Changelog 2016.1: Difference between revisions

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{{draft|changelog|Please feel free adding screenshots and/or videos that are suitable to highlight some of the developments mentioned in this changelog, thank you!|}}
{{draft|changelog|Please feel free adding screenshots and/or videos that are suitable to highlight some of the developments mentioned in this changelog, thank you!}}


The FlightGear development team is delighted to announce the v2016.1 "San Francisco" release of FlightGear, the free, open-source flight simulator. This new version contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bugfixes. Highlights in this release include an integrated launcher that includes the ability to download aircraft, a reduction in the installation package size, performance improvements and many rendering improvements.
The FlightGear development team is delighted to announce the v2016.1 "San Francisco" release of FlightGear, the free, open-source flight simulator. This new version contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bugfixes. Highlights in this release include an integrated launcher that includes the ability to download aircraft, a reduction in the installation package size, performance improvements and many rendering improvements.
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Download FlightGear v2016.1 for free from [http://www.flightgear.org/ FlightGear.org].
Download FlightGear v2016.1 for free from [http://www.flightgear.org/ FlightGear.org].


FlightGear - Fly Free!
FlightGear – Fly Free!


[[File:Qt launcher for FlightGear 3.5 on Windows 7.jpg|thumb|The aircraft page of the Qt launcher for FlightGear 3.5 as rendered on Windows 7.]]
[[File:Qt launcher for FlightGear 3.5 on Windows 7.jpg|thumb|The aircraft page of the Qt launcher for FlightGear 3.5 as rendered on Windows 7.]]
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* The base package has been reduced in size to 1.3 GB and moved to http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/fgdata/. All aircraft except the [[Cessna 172P]] and [[UFO]] have been removed.
* The base package has been reduced in size to 1.3 GB and moved to http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/fgdata/. All aircraft except the [[Cessna 172P]] and [[UFO]] have been removed.
* All core repositories have been moved to SourceForge. They can be found at https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/.
* All core repositories have been moved to SourceForge. They can be found at https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/.
* Release are now planned to be quarterly (from the previous 6 month cycle). The new release number(2016.1) reflects this change: the release numbering format is changed to <code><nowiki>[Year].[Release within year].[Fix Release]</nowiki></code>.  We also plan to change the default airport  and the scenery that is included with the install image with each release. 2016.1 uses the KSFO default as we have done for many years, and so has the codename "San Francisco".  
* Release are now planned to be quarterly (instead of biannually). The new release number (2016.1) reflects this change: the release numbering format is changed to <code><nowiki>[Year].[Release within year].[Fix Release]</nowiki></code>.  We also plan to change the default airport  and the scenery that is included with the install image with each release. 2016.1 uses the [[KSFO]] default as we have done for many years, and so has the codename "San Francisco."   


'''Core'''
'''Core'''
* Interactive traffic system re-enabled, having been disabled by mistake some releases previously.
* Interactive traffic system re-enabled, having been disabled by mistake some releases previously.
* Various security improvements, including the disabling of <tt>system.fgfsrc</tt>.
* Various security improvements, including the disabling of <tt>system.fgfsrc</tt>.
* Reduction in the memory footprint due to scenery
* Reduction in the memory footprint due to scenery.
* Improved performance when displaying large numbers of scenery objects
* Improved performance when displaying large numbers of scenery objects.


'''Aircraft Modeling'''
'''Aircraft Modeling'''
* [[Tooltips]] can now be positioned at a specific place on-screen.
* [[Tooltips]] can now be positioned at a specific place on-screen.
* [[Wingflexer|wing flex]] module added, controllable via [[Nasal]] or [[Property rules|Property Rules]].
* [[Wingflexer|Wing flex]] module added, controllable via [[Nasal]] or [[Property rules]].
* Bug-fixes and improvements to the [[Failure Manager]].
* Bug-fixes and improvements to the [[Failure Manager]].
* <code><nowiki><variant-of></nowiki></code> tag in the [[Aircraft-set.xml|*-set.xml]] file has been added. See [[FlightGear Newsletter March 2015]].
* <code>&lt;variant-of&gt;</code> tag in the [[aircraft-set.xml]] file has been added (see [[FlightGear Newsletter March 2015]]).
* Automatic checklist execution, which can, for example, be used for autostart.
* Automatic checklist execution, which can, for example, be used for autostart.
* 8.33 kHz spacing is now supported on comms radios.
* 8.33 kHz spacing is now supported on comms radios.
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'''JSBSim'''
'''JSBSim'''
* Sync with the latest version of [[JSBSim]].
* Sync with the latest version of [[JSBSim]].
* The pitot angle can now be tweaked with the <code><nowiki><pitot_angle></nowiki></code> tag in the <code><nowiki><metrics></nowiki></code> block.
* The pitot angle can now be tweaked with the <code>&lt;pitot_angle&gt;</code> tag in the <code>&lt;metrics&gt;</code> block.
* The refuel rate is now configurable with the <code><nowiki><refuel-rate></nowiki></code> tag in the <code><nowiki><propulsion></nowiki></code> block.
* The refuel rate is now configurable with the <code>&lt;refuel-rate&gt;</code> tag in the <code>&lt;propulsion&gt;</code> block.


