Dominic Smith Posted May 25, 2023 Report Share Posted May 25, 2023 Scenery Review: KPVC - Provincetown Municipal Scenic Scenery for X-Plane 12 By Dominic Smith Introduction The realm of X-Plane is continually growing, and the latest addition to its expansive landscape is KPVC - Provincetown Municipal, a scenery package which aims to deliver an intricate virtual representation of a remarkable location in New England. Situated at the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is known for its picturesque beaches, prominent landmarks, and rich historical tapestry. These characteristics are woven into the virtual fabric of Provincetown Municipal, where intricate detailing extends from everyday airport objects to the texture of the pavement. Beyond the confines of the airport, the package encompasses notable landmarks such as Race Point Lighthouse, the Lifesaving Station Museum, the stately Pilgrim's Monument, and many other features. To enhance the immersion, elements like local vegetation, accurate road layouts, and the Province Lands Bike Trail have been integrated into the scenery. With the incorporation of XP12’s dynamic weather and seasonal features, this scenery package promises a realistic flight simulation experience...so let's see how it fared! `` Installation Installation of KPVC - Provincetown Municipal was, as is the case with most X-Plane sceneries, extremely straightforward. Once I had downloaded and then extracted the package, it was just a case of placing the main scenery folder into my 'Custom Scenery' directory of X-Plane. It's worth noting however, that while the package doesn't include ortho photos due to differing preferences among users, it is highly recommended to use them for this area, as it allows you to approach the airport over the sand dunes, which significantly enhances the aesthetic appeal of the scenery. For my exploration and testing of the package, I opted to install both simHeaven's X-World America and my own ortho tiles of the area, something the developer highly recommends doing. As with any X-Plane scenery add-on, ensuring the correct scenery load order was present in my scenery_packs.ini, was the final step of the installation process. Documentation The included documentation for the package is concise but informative, consisting of a single PDF. The document, written by Jim “RILockGuy” Wright, provides a wonderful introduction to the airport and the surrounding scenery. Having been impressed by Jim’s freeware sceneries in the past (mentioned several times in the Weekly Digest at the Org), it was great to see this package was created by the same talented individual. Also included in the PDF were airport charts for KPVC, an addition I always appreciate. KPVC Municipal Upon approaching KPVC (by car that is), I was first greeted by the airport sign, standing proudly off to the side of the road. It's a simple detail but well-executed with clear, sharp lettering, which also delivers the enticing message that Boston is only a twenty-minute flight away…something I am ashamed to say, I have still yet to do! As I ventured closer, the airport's main car park came into view, populated by a variety of custom vehicles, and whilst not quite matching the quality of Laminar's default models, they certainly added both a realistic and personal touch to the area. I also noted various signs designating spaces for disabled users and airport staff, a testament to the scenery's attention to detail. The ground textures around the car park were also impressive, with parking restrictions clearly marked for drivers to see, and flying overhead, as if a beacon of hope, was an animated American flag, gracefully swaying in the wind. Shifting my focus to the main terminal building in front of me, it became evident that considerable care had been taken to mimic its real-world counterpart faithfully. A variety of items dotted the vicinity, including benches and an intricate armillary sphere, further enhancing the realism. Being a keen cyclist (for certain warm months of the year), I had to smile when I saw a mountain bike, complete with its very own branded "Schwalbe" tires, now that’s what you call attention to detail! While the textures and modelling of the airport building were generally satisfactory, I felt that the exterior walls could have incorporated some weathering, considering the airport's coastal location. That said, I really appreciated the partially modelled interior at the rear, which is a feature that quite often tends to be overlooked. Adjacent to the main airport building, were several maintenance huts, plus a single aircraft hangar. The texturing and modelling of these followed the same general style and quality as the main building, maintaining a consistent look across the airport grounds. The airport apron and taxiways featured custom ground textures that were visually engaging, with markings indicating restricted areas being neatly displayed. The ground clutter around the airport was abundant and seemingly custom-made: from tires, cones, and a lawnmower to pallets and maintenance vehicles. The only element that seemed to be missing was people! Having cross-referenced the X-Plane rendition with the real airport on Google Maps, I was delighted to see just how well this virtual representation captured the essence of its real-life counterpart. Despite the small room for improvement, the quality and level of detail are a testament to Jim's remarkable skill and dedication. Race Point Beach Transitioning from the central airport complex, my journey led me to the depiction of Race Point Beach within the scenery. This location is characterized by an assortment of elements that, despite the notable absence of virtual beachgoers, work together to create an authentic representation of this popular locale. The beach scene included a detailed parking area, a distinctive beach pavilion (complete with restrooms and showers), the Oversands permit building, the Ranger Station, and lastly, the Lifesaving Station Museum, which when combined, helped create another layer of depth to the package. The modelling and texturing at Race Point Beach were consistent with the standard set by the main airport, fitting seamlessly into the overall scenery. While the texturing worked well in this context, a hint of additional weathering could have further