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FlightGear Newsletter August 2014: Difference between revisions

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FlightGear Newsletter August 2014 (view source)

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{{Newsletter-cover-item|3.2 Released}}<br/><br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-item|FlightGear 3.2 delayed}}<br/><br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Development news}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Development news}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-item|FGCamera 1.0 Released}}<br />
{{Newsletter-cover-item|FGCamera 1.0 Released}}<br />
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{{Newsletter-cover-item|Yongphulla Domestic Airport - VQ10}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-item|Yongphulla Domestic Airport - VQ10}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Other}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Other}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-item|FG logo proposal by Cossack90}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-item|FG logo proposal by Cossack90}}
| valign="top" width="33%" |
| valign="top" width="33%" |
{{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|Eurofighter EF2000}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-item|Piper Archer CX}}<br/>
{{Newsletter-cover-item|Piper Archer CX}}
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Multiplayer events}}<br/>
|}
|}
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</div>
==3.2 Released==
==FlightGear 3.2 delayed==
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 <!--Add date--> INSERT FINAL RELEASE DATE HERE. This new version contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bugfixes. Highlights in this release include:
[[File:FlightGear 3.2 delayed.png|right|400px]]
Normally we would have a release by now. Unfortunately we encountered a serious bug in the effect system, leading to an unstable or - in some configurations - even completely unusable simulator. This leaves us no other option than postponing the release until the bug is fixed. At this moment we cannot give a firm estimated time of arrival, but we expect to have the bug fixed later this month. We apologize for testing your patience; we think it is worth it though!


* Optional cloud shadows if [[advanced weather]] and [[atmospheric light scattering]] are enabled
Follow us on [http://facebook.com/FlightGear Facebook], [http://google.com/+flightgear Google+] or [http://twitter.com/flightgearsim Twitter] to get a notification when FlightGear 3.2 has arrived.
 
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 [http://www.flightgear.org FlightGear.org]
 
FlightGear - Fly Free!
''Read more at: [[Next Changelog|Version 3.2 Changelog]]''


==Development news==
==Development news==
===FGCamera 1.0 Released===
===FGCamera 1.0 Released===
{{#ev:youtube|DMZB7QXpR9I|250|right|FGCamera v1.0 in action}}
{{#ev:youtube|DMZB7QXpR9I|400|right|FGCamera v1.0 in action}}
FGCamera v1.0 is available to download. Features of current version:
[[FGCamera]] v1.0 is available to download. Features of the current version:
* 4 camera types:
* 4 camera types:
** Virtual cockpit,
** Virtual cockpit,
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* Arbitrary number of preset views;
* Arbitrary number of preset views;
* Smooth/discrete transition between the views of the same camera type.
* Smooth/discrete transition between the views of the same camera type.
* Graphical user interface to create and manage camera views, as illustrated on the images below.


v1.0 has graphical user interface to create and manage camera views:
Read more at the updated [[FGCamera|FGCamera wiki article]].


<gallery widths=200px heights=200px>
<gallery widths=200px heights=200px>
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Fgcamera camera settings dialog.jpg|Settings for currently selected camera
Fgcamera camera settings dialog.jpg|Settings for currently selected camera
</gallery>
</gallery>
Read more at updated [http://wiki.flightgear.org/FGCamera FGCamera wiki article].


==Scenery corner==
==Scenery corner==
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</gallery>
</gallery>


==In the Hangar==
==In the hangar==
===Beechcraft B1900D template===
===Beechcraft B1900D template===
A new template for the [[Beechcraft_B1900D|Beechcraft B1900D]] is available in the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/paintkits.php Paintkits] section of the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ flightgear liveries database website]. The template comes in svg format (best used with [http://www.inkscape.org Inkscape]) and features:
[[File:B1900d template.jpg|thumb|270px|B1900D paintkit]]
A new template for the [[Beechcraft B1900D]] is available in the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/paintkits.php Paintkits] section of the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear livery database]. The template comes in svg format (best used with [http://www.inkscape.org Inkscape]) and features:
* full rivets, panel lines and stencils details in vector format
* full rivets, panel lines and stencils details in vector format
* ambient occlusion layer
* ambient occlusion layer
* dirt layer
* dirt layer
Some B1900d liveries made with this template are available to download in the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/aircraft.php?limit=25&display=2&page=0&id=21 flightgear liveries database website]
Some B1900d liveries made with this template are available to download in [http://liveries.flightgear.org/aircraft.php?limit=25&display=2&page=0&id=21 the database]


===Eurofighter EF2000===
===Eurofighter EF2000===
{{#ev:youtube|_MaxljfrPBY||right|A brief in-cockpit demo of the EF2000's FCS}}
{{#ev:youtube|_MaxljfrPBY|270|right|A brief in-cockpit demo of the EF2000's FCS}}
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...)
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...)


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===Piper Archer CX===
===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.
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.


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If there are enough requests, the creation of a TX/LX glass cockpit version will be considered.
If there are enough requests, the creation of a TX/LX glass cockpit version will be considered.


<br />
<gallery mode=packed heights=240px>
Piper_Archer_CX_with_ALS_in_flight.png|Exterior view of the Archer CX
Piper_Archer_CX_cockpit_view_with_Rembrandt.png|Cockpit view of the Archer CX
</gallery>


== Other ==
== Other ==
=== FG logo proposal by Cossack90 ===
=== FG logo proposal by Cossack90 ===
Cossack90 proudly presents a proposal for a new FlightGear logo. I hope you like it, comments are welcomed at [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=23956 the forum].


Cossack90 proudly presents a proposal for a new FlightGear logo. I hope you like it.
[[File:Logo proposal by Cossack90.png|270px|FG logo proposal by Cossack90 aka UR-AOK]]
[[File:Logo proposal by Cossack90.png|thumb|FG logo proposal by Cossack90 aka UR-AOK]]
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