Introduction

The page discusses the maximum resolution at which terrain can be displayed in FS2002 (~19m) and FS2004 (~38m) and examines the evidence leading to this conclusion.

Important note: This article was written prior to the release of the FS2004 Update (aka FS9.1 Patch). This patch restores the maximum terrain resolution in FS2004 to the same capability as FS2002. In view of this, please understand that all references to FS2004 in this article relate to the standard FS2004 install, i.e. without the FS2004 Update.

In order to examine the maximum capabilities of FS2002 and FS2004 is necessary to use of a high resolution terrain mesh capable of being displayed at maximum resolutions of FS2002 and FS2004. The examples use VFR Terrain by Visual Flight based on 5m source data compiled at a maximum resolution of either ~19m or ~9.2m.

NB. With lower resolution terrain mesh scenery such as those based on 90m Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data (typically compiled at ~76m), the issue is purely academic.  The higher display resolutions are simply not needed.

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