FlightGear Newsletter August 2010: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search

FlightGear Newsletter August 2010 (view source)

Revision as of 15:30, 31 August 2010

808 bytes added ,  31 August 2010
m
Preparing for the deadline: tonight!
No edit summary
m (Preparing for the deadline: tonight!)
Line 17: Line 17:
Several [[aircraft]] that have been around in FlightGear for many years got updates this month. There is a huge number of aircraft in the FlightGear hangar (over 300!), and while new aircraft are always welcome, there are many existing aircraft that would benefit from some spit-and-polish. Creating a completely new aircraft to a high standard represents a monumental amount of work. Those wanting to contribute, but without the time available to create a truly world-class aircraft from scratch might want to consider improving a favourite aircraft from the hangar instead. The effects are more immediate, and you can improve it one piece at a time.
Several [[aircraft]] that have been around in FlightGear for many years got updates this month. There is a huge number of aircraft in the FlightGear hangar (over 300!), and while new aircraft are always welcome, there are many existing aircraft that would benefit from some spit-and-polish. Creating a completely new aircraft to a high standard represents a monumental amount of work. Those wanting to contribute, but without the time available to create a truly world-class aircraft from scratch might want to consider improving a favourite aircraft from the hangar instead. The effects are more immediate, and you can improve it one piece at a time.


===Douglas A-4F Skyhawk===
===AC-130 Spectre===
On a smaller scale to Hal's improvements to the Mustang, Stuart Buchanan has been making a number of changes to the venerable [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A4-F Skyhawk]], or "Scooter". Rather than change the existing A-4F Blue Angels model, Stuart has instead modelled a normal Navy A-4F with dual drop-tanks. As well as some minor [[FDM]] tweaking, improvements include a completely new exterior and 3D [[cockpit]], and some more accurate flight control systems including auto-deploying spoilers. The A-4F is an interesting [[Aircraft carrier|carrier]]-based light attack aircraft, designed on the principle of simplicity and lightness by Edward Heinmann. In particular, by making the wings short, they didn't need to be folded for storage on carriers, which meant they didn't need complex wing folds, and hence were lighter and stronger.
Jack Mermod has recently begun transforming Emmanuel Barranger's [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]] into a AC-130 'Spectre' Gunship. The gunship has been released, but will have many more updates to come.  
 
So far, the gunship has been equipped with the following:
* Two GAU-12 25mm guns
* One 40mm L/60 Bofors cannon
* Accurately modeled and functioning flares
* AN/ALQ-196 jammer and other electronic countermeasures
* a Battle Management Station, from where weapons can be armed and fired
* Several screens(in the Battle Management Station) which will display information, radar input, gun camera feeds, and ammunition stats in following releases
* MANY liveries
 
You can see the AC-130 topic and download the aircraft [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9074&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=75#p92617 here].


[[File:CRJ-900.jpg|thumb|250px|The Bombardier CRJ-900 in [[Blender]].]]
===Bombardier CRJ-900===
===Bombardier CRJ-900===
[[File:CRJ-900.jpg|The Bombardier CRJ-900 in [[Blender]]|thumb|270px]]
After working on the [[Airbus A320|A320]], [[User:Skyop|Skyop]] is creating his first aircraft- the [[Bombardier CRJ-900]]- from scratch.  The basic model has been completed- tasks still to do include UV mapping the model, animating its components, and adding in other features to make the CRJ-900 suitable for [[FlightGear 2.0.0]]
After working on the [[Airbus A320|A320]], [[User:Skyop|Skyop]] is creating his first aircraft- the [[Bombardier CRJ-900]]- from scratch.  The basic model has been completed- tasks still to do include UV mapping the model, animating its components, and adding in other features to make the CRJ-900 suitable for [[FlightGear 2.0.0]]


===Fokker 100===
===Douglas A-4F Skyhawk===
Another aircraft that has been updated recently is the [[Fokker 100]]. It now has a 3D cockpit and a rudimentary equipment failure control system, as well as a much-improved FDM and Autopilot. At the moment, the Equipment Failure System can only cause engine fires and flap failure. Several new liveries have been made as well. Authors who contributed to this latest phase in development include (in no particular order) Erik Hofman, Thomas Ito-Haigh, Gary Neely, and Skyop.
On a smaller scale to Hal's improvements to the Mustang, Stuart Buchanan has been making a number of changes to the venerable [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A4-F Skyhawk]], or "Scooter". Rather than change the existing A-4F Blue Angels model, Stuart has instead modelled a normal Navy A-4F with dual drop-tanks. As well as some minor [[FDM]] tweaking, improvements include a completely new exterior and 3D [[cockpit]], and some more accurate flight control systems including auto-deploying spoilers. The A-4F is an interesting [[Aircraft carrier|carrier]]-based light attack aircraft, designed on the principle of simplicity and lightness by Edward Heinmann. In particular, by making the wings short, they didn't need to be folded for storage on carriers, which meant they didn't need complex wing folds, and hence were lighter and stronger.