enhanced the realism. As my exploration of Race Point Beach came to a close, a distinct silhouette on the horizon caught my eye…the Race Point Lighthouse, marking my next destination. Race Point Lighthouse Departing the peaceful surroundings of Race Point Beach, I made my way to Race Point Lighthouse, an enduring beacon that has withstood numerous storms over the years. The openness of the location meant that every structure and object was subject to intense scrutiny, a challenge for any developer. Approaching the lighthouse, the weathered textures hinted at its long service and endurance, lending it an authentic, historical touch. The accompanying structures like the oil shed, keeper's house, and whistle house, all displayed details consistent with the rest of the scenery. Supplementary elements, such as split-rail fences and capstans, subtly enhanced the overall environment. What caught my eye, however, were the small details: the partially buried anchor, the wind-responsive turbine, and the solar panels, all hinting at a thoughtful fusion of history and modernity. The lighthouse stood as a definite highlight, its richly weathered textures and meticulous detail creating an immersive focal point in the scenery. While the surrounding structures, crafted with care, seemed slightly less weathered, this detail did little to detract from the overall authenticity of the scene. Indeed, in the context of the sparse coastal landscape, the distinctiveness of the lighthouse and its ancillary buildings created a balanced aesthetic, effectively capturing the spirit of this storied seaside locale. Turning from the lighthouse, I set my sights on another of Provincetown's notable features, the Pilgrim's Monument... Pilgrim's Monument Pilgrim's Monument, located in the heart of Provincetown, is an unmistakable, 250-foot Italian Renaissance-style tower, overlooking the many houses and structures below (thanks in part to X-World America). While the textures weren't photorealistic, they did a perfectly good job of representing this iconic structure. Despite the less detailed approach, the authenticity of the model remained credible, creating a convincing landmark in the virtual landscape. Wood End Lighthouse and Long Point Beach Lighthouse My journey concluded with the Wood End and Long Point Beach lighthouses, both situated south of the airport. True to their real-world counterparts, both lighthouses bore a striking resemblance to each other. Upon closer inspection, their texturing and modelling demonstrated the consistent quality I had come to appreciate throughout the scenery. However, compared to the numerous pictures I had seen on Google Maps, I felt they missed some of the weathered nuances typical of such coastal structures. Whilst the virtual models were commendable, a touch more weathering could have added to their realism. Nonetheless, this was a minor observation, and it didn't diminish the overall quality of these lighthouses, each standing as a detailed and integral part of the scenery. Conclusion I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time exploring KPVC - Provincetown Municipal Scenic Scenery for X-Plane, as it was a truly engaging experience. The picturesque location, with its diverse landscapes and seascapes, allows for a wide variety of flights to be undertaken. The highlight of this scenery is undoubtedly, its numerous detailed areas, which consistently piqued my interest during my journey. From the airport facilities to the beaches, the level of detail is commendable. Likewise, the comprehensive documentation that accompanies the package enhances the overall authenticity and user experience, and despite using a midrange system, I experienced no framerate issues, even when using the recommended ortho tiles and X-World America add-ons. While the overall texture quality was good, some structures could have been more weather-worn to increase the realism in certain areas. Additionally, the lack of human figures was noticeable, which, if included, could have added to the vibrancy of the environment. In summing up, KPVC - Provincetown Municipal Scenic Scenery for X-Plane is a carefully crafted piece that offers a deeply rewarding experience. While there are minor areas for improvement, these don't overshadow the impressive craftsmanship and detailed features of this scenery. It's a standout offering that would be a superb addition to any X-Plane library, delivering a unique and immersive experience whether you're a casual flyer or a seasoned X-Plane enthusiast! ________________________ KPVC - Provincetown Municipal Scenic Scenery by Ocean State Sceneries is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here: KPVC - Provincetown Municipal Scenic Scenery Priced at US$19.00 Features KVPC Municipal, with attention to the smallest details, like broken bench slats, keypad locks and padlocks, handicap-access buttons, and even scrapes on the pavement from drooping gates. Race Point Beach, featuring the parking area, the beach pavilion with restrooms and showers, the Oversands permit building, the Ranger Station, and the Lifesaving Station Museum. Race Point Lighthouse, an important landmark on the RWY 07 approach, featuring the lighthouse, the oil shed, the keeper’s house, and the whistle house, along with split-rail fences, capstans, a buried anchor, a working wind turbine, and more. Pilgrim’s Monument, located downtown, a 250-foot Italian Renaissance style tower that acts as a prominent visual landmark in the area. Wood End Lighthouse and the Long Point Beach Lighthouse, and all the buoys and skeleton towers listed on the current area NOAA charts, blinking their true-to-life lights in colors and intervals. Local vegetation, roads, signs, and even the Provincelands Bike Path is represented, fully making use of XP12’s weather and seasonal features. Requirements X-Plane 12 Windows, Mac, or Linux 4GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Review System Specifications Intel i5 10400 – 32GB RAM - Nvidia Asus RTX 3060 – Windows 10 Home 64 Bit __________________________________ Scenery Review by Dominic Smith 25th May 2023 Copyright©2023: X-Plane Reviews (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copying of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions). Kiwiflyer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.