FlightGear Newsletter October 2016: Difference between revisions

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{{Newsletter-header|October 2016}}
{{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 September 2016]].}} <!-- change month and year as required-->
 
{{Newsletter-header|October 2016}} <!-- change month and year as required-->
<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>
[[#Next default airport|Next default airport]]<br>
[[#Git multimail script updated|Git multimail script updated]]<br>
[[#Local apt.dat versions support|Local apt.dat versions support]]<br>
[[#Standalone Canvas NavDisplay dialog|Standalone Canvas NavDisplay dialog]]<br>
[[#Benchmarking Canvas path performance|Benchmarking Canvas path performance]]<br>
[[#Streaming a Canvas via HTTP|Streaming a Canvas via HTTP]]<br>
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{{Newsletter-cover-header|In the hangar}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|In the hangar}}<br>
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[[#MBB/Kawasaki BK 117|MBB/Kawasaki BK 117]]<br>
[[#2016 Camaro SS|2016 Camaro SS]]<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Scenery Corner}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Scenery Corner}}<br>
[[#Scenery/LOD experiments|Scenery/LOD experiments]]<br>
[[#New experimental terrain engine|New experimental terrain engine]]<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Community News}}<br>
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{{Newsletter-cover-header|Contributing}}<br>
{{Newsletter-cover-header|Contributing}}<br>
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== Development news ==
== Development news ==
{{Next default airport|airport=LSZH (Zürich)}}
=== Next default airport ===
[[Zurich airport|Zürich Airport]] (LSZH) has been chosen as the default airport for the next FlightGear version, v2016.4.<ref>{{cite web
|url    = https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=30541&p=295599#p296045
|title  = Re: Please vote for the next default airport
|author = chris_blues
|date  = Oct 4th, 2016
}}</ref> Some details about the airport can be found [https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=295274#p295274 here].
 
=== Git multimail script updated ===
For all Git repositories on SourceForge, Edward d'Auvergne has updated the git-multimail repository hook script to 1.5-dev (the current master branch) from 1.2-dev, with a few customisations/simplifications for our commitlogs ML. If you see any error messages when committing, please report these. A failure of the git-multimail Python script will only result in a failure of the sending of an email to the ML, as this is a post-receive hook - the commit will have been successfully pushed/etc.<ref>{{cite web
|url    = https://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/35435904/
|title  = <nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] Git-multimail repository hook script merge-request bug (was Re: apt.dat - add local version ?)</nowiki>
|author = Edward d'Auvergne
|date  = Oct 18th, 2016
|added  = Oct 18th, 2016
|script_version = 0.40
}}</ref>
 
=== Local apt.dat versions support ===
Thanks to work by Florent Rougon, multiple apt.dat files (which contain airport data) can now be loaded, rather than the single <tt>''[[$FG_ROOT]]/Airports/apt.dat.gz''</tt>.<ref>{{cite web
|url    = https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=296919#p296919
|title  = apt.dat - local version(s)
|author = Alant
|date  = Oct 18th, 2016
|added  = Oct 18th, 2016
|script_version = 0.40
}}</ref> These files (either <tt>*.dat</tt> or <tt>*.dat.gz</tt>) can be loaded from <tt>'''''Scenery path'''/NavData/apt/''</tt>, where '''Scenery path''' is any path specified by the <code>--fg-scenery</code> command line option. These will take precedence over the default one (<tt>''[[$FG_ROOT]]/Airports/apt.dat.gz''</tt>). Note that any change to apt.dat files should continue to be submitted to the [https://gateway.x-plane.com/ X-Plane gateway] so that they will eventually be included in the main distribution.
 
