View source for FlightGear Newsletter March 2010

{{newsletter}}

Welcome to the March 2010 edition of the [[FlightGear]] 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 [[FlightGear Newsletter {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}|the newsletter of next month]] and every contribution is welcome.

==From the developers==
[[Image:Experimental_Shaders_Urban.jpg|thumb|250px|The experimental urban effect. Notice how the 2D city textures appear to be 3D!]]
===Shader experiments===
FlightGear developer Fred has been experimenting with the [[shaders]] recently. Although he is not yet completely satisfied with the results, the video examples below are worth watching.
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUyH-4c0-qM Landmass effect]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYb1Vy-uTS0 Urban effect]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7OeU80vtR8 Urban sunrise to sunset]

Given the increasing importance of shaders in FlightGear, there is now a also new wiki page collecting links to tutorials about [[GLSL Shader Programming Resources|GLSL Shader Programming]] to help FlightGear contributors develop their own shaders. If you have any useful links to contribute, please do feel free to add these to this list.
For FlightGear specific issues, you will want to refer back to [[Howto: Shader Programming in FlightGear]] which is currently work in progress and is meant to cover the FlightGear specifics of GLSL programming. So if you have any questions that are specific to GLSL use in FlightGear, please make sure to add these to the list of topics that shall be covered.

[[File:map1.png|thumb|250px|Basic [[map]] display.]]

===Map Dialog===
James is working on a GUI navigational map, which shows information from the GPS and navigation/airport database in a dialog box - similar to the map windows in other flight-simulators. In its current form this is not intended to render terrain like in [[Atlas]], but instead shows a navigational display (ND) which is already useful for quickly finding a nearby airport or navaid, and for graphically showing waypoints from a route. The code is also a test platform for creating in-panel "glass cockpit"-style displays using similar technology in the near future, and it's already possible to switch the map to show the aircraft track (from the GPS) heading 'up' the screen. In the mode the map can be used as simple navigation display, to stay on a route or align with a localizer.

See [[Map|this wiki page]] for further information on the current status (and bugs) of the code, and some basic instructions.

===Google Summer of Code===
GSoC is an effort by Google, Inc. to promote Open Source Software and education by bringing students together with experienced developers as their mentors for the summer (northern hemisphere).  Google pays the student a stipend, the student learns by participating in real software development, the project gets code and maybe a new developer who'll stay around and benefit the project into the future.

It seems like each year since GSoC started, someone says "Hey, wouldn't it be great if FG participated?"  Then several people agree but all quickly realize it's too close to the application deadline to get anything done.  Curt agrees that we should make a serious effort to prepare for the 2011 GSoC well in advance, stating "We need a couple dedicated people to step forward and take charge here.  Otherwise we'll be sayin' the same things at this time next year."

Willie has stepped forward in an organizational role, forming a sister IRC channel, [irc://irc.flightgear.org#FG-GSoC #FG-GSoC irc.flightgear.org], looking around for would-be mentors and working on our [[GSoC]] participation strategy.

[[Image:F-117_light_cones.png|thumb|250px|The [[F-117 Nighthawk|F-117 ''Nighthawk'']] with the experimental lights.]]

===Light cones===
Until now, aircraft landing lights in FlightGear were not much more than a decoration since they did not cast any light on objects in their path. Lauri has implemented experimental light cones which illuminate everything within their range. It's a great step forward for realism, but there is still some work to be done. For example, other aircraft turn white when they enter a light cone. This is still an exciting development and we can be sure that the dev team will work out the kinks in short order.

==In the hangar==
===New aircraft===
The following aircraft were added to [[CVS]] in March and will be available for the masses with the next stable release of FlightGear. Some of them might be available in private hangars; downloads links are between brackets.
* Dewoitine D.520 ([http://helijah.free.fr/flightgear/les-appareils/d520/appareil.htm download])
* Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 ([http://helijah.free.fr/flightgear/les-appareils/ms406/appareil.htm download])
* Piper Pa 18 ([http://helijah.free.fr/flightgear/les-appareils/pa18/appareil.htm download])

[[Image:Concorde-Qantas.png|thumb|250px|The [[Concorde]] in the new Qantas-Livery.]]

===Concorde liveries===
EA-7201 worked on extra liveries for the [[Concorde]], making the liveries of''' almost all Concorde operators''' available! If you have the newest version of the Concorde (version 2.6) you are able to use them. See the Concorde in new liveries from airliners like Lufthansa, United Airlines, Japan Airlines and even Air Canada! You can download all these beautiful liveries at [http://www.mediafire.com/?ndj5ntyiwth this link].

===A New Old Cub===
Don Lavelle (aka karla) has been updating the Piper J-3 Cub which was initially built by David Megginson and Jim Wilson in 2002. Don has totally rebuilt the aircraft using Blender 2.49a knowing that most FlightGear users' PCs can accommodate models with a high vertex count and he has also made minor changes to the xml files. A great deal of detail has been added with a high (4096 by 4096 pixel) texture map which adds greatly to the realism of this aircraft; approximately 65 hours has been spent on it so far. Don is a previous user of FSX and wanted his Cub "to equal - or better - the offering from Micrsosoft". We'll have to wait until April for the release but Don has promised us a 'plane that he "is proud to offer to the FlightGear world".

