its always covered with the Bacardi FSX lable

 

             

              

 

 

And with this release, no more FSX headaches

 

   

                     

 

 

 

Use the downloader tool. Smaller chance of corruption that way.

 

 

I can not imagine what happened here...

 

Files do not delete themselves     

Originally posted by jeffbboat I have been exploring all over the country - this could take forever!  I'm spending more time checking out scenery than actually flying.  I don't know if that's a bad thing or good thing. (LOL) Great job guys.  Keep up the good work.  When everyone gets a well deserved rest, you  might look at the palm trees that are still showing up in Colorado.  BUT THAT IS NOT A BIG ISSUE!!  Thanks again.

 

We did look at that and removed many of them

Anthony discovered a problem with the FSX rendering engine and how it selects and moves trees BACK even after he moved them OUT

 

under investigation

Originally posted by KanadaKen Got it! Apparently I was only getting 1.66gigs downloaded from the site (with the downloader???). Now (third attempt) I got the entire file 1,7gig. I have now installed and I am about to try it out (waiting for the wife to go out or she'll give me "what for" for flying when I should be working, blah, blah, blah...) Thanks all! Ken

 

 

LOL

 

I need to post a WIFE FAQ

 

this is a list of DO's and DON'Ts that will elevate your sim experience by making them happy

 

ROFL

Originally posted by vic_baron Nick - I want to thank you for your unselfish efforts here. It's always nice to see someone step up just because they can without having their hand out for something in return. The results are awesome and at 71yrs of age that's not a word I use too often. I was really enjoying FSX before this and now - WOW! Thank you!   btw - out of curiosity - any relation to Hal Needham? Another well known name in the film industry.

 

 

 

Yes..    but is is distant and we have met. I did spend some time with him when he was in Ft Lauderdale and Boca Raton many years ago filming the Smokey/Bandit productions. I vacation and have a retirement home there  

 

 Most Needhams are related. It is not a very popular name.

 

 

 

 

 

It better look good,,, I live on Bainbridge Island across the Sound from Seattle

 

If I messed that one up, MS people would be breathing down my neck       LOL

OK!

 Got the download overnight and went through the install process this AM. Had some anomolies at first as my FSX turned into a slide show and was getting some artifacts when transitioning from desert to forest in central Arizona. But after some defrag, re-boots and such I think I have it working as advertised. Must say that though I thought the default scenery was great, this stuff is off the scale. The only other addd-on I have is MegaScenery Phoenix and this even seems to improve on that. Great work and I think I'll be looking into the UTX add-on next. Is there an "enhanced' version of that in the works or should I simply download the current iteration and let the GEX-e installer put on the UTX enhancement thats in that program?

Again. Worth every penny guys.

Originally posted by NickN check out other landclass products too

Nick, Would you sugguest I stick with MS Default landclass or use my FSGenesis US Landclass & Cloud 9 X-Class Canada landclass...

Thanks!

 

 

 

I suggest you use all of them, but only enable one at a time

That part is a "to taste" decision. Fly with one enabled and switch it off to another during flight

 

every area can have 3 different looks and you must decide what you like best

There is no "BEST" landclass product. If you have them all you can discover what is best for a single area yourself... just because Seattle may look best with Xclass does not mean Chicago will look best with Xclass... you have to experiment but only run ONE enabled and checked in the scenery library

 

 

 

 

 

 

The landclass fix add textures that all the landclass files call and are bland by default... I would install that too

Thanks Steve

 

Bill