Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
Prepar3D (pronounced like Engl. Prepared " prepared" for short P3D ) is a simulation software from Lockheed Martin, which is used primarily, but not exclusively as a flight simulator. It is an evolution of Microsoft Flight Simulator based on Microsoft ESP. A licensing is done only as an education, training and learning software and is in contrast to Microsoft Flight Simulator explicitly not available as an entertainment software. The first version was released in fall 2010. The latest version 2.1 was released in February 2014.
History
After early 2009, the Aces Studios, who were responsible for the development of Microsoft Flight Simulator, concluded in the framework of austerity measures on the part of Microsoft, was acquired by the American defense company Lockheed Martin, the license and all source code for Microsoft ESP ( commercial FSX SP2 license). On this basis, the first version was published in 2010 Prepar3D V1.0.
Versions
Prepar3D V1
The first version was almost identical to Microsoft Flight Simulator X with Service Pack 2, and thus also backward compatible with most extensions for FSX. It was worked from the beginning with various manufacturers of Flight Simulator add-ons. For example, a Lockheed Constellation was contained by Just Flight in the basic version of Prepar3D. Innovations compared to FSX have included bathymetry, which now had the opportunity to also run simulation under water, for example with a U- boat. The software was available for $ 499.95 At first, since the update to V1.3 also available in different license versions at different prices ( $ 49.99 for the Academic (students ), $ 199.99 for the Professional ( professionals ) and monthly $ 9.99 for a developer license ( developer ) ) available.
Prepar3D V2
In the fall of 2013 Prepar3D V2, which represented a significant development of the software was released. Important new features were support for DirectX 11 API, increased use of multi-core processors, tessellation and graphical features such as dynamic shadows, HDR and volumetric fog. In addition, other interfaces have been created in order to, for example, the flight characteristics, which originate from the Flight Simulator until then expand to. The Academic, Professional and Developer licenses already available came to the latter two so-called Plus licenses to which are intended for military organizations and in addition to the basic features include simulation of weapon systems.
The first update V2.1 was released in February 2014 and brought mainly bug fixes and user requirements into the software with a. Thus, the software is now also backward compatible with DirectX 10 graphics cards.
In April 2014 V2.2 was released. Announced new features are in addition to various bug fixes and cloud shadows and support of Oculus Rift.
Version 2 is marketed as a standalone product and is therefore not available as an upgrade for Prepar3D V1.
Revision history
- Version 1.0 was released in November 2010
- Version 1.1 was released in April 2011
- Version 1.2 was released in September 2011
- Version 1.3 was released in March 2012
- Version 1.4 was released in August 2012
- Version 2.0 was released in November 2013
- Version 2.1 was released in February 2014
- Version 2.2 was released in February 2014
System
The following system requirements are from February 2014 and apply to Prepar3D V2
Extensions
Many add-ons were already compatible with more Prepar3D V2, but only under some restrictions. To determine sceneries were only of limited use, because the development often took place after FS2004 compatible ( outdated) methods. Some manufacturers gave out a short time after the release of Prepar3D free or paid updates for their products in order to make them useful in P3D or to correct errors. However, there are also add-on a producer who use their products in Prepar3D not allow or even programmed with technical security measures to prevent an active use in P3D.