[[File:b29s-bombs.jpg|thumb|250px|B-29s dropping their load.]]
[[File:B-29-bomb-impact.jpg|thumb|250px|Ash plumes rise up from the bombed spot.]]
===B-29 Superfortress===
===B-29 Superfortress===
[[File:b29s-bombs.jpg|thumb|270px]]
[[File:B-29-bomb-impact.jpg|thumb|270px]]
Coming soon. There is a major refurbishment of the Submodel code in the pipeline which will resurect and, hopefully, speed up some old facilities.
Coming soon. There is a major refurbishment of the Submodel code in the pipeline which will resurect and, hopefully, speed up some old facilities.


The M47-A2 incendiary bombs have been linked to the wildfire system, and generate multiple fires.  Unfortunately, at present the hit on framerate is huge. So this might well not make Git. A cut-down version might be feasible.  It remains the case that the submodels are not visible over MP.
The M47-A2 incendiary bombs have been linked to the wildfire system, and generate multiple fires.  Unfortunately, at present the hit on framerate is huge. So this might well not make Git. A cut-down version might be feasible.  It remains the case that the submodels are not visible over MP.


===North American P-51D Mustang===
===Eurofighter Typhoon===
Hal V. Engel has made some massive improvements to the [[P-51D Mustang|P51-D]]. Using NACA (the pre-cursor to NASA) published data, he's produced a very impressive [[JSBSim]] FDM. He's also made a number of improvements to the 3D cockpit and the engine systems. Those who enjoy their WWII warbirds will be very interested indeed. Your correspondent has still to manage a take-off from the runway without at least one bounce, but can report that the landing characteristics, while not benign, are at least manageable. This is an aircraft that will really repay some effort on the part of the pilot to get to know, and almost certainly represents the most accurate warbird FDM we have available.
Some pretty major work has been accomplished on the [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Typhoon]] by almursi - some fiddly FDM work has now made it actually behave like one of the most agile fighters in the world, its performance envelope is now roughly equivalent to its real-world counterpart, and a good deal of the missing textures have been added. Algernon has accomplished some rather more minor work, with authentic scale navigation lights added and strobes and beacon in development along with a custom electrical system to power them. Whilst there is still a lot to do, including the flight control system which prevents the aircraft from performing beyond the pilots physical limits - how about 14g turns?! - the feedback on the latest release has been really positive. Try it yourself and post some feedback in the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1460&start=90|Eurofighter Typhoon thread] on the Aircraft Development board.


===AC-130 Spectre===
===Fokker 100===
Another aircraft that has been updated recently is the [[Fokker 100]]. It now has a 3D cockpit and a rudimentary equipment failure control system, as well as a much-improved FDM and Autopilot. At the moment, the Equipment Failure System can only cause engine fires and flap failure. Several new liveries have been made as well. Authors who contributed to this latest phase in development include (in no particular order) Erik Hofman, Thomas Ito-Haigh, Gary Neely, and Skyop.


Jack Mermod has recently begun transforming Emmanuel Barranger's C-130 into a AC-130 'Spectre' Gunship. The gunship has been released, but will have many more updates to come.  
===Helijah Hangar updates===
Helijah updates his hangar with new aircraft (mostly WW2) very regulary and pushes them to Git. This month's list includes:
{| class="vatop"
|width="200" |
* BV-170
* B-35 Peacemaker
* CA-12
* Me 209V1
|width="200" |
* Me P.1101
* Breguet 19
* Caudron GIII
* Caudron GIV
|}


So far, the gunship has been equipped with the following:
===North American P-51D Mustang===
Hal V. Engel has made some massive improvements to the [[P-51D Mustang|P51-D]]. Using NACA (the pre-cursor to NASA) published data, he's produced a very impressive [[JSBSim]] FDM. He's also made a number of improvements to the 3D cockpit and the engine systems. Those who enjoy their WWII warbirds will be very interested indeed. Your correspondent has still to manage a take-off from the runway without at least one bounce, but can report that the landing characteristics, while not benign, are at least manageable. This is an aircraft that will really repay some effort on the part of the pilot to get to know, and almost certainly represents the most accurate warbird FDM we have available.


