Fanboy Friday: Tricks With Light

Did you ever come across a screenshot from flight simulator that made you just stop and gape? One that, at first glance, looked like a photograph instead of a computer-based sim? I had one of those moments this week, and it got me thinking about what makes some simulated objects appear more or less “real” than others. Hint: it’s all in the lighting.

Orbx Unveils Pacific Northwest Video

Cody Bergland of Jaggyroad Films just released his latest opus, a preview of Orbx’s upcoming FTX NA Blue: Pacific Northwest scenery. Not only do you get stunning views of this gorgeous part of the world (though I may be biased), but also a couple of peeks at the first two payware airports designed to fit within it – 1S2 Darrington Municipal, and 7S3 Stark’s Twin Oaks (okay, I’m definitely biased). Watch it below, sure, but this is one that’s worth downloading the high res version.

It’s Fanboy Friday Time Again…

And that means another heaping pile of stuff that you could spend all your money and time on, if you were so inclined. This week has been a real mixed bag of releases, so you’re sure to find something here that tickles your fancy, makes you roll your eyes, or both. So, what’s new?

Introducing Stark’s Twin Oaks Airpark

This one has been a long time in the making, but the preview pics are finally available. My first project for Orbx is nearing completion: 7S3: Stark’s Twin Oaks Airpark. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into the upcoming FTX NA Blue Pacific Northwest scenery, but it’ll stand alone as well.

If ever there was a small airport that captured the spirit of GA flying in America, this is it. From the official blurb:

Nestled in the rolling farmland of the fertile Willamette Valley near Portland, Oregon, Stark’s Twin Oaks Airpark is ideally located for sightseeing in the Pacific Northwest. The rural location makes for less traffic and a relaxed atmosphere, while providing an easy jumping-off point for flights to either the coast to the west, or the rugged peaks of the Cascade range to the east.

The scenery includes a large area of 30cm/pixel aerial photoreal terrain, featuring the various orchards, Alpaca ranches, and small farms in the area. One special point of interest is the massive Glacier rock quarry, located a few miles to the southeast of the field. It deftly shows the sim possibilities when high-resolution terrain mesh is matched with detailed and meticulously color-corrected aerial photography. The high-quality mesh also makes another appearance, in what is quite possibly a first for an FS airport: multiple elevations. Twin Oaks is carved from the side of a gentle slope, and as a result, the Starks’ house, garage, and two of the hangars are on a hill overlooking the rest of the field. Lead developer Bill Womack has obsessively researched and photographed the airport over the last few years, with the enthusiastic support of owners Bob and Betty Stark. We’re proud to offer the definitive sim rendition of one of Oregon’s aviation jewels.

Check out the preview pics here. And while you’re at it, have a look at the other releases planned for both North America and Australia.

Fanboy Friday the Second

It’s been a quiet week in the FS world, release-wise. I guess we’re all still digesting the flurry of news from last week (and maybe enjoying our new toys, too). Still, quiet doesn’t mean silent. As I scoped out the various FS forums this week, a few fun things caught my eye. Here they are, in no particular order…

Introducing Fanboy Fridays

Well that’s about par for the course, isn’t it? This was supposed to be posted yesterday, but life nosed ahead of it in line, and here it is Saturday afternoon. I like the alliteration so much, I’m going with it anyway…

Something evil is afoot. I’m sure you’ve seen it lately on your favorite FS forums—the bar-room brawls, pointless bickering, product-bashing, and just plain old grumpiness. I don’t know who slipped the mickey into our collective water supply, but it’s sucking the fun out of the hobby. That’s a damn shame too, ’cause there is a whole lot of really great stuff happening in the virtual aviation world, and we should be enjoying ourselves more than ever.

Rather than grumbling, I’ve decided it’s time for a party. That’s why I’m happy to announce Fanboy Fridays, a (hopefully) weekly love-fest where I blather on about the cool, the awesome, and the amazing new additions to flightsimming. All I ask is that you let me know what’s brought a smile to your face in FS this week, and that we all abide by the ONE RULE: enjoy ourselves. This is a hobby. It ought to be fun!

Here we go…

Absolute Magic

Last night, I had the chance to take a rare sim flight for pure pleasure. I’ve been amassing some advanced add-ons for FSX lately, and I thought it was high time I gave ‘em all a go. What I got was absolute digital magic.

Shop Talk with the Guys at FSBreak

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to do an interview with Eric McClintock and Mark Stewart of FSBreak, the weekly podcast. I was a little nervous about it. After all, I’ve never done radio or audio interviews before. Turns out I needn’t have worried. It was great fun, and we had a good chat about a wide range of FS scenery topics.

Give it at listen!

The Next 100 Dollar Burger Airport

Wow, where did the time go? Seems like only a couple of days ago, we released Tongass Fjords. For the record, I’m not dead, just busy. Now that Tongass has been turned loose, I’ve been turning my attention to several other projects for FSX. Emma Field X is on my short list, as is Stark’s Twin Oaks Airpark (designed to work with the upcoming ORBX Pacific Northwest scenery). If you enjoyed Plum Island, have no fear — another 100 Dollar Burger airport is in the works as well…

Who’s Ready to Explore Alaska?

Yep, it’s finally time. After years of development and months of testing, a big patch of SE Alaska is finally available for you FSX bush pilots…