'''Rendering'''
'''Rendering'''
* Improved vegetation including 3D grass and shadows for trees
* Improved vegetation including 3D grass and shadows for trees
* Better cockpit rendering:
* Better cockpit rendering:
** interior shadows
** Interior shadows
** glass reflections, dynamical raindrops, fogging and frosting
** Glass reflections, dynamical raindrops, fogging and frosting
** panel backlighting
** Panel backlighting
** irradiance mapping for more realistic distribution of indirect light
** Irradiance mapping for more realistic distribution of indirect light
** diffuse illumination of the interior by instrument lighting
** Diffuse illumination of the interior by instrument lighting
* New thruster effect (can be used for afterburners flames, rockets, etc.).
* New thruster effect (can be used for afterburners flames, rockets, etc.).
* Lightning strikes illuminating the surrounding clouds during thunderstorms
* Lightning strikes illuminating the surrounding clouds during thunderstorms
* Rainbows
* Rainbows
* Improved airport rendering, including runway skid marks and better effects for the runways and surrounding grass.
* Improved airport rendering, including runway skid marks and better effects for the runways and surrounding grass.
* Optical phenomena in icy hazes: Halos, sundogs, parhelic ring and light pillar.
* Optical phenomena in icy hazes:halos, sundogs, parhelic ring and light pillar.
* Aurora Borealis at night
* Aurora Borealis at night
* More realistic rendering of generic lights (runway, PAPI, taxiway,...)
* More realistic rendering of generic lights (runway, PAPI, taxiway, etc.)
* Detailed procedurally generated lights for aircraft
* Detailed procedurally generated lights for aircraft
* A dynamical wingflex shader suitable for wing beats (see the [[Dragon]])
* A dynamical wingflex shader suitable for wing beats (see the [[Dragon]])
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'''Highlighted new and improved aircraft'''
'''Highlighted new and improved aircraft'''
* Complete refresh of the default [[Cessna 172P]], including engine options, various tire sizes and floats.
* Complete refresh of the default [[Cessna 172P]], including engine options, various tire sizes and floats.
* A [[dragon]] has been added, complete with fire breath.
* Major enhancements to the [[Space Shuttle]]. The Shuttle can be flown as per the Crew Operations Manual from launch to touchdown.
* Major enhancements to the [[Space Shuttle]]. The Shuttle can be flown as per the Crew Operations Manual from launch to touchdown.
* The following aircraft have also received significant updates:
* The following aircraft have also received significant updates:
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** [[Mirage 2000-5]]
** [[Mirage 2000-5]]
** [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]
** [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]
** [[Dragon]]
** [[Beagle Pup]]
** [[Beagle Pup]]
** [[Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-15|MiG-15]]
** [[Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-15|MiG-15]]


'''Misc/uncategorized'''
'''Misc/uncategorized'''
* Improved support for KDI572-574 [[DME]] equipment
* Improved support for KDI572-574 [[DME]] equipment.
* Update the [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/WMM/DoDWMM.shtml World Magnetic Model] to version 2015.0.
* Update to the [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/WMM/DoDWMM.shtml World Magnetic Model] 2015.


'''Nasal Scripting'''
'''Nasal Scripting'''
* <code>createViaTo()</code> {{flightgear commit|caead6|t=added}}
* Global functions <code>createViaTo()</code> and <code>createDiscontinuity()</code> {{flightgear commit|caead6|t=added}}
* <code>createDiscontinuity()</code> {{flightgear commit|caead6|t=added}}
* <code>activate()</code> method {{flightgear commit|caead6|t=added}} to the <code>flightplan</code> ghost object
* <code>activate()</code> method {{flightgear commit|caead6|t=added}} to <code>flightplan</code> ghost object


'''Documentation'''
'''Documentation'''
* The FlightGear Manual is now available in Chinese
* The [[FlightGear Manual]] is now available in Chinese.


