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Q: Are the frame rates really that good with this product ?

A: Yes. We tested USA Roads on several different systems. For the test, we removed all variable settings that affect frame rates (scenery complexity, autogen, weather, and air traffic). The target frame rate was then set to unlimited. With these settings, the frame rate reduction caused by USA Roads was not measurable with the naked eye using the FS2004 frame rate counter, even in a dense urban area like Philadelphia, PA. This was in stark contrast with autogen (reduced frame rates by up to 10 FPS), scenery complexity (reduction of up to 15 FPS), weather (reduction of up to 50 FPS), and traffic (reduction of up to 20 FPS using default traffic).

Q: Why hasn't a package like this been available before ?

A: Scenery Solutions has developed a unique process that automates the conversion of available road information, into a format that can be used by FS2004. Many months of work went into optimizing the process before the final product was created. Scenery Solutions also has a data licensing agreement for the road source data. This data allows us to provide a much superior product over the alternative USGS data.

Q: Will I be able to find my street if I purchase USA Roads ?

A: Unless you live on a brand new street, or live in an area that may be covered by water (due to inaccurate shorelines in FS2004) yours should be included.

Q: How well will USA Roads interact with airports and other buildings in FS2004

A: Autogen in FS2004 will work very well with the roads supplied in USA Roads. Autogen objects will be positioned around the roads. In general, the airports in FS2004 are positioned accurately and will work well with USA Roads, with the exception being airport skirtings (backgrounds) and other buildings that may be positioned incorrectly in FS2004. Custom objects in FS2004, such as downtown buildings and stadiums, may sit on top of roads if they are not positioned in FS2004 according to their real-life locations. In many cases, buildings in FS2004 appear to be positioned relative to the basic roads provided by FS2004, which are not usually very accurate.

Q: Since coastlines, lakes, and rivers are not very accurate in MSFS, how will they work with USA Roads

A: The roads provided by USA Roads are positioned very accurately. Unfortunately, the water areas in FS2004 are not positioned accurately in many places. This can produce a visually undesirable effect when FS2004 water is incorrectly positioned, possibly overlapping small sections of roads in urban areas. To compensate for this, USA Roads will be hidden beneath the water, except highways, which will still display on top of water. Many scenery designers are coming up with coastline/water enhancements for FS2004. If and when the coastlines are moved to a more accurate positions, the "washed-out" roads should be displayed automatically.

Q: How well will USA Roads interact with other FS2004 scenery packages.

A: USA Roads should work with all landclass and elevation/terrain scenery upgrades. Custom scenery packages using aerial photography and other custom textures will overlay USA Roads in most cases. Other packages that contain custom objects, such as buildings, will work very nicely with USA Roads if they have been positioned correctly at their actual real-life coordinates. Any product that improves the accuracy of terrain and objects in FS2004 should also benefit USA Roads.

Q: Will USA Roads have moving lights as in FS2000

A: No, this will not be an option at this time. While it has been reported that some people have been able to get this to work in FS2002 and FS2004, there are also reports of visual effects problems and frame rate slowdowns. Perhaps the frame rate issues are the reason Microsoft chose to abandon the moving lights in FS2002 and FS2004. Also, adding special effects to the millions of miles of roads in USA Roads would almost surely slow down even the fastest systems.

Q: How will USA Roads affect railroads

A: Railroads will not be affected by USA Roads For FS2004.

Q: Will USA Roads replace my existing road textures

A: No, USA Roads comes with it's own set of textures. If you fly outside the USA, your roads will not be affected.

Q: Will USA Roads move the bridges in FS2004

A: No. While autogen objects will be positioned around the new roads, static objects maintain their original location. The bridges in FS2004 have been positioned according to the generally inaccurate roads that come with the flight sim.