Scale of the map?

[ThorBrasil]

Is a scale of the DCS maps 1:1? Thank You!

[randomTOTEN]

For all the ones I own,

yes.

[Emmy]

It's not perfect because in DCS, the Earth is flat, but it's all close enough for government work.

[AeriaGloria]

I always wondered how the maps can be flat but still have accurate GPS coordinates, that is some pretty magic math

[Magic Zach]

actually the map does have curvature. If you want to see it, take the F-15 up to 90,000 on a clear day in Nevada.

[AeriaGloria]

Yeah because the sight lines are modified at high altitude so it looks that way

[Weta43]

According to E.D. the current DCS engine can deal with curved (spherical) maps, but all the current maps are flat with the effects of curvature post processed onto the SIM.

[AeriaGloria]

So I wonder if it’s as simple then as having a curved terrain and the physics API/whatever applies/undoes the needed correction. One place it’s only been really obvious to me is sea engagements where ships float what looks like above the horizon. I guess that wasn’t much. Concern for DCS before but now is with the naval focus. I just wonder how seamlessly the engine could handle that change, for example I’m pretty sure there is a bit of the radar simulation making up for the flat terrain and acting like there is a horizon

[RustBelt]

I always wondered how the maps can be flat but still have accurate GPS coordinates, that is some pretty magic math

 

It's not. It isn't simulating GPS, it's just taking your 2D coordinate just like you would get off a paper map.

[draconus]

Is a scale of the DCS maps 1:1?

What do you mean? When you fly 200kts GS you realy need 1h to cover 200 nm in DCS. The size of all objects are in correct proportions to each other. This will appear real only depending on your FOV settings, which is forced in VR, but for the screen many are using too wide FOV.

 

Regarding the terrain curvature:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=260128

[Northstar98]

...

 

AFAIK RADARs take the curvature into account in calculations, but it might be a bit hit and miss.

 

Developing new maps to be curvature makes more sense actually, for one it's more realistic and you get LOS accurately depicted. But it means that if a world map ever gets done, it's less work to add existing maps.

[VpR81]

actually the map does have curvature. If you want to see it, take the F-15 up to 90,000 on a clear day in Nevada.

 

AFAIK In RL, the curvature of the earth starts to get visible for human eyes at roughly 25.000ft. If DCS maps would have realistic curvature, there would be no need to go up to 90.000ft....

Edited March 8, 2020 by VpR81

[Magic Zach]

AFAIK In RL, the curvature of the earth starts to get visible for human eyes at roughly 25.000ft. If DCS maps would have realistic curvature, there would be no need to go up to 90.000ft....

There's every need to go up to 90,000+

Curvature looks slim from down low at 25k

At 90k it looks better