FlightGear Newsletter December 2015: Difference between revisions

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{{draft|newsletter|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 November 2015]].}}
{{Newsletter-header|December 2015}}
{{Newsletter-header|December 2015}}
<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>
[[#Update on HLA development|Update on HLA development]]<br>
[[#Update on HLA development|Update on HLA development]]<br>
[[#New scenemodels and TerraSync hosting needed|New scenemodels and TerraSync hosting needed]]<br>
[[#Scenemodels and TerraSync host moved|Scenemodels and TerraSync host moved]]<br>
[[#Animated Jetways revamped|Animated Jetways]]<br>
[[#Animated jetways to be revamped|Animated jetways to be revamped]]<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|In the hangar}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|In the hangar}}<br>
[[#EchoAir Aircraft|EchoAir Aircraft]]<br>
[[#EchoAir Silence, Amphibian & Xray|EchoAir Silence, Amphibian & Xray]]<br>
[[#Drivable vehicle|Drivable vehicle]]<br>
[[#Declasse Voodoo|Declasse Voodoo]]<br>
[[#DHC-6 Twin Otter development|DHC-6 Twin Otter development]]<br>
[[#DHC-6 Twin Otter improvments|DHC-6 Twin Otter improvments]]<br>
  | valign="top" width="33%" |
  | valign="top" width="33%" |
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Scenery Corner}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Scenery Corner}}<br>
[[#Project Venezuela|Project Venezuela]]<br>
[[#Project Venezuela update|Project Venezuela update]]<br>
[[#Sierra de la Libertad - Chagual SPGL|Sierra de la Libertad - Chagual SPGL]]<br>
[[#New Peruvian airports|New Peruvian airports]]<br>
[[#Festival Development|Festival Development]]<br>
[[#Festival of FlightGear Spring 2016 scenery development|Festival of FlightGear Spring 2016 scenery development]]<br>
[[#New regional textures|New regional textures]]<br>
[[#New regional textures|New regional textures]]<br>
[[#Dubai (OMDB) Custom scenery|Dubai Custom scenery]]<br>
[[#Dubai custom scenery|Dubai custom scenery]]<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>
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=== Update on HLA development ===
=== Update on HLA development ===
[[File:Hla1-12-2015-screenshot-by-Stuart-Buchanan.png|thumb|Screenshot showing HLA prototype at LOWI]]
[[File:Hla1-12-2015-screenshot-by-Stuart-Buchanan.png|thumb|Screenshot showing HLA prototype at LOWI]]
As of December 29th, Stuart has split out the AI Manager so that it is a separate federate. This enables AI scenarios to be run outside of FlightGear itself, but viewed within FlightGear. His next step will be to flesh out the data model to provide equivalent functionality to an external AI Manager running as a separate federate.
As of December 29th, Stuart has made progress on a separate development branch and split out the AI Manager so that it is a separate federate. This enables AI scenarios to be run outside of FlightGear itself, but viewed within FlightGear (i.e. much less AI related main loop overhead). His next step will be to flesh out the data model to provide equivalent functionality to an external AI Manager running as a separate federate, update the cmake build system changes and integrate his changes with SimGear/FlightGear respectively<ref>http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34706309/</ref><ref>http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34622571/</ref><ref>http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34622571/</ref><ref>http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34702461/</ref><ref>http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34632142/</ref>.


''From {{cite web
''From {{cite web
Line 47: Line 44:


''From {{cite web
''From {{cite web
|url = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34711237/
|url = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34711237/
|title = <nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] Scenemodels and TerraScenery maintenance and degraded service</nowiki>
|title = <nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] Scenemodels and TerraScenery maintenance and degraded service</nowiki>
|author = Torsten Dreyer
|author = Torsten Dreyer
Line 53: Line 50:
}}''
}}''


