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.}}
{{changelogs|prev=3.4|next=2016.1}}


{{FGCquote
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
| 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.
|url    = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34657550/
|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]].


Thank you,
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.


Curt.
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].
| {{cite web
  |url    = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34407279/
  |title  = <nowiki>[Flightgear-devel] Release v3.6 update</nowiki>
  |author = Curtis Olson
  |date  = Aug 26th, 2015
  }}
}}
 
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 bug fixes. Highlights in this release include a reduced base installation size, integrated Qt launcher, improvements to the built-in web UI, cockpit shadows without Rembrandt, and massive improvements to the Cessna 172P.
 
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 1.3 GB 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'''
* Numerous improvements to [[Phi]], the built-in web interface.
* 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>.
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[[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]], is available for all of FlightGear's supported operating systems.
The [[Integrated Qt5 Launcher|built-in Qt launcher]] is available for all of FlightGear's supported operating systems.


'''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.
* [[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]].
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'''JSBSim'''
'''JSBSim'''
* Sync with 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><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.
* The refuel rate is now configurable with the <code><nowiki><refuel-rate></nowiki></code> tag in the <code><nowiki><propulsion></nowiki></code> block.
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'''Atmospheric Light Scattering'''
'''Atmospheric Light Scattering'''
* The addition of 3D grass to the random vegetation system.
* The addition of 3D grass to the random vegetation system.
* Tree shadows
* Tree shadows.
* Interior cockpit shadows.
* Interior cockpit shadows.
* Interior glass reflections, frosting and fogging.
* Interior glass reflections, frosting and fogging.
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'''Usability'''
'''Usability'''
* Many improvements to Phi, the built-in web interface.
* Many improvements to [[Phi]], the built-in web interface.
* GUI cleanup to improve support for multiple GUI styles.
* GUI cleanup to improve support for multiple GUI styles.


'''Scenery'''
'''Scenery'''
* Regional texture definitions for Florida, Brazil, Latin America, Africa, Middle East and Southeastern Asia.
* 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.
* <tt>stgmerge</tt> tool added to merge objects in a scenery tile into a smaller number of meshes.


'''Highlighted new and improved aircraft'''
'''Highlighted new and improved aircraft'''
* Complete refresh of the default [[C172p]], including engine options, various tire sizes and floats.
* 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.
* 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:
** [[Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner]]
** [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]]
** [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]]
** [[Rockwell B-1B Lancer]]
** [[Rockwell B-1B Lancer]]
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'''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 v2015.0 version.
* 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=status%3AFixed+AND+_milestone%3A3.6 our bugtracker] for an extensive, yet incomplete, list of the bugs fixed in this release.
* 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.


{{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.