Changelog 3.6: Difference between revisions

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{{draft|changelog|This changelog is currently being written for the FlightGear v3.6 release.  Feel free to help! If you are aware of any FlightGear related changes, please add them to the changelog.<br/>It's a good idea to check [[:Category:Changes_after_3.4|the newsletters since the last release]] and the commit histories for all  main repositories:
{{changelogs|prev=3.4|next=2016.1}}


* {{Commit log|project=fgdata|title=fgdata}}
Unfortunately, due to various circumstances and problems, it was decided that the FlightGear v3.6 release would be skipped (see [[FlightGear Newsletter November 2015]]),<ref>{{cite web
* {{Commit log|project=flightgear|title=flightgear}}
|url    = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34657550/
* {{Commit log|project=simgear|title=simgear}}
|title = <nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] Fate of 3.6 and features for 3.8</nowiki>
|author = <nowiki>Torsten Dreyer</nowiki>
|date  = Nov 30th, 2015
}}</ref> and that the development focus would shift to the FlightGear v3.8 release. In addition, through debates raised by the delays leading up to the cancellation, it was decided to pursue the automation of the release cycle through the use of scripts in the [[FlightGear build server]].


We also encourage people to help by translating the changelog and appreciate all contributions, however please keep in mind that this changelog is not yet final!
Although not a true, official version, FlightGear v3.6 Release Candidate contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bug fixes. Highlights include a reduced base installation size, a new integrated Qt-based launcher, improvements to the built-in web UI, cockpit shadows without Rembrandt, and massive improvements to the Cessna 172P.
}}


<!--
If users want to download the 3.6 Release Candidate (''which may be unstable''), they can do so [http://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-candidate/ here].
The FlightGear development team is delighted to announce the v3.6 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 ... 
 
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 multi-player environment, detailed sky 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 v3.6 for free from [http://www.flightgear.org/ FlightGear.org]
 
FlightGear - Fly Free!
-->


=== Major enhancements in this release ===
=== Major enhancements in this release ===
'''Project Organization'''
'''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.
After lots of hard work by Torsten D, a new, more compact [[fgdata]] repository ([[base package]]) has now been created. Located at http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/fgdata/, this new fgdata has had all aircraft (except for the [[C172p]] and [[UFO]]) stripped from it, as well as the histories of the Scenery, AI, and Models directories<ref>{{cite web
* All core repositories have been moved to SourceForge. They can be found at https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/.
|url    = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/33562106/
|title  = <nowiki>[Flightgear-devel] FGData - The Next Generation is ready.</nowiki>
|author = Torsten Dreyer
|date  = 2015-03-07
}}</ref>.  This has reduced its size to about 1.3 GB<ref>{{cite web
|url    = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/33562630/
|title  = <nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] FGData - The Next Generation is ready.</nowiki>
|author = Anders Gidenstam
|date  = 2015-03-07
}}</ref>.


'''Core'''
'''Core'''
* Interactive traffic system re-enabled, having been disabled by mistake some releases previously.
* Various security improvements, including the disabling of <tt>system.fgfsrc</tt>.


'''Launcher'''
'''Launcher'''
The [[Integrated Qt5 Launcher|built-in Qt launcher]] that is shipped by default with the Mac version of FlightGear v3.4.0+ will be used for other OSs<ref name="a">{{cite web
|url = http://code.google.com/p/flightgear-bugs/issues/detail?id=1591#c2
|title = Issues #1591, #1529, #1295, #1003, #911, #1348
|author = Gijs
|authorlink-wiki = User:Gijs
|date = Sun Jan 11
}}</ref>.  [[FGRun]] will be removed in favor of this launcher<ref name="a">{{cite web
|url = http://code.google.com/p/flightgear-bugs/issues/detail?id=1591#c2
|title = Issues #1591, #1529, #1295, #1003, #911, #1348
|author = Gijs
|authorlink-wiki = User:Gijs
|date = Sun Jan 11
}}</ref>.
[[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.]]


There is currently  (03/2015) heavy activity towards a new UI. There will be the HTML5 based version (called [[Phi]]), TorstenD is currently working on and an internal implementation based on well supported libraries using Qt5 (which James Turner is working on).
The [[Integrated Qt5 Launcher|built-in Qt launcher]] is available for all of FlightGear's supported operating systems.
 
The parallel development of HTML and Qt based UI happens by intention and is not the result of missing coordination<ref>http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=229445#p229445</ref>. Most likely, both will use a common service layer to provide necessary data<ref>http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=229303#p229303</ref>.
 
James Turner is currently prototyping (at the suggestion/encouragement of Curt, Torsten D & others) a GUI integration for FlightGear based on Qt 5. This would overlap some areas other folks are working on, so we felt it best to make an announcement to avoid anyone expending their time on areas that might be affected<ref name="a">http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/33245028/</ref>.
 
All of this would be a QtQuick 2 GUI, not a Qt widgets GUI. If you don’t know what that terminology means, don’t worry about it, the quick answer is it works the same ways as Canvas does at present (rendering to OpenGL).
 
