FlightGear Newsletter August 2015

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Revision as of 11:18, 10 August 2015 by Gijs (talk | contribs) (Wiki updated)
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This newsletter is a draft.

Please feel free to add content you think will be of interest to the FlightGear community. You can read the latest newsletter at FlightGear Newsletter July 2015.


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August 2015

Development news

In the hangar

Scenery Corner

Community News
Wiki updated to MediaWiki 1.25

Contributing
Translators required
FlightGear logos
Screenshots

Development news

Atmospheric Light Scattering

Irradiance maps

As part of a more detailed interior model effect, the ALS framework now offers the possibility to select irradiance maps for the cabin. What is this, and what is it for?

Most simple rendering schemes make a difference between directional (specular and diffuse) light and non-directional (ambient) light. However, in reality indirect light is not really non-directional. Even if the sun (the main source of directional light) is hidden by an overcast layer, the sky is still brighter than the ground, i.e. upward-facing surfaces will be brighter than downward-facing surfaces. The indirect light has a weak directionality - it is stronger from the zenith than from the ground, but it is never really absent.

Irradiance maps modify the ambient light channel to mimic these effects. ALS has long used an open sky irradiance map for the terrain and the exterior of models, but the interesting thing is that irradiance is different in enclosed spaces. In particular, in a GA aircraft cockpit, the light usually doesn't fall through the ceiling but through the windows, i.e. the irradiance distribution is strongest at the horizon. In contrast, in a fighter cockpit, most of the light comes from directly above.

The most pronounced visual effect of irradiance is that it sculptures the 3d-structure of objects even in the absence of direct light by a gentle shading. Consider the interior of the C-172p rendered without an irradiance map in the absence of direct light underneath full cloud cover (i.e. using omnidirectional ambient light):

C-172p cabin interior rendered without irradiance and grain map

Thes scene appears largely bland and featureless. Now compare with the second scene rendered with an irradiance map maximizing the horizontal ambient light (where the windows are located) - suddenly gentle shades sculpt the 3-dim structure of the roof:

C-172p cabin interior rendered with irradiance and grain map

In addition, the effect also allows to specify an internal residual ambient light (e.g. the illumination of the cockpit from lit instruments) - with its own irradiance map, thus the glow of the instruments will produce a soft light coming from the front of the aircraft into the cabin.

Read more on ALS technical notes.

In the hangar

Scenery corner

Community news

Wiki updated to MediaWiki 1.25

On August 10, the MediaWiki software was updated to the latest stable 1.25.1 release. Coming from the previous 1.24 major release, this brings plenty of new features and improvements. An extensive overview can be found in the release notes. Issues can be repoted at FlightGear wiki:Village pump#MediaWiki updated to 1.25.1

Contributing

Translators required

En.gif The FlightGear Wiki still needs help for translating it into various languages. If you are interested in making the FlightGear Wiki multi-language then start at Help:Translate.
De.gif Das FlightGear Wiki benötigt immer noch Hilfe bei der Übersetzung in verschiedene Sprachen. Wenn Du Interesse daran hast, das FlightGear Wiki Mehrsprachig zu machen, dann fang doch mit Help:Übersetzen an.
Nl.gif De FlightGear Wiki kan nog steed hulp gebruiken bij het vertalen van artikelen. Als je interesse hebt om de wiki meertalig te maken, raden we je aan om een kijkje te nemen bij Help:Vertalen.
Es.gif La wiki de FlightGear todavía necesita ayuda para traducirla a varios lenguajes. Si estás interesado en hacer la FlightGear wiki multilingüe, entonces comienza en Help:Traducir.
Cat.gif La wiki de FlightGear encara necessita ajuda per traduir-la a diverses llengües. Si esteu interessat en fer la wiki de FlightGear multilingüe, llavors comenceu a Help:Traduir.

FlightGear logos

If you want some graphic elements for your FlightGear-related site (such as a hangar or YouTube channel), please feel free to visit FlightGear logos for a repository of logos. And if you have some art skills, please don't hesitate to contribute with your own design creations.

Screenshots

The FlightGear project always needs screenshots, which show features that were added since the last release. These should be of good quality, especially in content and technical image properties. It is therefore recommended to use the best viable filter settings (anti-aliasing, texture sharpening, etc.). More info at Howto:Make nice screenshots.

Screenshot of the Month

As usual, the screenshot of the month contest continues. Suggestions for this months best screenshot can be submitted to this forum topic. Be sure to see the first post for participation rules. For purposes of convenience and organization, after all entries have been submitted, a new post will be started containing all shots in an easy to view layout. There voting will take place. The best screenshot which will be presented on this page.