DCS World 2.5 --> Full Terrain Coverage

Since DCS 2.5 is not out yet, I was thinking that there is still room for some big changes

One of the thing that have in common most of big flight simulators, like FSX-P3D-Xplane-AeroflyFS2, is the terrain coverage of the entire world.

I don't think that process the terrain DEM data at a basic level of detail, can slower down the appearence of 2.5.

In this way, Caucasus, Nevada,Strict of Hormuz, Normandy should be considered as Theaters, and not as maps.

With this change, DCS will not leave out from the sim the use of strategic bombers, that all we know have a very long run to play their bombing sessions:

You can takeoff from a B1 in the UK(OUT OF THEATER), flying at 40.000 feet over Mediterranean Sea, for strike in the Strict of Hormuz (THEATER)

some threads about a world map for DCS:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=171474&highlight=globe+map

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=140442&highlight=globe+map

some threads about a world map for DCS:

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=171474&highlight=globe+map

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=140442&highlight=globe+map

razo+r I know there are similar post, but this is a specific poll.

razo+r I know there are similar post, but this is a specific poll.

same as in the second link...

DCS should be a collection of maps to at the end cover the entire world.......

I don't think that process the terrain DEM data at a basic level of detail, can slower down the appearence of 2.5.

I don't think you have any idea what is involved. Aside from that, how can adding work not delay the appearance of v2.5?

and

Yes, this is a redundant and useless poll.

yeah, so when you fly from Caucasus to NTTR, you get a Pop Up indicating you do not own this area.

Nope, not gonna happen anytime soon, at least not on the consumer level.

yeah, so when you fly from Caucasus to NTTR, you get a Pop Up indicating you do not own this area.

 

Nope, not gonna happen anytime soon, at least not on the consumer level.

With a "collection" of maps i mean a short sample of different diverse world maps has ED is doing now.....but in the end "extend" those maps and cover the world.

I don't think you have any idea what is involved. Aside from that, how can adding work not delay the appearance of v2.5?

 

and

 

Yes, this is a redundant and useless poll.

Do you really think that load the DEM data of a terrain in Terrain SDK and leave the program automatically process the data AS IS (without manual correction normally used to fix holes and coastlines) to produce DCS world terrain format would require more than a month?

And yes, I know that this maybe another useless poll and I accept the criticism, but I'm not stupid, maybe crazy;)

yeah, so when you fly from Caucasus to NTTR, you get a Pop Up indicating you do not own this area.

 

Nope, not gonna happen anytime soon, at least not on the consumer level.

And this is the point: You don't need a popup to indicate the area is not present, cause you own basic terrain coverage between Caucasus and NTTR.

In aeroflyFS2, the area not covered with details doesn't have airports, building,tree, etc, but you can fly at 30,000 feet without miss them....

Do you really think that load the DEM data of a terrain in Terrain SDK and leave the program automatically process the data AS IS (without manual correction normally used to fix holes and coastlines) to produce DCS world terrain format would require more than a month?

I think a month is very optimistic and even that still constitutes a delay.

And yes, I know that this maybe another useless poll and I accept the criticism, but I'm not stupid, maybe crazy;)

I never said, or implied, that you were stupid though I did select the third option in the poll. ;)

same as in the second link...

Not really: I specified LOW RES DEM (that mean 76m/pixel, a mere 30GB of data for all world), without textures, just a graphical depiction of terrain/water.

I think a month is very optimistic and even that still constitutes a delay.

 

 

 

I never said, or implied, that you were stupid though I did select the third option in the poll. ;)

Seeing the first results of the poll, I'm booking a visit to a mental health center :D

I think it's a decent idea for single player, although I don't think it'd actually offer much.

Not entirely sure it would work for multiplayer, probably have to say you can't connect if you don't own the terrains being used on the server.

I think it's a decent idea for single player, although I don't think it'd actually offer much.

 

Not entirely sure it would work for multiplayer, probably have to say you can't connect if you don't own the terrains being used on the server.

Actually servers use NTTR or Caucasus, only one theater at a time, and this is right: you're playing in limited environment, with a limited number of players.

Instead, the SP campaigns can take advantage of this system, since theaters can be interconnected extending the possibilities of a long play for bombers,cargo,UAV (this mean more money for ED)

Now, since ED is putting so much effort to convert Caucasus to NTTR standards, in DCS 2.5 they can provide for free the basic terrain coverage, and require the user to buy the new Caucasus...

