FlightGear Newsletter August 2016: Difference between revisions

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{{draft|newsletter|Please feel free to add content that you think will be of interest to the FlightGear community.<br>You can read the latest newsletter at [[FlightGear Newsletter July 2016]].}}
{{Newsletter-header|August 2016}}  
{{Newsletter-header|August 2016}}  
<div style="border-bottom:3px double #BBB;">
<div style="border-bottom:3px double #BBB;">
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{{Newsletter-cover-header|Development news}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Development news}}<br>
[[#Atmospheric Light Scattering|Atmospheric Light Scattering]]<br>
[[#Atmospheric Light Scattering|Atmospheric Light Scattering]]<br>
[[#Multi-channel lightmaps via Blender|Multi-channel lightmaps via Blender]]
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{{Newsletter-cover-header|In the hangar}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|In the hangar}}<br>
[[#Panto RS1| Panto RS1]]<br>
[[#Panto RS1| Panto RS1]]
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{{Newsletter-cover-header|Scenery Corner}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Community News}}<br>
  | valign="top" width="33%" |
  | valign="top" width="33%" |
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Contributing}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Contributing}}<br>
[[#Translators required|Translators required]]<br>
[[#Translators required|Translators required]]<br>
[[#FlightGear logos|FlightGear logos]]<br>
[[#FlightGear logos|FlightGear logos]]<br>
[[#Screenshots|Screenshots]]<br>
[[#Screenshots|Screenshots]]
<small>[[#Screenshot of the Month|Screenshot of the Month]]</small>
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== Development news ==
== Development news ==
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=== Multi-channel lightmaps via Blender ===
=== Multi-channel lightmaps via Blender ===
{{Stub}}
There are two basic possibilities to bring light to a scene in real-time 3d rendering. One is to specify the geometry (i.e. the location and characteristics of a light source) and compute which surfaces are illuminated by it runtime, the other is to compute the illumination offline and supply it via a texture to the renderer. The latter is called a lightmap.
There are two basic possibilities to bring light to a scene in real-time 3d rendering. One is to specify the geometry (i.e. the location and characteristics of a light source) and compute which surfaces are illuminated by it runtime, the other is to compute the illumination offline and supply it via a texture to the renderer. The latter is called a lightmap.


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For many situations where a light on an airplane illuminates that airplane (both in interior and in exterior view), lightmaps thus are a useful technique and can lead to graphically very impressive outcomes:
For many situations where a light on an airplane illuminates that airplane (both in interior and in exterior view), lightmaps thus are a useful technique and can lead to graphically very impressive outcomes:


[[File:Shuttle lightmap.jpg|800px|Example of a raytracer generated lightmap for the Space Shuttle cockpit]]
Continue reading at [[Howto:Multi-channel lightmap]]...


Continue reading at [[Howto:Multi-channel lightmap]]...
[[File:Shuttle lightmap.jpg|600px|Example of a raytracer generated lightmap for the Space Shuttle cockpit]]


== In the hangar ==
== In the hangar ==
=== Panto RS1 ===
=== Panto RS1 ===
'''Bulldog RS''' has just released [[Panto RS1]], a ground vehicle with off-road capability.  It is available from {{github source|proj=aucafly|repo=Panto-RS1|text=GitHub}}. See also the [https://bulldogrs.wordpress.com/ official website].
Bulldog RS has just released [[Panto RS1]], a ground vehicle with off-road capability.  It is available from {{github source|proj=aucafly|repo=Panto-RS1|text=GitHub}}. See also the [https://bulldogrs.wordpress.com/ official website].
[[File:Panto-RS1.jpg|600px|Panto-RS1]]
[[File:Panto-RS1.jpg|600px|Panto-RS1]]
== Scenery corner ==
== Community news ==