- Two GAU-12 25mm Guns
== Scenery corner ==
===Animated jetways finalized===
An exciting new feature comes to FlightGear with the completion of [[User:Skyop|Skyop's]] [[Howto: Animated jetways|animated jetway system]]. The first airport to implement it is none other than KLAS. [[Howto: Animated jetways#Usage|A slight fix]] is required to see the jetways.


- One 40mm L/60 Bofors Cannon
To use the system, taxi to an animated jetway and park your aircraft with your nosegear on the "T" at the end of the marking line. Click the jetway, and if your aircraft has the appropriate values in its <tt>-set.xml</tt> file, the jetway will extend and raise/lower itself to your door! Updated <tt>-set.xml</tt> files for the [[Boeing 737-300]], [[Boeing 747-400]], and [[Boeing 777-200ER]] can be downloaded from [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8728&start=90#p91826 this post] of the development thread.


- Accurately Modeled and Functioning Flares
Unfortunately, there are still a few unresolved issues with the jetways. The biggest being that they currently cannot operate independently.


- AN/ALQ-196 Jammer and other Electronic Countermeasures
[[File:KLAS.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A Southwest Airlines [[Boeing 737-300]] parked at Concourse B at KLAS. Concourse C is visible in the background.]]
===Las Vegas McCarran International Airport===
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has modeled Concourse A, Concourse B, Concourse C, and the Charter International Terminal at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (KLAS). Unfortunately, the new Concourse D could not be modeled as there was no [[GPL]]-compatible satellite imagery available. You can obtain the new terminals via [[TerraSync]].


- a Battle Management Station, from where weapons can be armed and fired
===Reno International Airport===
<font color="red" size="5">??</font>


- Several Screens(in the Battle Management Station) which will display information, radar input, gun camera feeds, and ammunition stats in following releases
== Wiki updates ==
===Aerial refueling articles===
The [[Howto: Aerial refueling|aerial refueling howto]] has been updated and slightly cleaned up, to increase its readability. In addition to that, a developers howto has been written, to provide an easy to understand article on [[Howto: Implement aerial refueling capability|how to implement aerial capability]] on aircraft.


- MANY liveries
[[Image:Anaglyphic2.jpg|thumb|250px|Red-Green Anaglyph OSG Render in action.]]
===Anaglyph: FlightGear in 3D===
We all know that certain cinemas show certain movies in 3D. Most of the time the spectators wear those weird looking pairs of Red-Green or Red-Cyan glasses. These glasses divide the two (colored) layers on the screen between our two eyes; thus creating the effect of 3D. Since the switch to [[OSG]], FlightGear is able to generate such images as well!


You can see the AC-130 topic and download the aircraft [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9074&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=75#p92617 here.]
[[Anaglyph (3D)|This new wiki article]] explains how to obtain or create a oar of 3D-glasses and how to configure FlightGear.


===Helijah Hangar updates===
===How do I commit changes to Git on Windows?===
Helijah updates his hangar with new aircraft ( mostly WW2 ) and pushed them on Git.The list includes:
Three months after our big move to [[Git]], there finally is a tutorial on how to commit changes to Git on a Windows based computer! This allows every FlightGear user/developer to get their edits up in the official FlightGear repository. Let's hope that this will stimulate more people to start developing and sharing their work with the rest of the world.
BV-170 , B-35 Peacemaker, CA-12, Me 209V1, Me P.1101 ,Breguet 19 ,Caudron GIII and Caudron GIV.


===Eurofighter Typhoon===
Read the article at [[FlightGear Git on Windows#Commiting changes]].
Some pretty major work has been accomplished on the Typhoon by almursi - some fiddly FDM work has now made it actually behave like one of the most agile fighters in the world, its performance envelope is now roughly equivalent to its real-world counterpart, and a good deal of the missing textures have been added. Algernon has accomplished some rather more minor work, with authentic scale navigation lights added and strobes and beacon in development along with a custom electrical system to power them. Whilst there is still a lot to do, including the flight control system which prevents the aircraft from performing beyond the pilots physical limits - how about 14g turns?! - the feedback on the latest release has been really positive. Try it yourself and post some feedback in the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1460&start=90|Eurofighter Typhoon thread] on the Aircraft Development board.