=== Animated Jetways revamped ===
=== Animated jetways to be revamped ===
{{FGCquote
Ryan Young, the original developer of the Nasal implementation of FlightGear's [[animated jetways]], is going to start revamping the system. The system is going to be turned into a C++ subsystem, and will be streamlined to remove clutter introduced by the current implementation. Another benefit will include better performance. You can find out more about his proposals [http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34725917/ here].
|1= I don't know if anyone remembers the Nasal-based animated jetway code I wrote a few years ago, but I'd like to rewrite it as a clean-sheet C++ subsystem. I want to eliminate the truly atrocious Nasal hacks I used in the initial implementation and make the whole thing faster and more reliable. My objectives as of now are, 1) Implement a new FGJetwayManager subsystem to replace the existing code in jetways.nas. (I have not yet decided what to do with jetways_edit.nas - it might be fixed up instead of outright replaced.) 2) Streamline the jetway model files in fgdata. I want to do away with the generic.airline.<XYZ>.xml files because they're unnecessary clutter. The C++ code can deal with these cases. 3) As for the jetway definition files themselves (<airport>.jetways.xml), the only change I'd like to make is deprecating the "elevation-m" property for each jetway, which is currently relative to the surrounding scenery, including buildings and AI craft (due to the Nasal API). Instead, I propose fixing all jetways to the ground. Rationale: The current method is unreliable (see sunken jetways at KSFO) and I can't imagine a situation when you would need a floating jetway. 4) Performance optimiations - much of this would come from plain superior code, but I also plan to introduce a user preference for "jetway density." That is, you can choose to spawn between 0 to 100% of all jetways defined for an airport. This allows the user to reduce the overhead from rendering and animating all those jetway objects (which is probably the biggest bottleneck besides the current Nasal implementation). This is what FSX does. 5) Potential idea - integration with AI traffic. So that when AI airliners park at their gates, jetways will extend to meet them. The current Nasal code makes an attempt at this, but it's very hacky and unreliable. While I think this is a cool idea, I don't want to interfere with anyone's work on the AI subsystem. I would greatly appreciate any ideas and comments on my proposal, as well as some pointers and tips on getting started with core development. :-)
 
|2= {{cite web
''From {{cite web
  | url   = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34725917/
|url = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34725917/
  | title = <nowiki>[Flightgear-devel] Animated jet bridges redux</nowiki>
|title = <nowiki>[Flightgear-devel] Animated jet bridges redux</nowiki>
  | author = <nowiki>Ryan A Young</nowiki>
|author = Ryan A Young
  | date   = Dec 29th, 2015
|date = Dec 29th, 2015
  }}
}}''
}}


== In the hangar ==
== In the hangar ==
=== EchoAir Aircraft ===
3 new fictional EchoAir aircraft in D-ECHO's hangar:
[[File:GTA V Declasse Voodoo.png|thumb|GTA V Declasse Voodoo]]
[[File:GTA V Declasse Voodoo.png|thumb|GTA V Declasse Voodoo]]
* https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28364
[[File:Twin Otter refuelling in LXGB.jpg|thumb|300px|Twin Otter secured and being refueled at LXGB]]
* https://github.com/D-ECHO
=== EchoAir Silence, Amphibian & Xray ===
Three new fictional aircraft have been released by D-ECHO. The '''EchoAir Silence''', '''EchoAir Amphibian''', and the '''EchoAir Xray''' can be downloaded from their development repositories ([https://github.com/D-ECHO/EchoAirSilence], [https://github.com/D-ECHO/EchoAirAmphibian], and [https://github.com/D-ECHO/EchoAirXray], respectively). You can find out more [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28364 here].


=== Drivable vehicle ===
=== Declasse Voodoo ===
Ausdkunst (Kerdigargae) has released GTA V Declasse Voodoo for flightgear:
Ausdkunst has released the fictional Grand Theft Auto V '''Declasse Voodoo''' for FlightGear. You can download it from its [https://github.com/ausdkunst/FG-GTA-V-Declasse-Voodoo development repository]. You can find out more at its [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28394 forum topic].
* http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28394
* https://github.com/ausdkunst/FG-GTA-V-Declasse-Voodoo


