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Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
GEX Europe has been released!
- Thread starter papab
- Start date
E
Euroflyer
Guest
From the screenshots I have seen I am disappointed at how default this GEX_EU looks, the colour just looks fake/wrong
Cheers
Euroflyer
Cheers
Euroflyer
papab
Charter Member
As long as you have good landclass and the freeware autumn texture pack why leave these textures behind?
What a fantastic shot!!!!!!
Steve Halpern
Members +
Yes, great shot!
I can almost feel the air.
I can almost feel the air.
SpaceWeevil
SOH-CM-2026
As long as you have good landclass and the freeware autumn texture pack why leave these textures behind?
Now I'm well confused - best looking screenshot in the whole thread (by a mile) and that's not GEX? I have bought it to try because a) Nick N is a sort of benign FSX god and b) you can't say fairer than a 30-day money back guarantee, but so far I'm slightly struggling to see the advantages. I'm hoping it will grow on me.
Same as me. While it may be the best texture/autogen set avaliable for Europe (especially urban and night), I'm not really sure if the difference between this and some freeware textures I had installed previously is worth 45$ to me. Still, I have 26 days to make a decision
grunau_baby
SOH-CM-2026
As with many replacement textures GEX is also very much dependant on the individual and personal likes or dislikes of the user. They do IMHO really stand out compared to the default stuff, though the sharpened - mock high reslution look - might turn off certain users.
The textures really shine in urban areas and the winter textures are great. Whereas the dotty grass on airfields is a bit disturbing. Together with some decent landclass the overall look is good, though - even though I like it - I would not go as far as saying this IS Europe as it is in reallity.
But then this is no photoscenery and landclass based textures and autogen can only be limited as to create realistic scenery! You get a pretty good new look if you do not expect miracles.
Great work so far, but there´s potential for updates, too IMHO.
Regards
Alex
The textures really shine in urban areas and the winter textures are great. Whereas the dotty grass on airfields is a bit disturbing. Together with some decent landclass the overall look is good, though - even though I like it - I would not go as far as saying this IS Europe as it is in reallity.
But then this is no photoscenery and landclass based textures and autogen can only be limited as to create realistic scenery! You get a pretty good new look if you do not expect miracles.
Great work so far, but there´s potential for updates, too IMHO.
Regards
Alex
My problem is going to remain. Neither Adam Mills, nor from what I've seen (admittedly limited) GEX, offer what I want, which is compact European-type villages.
The farms have got better over time, but the villages and towns are still far too open plan, buildings too far apart. However, until such time as I can learn how to make my own textures to generate landclass off, I guess I'm stuck with what I have.
The farms have got better over time, but the villages and towns are still far too open plan, buildings too far apart. However, until such time as I can learn how to make my own textures to generate landclass off, I guess I'm stuck with what I have.
Steve Halpern
Members +
I think Ultimate Terrain X Europe does address villages. GEX of course will vary based on the landclass (default or 3rd party). In UTX, since you have roads and intersections, and landclass, you should get more accurate village representations.
That's not intended to be a snipe at GEX, Steve - UTX does a great deal to help with the placement of towns - for example I can see the village I used to live in (it's actually a small town, but still a village for political reasons) called Wombourne in Staffordshire, using UTX. Wombourne is blended together with Wolverhampton, Dudley, Stourbridge and the rest of the West Midlands using default or most replacement landclass products.
It just doesn't look at all like Wombourne - everything is far too separated and there is far too much greenery between houses.
I've noticed the same when trying to do sceneries in Alaska and Newfoundland - the only landclass that gives the density of buildings within a small area is "suburban large city", but then you get tower blocks and big apartment buildings, when very few buildings in the place you are trying to represent are higher than two stories.
I feel I have to reiterate that this is not bashing any FS add-on product - they have to be a compromise covering all the different areas that the texture might appear in, but to date no-one has got it right in any shot I've seen, there's always too much grass and not enough roofing.