== Scenery corner ==
===Nasal articles===
===Las Vegas McCarran International Airport===
In the aftermath of a [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8995 forum topic], work has been started on expanding the number of [[Nasal]] related articles at the wiki. These articles should help (new) developers to understand the scripting language and eventually write their own scripts.
[[File:KLAS.jpg|thumb|right|270px|A Southwest Airlines [[Boeing 737-300]] parked at Concourse B; Concourse C is visible in the background.]]
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has modeled Concourse A, Concourse B, Concourse C, and the Charter International Terminal at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (KLAS). Unfortunately, the new Concourse D could not be modeled as there was no [[GPL]]-compatible satellite imagery available. You can obtain the new terminals via [[TerraSync]].


===Reno International Airport===
All Nasal articles are collected in a [[:Category:Nasal|special category]]. More articles are welcome, as always, so feel free to share your Nasal knowledge!


===Animated jetways finalized===
===What kind of bindings are there?===
An exciting new feature comes to FlightGear with the completion of [[User:Skyop|Skyop's]] [[Howto: Animated jetways|animated jetway system]]. The first airport to implement it is none other than KLAS. [[Howto: Animated jetways#Usage|A slight fix]] is required to see the jetways.
FlightGear supports a large range of [[bindings]], which are actions that happen on clicking certain objects/menus. For example, when you click the gear lever in the [[Boeing 777]], a binding actually "transmits" the command to the gear. Another example that is widely used is an autopilot rotary knob (eg. for setting the heading). When you click these knobs with your mouse, bindings define what properties are changed and with what steps.


To use the system, taxi to an animated jetway and park your aircraft with your nosegear on the "T" at the end of the marking line.  Click the jetway, and if your aircraft has the appropriate values in its <tt>-set.xml</tt> file, the jetway will extend and raise/lower itself to your door! Updated <tt>-set.xml</tt> files for the [[Boeing 737-300]], [[Boeing 747-400]], and [[Boeing 777-200ER]] can be downloaded from [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8728&start=90#p91826 this post] of the development thread.
Work has began on collecting all those bindings in a single document. Check out [[Bindings|the list]]!
 
Unfortunately, there are still a few unresolved issues with the jetways. The biggest being that they currently cannot operate independently.


== Community news ==
== Community news ==
Line 90: Line 119:


[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.
=== Wiki updates ===
====Aerial refueling articles====
The [[Howto: Aerial refueling|aerial refueling howto]] has been updated and slightly cleaned up, to increase its readability. In addition to that, a developers howto has been written, to provide an easy to understand article on [[Howto: Implement aerial refueling capability|how to implement aerial capability]] on aircraft.
====How do I commit changes to Git on Windows?====
Three months after our big move to [[Git]], there finally is a tutorial on how to commit changes to Git on a Windows based computer! This allows every FlightGear user/developer to get their edits up in the official FlightGear repository. Let's hope that this will stimulate more people to start developing and sharing their work with the rest of the world.
Read the article at [[FlightGear Git on Windows#Commiting changes]].
====Nasal articles====
In the aftermath of a [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8995 forum topic], work has been started on expanding the number of [[Nasal]] related articles at the wiki. These articles should help (new) developers to understand the scripting language and eventually write their own scripts.
All Nasal articles are collected in a [[:Category:Nasal|special category]]. More articles are welcome, as always, so feel free to share your Nasal knowledge!
====What kind of bindings are there?====
FlightGear supports a large range of [[bindings]], which are actions that happen on clicking certain objects/menus. For example, when you click the gear lever in the [[Boeing 777]], a binding actually "transmits" the command to the gear. Another example that is widely used is an autopilot rotary knob (eg. for setting the heading). When you click these knobs with your mouse, bindings define what properties are changed and with what steps.
Work has began on collecting all those bindings in a single document. Check out [[Bindings|the list]]!


=== Update on FlightProSim ===
=== Update on FlightProSim ===
Retrieved from "https://wiki.flightgear.org/Special:MobileDiff/23647"

Navigation menu