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FlightGear Newsletter April 2013: Difference between revisions
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== Development news == | == Development news == | ||
=== Release-candidate builds for the 2.10.1 (bug-fix) release available === | === Release-candidate builds for the 2.10.1 (bug-fix) release available === | ||
As previously mentioned on the devel list[http://www.mail-archive.com/flightgear-devel@lists.sourceforge.net/msg39708.html], James is now attempting a 2.10.1 release, to see if this improves our perceived quality. There's some bug fixes we already aware of, including a Windows path-handling one which is quite significant. | As previously mentioned on the devel list[http://www.mail-archive.com/flightgear-devel@lists.sourceforge.net/msg39708.html], James is now attempting a 2.10.1 release, to see if this improves our perceived quality. There's some bug fixes we already aware of, including a Windows path-handling one which is quite significant. | ||
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Cloud distributions appear much more natural and appealing, especially from high altitude. Work is in progress to replace 1st generation by 2nd generation algorithms in both the online and offline weather models of Advanced Weather. | Cloud distributions appear much more natural and appealing, especially from high altitude. Work is in progress to replace 1st generation by 2nd generation algorithms in both the online and offline weather models of Advanced Weather. | ||
=== Project Rembrandt === | === Project Rembrandt === | ||
A number of Mac users have been reporting issues related to running [[Project Rembrandt]] (deferred rendering/shadows) on Mac OSX with ATI/AMD GPUS, we are now looking for Mac users to provide feedback on running Rembrandt on Mac OSX, required information includes errors and warnings shown during startup/runtime, but also screen shots showing any issues. Please see: [[Project Rembrandt#Mac Issues]]. | A number of Mac users have been reporting issues related to running [[Project Rembrandt]] (deferred rendering/shadows) on Mac OSX with ATI/AMD GPUS, we are now looking for Mac users to provide feedback on running Rembrandt on Mac OSX, required information includes errors and warnings shown during startup/runtime, but also screen shots showing any issues. Please see: [[Project Rembrandt#Mac Issues]]. | ||
=== Usability Improvements === | === Usability Improvements === | ||
Aircraft checklists can now include include commands to have the simulator/co-pilot/instructor execute checklist items. See the c172p for an example of this in action. | |||
=== Air-to-Air Refueling Improvements === | === Air-to-Air Refueling Improvements === | ||
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=== Tree Textures === | === Tree Textures === | ||
Trees are now more compatible with Atmospheric shading - appearing snow-covered above the snow-line, and in winter foliage from late autumn (as set in Environment Settings). For texture artists, there is a format change for trees: Instead of using a different texture file for summer and winter trees, both are defined in the same file. See Docs/README.materials for details. | Trees are now more compatible with Atmospheric shading - appearing snow-covered above the snow-line, and in winter foliage from late autumn (as set in Environment Settings). For texture artists, there is a format change for trees: Instead of using a different texture file for summer and winter trees, both are defined in the same file. See Docs/README.materials for details. | ||
=== Getting involved as a programmer === | === Getting involved as a programmer === | ||
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If you are interested in contributing as a core developer, please see [[Howto:Start core development]]. | If you are interested in contributing as a core developer, please see [[Howto:Start core development]]. | ||
== Snapshot releases == | == Snapshot releases == | ||
Every now and then, easy-to-install development snapshots are created (usually, twice | Every now and then, easy-to-install development snapshots are created (usually, twice monthly). These snapshots depict a recent state of the development version of FlightGear. By using them users can test out features that will be included in the upcoming release. Testers are encouraged to file bugs at [http://code.google.com/p/flightgear-bugs/ the issue tracker]. | ||
The snapshot can be download via the links at the bottom of this page: http://www.flightgear.org/download/. Updates and feedback can be found [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=10488&p=144233&hilit=snapshot#p144233 at the forum]. | The snapshot can be download via the links at the bottom of this page: http://www.flightgear.org/download/. Updates and feedback can be found [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=10488&p=144233&hilit=snapshot#p144233 at the forum]. | ||
