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FlightGear Newsletter March 2011: Difference between revisions
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''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.'' | ''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 == | == Development news == | ||
=== Local Weather v1.0 === | === Local Weather v1.0 === | ||
After more than a year of development work, the Local Weather package has reached its full design functionality as described in [[A local weather system]] and is available for download as [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfsGITv1.0.tgz version 1.0]. The package works with Flightgear 2.0.0 and higher, though some extensions (marked with [GIT]) require a more recent binary. | After more than a year of development work, the Local Weather package has reached its full design functionality as described in [[A local weather system]] and is available for download as [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfsGITv1.0.tgz version 1.0]. The package works with Flightgear 2.0.0 and higher, though some extensions (marked with [GIT]) require a more recent binary. | ||
Version 1.0 offers the following features: | Version 1.0 offers the following features: | ||
* numerous types of clouds from Cirrus to Cumulonimbus, arranged in realistic patterns and size distributions, visible up to 80 km distance | * numerous types of clouds from Cirrus to Cumulonimbus, arranged in realistic patterns and size distributions, visible up to 80 km distance | ||
* weather phenomena tied to location: rain only underneath clouds, dense clouds obscure sunlight [GIT], convective clouds develop according to terrain | * weather phenomena tied to location: rain only underneath clouds, dense clouds obscure sunlight [GIT], convective clouds develop according to terrain | ||
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* optional dynamics: clouds drift in the wind, convective clouds are generated and decay, properties of thermals evolve in time | * optional dynamics: clouds drift in the wind, convective clouds are generated and decay, properties of thermals evolve in time | ||
* backward compatibility to Flightgear 2.0.0 | * backward compatibility to Flightgear 2.0.0 | ||
A feature gallery: | A feature gallery: | ||
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Image:local_weather_1.00_08.jpg| Heavy rain | Image:local_weather_1.00_08.jpg| Heavy rain | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Fun facts: | Fun facts: | ||
* lines of Nasal code: 10135 | * lines of Nasal code: 10135 | ||
* estimated coffee consumption during coding: 120 | * estimated coffee consumption during coding: 120 L | ||
* estimated time spent watching and photographing the sky: 50 h | * estimated time spent watching and photographing the sky: 50 h | ||
== New software tools and projects == | == New software tools and projects == | ||
=== Modeling a UAV with FlightGear and YASim === | === Modeling a UAV with FlightGear and YASim === | ||
[[File:Blender-res.png|thumb]] | [[File:Blender-res.png|thumb]] | ||
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For more information: [http://www.flightgear.org/blogs/curt/uas/resolution/simulation-modelling/ Using FlightGear + YASim to model and test real world UAV] | For more information: [http://www.flightgear.org/blogs/curt/uas/resolution/simulation-modelling/ Using FlightGear + YASim to model and test real world UAV] | ||
== In the hangar == | == In the hangar == | ||
=== New instruments === | === New instruments === | ||
A new [[TCAS]] instrument is available in the latest GIT version of FlightGear. | A new [[TCAS]] instrument is available in the latest GIT version of FlightGear. The TCAS works with AI and multiplayer aircraft, provides aural warnings for conflicting traffic and is also capable of driving a realistic traffic display. AI aircraft also respond to TCAS alerts and take evasive action - meaning you can trigger some basic interaction with AI aircraft. | ||
The TCAS works with AI and multiplayer aircraft, provides aural warnings for conflicting traffic and is also capable of driving a realistic traffic display. AI aircraft also respond to TCAS alerts and take evasive action - meaning you can trigger some basic interaction with AI aircraft. | |||
=== New aircraft === | === New aircraft === | ||
==== Lockheed Model L.10 "Electra" ==== | |||
Emilian Huminiuc has continued working on the "Electra" (the plane with wich Amelia Earhart atempted her round the world flight). So far the exterior is almost complete. There are separate texture sheets for the fuselage and wings, engine cowlings, and gear and miscelanea appendages. Also, after testing with .dds textures, these will be the kind used due to improved loading time and better normal map support. | |||
Work is going on, focusing on the interior now, with a basic cabin model already in place. What folows is the hardest part: cockpit modeling, complete with period steam gauges. | |||
If you feel like an early adopter, or just like to test the latest and greatest, there's a gitorious.org repository available [http://gitorious.org/lockheed-l10-electra here]. Also you can follow the development [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10716&sid=4507f8f7b7f52ac48361e9dd3849a4e1 on the forum]. | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Electra_1.jpg| [[Normalmap]] detail visible | |||
Image:Electra_2.jpg| On a testflight | |||
Image:Electra_inside_wip.jpg| Cabin WIP | |||
</gallery> | |||
==== DG-101G ==== | ==== DG-101G ==== | ||
