FlightGear Newsletter June 2011: Difference between revisions
(JSBSim external-flow-rate-pps and 744) |
|||
Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
== FlightGear addons and mods == | == FlightGear addons and mods == | ||
== In the hangar == | == In the hangar == | ||
The lightmap has been extended by a "factor property". Aircraft authors can now bind the intensity of a lightmap to a property (eg. <tt>/controls/lighting/panel-norm</tt>), making the lighting more vivid. Read more in the [[Howto: Lightmap|lightmap howto]]. | *The lightmap has been extended by a "factor property". Aircraft authors can now bind the intensity of a lightmap to a property (eg. <tt>/controls/lighting/panel-norm</tt>), making the lighting more vivid. Read more in the [[Howto: Lightmap|lightmap howto]]. | ||
*[[JSBSim]] welcomed a new feature this month. Setting the <tt>(/fdm/jsbsim/)propulsion/tank[n]/external-flow-rate-pps</tt> property will either draw fuel from, or insert fuel into the respective tank. This allows one to simulate complex fuel systems, relatively easy. See [[Howto: Write a fuel system in JSBSim]] for a guid on writing such systems. | |||
=== New aircraft === | === New aircraft === | ||
=== Updated aircraft === | === Updated aircraft === | ||
==== Bf-109 G14 ==== | |||
The [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] now has a [[Howto: Use the normal map effect in aircraft|bump- and specmapped]] 3D model, a revised FDM and an improved 3D cockpit with functional controls. Apat from that the logo selection system has been added, along with some new liveries. The throttle now sets the desired manifold pressure and maintains it, even with changing altitude. | |||
Note to livery makers: the external textures have been consolidated into one file for easier maintenance. | |||
{{Gallery|Improved cockpit|109-7.png|New liveries|109-3.png|Bump- and specmapped|109-5.png}} | |||
==== Boeing 747-400 ==== | |||
Thanks to a report at the [http://flightgear.org/forums FlightGear forum], Gijs found out that there was a (eternal) fuel-leak in the [[Boeing 747-400|744]]'s fuel system. This was quite a problem for long-haul flight lovers, as it severely limited the aircraft's range. | |||
Now that system is rewritten (making use of the new JSBSim function that you can read more about [[FlightGear Newsletter June 2011#In the hangar|earlier on in this newsletter]]) the fuel leak is closed! This does not only please long-haul flyers, it affects every pilot, because weight balancing is much better now. | |||
=== Liveries === | === Liveries === |
Revision as of 17:20, 20 June 2011
|
We would like to emphasize that the monthly newsletter can not live without the contributions of FlightGear users and developers. Everyone with a wiki account (free to register) can edit the newsletter and every contribution is welcome. So if you know about any FlightGear related projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.
Development news
Nasal for newbies
New software tools and projects
FlightGear addons and mods
In the hangar
- The lightmap has been extended by a "factor property". Aircraft authors can now bind the intensity of a lightmap to a property (eg. /controls/lighting/panel-norm), making the lighting more vivid. Read more in the lightmap howto.
- JSBSim welcomed a new feature this month. Setting the (/fdm/jsbsim/)propulsion/tank[n]/external-flow-rate-pps property will either draw fuel from, or insert fuel into the respective tank. This allows one to simulate complex fuel systems, relatively easy. See Howto: Write a fuel system in JSBSim for a guid on writing such systems.
New aircraft
Updated aircraft
Bf-109 G14
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 now has a bump- and specmapped 3D model, a revised FDM and an improved 3D cockpit with functional controls. Apat from that the logo selection system has been added, along with some new liveries. The throttle now sets the desired manifold pressure and maintains it, even with changing altitude.
Note to livery makers: the external textures have been consolidated into one file for easier maintenance.
|
Boeing 747-400
Thanks to a report at the FlightGear forum, Gijs found out that there was a (eternal) fuel-leak in the 744's fuel system. This was quite a problem for long-haul flight lovers, as it severely limited the aircraft's range.
Now that system is rewritten (making use of the new JSBSim function that you can read more about earlier on in this newsletter) the fuel leak is closed! This does not only please long-haul flyers, it affects every pilot, because weight balancing is much better now.
Liveries
Scenery corner
Skyline of Dubai
Gijs started modeling one of the highest, fastest changing and most interesting skylines in the world: Dubai's. The former village in the desert is nowadays home to the tallest structure in the world, the largest shopping mall and it has more supertall skyscrapers than any other city. A perfect city to discover by C172p, or one of the helis. With a great deal of challenging landing spots for the later vehicles.
So far little over 20 buildings have been modeled, some of which are currently untextured and low-poly. Nevertheless they help give you the right Dubai-feel!
Airports
Aircraft of the month
Airport of the month
Screenshot of the month
Suggested flights
Aircraft reviews
Wiki updates
New articles
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new count=10
</DynamicArticleList>
New aircraft articles
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new count=10 categoryRoot=Aircraft
</DynamicArticleList>
Most popular newsletters
<DynamicArticleList>
type=hot count=5 categoryRoot=FlightGear Newsletter
</DynamicArticleList>
Community news
FlightGear on youtube
The channel flightgearUK has been set up on YouTube by Liam, and will soon feature tutorials, video reviews and promotional videos of high quality to show the latest and best features in FlightGear.. It is hard currently to find any high quality videos of FlightGear (with the exception of Oscar and Skyop's channels of course), especially with the most modern of features, crisp of graphics and based primarily on Civil aviation- which other mainstream Flight Sim users seem to do well, so it is a personal ambition of of the channel to greatly improve the popularity of the sim through various media, including Audio Reviews, Git update insights, Tutorials, etc. Few videos have been added yet, and no reviews or anything other than test videos, but check out the channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/flightgearuk. Comment, Rate & Subscribe! and get the sim more popular.
New tutorials and screencasts
Forum news
Multiplayer
The Flightgear Rotor Club is kicking off it's 2nd multiplayer event on July 2, 2011. This month's event is a Combat Search and Rescue scenario, which involves going deep behind enemy lines into Laotian territory to rescue two downed airmen.
See the forum topic for more information about the event.
Virtual airlines
FlightGear events
Useful links
And finally ...
Contributing
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forums is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common mis-conception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something.
For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: Volunteer.
Call for volunteers
- The OpenRadar project is looking for a new maintainer.
- The FGFSPM (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.