FlightGear Newsletter August 2014: Difference between revisions
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{{Newsletter-cover-header|In the hangar}}<br/> | {{Newsletter-cover-header|In the hangar}}<br/> | ||
{{Newsletter-cover-item|Beechcraft B1900D template}}<br/> | {{Newsletter-cover-item|Beechcraft B1900D template}}<br/> | ||
{{Newsletter-cover-item|Eurofighter EF2000}}<br/> | |||
{{Newsletter-cover-item|Piper Archer CX}}<br/> | |||
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Multiplayer events}}<br/> | {{Newsletter-cover-header|Multiplayer events}}<br/> | ||
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* External lighting redesigned | * External lighting redesigned | ||
* Experimental and deprecated code bumph removed | * Experimental and deprecated code bumph removed | ||
===Piper Archer CX=== | |||
[[File:Piper_Archer_CX_with_ALS_in_flight.png|thumb|left|alt=The Piper Archer CX in flight with ALS and advanced weather enabled|Exterior view of the Archer CX]] | |||
[[File:Piper_Archer_CX_cockpit_view_with_Rembrandt.png|thumb|alt=The cockpit of the Archer CX with Rembrandt enabled|Cockpit view of the Archer CX]] | |||
A new aircraft is now available for testing: the semi-fictional [[Piper Archer CX]] single-engine trainer aircraft. While based mostly on the real life Piper Archer TX and LX, it features an analog cockpit such as seen in the Piper Archer II/III. It's completely Rembrandt-ready and features a highly detailed interior and exterior, along with a realistic electrical system. If you'd like, download the [http://zlsa.github.io/pa28-181/ beta build] and test it; report any inaccuracies to the [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?t=23962 forum thread] dedicated to it. Note that the aircraft uses a highly-detailed model and is not suitable for lower-end hardware. It's being actively developed by ZLSA, and the exterior will be textured as soon as most modeling/simulation inaccuracies have been resolved. | |||
Currently, all exterior control surfaces are modeled and animated; details can be added once I find decent reference images of the Piper Archer TX/LX. The interior features detailed 3d instruments, all modeled to fit the cockpit, and the realistic electrical system uses Rembrandt-compatible lights. If you find any inaccuracies or flaws, do not hesitate to report it on the [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?t=23962 forum thread]; I highly appreciate any criticism as it will help improve the final product. | |||
If there are enough requests, the creation of a TX/LX glass cockpit version will be considered. | |||
<br /> | |||
== Other == | == Other == | ||
=== FG logo proposal by Cossack90 === | === FG logo proposal by Cossack90 === | ||
Cossack90 proudly presents a FlightGear logo | |||
Cossack90 proudly presents a proposal for a new FlightGear logo. I hope you like it. | |||
[[File:Logo proposal by Cossack90.png|thumb|FG logo proposal by Cossack90 aka UR-AOK]] | [[File:Logo proposal by Cossack90.png|thumb|FG logo proposal by Cossack90 aka UR-AOK]] | ||
Revision as of 21:40, 1 September 2014
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3.2 Released |
Scenery corner |
In the hangar |
3.2 Released
The FlightGear development team is delighted to announce that the long awaited v3.2 release of FlightGear, the free, open-source flight simulator has been released on INSERT FINAL RELEASE DATE HERE. This new version contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bugfixes. Highlights in this release include:
- Optional cloud shadows if advanced weather and atmospheric light scattering are enabled
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 v3.2 for free from FlightGear.org
FlightGear - Fly Free! Read more at: Version 3.2 Changelog
Development news
FGCamera 1.0 Released
FGCamera v1.0 is available to download. Features of current version:
- 4 camera types:
- Virtual cockpit,
- Aircraft (look-at),
- Aircraft (look-from),
- World (look-from);
- Arbitrary number of preset views;
- Smooth/discrete transition between the views of the same camera type.
v1.0 has graphical user interface to create and manage camera views:
Main dialog with cameras management tools.
