FlightGear Newsletter March 2010: Difference between revisions

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{{newsletter}}
{{newsletter}}


Welcome to the March 2010 edition of the [[FlightGear]] Newsletter.  
Another month's over, another newsletter is written. Compared to last month's edition, we have a lot more content. Ranging from scenery improvements, to virtual airlines and from landing lights to a new multiplayer server. We hope this letter is interesting to read for anyone, both developers and users.


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 [[FlightGear Newsletter {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}|the newsletter of next month]] and every contribution is welcome.
We would like to emphasize that the monthly newsletter can not live without the contributions of [[FlightGear]] users and developers (thanks to everyone that contributed this time!). Everyone (with a wiki account, free to register) can edit [[FlightGear Newsletter {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}|the newsletter of next month]] and every contribution is welcome.
 
Happy Easter everyone!


==From the developers==
==From the developers==
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===Light cones===
===Light cones===
Until now, aircraft landing lights in FlightGear were not much more than a decoration since they did not cast any light on objects in their path. Lauri has implemented experimental light cones which illuminate everything within their range. It's a great step forward for realism, but there is still some work to be done. For example, other aircraft turn white when they enter a light cone. This is still an exciting development and we can be sure that the dev team will work out the kinks in short order.
Until now, aircraft landing lights in FlightGear were not much more than a decoration since they did not cast any light on objects in their path. Lauri has implemented experimental light cones which illuminate everything within their range. It's a great step forward for realism, but we have to say that it is not a solution for the real problem. For example, other aircraft turn white when they enter a light cone. Some of the remaining problems will not be solved by this method, and thus require a different approach. Nevertheless, this is still an exciting development, which might inspire someone to work on a permanent solution.


==In the hangar==
==In the hangar==
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===Concorde liveries===
===Concorde liveries===
EA-7201 worked on extra liveries for the [[Concorde]], making the liveries of''' almost all Concorde operators''' available! If you have the newest version of the Concorde (version 2.6) you are able to use them. See the Concorde in new liveries from airliners like Lufthansa, United Airlines, Japan Airlines and even Air Canada! You can download all these beautiful liveries at [http://www.mediafire.com/?ndj5ntyiwth this link].
EA-7201 worked on extra liveries for the [[Concorde]], making the liveries of''' almost all Concorde operators''' available! If you have the newest version of the Concorde (version 2.6) you are able to use them. See the Concorde in new liveries from airliners like Lufthansa, United Airlines, Japan Airlines and even Air Canada! You can download all these beautiful liveries at [http://www.mediafire.com/?ndj5ntyiwth this link].
===A New Old Cub===
Don Lavelle (aka karla) has been updating the Piper J-3 Cub which was initially built by David Megginson and Jim Wilson in 2002. Don has totally rebuilt the aircraft using Blender 2.49a knowing that most FlightGear users' PCs can accommodate models with a high vertex count and he has also made minor changes to the xml files. A great deal of detail has been added with a high (4096 by 4096 pixel) texture map which adds greatly to the realism of this aircraft; approximately 65 hours has been spent on it so far. Don is a previous user of FSX and wanted his Cub "to equal - or better - the offering from Micrsosoft". We'll have to wait until April for the release but Don has promised us a 'plane that he "is proud to offer to the FlightGear world".
Features include: animated pilot (slightly modified Baranger and Augras' version), detailed cabin interior, detailed canvas wings, 'high tech' fuel indicator, optional anti-collision strobe, optional tyre smoke, spinning wheels, tailwheel and rudder link, undercarriage suspension, user input registration markings, paint guide and water spray on wheels.
Creation of the livery is continuing and images will be uploaded to the forum shortly (unless someone can help upload here) http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6890.


===New Warbird===
===New Warbird===
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The cockpit will be full clickable, will feature custom build instruments and will also make use of the bumpshader for added detail and realism.
The cockpit will be full clickable, will feature custom build instruments and will also make use of the bumpshader for added detail and realism.


More info on development progress, as well as more pictures can be found on the forums [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7225 here] and [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7354 here].  
More info on development progress, as well as more pictures can be found on the forums {{forum link|t=7225|text=here}} and {{forum link|t=7354|text=here}}.
 
===A New Old Cub===
Don Lavelle (aka karla) has been updating the Piper J-3 Cub which was initially built by David Megginson and Jim Wilson in 2002. Don has totally rebuilt the aircraft using Blender 2.49a knowing that most FlightGear users' PCs can accommodate models with a high vertex count and he has also made minor changes to the xml files. A great deal of detail has been added with a high (4096 by 4096 pixel) texture map which adds greatly to the realism of this aircraft; approximately 65 hours has been spent on it so far. Don is a previous user of FSX and wanted his Cub "to equal - or better - the offering from Micrsosoft". We'll have to wait until April for the release but Don has promised us a 'plane that he "is proud to offer to the FlightGear world".
 
Features include: animated pilot (slightly modified Baranger and Augras' version), detailed cabin interior, detailed canvas wings, 'high tech' fuel indicator, optional anti-collision strobe, optional tyre smoke, spinning wheels, tailwheel and rudder link, undercarriage suspension, user input registration markings, paint guide and water spray on wheels.
 