=== Standalone Canvas NavDisplay dialog ===
[[File:ND-dialog-customizable-size-and-instances.png|thumb|Screenshot showing the dialog with two independent NavDisplay instances]]
 
Hooray has been working on a dialog to easily develop, test and prototype new [[NavDisplay]] styles. It is capable of showing multiple NavDisplay instances, which can be controlled and tested independently (using different settings for range, modes, traffic, etc.). The dialog will also reload the styles file (navdisplay.mfd) when it is reopened (or the selected style changed), meaning that FlightGear doesn't have to be restarted every time changes are made.
 
As of 10/2016, this is pending review by Gijs and Hyde before it can be committed to the base package.
 
''Continue reading at [[Howto:Prototyping a new NavDisplay Style]]…''
 
=== Benchmarking Canvas path performance ===
[[File:Shuttle avionics meds pfd orbit.jpg|thumb|A screenshot of the ADI ball]]
As part of the development of the [[Space Shuttle]], Thorsten has added a [[Canvas]]-based [[Shuttle ADI ball|ADI ball]]. However, it is somewhat of a resource hog.<ref>{{cite web
|url    = https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=297596#p297596
|title  = Re: Nasal must go
|author = Thorsten
|date  = Oct 28th, 2016
|added  = Oct 28th, 2016
|script_version = 0.40
}}</ref> As can be seen from the screenshot of it, it is very complex and involves a lot of calculations.<ref>{{cite web
|url    = https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=297665#p297665
|title  = Re: Nasal must go
|author = Thorsten
|date  = Oct 29th, 2016
|added  = Oct 29th, 2016
|script_version = 0.40
}}</ref> However, performance tests indicate that the cause of the bottleneck is the huge amount of [[Property Tree|property]] manipulation involved during each update, ''after'' the actual calculations have been completed. This has also been shown to be a problem for any very complex Canvas.
 
Some ways to help reduce bottlenecks include using {{func link|getprop()}}/{{func link|setprop()}} instead of [[Nasal library/props|props.nas APIs]] and using variables instead of properties where possible.<ref>{{cite web
|url    = https://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/30724363/
|title  = <nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] Nasal props API relative path support</nowiki>
|author = Thorsten Renk
|date  = Apr 15th, 2013
|added  = Apr 15th, 2013
|script_version = 0.40
}}</ref>


== In the hangar ==
''Continue reading at [[Howto:Canvas Path Benchmarking]]…''
=== MBB BK117 ===
[[User:HHS|HHS]], the author of the [[Eurocopter EC135|Eurocopter EC 135 P2]], [[EC130|EC 130 B4]] and [[Cessna 182S|Cessna 182 S]] will try again to get the [[MBB Bk 117|MBB BK 117]] model ready for FGAddon. Unfortunately time is limited, so he will need help.


When you have some spare time left, interested in heliopters and always wished to improve things, you might want to apply to this job. More informations on: [[MBB Bk 117|MBB Bk 117 wiki-page]]
=== Streaming a Canvas via HTTP ===
=== 2016 Camaro SS and more ===
[[File:Canvas-ND-live-streaming-via-httpd.png|thumb|Screenshot showing a [[NavDisplay]]) streamed to Mozilla Firefox]]
Auskunst is currently seeking help to improve the handling of his 2016 Camaro SS and another future automobile project. If you have experience of tweaking YASIM FDM, you can apply the job by clicking [https://bulldogrs.wordpress.com/2016/10/16/help-request-1-0-yasim-fdm-expert/ here]
ThomasS has created a patch for FlightGear for downloading any [[Canvas]] image from a running FlightGear process via HTTP.<ref>{{cite web
|url    = https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=296627#p296627
|title  = Re: Canvas remote drawing
|author = ThomasS
|date  = Oct 10th, 2016
|added  = Oct 10th, 2016
|script_version = 0.40
}}</ref> This is useful for situations such as displaying instruments on a separate monitor. This should be considered as merely the groundwork needed for more sophisticated use-cases and a corresponding implementation.