=== DHC-6 Twin Otter development ===
=== DHC-6 Twin Otter improvments ===
[[File:Twin Otter refuelling in LXGB.jpg|thumb|300px|Twin Otter secured and being refueled at LXGB]]
The '''[[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter]]''' has received some updates during the past few months, which are now available in [{{fgaddon url|dhc6}} FGAddon]. Just some of the improvements include:
The [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter]] recieved some updates during the past few months, which are now available in [http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/fgaddon/HEAD/tree/trunk/Aircraft/dhc6/ FGAddon]:
* Components to secure the aircraft like wheel chocks, tie-downs, etc. have been added
* Components to secure the aircraft like wheel chocks, tiedowns, etc. have been added
* Some work on the cockpit, now including among others a radar altimeter, a turn coordinator and an {{abbr|ELT|emergency locator transmitter}}
* Some work on the cockpit, now including among others a radar altimeter, a turn coordinator and an ELT
* Added support for environmental sounds (thunder, rain)
* Added support for environmental sounds (thunder, rain)
* A custom 2D panel
* A custom 2D panel
* Walker support
* Walker support
* Fuel truck
* Fuel truck
* and many more...


== Scenery corner ==
== Scenery corner ==
=== Project Venezuela ===
=== Project Venezuela update ===
[[User:Legoboyvdlp|Legoboyvdlp]] has been working with WED to create several new airports for [[Project Venezuela]]. D-ECHO has kindly generated these airports.
{{usr|Legoboyvdlp}} has been working with [[WorldEditor]] to create several new airports for [[Project Venezuela]]. Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) now features animated jetways for most gates, and Charallave Airport (SVCS) now has shared models (which are also in TerraSync).
 
Maiquetia now features animated jetways for most gates.
 
SVCS now has shared models. They are also in TerraSync.
 
=== Sierra de la Libertad - Chagual SPGL ===
[[File:Gochapita airport overview.jpg|420px|Gochapita Airfield]]<br />
In Peru high up in the Sierra de la Libertad there are some airfields to found. One of the most popular is [[Chagual Airport]]. But there are some more beautiful places in the middle of the Andes. Not far from [[Chagual Airport]] there is [[Gochapita Airfield]] at an altitude of about 12.000 feet. For most of the year clouds covering the airfield in dense mist. Another difficult airport is [[Pias Airport]]. The final approach is a little complicated and risky because of the high mountainous terrain of the Coordillera and a descend rate of approx 2.000 feet per minute.<br />
This Scenery is now available for Download with airport data and layouts, airport buildings, villages and more. See [[Chagual Airport#Scenery]] for details on how to obtain this Scenery.
 
We wish you happy flying!


=== Festival Development ===
=== New Peruvian airports ===
* Chitose (RJCC + RJCJ) - https://github.com/legoboyvdlp/RJCC.RJCJ-fg-CustomScenery
[[File:Gochapita airport overview.jpg|thumb|[[Gochapita Airfield]]]]
* Kansai (RJBB) - https://github.com/mherweg/RJBB-fg-CustomScenery
Some new Peruvian airports have been added to FlightGear. [[Chagual Airport]] (SPGL), [[Gochapita Airfield]] (SPGC), and [[Pias Airport]] (SPIS) are all tricky airports to land at because of their altitude and mountainous locations. See [[Chagual Airport#Scenery|Chagual Airport § Scenery]] for details on how to obtain the scenery.
* Narita (RJAA) - Work In Progress!
* Fukuoka (RJFF) - https://github.com/legoboyvdlp/RJFF-fg-CustomScenery
* Chubu Centrair (RJGG) - https://github.com/FGMEMBERS-SCENERY/RJGG-fg-CustomScenery


A team is working rapidly on Japanese scenery!
=== Festival of FlightGear Spring 2016 scenery development ===
Several Japanese airports are being improved for the upcoming Festival of FlightGear:
* New Chitose Airport/Chitose Air Base (RJCC/RJCJ) ([https://github.com/legoboyvdlp/RJCC.RJCJ-fg-CustomScenery Download])
* Kansai International Airport (RJBB) ([https://github.com/mherweg/RJBB-fg-CustomScenery Download])
* Narita International Airport (RJAA) (work in progress)
* Fukuoka Airport (RJFF) ([https://github.com/legoboyvdlp/RJFF-fg-CustomScenery Download])
* Chūbu Centrair International Airport (RJGG) ([https://github.com/FGMEMBERS-SCENERY/RJGG-fg-CustomScenery Download])