Creation of the livery is continuing and images will be uploaded to the forum shortly (unless someone can help upload here) {{forum url|t=6890}}.


===Decal Editor in Planning===
===Decal Editor in Planning===
Planning has started for a flightgear decal editor.  rico001 has made an algorithm for a decal editor and livery templates to be used on existing aircraft or vehicular models.  Kyokoyama has drafted a picture of the conceptual layout as well.
Planning has started for a flightgear decal editor.  rico001 has made an algorithm for a decal editor and livery templates to be used on existing aircraft or vehicular models.  Kyokoyama has drafted a picture of the conceptual layout as well.


More info can be found in the official flightgear forums at: http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7075
More info can be found in the official flightgear forums at: {{forum url|t=7075}}


==Scenery Corner==
==Scenery Corner==
[[Image:Dubai_scenery_1.png|thumb|250px]]
[[Image:Dubai_scenery_1.png|thumb|250px|One of the palms at the coast of Dubai.]]
[[Image:Dubai_scenery_2.png|thumb|250px|The other palm of Dubai.]]
===Dubai is coming up===
===Dubai is coming up===
Thanks to a couple of inovative projects, including the Palm Islands (islands in the shape of a palm) and The World (islands together forming a worldmap), Dubai has one of the most recognisable coastlines in the world. In FlightGear none of this was visible though. Gijs started drawing these islands and the ever growing populated areas, to be used in FlightGear. A preview of the yet to be released [[scenery]] can be seen in the screenshot on the right.
Thanks to a couple of inovative projects, including the Palm Islands (islands in the shape of a palm) and The World (islands together forming a worldmap), Dubai has one of the most recognisable coastlines in the world. In FlightGear none of this was visible though. Gijs started drawing these islands and the ever growing populated areas, to be used in FlightGear. A preview of the yet to be released [[scenery]] can be seen in the screenshots on the right.


==Multiplayer news==
==Multiplayer news==
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===TransGear Airways last vintage event held===
===TransGear Airways last vintage event held===
[[TransGear Airways]] (TGA) held possibly its last, original-format event on March 13th. Despite being plagued by new glitches in 2.0 and the MP server, the event was a technical success. Organizer Rob Shearman (MD-TERP) plans for a bold, new format for upcoming events, involving two, intermediate-stop airport hubs instead of one, final destination hub. Alternatives had been looked at, such as a European Hub, but the airline is now committing itself to the new format. Updates can be found at [http://transgear.treborlogic.com its website].  
[[TransGear Airways]] (TGA) held possibly its last, original-format event on March 13th. Despite being plagued by new glitches in 2.0 and the MP server, the event was a technical success. Organizer Rob Shearman (MD-TERP) plans for a bold, new format for upcoming events, involving two, intermediate-stop airport hubs instead of one, final destination hub. Alternatives had been looked at, such as a European Hub, but the airline is now committing itself to the new format. Updates can be found at [http://transgear.treborlogic.com its website].  
==Virtual Airline News==
===Atlas Virtual Airlines talks and hearings begin===
Well, folks, the talk of the Multiplayer forums for the past month or two has been revolving around the new, "super-[[virtual airline]]" of FlightGear: [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]]. Intended to solve the increasing issue of underpopulation throughout the FlightGear Virtual Airline world, AVA has merged almost all active/idle VAs into one, drastically lowering the number of Virtual Airlines. AVA is now well into the planning stage, and many important aspects of the airline have been decided. The original hub, for instance, will be [[Frankfurt am Main Airport|Frankfurt am Main]] (EDDF). A livery scheme ([http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4386802750_e053a48108_o.png click for a B1900D preview]) has been chosen as well. Another huge step was made in the purchasing of a domain, [http://www.atlasvirtualairlines.com AtlasVirtualAirlines.com], which will be worked on in the coming months.
Talks have now moved off-forum to a different location, but discussion still takes place occassionally on-forum. The project is currently being overseen by SkyWlf77, Armchair Ace, and Kyokorama.
===New VAs spring up===
Two new VAs, independent from the new Atlas Virtual Airlines, have emerged: Triangle Airlines, run by user Jericho, and Sandy Oceania Airlines, COed by QF52. Both promise expanded fleets and will operate the [[Airbus A380]], and livery designs are in the making. Progress can be followed on the Forums.


==Community news==
==Community news==
===Changes in the forum===
===Changes in the forum===
Gijs de Rooy has become an administrator at the [http://flightgear.org/forums/index.php FlightGear Forum]. In addition to moderating the forums (surely a maddening task at times), Gijs has already made some significant improvements to the forum organization. A re-styling of the -currently default- forum look is in the works.
Gijs de Rooy has become an administrator at the {{forum link|text=FlightGear Forum}}. In addition to moderating the forums (surely a maddening task at times), Gijs has already made some significant improvements to the forum organization. A re-styling of the -currently default- forum look is in the works.


Since March 24th, the forum is hosted at a new server, resulting in much short loadtimes.
Since March 24th, the forum is hosted at a new server, resulting in much shorter loadtimes.


===FlightGear wiki moved to a new server===
===FlightGear wiki moved to a new server===
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[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 03]]
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 03]]
[[es:FlightGear Newsletter March 2010]]

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