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How to Get Started with X-Plane 11 & 12 in

A simple & Up-to-date guide for total beginners

Starting out with X-Plane can be overwhelming and frustrating. Information is scattered all over the internet, and many guides are outdated, so where do you start? Good news! You just came to the right place!

 

Why Trust Us?

We at X-Crafts have been developing add-ons for X-Plane for over 10 years, and our team has accumulated more than four decades of experience with X-Plane. Plus we hate wasting time, so we won’t waste your time. We created simple but comprehensive guides for you as well as a Handbook that just has it all.

Welcome to X-Plane

 
 

The Fastest way to Get Started with X-Plane

Download our Ebook: No fluff, just getting straight to the point

Getting started with X-Plane can be tricky, but our free eBook makes it easy and quick! It’s your one-stop guide with all the essential info in one place. Whether you want a deep dive or just quick tips, this resource has you covered!

 
 

Should you start with X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 12?

I see many newcomers ask this online. Honestly, it doesn’t matter too much, both work very similarly. But here are a few things that should help you make the right choice.

 

Why Pick X-Plane 12?

  • Best of X-Plane

X-Plane 12 is the latest version by Laminar Research and all the current development is happening for this version. Some developers still support X-Plane 11 (like us), but with time more and more add-ons are going to be compatible with X-Plane 12 only.

  • better graphics

The biggest difference between X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12 is in the graphics. X-Plane 12 has a much-improved lighting engine and a completely new weather system with volumetric clouds.

  • New features

X-Plane 12 brings many new features, like a new weather engine, new water engine, volumetric clouds, 3D trees, as well as seasons.

We recommend that you invest your time and money in X-Plane 12, because sooner or later you’ll want to try it anyway.

 

Why Pick X-Plane 11?

  • Performance

X-Plane 11 came out in 2017, so it will look more outdated. However, if you have older hardware, you will get better framerates with X-Plane 11 as it is less demanding on your computer.

  • Stability

X-Plane 11 is very stable at this point. You will experience fewer performance issues or crashes to desktop. However, X-Plane 12 is already pretty stable at this point as well, so you shouldn’t experience many issues with either version.

  • Better VR Experience

Most VR users still go for X-Plane 11 because of the smooth framerates and stability.

  • Price

If you want a cheap start beyond the free demo, X-Plane 11 is currently sold for a lot less, especially during sales.



 
 
 

Qiuck How-To Guides

Simple answers to the most common questions