== Scenery corner ==
''Continue reading at [[Read canvas image by HTTP]]…''


=== Scenery/LOD experiments ===
== In the hangar ==
psadro_gm has the normal calculations, now.  Everything is being generated on the fly.  psadro_gm sees very little CPU usage.
=== MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 ===
Still lot's to do - e.g. need to sample 1 extra pixel in the DEM so edges of tiles get correct normals ( you can see the edges )
User {{usr|HHS}}, the author of the [[Eurocopter EC135|Eurocopter EC135 P2]], [[EC130|Eurocopter EC130 B4]] and [[Cessna 182S|Cessna 182S Skylane]] is trying to the '''[[MBB Bk 117|MBB/Kawasaki BK 117]]''' into FlightGear. Unfortunately time is limited, so he will need help.


Also, psadro_gm hasn't created skirts, yet, so there are gaps between levels.
When you have some spare time, are interested in helicopters, and always wished to improve things, you might want to apply for this job. Find out more on the [[MBB Bk 117|wiki page]].


psadro_gm will add to Mathais' tunables to select grid spacing at each LOD level, to see if we can minimie the popping.
=== 2016 Camaro SS ===
Note: the texture is just 1 4096x4096 sheet for the whole planet. It'll be nice to see what we can do with procedural texturing.<ref>{{cite web
Auskunst is seeking help to improve the handling of his '''2016 Camaro SS''' and another future automobile project. If you have experience in tweaking [[YASim]] [[FDM]]s, you can find out more [https://bulldogrs.wordpress.com/2016/10/16/help-request-1-0-yasim-fdm-expert/ here].
  |url    =  https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=295882#p295882
  |title  =  <nowiki> Re: Next-generation scenery generating? </nowiki>
  |author =  <nowiki> psadro_gm </nowiki>
  |date  =  Oct 1st, 2016
  |added  =  Oct 1st, 2016
  |script_version = 0.40
  }}</ref>


To learn more, see [[Experimental terrain engine]]
== Scenery corner ==
=== New experimental terrain engine ===
psadro_gm has been working on an experimental terrain engine. It works by using shaders and raster images to form the terrain. As of 10/2016, it allows for terrain generation on-the-fly and changes in the level of detail (LOD).<ref>{{cite web
|url    = https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=295882#p295882
|title  = Re: Next-generation scenery generating?
|author = psadro_gm
|date  = Oct 1st, 2016
|added  = Oct 1st, 2016
|script_version = 0.40
}}</ref> If the does get integrated fully, it will render [[TerraGear]] obsolete. However, there is still a lot of development work to do. The below videos show the change in LOD as one flies closer to the terrain.


{{#ev:youtube|-eWEB0-j7zk}} {{#ev:youtube|v9M2La8ZN1U}}
''To learn more, see [[Experimental terrain engine]]…''


== Community news ==
{{#ev:youtube|-eWEB0-j7zk}}
{{#ev:youtube|v9M2La8ZN1U}}


== Contributing ==
== Contributing ==
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==== Screenshot of the Month ====
==== Screenshot of the Month ====
Entries for this month's best screenshot can be submitted to [https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=30579 this] forum topic. Be sure to see the [https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=30579#p295961 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 on this page.
FlightGear's Screenshot of the month October 2016 is ''C182 takeoff at dawn'' by xcvb
[[File:C182 at dawn.jpg|900px|center|C182 takeoff at dawn]]


<!-- FlightGear's Screenshot of the Month May 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 November 2016, you can submit your candidate to [https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=30902 this] forum topic. Be sure to see the [https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=297955#p297955 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 November 2016.


<!-- 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 -->
{{Appendix}}


[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2016 10]]
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2016 10]]
[[Category:Changes after 2016.3]] <!--change version as necessary -->
[[Category:Changes after 2016.3]]


[[de:FlightGear Newsletter Oktober 2016]] <!--change year and name for the month IN GERMAN (a list of German months can be found in [[De/FlightGear Newsletter]])-->
[[de:FlightGear Newsletter Oktober 2016]]
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