Skip to content
Air Rhodessa’s PG Hangar
PG, TIN & Ratings
What the scenery technology is — and how the Hangar scores it
MSFS Visual Technology & Rating Guide

Understand the scenery. Understand the score.

This single guide explains what photogrammetry and TIN mean in Microsoft Flight Simulator, how they differ from autogen scenery, and how Air Rhodessa’s PG Hangar turns what you see in the sim into its 1–10 ratings.

Part One

What are Photogrammetry & TIN?

The technology that makes real-world cities and detailed 3D areas recognisable from the air.

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is the process of creating a 3D model from overlapping 2D photographs. Aerial surveys and mapping systems capture large numbers of high-resolution images from multiple angles, including overhead and oblique views.

Specialist software analyses matching points across those images and reconstructs the real-world area as a textured 3D model.

The resultReal streets, stadium layouts, bridges, towers and familiar landmarks become recognisable from the air.
The trade-offIt can look soft, rough or “melted” when viewed extremely close up or when streamed data is incomplete.

TIN

TIN stands for Triangulated Irregular Network. Photogrammetry describes how the imagery is captured and reconstructed; TIN describes the connected triangular mesh used to represent the 3D shape of terrain, buildings and objects.

Rather than using a perfectly regular grid, a TIN can use triangles of different sizes and densities depending on how much detail is needed in each area.

In-sim terminologyWhen Microsoft refers to “TIN cities”, it generally means the detailed streamed 3D city areas that many simmers simply call photogrammetry cities.

Why TIN is useful

More detail where it matters Complex objects such as cathedrals, stadiums, bridges and dense city centres can use a greater concentration of smaller triangles.
Less detail where it does not Flatter or simpler areas can use fewer, larger triangles, reducing the amount of geometry needed to represent the scene.
Recognisable VFR flying The result is much easier to recognise from the air during sightseeing flights, helicopter routes, VFR circuits and low-level approaches.
Quick Comparison

Photogrammetry / TIN vs Autogen

Both have strengths. They simply build the world in very different ways.

FeaturePhotogrammetry / TINAutogen / Blackshark.ai
AccuracyClosely resembles the captured real-world area using aerial imagery and reconstructed 3D mesh data.Uses building footprints, map data and AI interpretation to generate plausible buildings and scenery.
VisualsHighly recognisable from the air, but can look rough, melted or distorted when viewed too closely.Often cleaner and sharper close up, although buildings may look generic or repeated.
PerformanceCan place greater demands on GPU, VRAM, CPU and internet connection, particularly in large cities.Usually requires less streamed 3D data and can be more consistent, although performance still varies by area and system.
Data DeliveryTypically streamed while flying, so a stable internet connection and suitable data settings are important.Relies more heavily on simulator assets, local data, map information and procedurally generated scenery.
Best ForRecognising real cities, skyline flying, helicopter sightseeing and navigating by familiar VFR landmarks.Cleaner suburbs, rural areas, general flying and locations without detailed streamed 3D city coverage.
PhotogrammetryThe image-based reconstruction process.
TINThe triangle-based mesh structure representing the 3D shape.
AutogenProcedural scenery built from map data, simulator assets and AI interpretation.
Part Two

How the PG Hangar rating system works

The score reflects the whole flying experience — not just how attractive one skyline screenshot looks.

The PG Hangar 10-point scoring system is designed to show how realistic, enjoyable and useful a photogrammetry city feels inside Microsoft Flight Simulator. Each city is judged as a complete flying area: quality, coverage, infrastructure, blending and exploration value all matter.

10/10Beyond Exceptional
Gold StandardSelected elite 10/10 cities
8–9/10The very best & exceptional areas
1/10For the Bin — currently empty

What I look for

Each city is judged as a complete flying area rather than on one isolated landmark.

Visual FidelityCrisp textures, believable buildings and clean geometry score higher than soft, melted or badly warped areas.
InfrastructureRoads, rivers, bridges, ports and railways should look structural rather than blocky, broken or distorted.
Coverage AreaWider and more complete PG coverage with good blending into surrounding scenery usually gives better exploration value.
Points of InterestDowntowns, stadiums, bridges, ports, industrial areas, coastlines and other memorable places all add variety.
Flying Tip

PG is best viewed from the air

Even excellent photogrammetry has limits when you inspect it from rooftop height.

As with any photogrammetry in the sim, it is usually best viewed from altitude. Around 500 ft AGL and above is where most PG cities start to look their best. Don’t expect perfect buildings when flying 50 ft above rooftops — even good photogrammetry can look rough when inspected too closely.

PG trees remain a weak pointSome cities suffer much more than others. Add-ons can sometimes reduce or replace troublesome PG vegetation, but the underlying issue varies by city and simulator data.
Open PG Explorer Browse PG Ratings PG Add-ons Hub Suggest a Correction
Simple summary

PG shows the real place. TIN gives it shape. The rating tells you how well it works as somewhere to fly.

Air Rhodessa PG Hangar logo

AIR RHODESSA’S PG HANGAR

Community-ranked photogrammetry resources for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 & 2020.

Air Rhodessa’s PG Hangar is an unofficial fan-made resource. Microsoft Flight Simulator, Microsoft, Asobo Studio and related names belong to their respective owners.

Built for the MSFS photogrammetry community · Air Rhodessa