I've attached an aerial photo of a moderately typical rural English village that I tracked down in SBuilderX (it's actually Swindon, near Halfpenny Green airfield in South Staffordshire, if anyone is nosy enough to want to know). The only landclass texture that I can find that looks even close to this is LC_Large_City_Suburban_Grid_Wet - but that has the aforementioned tower blocks and large apartment blocks placed regularly around it... The highest building in Swindon is the pub at three stories. Not quite the same, if you see what I mean?
It just doesn't look at all like Wombourne - everything is far too separated and there is far too much greenery between houses.
I've noticed the same when trying to do sceneries in Alaska and Newfoundland - the only landclass that gives the density of buildings within a small area is "suburban large city", but then you get tower blocks and big apartment buildings, when very few buildings in the place you are trying to represent are higher than two stories.
I feel I have to reiterate that this is not bashing any FS add-on product - they have to be a compromise covering all the different areas that the texture might appear in, but to date no-one has got it right in any shot I've seen, there's always too much grass and not enough roofing.
I've attached an aerial photo of a moderately typical rural English village that I tracked down in SBuilderX (it's actually Swindon, near Halfpenny Green airfield in South Staffordshire, if anyone is nosy enough to want to know). The only landclass texture that I can find that looks even close to this is LC_Large_City_Suburban_Grid_Wet - but that has the aforementioned tower blocks and large apartment blocks placed regularly around it... The highest building in Swindon is the pub at three stories. Not quite the same, if you see what I mean?
You guys who want "REAL" Europe need every sq-mi covered in Photoscenery, that all there is to it.. because the default designed FSX textures/landclass system can not and never will allow the wide open spaces Photoscenery does..
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
></o>But do be aware we are replacing several of the texture sets to try and open it up a bit more.. We have already discussed this and its on the list
<o
></o><o
></o><o
></o>And lets be very clear too.. screenshots that have gone through processing/compression incorrectly are going to look 'grainier' than in-sim.. unless you are very careful with your photo software and maintain the color and all the digital image information.
<o
></o><o
></o>I have seen a lot of screenshots that make GEX look FAR 'grainer' than than it really is in the sim.
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></o><o
></o>I have also seen shots that take advantage of the hidden elements in the textures using the ENB Light bloom addon
<o
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></o>http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t45/jpmes/gex%20europe/
<o
></o><o
></o><o
></o><o
></o>We made these textures “Cloud Shadow Ready” so they respond correctly to REAL lighting changes.
<o
></o>
kimdahl
SOH-CM-2026
Hi Nick
I am sorry but I have to diagree with you. In my opinion the GEX textures really ARE far too grainy. It is not just a matter of someone not treating their screenshots correctly. What I have seen in various screenshots is very true to the appearance of GEX in the "real life" sim environment. They have this "pointilistic" feel about them and there is too much contrast. This may have been done to obtain the "3D effect from a certain altitude, but it just doesn't look right.
Furthermore there are large portions of almost white in many parts, not just the grass pads, but also in the textures representing fields. This may have been a compromise to try to get closer to the look of southern Europe, but it certainly doesn't look anything like the fields in Denmark or the UK.
I know that your team has spent a lot of time creating these textures, and I was really looking forward to a great FSX improvement with GEX, but right now I am not sure if I am going to keep it at all. Sorry...
Regards
Kim Dahl
I am sorry but I have to diagree with you. In my opinion the GEX textures really ARE far too grainy. It is not just a matter of someone not treating their screenshots correctly. What I have seen in various screenshots is very true to the appearance of GEX in the "real life" sim environment. They have this "pointilistic" feel about them and there is too much contrast. This may have been done to obtain the "3D effect from a certain altitude, but it just doesn't look right.
Furthermore there are large portions of almost white in many parts, not just the grass pads, but also in the textures representing fields. This may have been a compromise to try to get closer to the look of southern Europe, but it certainly doesn't look anything like the fields in Denmark or the UK.
I know that your team has spent a lot of time creating these textures, and I was really looking forward to a great FSX improvement with GEX, but right now I am not sure if I am going to keep it at all. Sorry...
Regards
Kim Dahl