Dialog used to create new cameras. Four camera types are available
Settings for currently selected camera
Read more at updated FGCamera wiki article.
Scenery corner
Yongphulla Domestic Airport - VQ10
High mountains, deep valleys, strong winds and sometimes the rain looks something like snow. You are at the Bhutanese Yongphula Domestic Airport (VQ10) at an altitude of 2573 metres. After Paro, this airport has been improved. Besides the Terminal and Apron, shared models and other little things have now been added. TerraSync has it all! Have a nice flight in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Yonghula Airport
Tower and Terminal of Yongphula
In the Hangar
Beechcraft B1900D template
A new template for the Beechcraft B1900D is available in the Paintkits section of the flightgear liveries database website. The template comes in svg format (best used with Inkscape) and features:
- full rivets, panel lines and stencils details in vector format
- ambient occlusion layer
- dirt layer
Some B1900d liveries made with this template are available to download in the flightgear liveries database website
Eurofighter EF2000
A big milestone has been achieved in the ongoing development of the EF2000, which I (Algernon) has been managing since its branching from the main Eurofighter Typhoon project some years back: finally, after a lot of fiddling, a completely computerised Flight Control System (FCS) has been implemented which can simulate its real-life counterpart, with fully autonomous surface control and with an autopilot-based processor interpreting pilot input and commanding the system to fly its maximum performance envelope to obey, but not exceed, safety or design limits. While a lot of these features are not yet implemented, we have established a working practice for the core system which allows extra elements to be introduced simply and effectively. I have heard it said that FG is incapable of simulating such systems, and I hope here we have proved otherwise, and, a bit self-indulgently, that maybe this will be the first truly fly-by-wire aircraft in FlightGear! (I am of course prepared to stand corrected there...)
Particular thanks for this objective go to StuartC, who designed the basis of the FDM, and Tomaskom, whose help in fields where I am not much of a master (like mathematics) has been invaluable. Many updates are planned for the EF2000, including a whole new custom paintjob with many liveries, and it is hoped a final, V2.0 release may be available in the later part of the year. You can also get hold of a pre-release copy if you visit the FGUK Forum and register your interest, for testing purposes - your feedback will be appreciated. Pre-releases will probably not be available until at least September 2014.
Other points being addressed in the V2.0 release of the Eurofighter Typhoon 2000 are:
- New modular Nasal approach and many new scripts. Upgraded to Eno audio management.
- New UV map for N-SCOT, leading to sexy new textures and liveries and hopefully a paintkit too
- Improvements to helmet-mounted display and HUD for improved navigation, target acquisition and weapons management
- Disintegration, explosion, real damage and real maintenance
- External lighting redesigned
- Experimental and deprecated code bumph removed
Piper Archer CX
A new aircraft is now available for testing: the semi-fictional Piper Archer CX single-engine trainer aircraft. While based mostly on the real life Piper Archer TX and LX, it features an analog cockpit such as seen in the Piper Archer II/III. It's completely Rembrandt-ready and features a highly detailed interior and exterior, along with a realistic electrical system. If you'd like, download the beta build and test it; report any inaccuracies to the forum thread dedicated to it. Note that the aircraft uses a highly-detailed model and is not suitable for lower-end hardware. It's being actively developed by ZLSA, and the exterior will be textured as soon as most modeling/simulation inaccuracies have been resolved.
Currently, all exterior control surfaces are modeled and animated; details can be added once I find decent reference images of the Piper Archer TX/LX. The interior features detailed 3d instruments, all modeled to fit the cockpit, and the realistic electrical system uses Rembrandt-compatible lights. If you find any inaccuracies or flaws, do not hesitate to report it on the forum thread; I highly appreciate any criticism as it will help improve the final product.
If there are enough requests, the creation of a TX/LX glass cockpit version will be considered.
Other
FG logo proposal by Cossack90
Cossack90 proudly presents a proposal for a new FlightGear logo. I hope you like it.