'''Bug fixes'''
'''Bug fixes'''

Revision as of 14:32, 19 February 2016

This changelog is a draft.

Please feel free adding screenshots and/or videos that are suitable to highlight some of the developments mentioned in this changelog, thank you!


The FlightGear development team is delighted to announce the v2016.1 "San Francisco" release of FlightGear, the free, open-source flight simulator. This new version contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bugfixes. Highlights in this release include an integrated launcher that includes the ability to download aircraft, a reduction in the installation package size, performance improvements and many rendering improvements.

Founded in 1997, FlightGear is developed by a worldwide group of volunteers, brought together by a shared ambition to create the most realistic flight simulator possible that is free to use, modify and distribute. FlightGear is used all over the world by desktop flight simulator enthusiasts, for research in universities and for interactive exhibits in museums.

FlightGear features more than 400 aircraft, a worldwide scenery database, a multiplayer environment, detailed sky and weather modelling, a flexible and open aircraft modelling system, varied networking options, multiple display support, a powerful scripting language and an open architecture. Best of all, being open-source, the simulator is owned by the community and everyone is encouraged to contribute.

Download FlightGear v2016.1 for free from FlightGear.org.

FlightGear – Fly Free!

The aircraft page of the Qt launcher for FlightGear 3.5 as rendered on Windows 7.

Major enhancements in this release

Project Organization

  • The base package has been reduced in size to 1.3 GB and moved to http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/fgdata/. All aircraft except the Cessna 172P and UFO have been removed.
  • All core repositories have been moved to SourceForge. They can be found at https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/.
  • Release are now planned to be quarterly (instead of biannually). The new release number (2016.1) reflects this change: the release numbering format is changed to [Year].[Release within year].[Fix Release]. We also plan to change the default airport and the scenery that is included with the install image with each release. 2016.1 uses the KSFO default as we have done for many years, and so has the codename "San Francisco."

Core

  • Interactive traffic system re-enabled, having been disabled by mistake some releases previously.
  • Various security improvements, including the disabling of system.fgfsrc.
  • Reduction in the memory footprint due to scenery.
  • Improved performance when displaying large numbers of scenery objects.

Aircraft Modeling

JSBSim

  • Sync with the latest version of JSBSim.
  • The pitot angle can now be tweaked with the <pitot_angle> tag in the <metrics> block.
  • The refuel rate is now configurable with the <refuel-rate> tag in the <propulsion> block.

Rendering

  • Improved vegetation including 3D grass and shadows for trees
  • Better cockpit rendering:
    • Interior shadows
    • Glass reflections, dynamical raindrops, fogging and frosting
    • Panel backlighting
    • Irradiance mapping for more realistic distribution of indirect light
    • Diffuse illumination of the interior by instrument lighting
  • New thruster effect (can be used for afterburners flames, rockets, etc.).
  • Lightning strikes illuminating the surrounding clouds during thunderstorms
  • Rainbows
  • Improved airport rendering, including runway skid marks and better effects for the runways and surrounding grass.
  • Optical phenomena in icy hazes:halos, sundogs, parhelic ring and light pillar.
  • Aurora Borealis at night
  • More realistic rendering of generic lights (runway, PAPI, taxiway, etc.)
  • Detailed procedurally generated lights for aircraft
  • A dynamical wingflex shader suitable for wing beats (see the Dragon)

Usability

  • Many improvements to Phi, the built-in web interface.
  • GUI cleanup to improve support for multiple GUI styles.
  • The built-in Qt launcher is available for all of FlightGear's supported operating systems.
  • Additional latitude and longitude formats are now supported in the HUD.

Scenery

  • Regional texture definitions for Florida, Brazil, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeastern Asia.
  • stgmerge tool added to merge objects in a scenery tile into a smaller number of meshes.

Highlighted new and improved aircraft

Misc/uncategorized

Nasal Scripting

  • Global functions createViaTo() and createDiscontinuity() added
  • activate() method added to the flightplan ghost object

Documentation

Bug fixes

  • See our bugtracker for a list, albeit incomplete, of the bugs fixed in this release.
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