== Contributing ==
== Contributing ==
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=== Screenshots ===
=== 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]].
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 ====
Entries for this month's best screenshot can be submitted to [ this] <!-- link to SOTM topic --> forum topic. Be sure to see the [ first post] <!-- link to first post of SOTM topic --> for participation rules. For purposes of convenience and organization, after all the entries have been submitted, a new forum topic will be started containing all shots in an easy-to-view layout. The voting will then take place there. Once the voting has finished, the best screenshot will be presented on this page. <!-- Edit this when the SOTM topic for this month has been created -->
<!-- FlightGear's Screenshot of the Month August 2016 is ''TITLE'' by AUTHOR
[[File:|900px|center|TITLE]] --> <!-- Uncomment/edit this when the winner is chosen -->
<!-- If you want to participate in the screenshot contest of *NEXTMONTH*, you can submit your candidate to [ this] forum topic. Be sure to see the [ first post] for participation rules. For purposes of convenience and organization, after all the entries have been submitted, a new forum topic will be started containing all shots in an easy-to-view layout. The voting will then take place there. Once the voting has finished, the best screenshot will be presented in the Newsletter edition of *NEXTMONTH*. --> <!-- Uncomment/edit this when the SOTM topic for the following month has been created -->


[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2016 08]]
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2016 08]]

Revision as of 11:25, 2 September 2016

Magagazine.png
Enjoy reading the latest edition!
Please help us write the coming edition!
August 2016

Development news
Atmospheric Light Scattering
Multi-channel lightmaps via Blender

In the hangar
Panto RS1

Contributing
Translators required
FlightGear logos
Screenshots

Development news

Atmospheric Light Scattering

The latest experimental addition to the Atmospheric Light Scattering (ALS) rendering framework are configurable additional artifical light sources for the scene. These allow more compelling visuals of aircraft at night and effects which have so far only been available for the deferred renderer.

ALS lightspots

Technically, one part of the effect allows to use additional lightspots into the scene, the second part consists of a fully dynamically configurable light source for the aircraft (to be used in combination with lightmaps taking care of static lighting of the aircraft by its own light sources).

For instance, the new light effect can be used to simulate the changing illumination by the Space Shuttle SRB flame as the boosters are separated:

ALS lightspots ALS lightspots

ALS lightspots ALS lightspots


In combination, the effects can simulate for instance the artificial illumination of the touchdown point during a night landing of the Shuttle, where the Shuttle is lit from behind as soon as it enters into the lightcone:

ALS lightspots

All effects are available, for a working implementation aircraft-side, see the Space Shuttle development repository.

Multi-channel lightmaps via Blender

There are two basic possibilities to bring light to a scene in real-time 3d rendering. One is to specify the geometry (i.e. the location and characteristics of a light source) and compute which surfaces are illuminated by it runtime, the other is to compute the illumination offline and supply it via a texture to the renderer. The latter is called a lightmap.

The advantage of the first family of techniques (to which the deferred approach of Project Rembrandt belongs) is that it can treat movement of the lights relative to the scene - but because light needs to be computed every frame, the computation is very simple (secondary lights do not cast shadows, lit surfaces do not re-emit diffuse light into the scene,...).

Lightmaps on the other hand only work for a static scene, but since they can be computed offline with the help of raytracing software (which can run for hours if needed), secondary shadows and multiple reflections of light on bright surfaces are not an issue. In addition, at runtime a lightmap corresponds to just a texture lookup, i.e. is very performance-friendly.

For many situations where a light on an airplane illuminates that airplane (both in interior and in exterior view), lightmaps thus are a useful technique and can lead to graphically very impressive outcomes:

Continue reading at Howto:Multi-channel lightmap...

Example of a raytracer generated lightmap for the Space Shuttle cockpit

In the hangar

Panto RS1

Bulldog RS has just released Panto RS1, a ground vehicle with off-road capability. It is available from GitHub. See also the official website. Panto-RS1

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 multilingual, you can start by looking at Help:Translate.
Fr.gif Le wiki de FlightGear a toujours besoin d'aide pour être traduit en différentes langues. Si vous êtes intéressé par le rendre multilingue, commencez par lire Help:Traduire.
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 mit dem 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.
Pt.gif A wiki de FlightGear ainda necessita de ajuda para traduzi-la em vários idiomas. Se estás interessado em tornar a wiki de FlightGear multi-lingual, por favor começa em Help:Traduzir.

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.