=== New regional textures ===
=== New regional textures ===
More development has been made to the New Regional Textures project. Among the new additions we have:
More development has been made to the New Regional Textures project. The new additions include:
 
* New textures and material definitions for California
* New textures and material definitions for California
* New textures and material definitions for Mexico
* New textures and material definitions for Mexico
* New material definitions for Central America
* New material definitions for Central America
* New textures and material definitions for Southern Europe (Mediterranean region: Portugal, Spain, south of Italy, Greece, coast of Balkans)
* New textures and material definitions for Southern Europe (Mediterranean region: Portugal, Spain, south of Italy, Greece, coast of Balkans)
* New airport grass texture (global)
* New global airport grass texture
* New airport grass texture for Latin America
* New airport grass texture for Latin America
* New American town texture (global)
* New global American town texture
* Small improvement to grass blade textures (to better fit the airport grass texture)  
* Small improvement to grass blade textures (to better fit the airport grass texture)


[[File:California-scenery.jpg|300px|California scenery]]
They can be downloaded from https://github.com/gilbertohasnofb/new-regional-textures. See also the [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26031 forum thread].
[[File:New-airport-grass.jpg|300px|New airport grass]]
[[File:New-American-town-texture.jpg|300px|New American town texture]]
[[File:Sicily-new-textures.jpg|300px|Sicily scenery]]


* Available at: [https://github.com/gilbertohasnofb/new-regional-textures Github]
<gallery mode="packed">
* [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26031 Forum thread]
California-scenery.jpg|California scenery
New-airport-grass.jpg|New airport grass
New-American-town-texture.jpg|New American town texture
Sicily-new-textures.jpg|Sicily scenery
</gallery>


=== Dubai (OMDB) Custom scenery ===
=== Dubai custom scenery ===
* https://github.com/mherweg/OMDB-fg-CustomScenery
{{usr|laserman}} has been working on the Dubai International Airport (OMDB) and scenery for the surrounding area. You can downloaded his work from https://github.com/mherweg/OMDB-fg-CustomScenery. Some pictures of the airport and surrounding scenery can be seen [http://www.23hq.com/laserman/album/21977341 here].
* http://www.23hq.com/laserman/album/21977341
 
==Community news ==


== Contributing ==
== Contributing ==
Line 169: Line 149:


==== Screenshot of the Month ====
==== Screenshot of the Month ====
FlightGears best Screenshot of December 2015 is <i>Showing the climbing abilities of the Twin Otter</i> by Jonathan S. (DG-505)
FlightGear's Screenshot of the Month December 2015 is ''Showing the climbing abilities of the Twin Otter'' by Jonathan S. (DG-505)
[[File:DHC-6 Twin Otter in steep climb.jpg|900px|center]]
[[File:DHC-6 Twin Otter in steep climb.jpg|900px|center]]
{{Appendix}}


[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2015 12]]
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2015 12]]
[[Category:Changes after 3.6]]
[[Category:Changes after 3.6]]

Latest revision as of 16:32, 7 February 2016

Magagazine.png
Enjoy reading the latest edition!
Please help us write the coming edition!
December 2015

Development news
Update on HLA development
Scenemodels and TerraSync host moved
Animated jetways to be revamped
In the hangar
EchoAir Silence, Amphibian & Xray
Declasse Voodoo
DHC-6 Twin Otter improvments

Scenery Corner
Project Venezuela update
New Peruvian airports
Festival of FlightGear Spring 2016 scenery development
New regional textures
Dubai custom scenery

Contributing
Translators required
FlightGear logos
Screenshots
Screenshot of the Month

Development news

Update on HLA development

Screenshot showing HLA prototype at LOWI

As of December 29th, Stuart has made progress on a separate development branch and split out the AI Manager so that it is a separate federate. This enables AI scenarios to be run outside of FlightGear itself, but viewed within FlightGear (i.e. much less AI related main loop overhead). His next step will be to flesh out the data model to provide equivalent functionality to an external AI Manager running as a separate federate, update the cmake build system changes and integrate his changes with SimGear/FlightGear respectively[1][2][3][4][5].