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==== Hawker Tempest ==== | ==== Hawker Tempest ==== | ||
[[File:TempestV.png|thumb|Progress to date.]] | [[File:TempestV.png|thumb|Progress to date on the Tempest.]] | ||
Work on the Hawker | Work on the [[Hawker Tempest]] continues but painfully slowly: | ||
* '''Flight Dynamic Model:''' there is contemporary performance data [http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/tempest/tempest-V.html] and detailed dimensions available, but no aerodynamic data. This is what YASim was intended for. However, it turns out that YASim does not like high powered, high performance propellor aircraft. When fed realistic data YASim produces a near supersonic solution. However, testing and tuning over 2 weeks has produced an output which closely matches the published data, even if the input data look somewhat bizarre. The Tempest could approach the compressibilty region in a dive. Its operating handbook specifically limited its performance envelope to avoid this, but it might be a useful future extension to add a bit of transonic drag. | |||
* '''Texture:''' nearly finished, but made more difficult by the decision to put all external textures on one 1024 x 1024 sheet. This has the advantage of making a reflection map easier to produce, but aligning all the camoflage joins is ... a nightmare. Tests have been carried out with .dds, .png, and .rgb files: there seems little to chose between them in appearance terms. An executive decision-making aid will be used later (AKA toss of a coin). | |||
* '''3D Cockpit:''' largely a rework of the Hawker Hurricane cockpit (as it was in real life). About 50% complete. | |||
Overall, we are looking at three months more work. | Overall, we are looking at three months more work. | ||
=== Updated aircraft === | === Updated aircraft === | ||
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==== Concorde TCAS ==== | ==== Concorde TCAS ==== | ||
Chris (papillon81) took care of the Concorde's | Chris (papillon81) took care of the [[Concorde]]'s TCAS and converted it to [[#New instruments|the new generic system by ThorstenB]]. The old Concorde-specific one was implemented using Nasal and xml and Thorsten got rid of about 1800 LOC in the process. He also created a new glass instrument (the only one in the Concorde's cockpit), modeled according to some web sources. The new system works with both AI and multiplayer traffic. | ||
=== Livery database reaches 400 === | === Livery database reaches 400 === | ||
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== Scenery corner == | == Scenery corner == | ||
[[File:Burj al Arab Dubai.png|thumb | [[File:Burj al Arab Dubai.png|thumb|Burj al Arab, with one of the [[FlightGear Newsletter March 2010#Dubai is coming up|palm islands]] in the background.]] | ||
One of world's most famous landmarks, the Taj Mahal in India, is now modeled and included in the scenery database. Dubai also welcomed a new model, the famous hotel Burj al Arab. | One of world's most famous landmarks, the Taj Mahal in India, is now modeled and included in the scenery database. Dubai also welcomed a new model, the famous hotel Burj al Arab. | ||
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* 63 Building - Seoul - South Korea | * 63 Building - Seoul - South Korea | ||
* N Seoul Tower - Seoul - South Korea | * N Seoul Tower - Seoul - South Korea | ||
== Full scale 747 simulator == | == Full scale 747 simulator == | ||
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More info and pictures about the build process are available at [http://www.lfstech.com John's website] and the [http://flightgear.org/Projects/747-JW/ FlightGear website]. | More info and pictures about the build process are available at [http://www.lfstech.com John's website] and the [http://flightgear.org/Projects/747-JW/ FlightGear website]. | ||
== Airport of the month == | == Airport of the month == | ||
[[File:KMTN_overview.png|thumb]] | |||
Martin State Airport (KMTN) north of Baltimore, Maryland may be the best airport in FlightGear you've never heard of. | Martin State Airport (KMTN) north of Baltimore, Maryland may be the best airport in FlightGear you've never heard of. | ||
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The custom models combined with the custom scenery really sets this part of the world apart from the default areas in FlightGear - have a flight over Maryland today! | The custom models combined with the custom scenery really sets this part of the world apart from the default areas in FlightGear - have a flight over Maryland today! | ||
== Community news == | == Community news == | ||
=== FlightGear on YouTube === | === FlightGear on YouTube === | ||
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lab-5tZOf-o Sim's video] features a nice aerobatic show, performed with a [[P-51D Mustang]]. | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lab-5tZOf-o Sim's video] features a nice aerobatic show, performed with a [[P-51D Mustang]]. | ||
== And finally ... == | == And finally ... == | ||
=== Contributing === | === Contributing === | ||
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=== Call for volunteers === | === Call for volunteers === | ||
The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer. | *The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer. | ||
*The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer. | |||
The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer. | |||
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2011 03]] | [[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2011 03]] | ||