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|mode=commit_browser|project=fgdata|title=FGData}}<br/>
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|mode=commit_browser|project=flightgear|title=FlightGear source}}<br/>
|url    = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34657550/
{{Commit log|mode=commit_browser|project=simgear|title=SimGear}}<br/>
|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.
}}


{{FGCquote|1= As many people have noticed, the v3.6 release has been slightly delayed. The main reason is that too many key developers have been out of town for work or holiday this month. We are currently hoping for a mid-September release. We will post further updates once our release manager returns and we can regroup from all the end of the summer (northern hemisphere) :-) activities. Thank you, Curt.|2= {{cite web  | url    = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34407279/  | title  = <nowiki>[Flightgear-devel] Release v3.6 update</nowiki>  | author = <nowiki>Curtis Olson</nowiki>  | date  = Aug 26th, 2015  }}}}
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 a reduced basde installation size and a massively improved Cessna 172P that is the default aircraft.
 
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 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 1.3GB and moved to http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/fgdata/. All aircraft except the c172p 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/.


'''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'''
[[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.]]


The [[Integrated Qt5 Launcher|built-in Qt launcher]], developed by James Turner shipped by default with the Mac version of FlightGear 3.4, will be used for other OSes<ref>{{cite web
The [[Integrated Qt5 Launcher|built-in Qt launcher]] is available for all of FlightGear's supported operating systems.
|url = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/codetickets/1591/#4cb7
|title = Issue #1591
|author = Gijs
|authorlink-wiki = User:Gijs
|date = April 8th, 2015
}}</ref>.  In addition, [[FGRun]] will be dropped in favor of this.
 
{{inote|In future FlightGear releases, there will be an additional HTML5-based version ([[Phi]], developed by Torsten D), and the Qt launcher, based on well-supported libraries, will be used as the main launcher (replacing [[FGRun]]).  This parallel development is intentional<ref>http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=229445#p229445</ref>, and it is likely that both will use a common service layer to provide the necessary data<ref>http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=229303#p229303</ref>.}}
 
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 [[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><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.
* Interior cockpit shadows
* Tree shadows.
* Interior glass reflections and shadows.
* Interior cockpit shadows.
 
* Interior glass reflections, frosting and fogging.
'''Environment Rendering'''
* Interior panel backlighting.
 
* New thruster effect (can be used for afterburners flames, rockets, etc.).
'''Performance'''


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


'''Scenery'''
'''Scenery'''
{{FGCquote|1= It adds a 4th layer to the sun (next to disc, inner halo and outer halo). While the inner/outer halos change with atmosphere conditions, the new layer is supposed to represent the effect of blinding brilliance - ideally it adds a suitable ray structure to the sun. The effect is most prominent in space (where I'm most keen on seeing it admittedly) because there all atmospheric halo effects are absent and we end with a really unrealistic white disc. Some screenshots and discussion there http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=27216 |2= {{cite web  | url    = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34406737/  | title  = <nowiki>[Flightgear-devel] Sun brilliance SG patch</nowiki> | author = <nowiki>Renk, Thorsten</nowiki>  | date  = Aug 26th, 2015  }}}}
* Regional texture definitions for Florida, Brazil, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeastern Asia.
 
* <tt>stgmerge</tt> tool added to merge objects in a scenery tile into a smaller number of meshes.
'''Canvas System'''
* 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]
* artix's Canvas/MapStructure and NavDisplay improvements[http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=24201&p=244874#p244853]
* Canvas failure manager GUI dialog (by Necolatis) [http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/fgdata/merge-requests/19/]
 
'''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://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/codetickets/search/?q=status%3AFixed+AND+_milestone%3A3.6 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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