--- scott wrote:
> What are the differences between the different flight simulators such
> as FlightGear, X-Plane, and MS Flight Simulator?
I don't have any experience of X-Plane or the new Flight Simulator X, so
this will just discuss FlightGear (FG) versus MS Flight Simulator 2004
(MSFS).
There are huge numbers of differences, including:
Freedom. FG is completely "open" - you can do just about anything with it
- modify it, distribute it, hack it. MSFS is completely closed.
Target audience. MSFS is for home users, FG scales from home users to big
simulator projects by universities, companies.
Graphics. MSFS has high quality auto-generated graphics using Direct-X. FG
uses OpenGL, so has more limited graphics capabilities. FG supports
multiple monitors very well however.
World accuracy. MSFS has a cylinder for the world, while FG has an
accurate "almost-sphere". FG also has accurate star, planets and more
accurate terrain.
Extensibility. Writing add-ons for MSFS is difficult. FG allows just about
anything, including Air-to-air refueling, tutorials, carrier operations,
communicates with a GPS!
Flight models. MSFS flight-models are now quite out of date. FG supports a
number of different flight-models providing much more accurate flight
characteristics.
Release Cycle. MSFS is released every two years. FG releases on average
every year, but users can download the "latest and greatest" whenever they
wish and make use of cutting-edge features.
Contribution. If you have a bright idea, you cannot contribute it to MSFS
unless you write a plugin. FG allows you to contribute to the simulator
and see your ideas used by hundreds of other people.
Aircraft. There are a huge number of aircraft available for MSFS. There is
a more limited selection available for FG, but what is there is often very
high quality and replicated the real aircraft systems more accurately. For
example, you'll need to read the flight manual for the Spitfire to have
any hope of starting it!
Cost. FG is completely free (as in beer) and all the add-on (aircraft,
scenery) are also free. For MSFS, the software, accurate scenery and most
good addons cost money.
Hope this is of some use.
-Stuart
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