Features include: animated pilot (slightly modified Baranger and Augras' version), detailed cabin interior, detailed canvas wings, 'high tech' fuel indicator, optional anti-collision strobe, optional tyre smoke, spinning wheels, tailwheel and rudder link, undercarriage suspension, user input registration markings, paint guide and water spray on wheels.

Creation of the livery is continuing and images will be uploaded to the forum shortly (unless someone can help upload here) http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6890.

===New Warbird===
[[Image:Iar-external-wip.png|thumb|250px|The IAR-80 just after take off.]][[Image:Iar-cockpit-wip.jpg|thumb|250px|The current state of the IAR-80 cockpit.]]
Emilian Huminiuc (aka i4dnf) is nearing completion of the IAR-80 (Romanian produced WW2 fighter). Hopefully a beta release will be available by late April.

It also features high detail (high vertex count) exterior and cockpit models, high detail textures, and a bumpshader. So far the exterior model is quasi finished, some minor details left to be implemented, and some tweaks to the animations and effects (engine smoke, con-trails, prop-wash, etc...), also a damage model is in the works.

The cockpit will be full clickable, will feature custom build instruments and will also make use of the bumpshader for added detail and realism.

More info on development progress, as well as more pictures can be found on the forums [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7225 here] and [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7354 here]. 

===Decal Editor in Planning===
Planning has started for a flightgear decal editor.  rico001 has made an algorithm for a decal editor and livery templates to be used on existing aircraft or vehicular models.  Kyokoyama has drafted a picture of the conceptual layout as well.

More info can be found in the official flightgear forums at: http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7075

==Scenery Corner==
[[Image:Dubai_scenery_1.png|thumb|250px]]
===Dubai is coming up===
Thanks to a couple of inovative projects, including the Palm Islands (islands in the shape of a palm) and The World (islands together forming a worldmap), Dubai has one of the most recognisable coastlines in the world. In FlightGear none of this was visible though. Gijs started drawing these islands and the ever growing populated areas, to be used in FlightGear. A preview of the yet to be released [[scenery]] can be seen in the screenshot on the right.

==Multiplayer news==
===Another multiplayer server===
Thanks to Charles Ingels (cbz026), there is another [[Howto: Multiplayer|multiplayer]] server in France! This brings the total number of servers to 13, of which 10 in Europe, two in North-America and one in Asia. 

Again, we would like to emphasize the importance of connecting to the correct server. The multiplayer servers are interconnected, so you do not need to connect to a specific server in order to see other pilots who are on that server. However, since server02 is overloaded (too many people use that one), not all pilots are shared between the servers. For best performance it is very important connect to the server that is geographically closest to you, has the lowest latency (ping time) or is the least busy.

The complete list of servers and more information about multiplayer is available in the [[Howto: Multiplayer|Multiplayer howto]].

===TransGear Airways last vintage event held===
[[TransGear Airways]] (TGA) held possibly its last, original-format event on March 13th. Despite being plagued by new glitches in 2.0 and the MP server, the event was a technical success. Organizer Rob Shearman (MD-TERP) plans for a bold, new format for upcoming events, involving two, intermediate-stop airport hubs instead of one, final destination hub. Alternatives had been looked at, such as a European Hub, but the airline is now committing itself to the new format. Updates can be found at [http://transgear.treborlogic.com its website]. 

==Virtual Airline News==
===Atlas Virtual Airlines talks and hearings begin===
Well, folks, the talk of the Multiplayer forums for the past month or two has been revolving around the new, "super-[[virtual airline]]" of FlightGear: [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]]. Intended to solve the increasing issue of underpopulation throughout the FlightGear Virtual Airline world, AVA has merged almost all active/idle VAs into one, drastically lowering the number of Virtual Airlines. AVA is now well into the planning stage, and many important aspects of the airline have been decided. The original hub, for instance, will be [[Frankfurt am Main Airport|Frankfurt am Main]] (EDDF). A livery scheme ([http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4386802750_e053a48108_o.png click for a B1900D preview]) has been chosen as well. Another huge step was made in the purchasing of a domain, [http://www.atlasvirtualairlines.com AtlasVirtualAirlines.com], which will be worked on in the coming months. 

Talks have now moved off-forum to a different location, but discussion still takes place occassionally on-forum. The project is currently being overseen by SkyWlf77, Armchair Ace, and Kyokorama. 

===New VAs spring up===
Two new VAs, independent from the new Atlas Virtual Airlines, have emerged: Triangle Airlines, run by user Jericho, and Sandy Oceania Airlines, COed by QF52. Both promise expanded fleets and will operate the [[Airbus A380]], and livery designs are in the making. Progress can be followed on the Forums.

==Community news==
===Changes in the forum===
Gijs de Rooy has become an administrator at the [http://flightgear.org/forums/index.php FlightGear Forum]. In addition to moderating the forums (surely a maddening task at times), Gijs has already made some significant improvements to the forum organization. A re-styling of the -currently default- forum look is in the works.

Since March 24th, the forum is hosted at a new server, resulting in much short loadtimes.

===FlightGear wiki moved to a new server===
Many FG wiki users have recently been annoyed by frequent 503 errors when attempting to view a page. The reason for this was the large number of daily visitors to the wiki.  Many visitors is a great sign of health for the project, but it was just more than the server could handle. After three months of this, the wiki was moved to a new server on the 10th of March. This appears to have eliminated the 503 errors. Please [[Help:Contents|contact the wiki admin]] if they or any other problems with the wiki occur.

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 03]]