To learn more, see [[Integrated Qt5 Launcher]]


'''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.
* Nasal wing flex module added
* [[Wingflexer|wing flex]] module added, controllable via [[Nasal]] or [[Property rules|Property Rules]].
* Bug-fixes and improvements to the [[A_Failure_Management_Framework_for_FlightGear|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. Example: [[Boeing 777-200ER]] → <code><nowiki><variant-of>777-200</variant-of></nowiki></code>. [https://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/13d50853dfa4daf292789a1618c2e98812294fc2 Commit]
* <code><nowiki><variant-of></nowiki></code> tag in the [[Aircraft-set.xml|*-set.xml]] file has been added. See [[FlightGear Newsletter March 2015]].
* Automatic checklist execution, which can, for example, be used for autostart.
* 8.33 kHz spacing is now supported on comms radios.


'''JSBSim'''
'''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 refuel rate is now configurable with the <code><nowiki><refuel-rate></nowiki></code> tag in the <code><nowiki><propulsion></nowiki></code> block.


'''Atmospheric Light Scattering'''
'''Atmospheric Light Scattering'''
* The addition of volumetric grass to the random vegetation system.
* The addition of 3D grass to the random vegetation system.
 
* Tree shadows.
'''Environment Rendering'''
* Interior cockpit shadows.
 
* Interior glass reflections, frosting and fogging.
'''Performance'''
* Interior panel backlighting.
* New thruster effect (can be used for afterburners flames, rockets, etc.).


'''Usability'''
'''Usability'''
 
* Many improvements to [[Phi]], the built-in web interface.
'''Internationalization'''
* GUI cleanup to improve support for multiple GUI styles.


'''Scenery'''
'''Scenery'''
 
* Regional texture definitions for Florida, Brazil, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeastern Asia.
'''Canvas System'''
* <tt>stgmerge</tt> tool added to merge objects in a scenery tile into a smaller number of meshes.
* Canvas-based maps now support a new property for child elements to be automatically rotated/aligned with the heading of the map, to avoid redundant Nasal code doing this.  This has the advantage of better peformance, as it is now done in C++. [https://gitorious.org/fg/simgear/commit/ca7acb1f2cb10e4a8db2434642f44f2eb23cce6e Commit]
 
'''Nasal Scripting'''
 
'''Documentation'''


'''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.
* 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:
** [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]]
** [[Rockwell B-1B Lancer]]
** [[Saab JA-37 Viggen]]
** [[Cessna 550 Citation II]]
** [[Lockheed Constellation]]
** [[Boeing 737-300]]
** [[Mirage 2000-5]]
** [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]


'''Misc/Uncategorized'''
'''Misc/uncategorized'''
* 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.


'''Bug fixes'''
'''Bug fixes'''
 
* See [http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/codetickets/search/?q=%28status%3ADone+or+status%3AFixed%29+AND+_milestone%3A+3.6 our bugtracker] for a list, albeit incomplete, of the bugs fixed in this release.
* See [http://code.google.com/p/flightgear-bugs/issues/list?can=1&q=milestone=3.6 our bugtracker] for an extensive, yet incomplete, list of the bugs fixed in this release.


{{Appendix}}
{{Appendix}}


[[Category:FlightGear changelogs]]
[[Category:FlightGear changelogs]]

Latest revision as of 10:28, 27 November 2016

← Previous changelog Next changelog →

Unfortunately, due to various circumstances and problems, it was decided that the FlightGear v3.6 release would be skipped (see FlightGear Newsletter November 2015),[1] and that the development focus would shift to the FlightGear v3.8 release. In addition, through debates raised by the delays leading up to the cancellation, it was decided to pursue the automation of the release cycle through the use of scripts in the FlightGear build server.

Although not a true, official version, FlightGear v3.6 Release Candidate contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bug fixes. Highlights include a reduced base installation size, a new integrated Qt-based launcher, improvements to the built-in web UI, cockpit shadows without Rembrandt, and massive improvements to the Cessna 172P.

If users want to download the 3.6 Release Candidate (which may be unstable), they can do so here.

Major enhancements in this release

Project Organization

Core

  • Interactive traffic system re-enabled, having been disabled by mistake some releases previously.
  • Various security improvements, including the disabling of system.fgfsrc.

Launcher

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

The built-in Qt launcher is available for all of FlightGear's supported operating systems.

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.

Atmospheric Light Scattering

  • The addition of 3D grass to the random vegetation system.
  • Tree shadows.
  • Interior cockpit shadows.
  • Interior glass reflections, frosting and fogging.
  • Interior panel backlighting.
  • New thruster effect (can be used for afterburners flames, rockets, etc.).

Usability

  • Many improvements to Phi, the built-in web interface.
  • GUI cleanup to improve support for multiple GUI styles.

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

Bug fixes

  • See our bugtracker for a list, albeit incomplete, of the bugs fixed in this release.
References
  1. ↑ Torsten Dreyer (Nov 30th, 2015). Re: [Flightgear-devel] Fate of 3.6 and features for 3.8.
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