Orbx Releases FTX: Global VECTOR

[rob16584 42]

FTX Global VECTOR, which is the culmination of over two years of R&D and GIS data development now combined into a single product to cover your whole Flight Simulator X or Prepar3D world with superb new vector details like never before achieved on a global scale. FTX Global VECTOR is a partnership project between Orbx and Austrian company PILOT’s. The version of Vector you have is the download-only version exclusive to Orbx and specifically designed to work with both FTX Global BASE and FTX Global openLC as part of a total simulator overhaul.So the difference between what you had before and after Vector is quite remarkable; we like to compare it to a complete simulator upgrade, similar to the huge improvement FTX Global BASE’s textures provided.

• Accurate coastlines, rivers, lakes and other water bodies. Vector uses new shoreline and beach textures to add more realism which provides a more integrated and natural appearance
• Motorways, freeways, main arterials roads, roundabouts – all with moving vehicle traffic and specific underlays and skirtings to blend in better with landclass textures
• Golf courses, city parks and forests
• Extrusion bridges and tunnel entrances
• Tram lines where applicable, railway lines and railway yards
• Power lines using default models
• Corrected airport elevations for all default airports
• Ports and docks concrete textures

So the difference between what you had before and after Vector is quite remarkable; we like to compare it to a complete simulator upgrade, similar to the huge improvement FTX Global BASE’s textures provided.

 

[jaydor 345]

It's pretty expensive for what it is, to add to the original FTXGlobal (£38).  But I realise it will make a tremendous difference to the enjoyment of the landscape.  I have FTX global so it would make sense to add the Vector to it.

 

Blinkin eck! my wally is already taking a bashing from Christmas..  Thanks for the heads up Rob.. 

[Gunner 69]

That looks great!

[brett 2,283]

Thanks Rob, been waiting for it's release.

 

Think I will wait a bit to let the servers cool down and for my bank account to get hot again. To think I went around five years with default FSX and was perfectly happy, then I caught the payware addon disease. My better half is thinking of having an intervention for me.    

[rob16584 42]

I think I'll probably end up getting it too, but like you brett, will need to wait a bit for the bank account to top up

[britfrog 180]

will this have any effect on ftx england or will it only change regions where ftx hasnt already  made scenery?

I accept it will have no effect on photoscenery

[Andrew Godden 934]

The simplest way to look at this is as a layer affect, as follows, in descending order of detail:

• FTX airport series (detailed airport specific scenery), e.g. FTX: EU EGHI;
• FTX region series (detailed region specific scenery), e.g. FTX: EU England;
• FTX Global VECTOR (Vector Data);
• FTX Global BASE (Textures and Autogen);
• FTX Global openLC region series (Landclass Data); and
• Terrain Mesh.

Each component complements the others and, In ascending order, each layer adds more local detail.

 

There is possibly another component to come, if the speculation about a partnering arrangement between Orbx and REX4 products is true.

[rob16584 42]

Orbx will gave a bigger bank balance than Apple at this rate!

[britfrog 180]

Thanks Andrew I got that but in ftx central i take it this will go under the global banner what happens if you use ftx england as you then disarm global, or do you use a hybrid setup? it all seems so complicated for a thicko like me

 

I thought the partnership between ftx and rex had been announced, they have been cap in glove for quite a few years now .

[stu7708 244]

@Nigel: The ORBX regions already contain upgraded vector data, so ORBX Global Vector will not add anything to the regions as far as I've understood things.

[Andrew Godden 934]

I only installed FTX Global VECTOR this evening and have only briefly had a chance to explore it.  As far as I understand, as VECTOR provides a higher level / quality of vector data (only). it takes priority over the vector data in region scenery.  My quick comparisons indicate this is regardless of whether you have Global or a specific region activated in FTX Central, however, I need to do some more testing to validate this.

[britfrog 180]

it will be interesting as to what you find Andrew , My feeble understanding was that like global , it will only affect the fsx default scenery areas and make them better ,

[mutley 4,487]

Waiting in anticipation Andrew!

[britfrog 180]

stop tapping your feet Joe

[jaydor 345]

@Nigel

 

It only affects FTX global by adding the vector classification (Roads, Railways, Shorelines etc.,) to the land-class textures.  It will have no effect to FTX regions as they are separate texture formats in their own file structure.

 

If you look at your FSX file structure you will find the ORBX directory in there.  That is where the regions go and the FTXG vector goes into the scenery directory further down the main FSX list.

[britfrog 180]

thanks Jaydor that makes sense

[needles 1,010]

Thanks for the HU Rob and thanks for the comments above Guys. I've bit the bullet and downloaded it.

Baaa

[brett 2,283]

You mean, berrrr.   Good luck with it and let us know how you like it Brian.

[stu7708 244]

Very tempted to get this package, and most likely will buy it during the day... 

 

@James: Considering it covers the whole world I'm not sure I think it's that expensive. Two regions of Ultimate Terrain would cost more than the Vector package, but you then of course get updated Land Class too... but not the global adjustment of airport elevation at the default airports.

[needles 1,010]

Just had a little jolly around the coastal regions of the Netherlands. First impressions are very satisfactory.

A big improvement on the default coasts.

[brett 2,283]

Glad to hear you like it Brian. I am looking forward to getting it and doing some old time navigation from a RW map. Acurate road, rail and river flying is what I have been waiting for.