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FlightGear Newsletter May 2010: Difference between revisions
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May was an interesting month for all developers, since we moved over to a different version control system: Git. With everyone being used to [[CVS]], this took quite some time and in the end even a crash of the CVS hard drive! More about that in the [[#Development News|Development News]] section. | |||
Despite the switch to Git, development continued in many different areas. Some of which include new or updated aircraft, detailed scenery, autopilot enhancements and even face tracking. This newsletter tries to give a good overview of the May developments. | |||
''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.'' | |||
==Development News== | ==Development News== | ||
=== Migration to git === | === Migration to git === | ||
Due to a hard drive crash, the FlightGear [[CVS]] server is offline since the beginning of the month. We determined that our efforts would be better spent migrating our repository over to Git instead of bringing the old CVS server back online. Onwards and upwards! Please see [[FlightGear and Git]] for details on how to access these new repositories at [http://gitorious.org/fg gitorious.org]. | |||
===Local weather system update=== | ===Local weather system update=== | ||
The local weather system has been updated to version 0.61 by Thorsten. This is mainly a bugfix release and includes speedups in many areas and changes in cloud rendering. | The local weather system has been updated to version 0.61 by Thorsten. This is mainly a bugfix release and includes speedups in many areas and changes in cloud rendering. | ||
More details [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7358 in the forum]. | More details [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7358 in the forum]. | ||
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Altough the very first release was this month, the results are already amazing. I can tell you that looking around instead of panning around adds a whole new experience to your flights. | Altough the very first release was this month, the results are already amazing. I can tell you that looking around instead of panning around adds a whole new experience to your flights. | ||
==In the hangar== | |||
===747-400 updates=== | |||
{{Main article|Boeing 747-400}} | |||
Gijs has been updating "The Queen of the Skies" with overhead panel backlighting, an (this time -thanks to Torsten- stable) autopilot making one of the best airliners in FlightGear even better. In the meantime, effort has been put into the cockpit shell and a 3D model of the upper deck. You can soon walk through the cabin, open the animated lavatory doors and nock on the 747's flightdeck door. | |||
===Macchi M.33 and Savoia S.21=== | |||
Zexe and helijah worked at the Macchi M.33 and Savoia S.21 models. See [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8101 the forum] for more information and the download links. | |||
===Romanian WW2 warbird I.A.R.-80A=== | |||
[[Image:iar80-flight.jpg|thumb|IAR-80]] | |||
A beta version has been finally released. For downloads and other info see [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7225 the thread] on the forums. | |||
It is also available in the GIT tree. | |||
===Russian Helicopter Mil Mi-6=== | |||
The Mi-6 was updated by Blender3D. It was first launched in June 2009, with an update in March of this year. Download and info available [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5251 at the forum]. | |||
===Sukhoi-Gulfstream S21=== | |||
The Sukhoi-Gulfstream S21 is being developed by ''xsaint'' and should be out by late May. More information [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7865 here]. | |||
===TE Vario available for gliders=== | |||
WooT implemented the ilec-sc7, a popular total energy compensated variometer for [[gliders]]. It is available in the Git data repository. More information can be found [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4706&p=80983#p80983 in the forum]. | |||
===VMX22 Osprey=== | |||
The VMX22 was already mentioned in earlier newsletters, but its development progressed and it should be out soon, however unmapped. | |||
More information [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7205 in the forum]. | |||
===Zeppelin LZ 121 "Nordstern"=== | |||
Anders is currently working on the Zeppelin LZ 121 ''Nordstern'' and it has the basic parts of the propulsion, ballast and gas systems in place but much work remains on the instrumentation, systems and the 3D model [http://www.gidenstam.org/FlightGear/Airships/#Nordstern]. | |||
==Scenery Corner== | ==Scenery Corner== | ||
===Europe very active=== | ===Europe very active=== | ||
The | The development of European airports (like LIME in Italy; EGKK in Britain; EDDF in Germany and others) has been very active. Europe has currently some of the most detailed scenery areas in FlightGear. Further on in this newsletter you can read about the latest addition: London Gatwick. | ||
===EGKK: Probably the best detailed airport in FlightGear<sup>1</sup>=== | ===EGKK: Probably the best detailed airport in FlightGear<sup>1</sup>=== | ||
[[Image:EGKK_2.png|thumb]] | [[Image:EGKK_2.png|thumb]] | ||
[[Image:EGKK_3.png|thumb]] | [[Image:EGKK_3.png|thumb]] | ||
London Gatwick has been completely modeled at a high level of detail for FlightGear. The airport was modeled by Don Lavelle ''(karla)'' in Blender and consists of well over 70 detailed buildings, features and facilities. The main terminals - north and south - have been accurately detailed with their different style piers and stock jetways. The airport is based on UK CAA 2009 charts and includes the novel passenger air bridge which was re-engineered to clear 747-height tail fins. Many peripheral facilities are also included in this highly detailed airport such as the cargo and maintenance areas and open air car parks which were given a semi-3D effect. Small details such as railings, columns, antennae and rotating radar add to the realistic atmosphere of the scenery. Frame rates will obviously be affected by the wealth of detail but it is expected that pilots will utilize this airport for arrivals, taxiing and departure of commercial aircraft and not for low passes in jet fighters... | London Gatwick has been completely modeled at a high level of detail for FlightGear. The airport was modeled by Don Lavelle ''(karla)'' in Blender and consists of well over 70 detailed buildings, features and facilities. The main terminals - north and south - have been accurately detailed with their different style piers and stock jetways. The airport is based on UK CAA 2009 charts and includes the novel passenger air bridge which was re-engineered to clear 747-height tail fins. Many peripheral facilities are also included in this highly detailed airport such as the cargo and maintenance areas and open air car parks which were given a semi-3D effect. Small details such as railings, columns, antennae and rotating radar add to the realistic atmosphere of the scenery. Frame rates will obviously be affected by the wealth of detail but it is expected that pilots will utilize this airport for arrivals, taxiing and departure of commercial aircraft and not for low passes in jet fighters... | ||
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So, the UK now has a fully modeled major airport and it is now open to international FG flights - welcome to the UK via London Gatwick! | So, the UK now has a fully modeled major airport and it is now open to international FG flights - welcome to the UK via London Gatwick! | ||
Latest | * Latest screenshots are hosted on [http://www.donlavelle.net/flightgear/flightgear18.html this page] | ||
* Available as a direct download through [http://www.donlavelle.net/flightgear/airports/EGKK.zip this link] | |||
Available as a direct download | |||
<sup>1</sup> after an iconic advertising slogan of the 1970s | <sup>1</sup> after an iconic advertising slogan of the 1970s | ||