X-Plane 9.0

[RichardI]

Anyone out there running the new X-Plane 9 on an iMac? Specifically, one like mine . Are you able to get some of the better visual features turned on? Like reflective water and volumetric fog? these sims always look terrific on someone elses hardware...

Rich

 

[ewisone]

Yeah I've been playing the Mac demo but I can't use settings requiring pixel shaders (liked volumetric fog and water reflections etc.), unless I turn the resolution down. Starting to regret getting the 24" imac instead of the 20", the resolution is too high for its graphics hardware. Also, despite the screen looking brilliant at the native resolution, reducing the resolution does not work well at all, things begin looking very grainy. I haven't been able to get the windows demo downloaded and this may improve things.

 

[RichardI]

Thanks ewisone. That's what I thought. A big thumbs down to Apple for giving us a huge screen with hardware too weak to run any graphics programs at the only resolution that looks any good on it. I have found the same as you - I'm wondering if I shouldn't have bought a 20" in stead. Or maybe a Psytstar box.
Anyway, I also have found that Windows (with the proper drivers) runs everything just fine. TW 2008, for example runs and looks great under XP on the very same hardware! I have played both versions.
Oh well, live and learn. Thanks for the input.
Rich

 

[dimme]

I have x plane 8.6 and think it's great. Is the V9 upgrade worth it. Are there any features that make it a must have?