As you may be aware, there are many "layers" which are user-tweakable for YMML. Obviously, the one with all the eye candy is the 15cm gmax ground poly layer, which we used the FS2002 SDK to achieve. We're also working on a fully compliant FSX SDK version of that layer which will be in the service pack.
However, for some of you the best mode for your hardware spec will be
FSX Native Mode, where you will have a mixture of normal AFCAD style airside materials, mixed with the 15cm photoreal scenery layer. The benefit of the Native Mode is better performance, crisp taxiway lines and of course water and reflection effects. You also have plenty of headroom in this mode to turn on building shadows and all the other shadow effects.
In the project timeline, the AFCAD is always the last thing we do because its a fluid design until all the models and gate tweaks are in place. Matt Tomkins in finalising the AFCAD at the moment and here's a few shots airside in the rain. Please note there are no line markings complete in many shots as they're only going down now.
P.S. To explain the layers in YMML, here the pie:
4. GMAX 15CM HD-POLY LAYER - The top layer and the most performance sapping. Pros: Lots of eye candy. Cons: Not everyone can run this mode.
3. FSX NATIVE MODE LAYER - The third layer contains an FSX-compliant AFCAD airside layout with full SDK fx support including rain effects etc. Pros: Much better performance. Cons: Not as pretty for screenies
2. 15CM PHOTOREAL SCENERY LAYER - The second layer can't be turned off (well, the control panel won't do it anyway
). 16 times the resolution of FTX for a 28 kilometres area.
1. 1M FTX PHOTOREAL SCENERY LATER - This is the extended area at the same resolution as FTX, increasing the coverage area to 40sq. km.