From Stuart Buchanan (Dec 29th, 2015). [Flightgear-devel] HLA Update.

Learn more at High-Level Architecture

Scenemodels and TerraSync host moved

Recently, the scenery models (scenemodels) database and the TerraSync repository were moved to a new, temporary host. Some things may not work, or have issues, but work is underway to get it working properly. When a more permanent host is found, the scenemodels database and TerraSync repositories will probably be moved again.

From Torsten Dreyer (Dec 21st, 2015). Re: [Flightgear-devel] Scenemodels and TerraScenery maintenance and degraded service.

Animated jetways to be revamped

Ryan Young, the original developer of the Nasal implementation of FlightGear's animated jetways, is going to start revamping the system. The system is going to be turned into a C++ subsystem, and will be streamlined to remove clutter introduced by the current implementation. Another benefit will include better performance. You can find out more about his proposals here.

From Ryan A Young (Dec 29th, 2015). [Flightgear-devel] Animated jet bridges redux.

In the hangar

GTA V Declasse Voodoo
Twin Otter secured and being refueled at LXGB

EchoAir Silence, Amphibian & Xray

Three new fictional aircraft have been released by D-ECHO. The EchoAir Silence, EchoAir Amphibian, and the EchoAir Xray can be downloaded from their development repositories ([1], [2], and [3], respectively). You can find out more here.

Declasse Voodoo

Ausdkunst has released the fictional Grand Theft Auto V Declasse Voodoo for FlightGear. You can download it from its development repository. You can find out more at its forum topic.

DHC-6 Twin Otter improvments

The DHC-6 Twin Otter has received some updates during the past few months, which are now available in FGAddon. Just some of the improvements include:

  • Components to secure the aircraft like wheel chocks, tie-downs, etc. have been added
  • Some work on the cockpit, now including among others a radar altimeter, a turn coordinator and an ELT
  • Added support for environmental sounds (thunder, rain)
  • A custom 2D panel
  • Walker support
  • Fuel truck

Scenery corner

Project Venezuela update

Legoboyvdlp has been working with WorldEditor to create several new airports for Project Venezuela. Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) now features animated jetways for most gates, and Charallave Airport (SVCS) now has shared models (which are also in TerraSync).

New Peruvian airports

Some new Peruvian airports have been added to FlightGear. Chagual Airport (SPGL), Gochapita Airfield (SPGC), and Pias Airport (SPIS) are all tricky airports to land at because of their altitude and mountainous locations. See Chagual Airport § Scenery for details on how to obtain the scenery.

Festival of FlightGear Spring 2016 scenery development

Several Japanese airports are being improved for the upcoming Festival of FlightGear:

  • New Chitose Airport/Chitose Air Base (RJCC/RJCJ) (Download)
  • Kansai International Airport (RJBB) (Download)
  • Narita International Airport (RJAA) (work in progress)
  • Fukuoka Airport (RJFF) (Download)
  • Chūbu Centrair International Airport (RJGG) (Download)

New regional textures

More development has been made to the New Regional Textures project. The new additions include:

  • New textures and material definitions for California
  • New textures and material definitions for Mexico
  • New material definitions for Central America
  • New textures and material definitions for Southern Europe (Mediterranean region: Portugal, Spain, south of Italy, Greece, coast of Balkans)
  • New global airport grass texture
  • New airport grass texture for Latin America
  • New global American town texture
  • Small improvement to grass blade textures (to better fit the airport grass texture)

They can be downloaded from https://github.com/gilbertohasnofb/new-regional-textures. See also the forum thread.

Dubai custom scenery

laserman has been working on the Dubai International Airport (OMDB) and scenery for the surrounding area. You can downloaded his work from https://github.com/mherweg/OMDB-fg-CustomScenery. Some pictures of the airport and surrounding scenery can be seen here.

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, start 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 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.
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.

Screenshot of the Month

FlightGear's Screenshot of the Month December 2015 is Showing the climbing abilities of the Twin Otter by Jonathan S. (DG-505)

DHC-6 Twin Otter in steep climb.jpg
References