Am I Insane?

Whilst yes I would love a world map, even for a simplified one as OP suggested, the resources required would be off the scale and the storage space required and the computer specifications would be insanity. That being said I wish there was a way to implement the system that FSX/P3D have for their maps. Have a basic world map included that lacks detail with basic airbases (just a single colour basic elevation map would do, like Crimea in the current 1.5 Caucuses) and then have addon maps that improve a specific area. (The NTTR and Caucuses map would basically be those addons except we lack the base world map).

I'm sure someone will tell me that this isn't possible and with current resources like they are and tell me that I'm a silly dreamer :cry: Oh well.

I would prefer maps for the right era of aircraft Normandy FINALLY for instance.

Generally I agree with this idea, for example FS2004 terrain is less than 1.5gb uncompressed, but I don't think the developers will ever take into consideration this improvement: they seems to be reluctant to accept the requests and proposals of the users.

It's sad...

build a "entire earth" have a series of issues outside of "copy paste" others simulator features.

The engine need reworked previously to work a "whole earth" system and see if the actual maps have compatible with a "whole earth" type. ED has implemented develop "steeps" to get more and more details and functionality on the simulator engine technology and that "request" has outside of the actual plans by have a very high milestone on a graphic engine.

Remember that is not only put a 1.5gb uncompressed texture and "viola" have a whole earth. If that will have easy as someone ask, surely ED had implement them some time ago, but surely the actual engine need build first some "milestones" previously to them.

Personally I don't want ANYTHING that would delay 2.5 or the new Caucuses even a SECOND longer.

So no.... I'm satisfied with what ED is already planning.

ED has implemented develop "steeps" to get more and more details and functionality on the simulator engine technology and that "request" has outside of the actual plans by have a very high milestone on a graphic engine.

In this way ED will cover the 50% of available theaters in 30 years...and a seamless integration is not guaranteed anyway

Personally I don't want ANYTHING that would delay 2.5 or the new Caucuses even a SECOND longer.

So no.... I'm satisfied with what ED is already planning.

I don't want a delay too, since is not good have DCS splitted in two engines, but I'm not satisfied too: the theater thing is a big limitation.

In this way ED will cover the 50% of available theaters in 30 years...and a seamless integration is not guaranteed anyway

Actually, only ED build theatres, when 3rd parties get the SDK, learning them and start to build maps and making more and more options and ED improve DCS: W EDGE engine (the "expected" future mesh technology T-5), surely more and more context coming (same example on 2012, when ED only build modules and now, five years later, have seven 3rd parties build modules and more material).

And if you like 2.5 with world covered, make Caucasus, Hormuz and 4th Theatre a "long" delayed to "implement" that "milestone". About the seamless integration, all have subject to change.

Expand the caucasus region and just make this theater larger and connect it with the straight of hormuz! Thats the best idea ever, by far :D

ED had implementing something called map clipping. If I am not wrong this is the next step allowing two distinct maps, that are actually neighbor to each other, to be somehow seamless transited from one to other, of course assuming you are owning both.

If this first step is here then rest is just of matter of time. I also prefer manually worked maps more than those automated generated... it is something very itchy with these automated things.

So, I think I know what OP is talking about. Have any of you heard of Interstellar Marines? A gamemode there has a "world" of 9 locations. Each one works on it's own server, with a loading screen as you disconnect and join the new server between doorways. I like the idea and that game does it well. It isn't seamless though, but chat works through all areas, as well as the in-game grouping.

Important disclaimer: IM runs on unity engine. It's been in steam early access for years now, with no real roadmap toward completion( 1 guy on staff)

build a "entire earth" have a series of issues outside of "copy paste" others simulator features.

 

The engine need reworked previously to work a "whole earth" system and see if the actual maps have compatible with a "whole earth" type. ED has implemented develop "steeps" to get more and more details and functionality on the simulator engine technology and that "request" has outside of the actual plans by have a very high milestone on a graphic engine.

 

Remember that is not only put a 1.5gb uncompressed texture and "viola" have a whole earth. If that will have easy as someone ask, surely ED had implement them some time ago, but surely the actual engine need build first some "milestones" previously to them.

Yes but I know that is not an automatic process but the developers have surely a tool that can import satellite data and process it in a batch, producing a file readable by the sim.

The OP said no texture and just land/water in low resolution: without further refinements for fix errors in terrain, create textures, create assets, I don't think is a big delay.