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|La FlightGear wiki todavía necesita ayuda para traducirla a varios lenguajes. Si estás interesado en hacer la FlightGear wiki multilingüe, entonces comienza en [[:es:Help:Traducir|Help:Traducir]]. | |La FlightGear wiki todavía necesita ayuda para traducirla a varios lenguajes. Si estás interesado en hacer la FlightGear wiki multilingüe, entonces comienza en [[:es:Help:Traducir|Help:Traducir]]. | ||
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== New software tools and projects == | == New software tools and projects == | ||
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If you want to help out anyway: take pictures of buildings where you live! Radi is especially interested in south-east asian style architecture, as he's planning to populate Hong Kong Kai Tak (VHXX) in the future. But any other areas are welcome, too. There's a [[Howto:Create_textures_from_photos|howto]] on taking pictures ready for texture extraction. | If you want to help out anyway: take pictures of buildings where you live! Radi is especially interested in south-east asian style architecture, as he's planning to populate Hong Kong Kai Tak (VHXX) in the future. But any other areas are welcome, too. There's a [[Howto:Create_textures_from_photos|howto]] on taking pictures ready for texture extraction. | ||
== In the hangar == | == In the hangar == | ||
All the way back in May 2011, we addopted a new status-rating system for aircraft. So far, only a few have actually been rated, as can be seen in the list 'hockenberry' set up at [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApzphjA4w05ndF94Y2F0bzJTbHQ5QTJXZXJRcUVRbWc&hl=en_US Google Docs]. If you're an aircraft developer and your aircraft is/are not on the list, please consider rating their status. All you'll need to know/do is described at [[Formalizing Aircraft Status]]. If you'd just like to get started contributing to FlightGear, this would also seem like an excellent way to get started. | All the way back in May 2011, we addopted a new status-rating system for aircraft. So far, only a few have actually been rated, as can be seen in the list 'hockenberry' set up at [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApzphjA4w05ndF94Y2F0bzJTbHQ5QTJXZXJRcUVRbWc&hl=en_US Google Docs]. If you're an aircraft developer and your aircraft is/are not on the list, please consider rating their status. All you'll need to know/do is described at [[Formalizing Aircraft Status]]. If you'd just like to get started contributing to FlightGear, this would also seem like an excellent way to get started. | ||
== Scenery corner == | == Scenery corner == | ||
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[[File:France-850-v2.jpg|300px|Scenery france-850 v2 near of Grenoble (LFLG)]] | [[File:France-850-v2.jpg|300px|Scenery france-850 v2 near of Grenoble (LFLG)]] | ||
=== Regional textures Madagascar === | === Regional textures Madagascar === | ||
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[[File:Madagascar02.jpg|300px|Central plateau of Madagascar]] | [[File:Madagascar02.jpg|300px|Central plateau of Madagascar]] | ||
[[File:Madagascar04.jpg|300px|Re-painted agriculture Madagascar ]] | [[File:Madagascar04.jpg|300px|Re-painted agriculture Madagascar ]] | ||
== Wiki updates == | == Wiki updates == | ||
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== Community news == | == Community news == | ||
=== New tutorials and screencasts === | === New tutorials and screencasts === | ||
==== Cross-Country Tutorial II - a VFR guide ==== | ==== Cross-Country Tutorial II - a VFR guide ==== | ||
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Get the download link for the latest version from the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=19600 forum post] under the "Documentation" tab. | Get the download link for the latest version from the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=19600 forum post] under the "Documentation" tab. | ||
=== Contributing === | === Contributing === | ||
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forums is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common mis-conception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something. | One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forums is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common mis-conception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something. | ||
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* The [[Target4Today]] team is looking for volunteers to help improving FlightGear's combat support | * The [[Target4Today]] team is looking for volunteers to help improving FlightGear's combat support | ||
* 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]] | [[Category:FlightGear Newsletter]] | ||