Updated January 7, 2013

 

AS2012 SP2 is now in the Public Beta phase. Public Beta #4 (B4755) is now available. This new build addresses existing bug reports/issues, including temperature and wx depiction "spikes".

 

Included in SP2 are tons of Brand New Graphics, Improved Weather Depiction, new IMC-related Depiction Features, new Default Options Profiles, new Official Prepar3D support, and several other enhancements as well as bug fixes.

 

This new version is to be offered completely free of charge to all AS2012 users, and represents our latest effort in providing the most realistic and comprehensive weather and environment engine for desktop flight simulation. HiFi would like to thank our Private Beta Team for doing a great job helping us get SP2 ready for public beta release. Thank you!

 

To download the SP2 beta update, please visit our Downloads Page.

 

Here is a comprehensive list of changes since SP1:

 

 

Graphics

• New Graphics Update! Includes:
  
  • 28 brand new high-detailed Cumulus cloud variations
    
  • 12 brand new Stratus cloud variations
    
  • 19 brand new Wispy cloud variations
    
  • 4 brand new Cirrus cloud variations
    
  • 22 brand new Water Wave variations
    
  • 45 brand new Concrete Taxiway variations
    
  • 29 brand new Asphalt Taxiway variations
    
  • 2 brand new Taxiway Mark variations
    
  • 19 brand new Concrete Runway Surface variations
    
  • 7 brand new Asphalt Runway Surface variations
    
  • 7 brand new Concrete Runway variations with smaller tire marks
    
  • 7 brand new Asphalt Runway variations with smaller tire marks
    
  • 20 brand new Sky Day variations
    
  • 9 brand new Airport Parking Space variations
    
  • 7 brand new preset graphics themes based on SP2 graphics
    
  • All new variations in all categories include improved depth, shadowing, detail and scale, along with other changes as requested by user feedback
    
  • Previous Stratus variations adjusted with improved color balance
    
  • Previous Sky Day variations adjusted with improved color balance
    
  • Previous Airport Parking Space variations adjusted for improved realism
    
  • Previous Asphalt Runway Surface variations adjusted with improved color balance
    
  • Updated Concrete Runway screenshots (all variants) to properly show concrete instead of asphalt in previews
    

• New graphics variation option to “Prevent this item from being used in Wx-Influenced selections” – Checking this box will prevent the item from being used in any wx-influenced selection – By default, certain variations from SP1 will be prevented, using a bias towards SP2 graphics
  

• New Weather Influenced Values update to include definitions for new SP2 variants
  

 

 

SP2 - B4755 – Software

 

(1) Indicates changes to Public Beta 1 (B4696) from previous

(2) Indicates changes to Public Beta 2 (B4722) from previous

(3) Indicates changes to Public Beta 2B (B4724) from previous

(4) Indicates changes to Public Beta 3 (B4726) from previous

(5) Indicates changes to Public Beta 4 (B4755) from previous

 

 

 

 

 

Weather and User Interface

• New DWC mode handling with "Prevent Cloud Redraws" and "Local Station Writes with DWC" enabled to provide better cloud coverage and accuracy while eliminating cloud formation shifts. Prevent Cloud Redraws and Local Station Writes with DWC is now ENABLED by default and ENABLED in the IFR/High Alt option profile. (4)
  

• New feature/option: Overcast Ceiling Enhancement – When enabled, the lowest overcast layer will be enhanced by adding and modifying complimentary cloud layers – This increases apparent thickness and restriction to visibility with a potential performance penalty – Please see documentation for addition information regarding this feature (1)
  

• New feature/option: Reduce Visibility In Cloud Layers (Requires DWC and Visibility Graduation and Smoothing to be Enabled) – When enabled, visibility will be reduced within cloud layers, proportionally based on layer coverage (1)
  

• New feature/option: Default Options Profile Screen – This screen will show at startup (can be hidden) and allow you to choose from various default options profiles that provide the recommended depiction mode and settings for various types of flying – Note that choosing a Default Option File will overwrite your current settings – We recommend trying all profiles before settling in on your ideal option set! (1)
  

• New enhancements to all depiction modes for better accuracy of cloud and other conditions (1)
  

• New official Prepar3D support! See documentation (initial “Important Stuff” chapter) for more information (1)
  

• New Station OIIE added to server fetch and default distribution (existing users must manually add station to data stations or update data station list from server to enable) (1)
  

• New Station EDJA added to server fetch and default distribution (existing users must manually add station to data stations or update data station list from server to enable) (1)
  

• New Station UASK added to server fetch and default distribution (existing users must manually add station to data stations or update data station list from server to enable) (1)
  

• Added more room in Wx Report screen for textual TAF area to permit more than one line when using larger DPI/Font setting (3 lines available in normal DPI setting) (1)
  

• Added additional clear weather/reset during refresh as well as completion of synthesis in Smooth Cloud transition mode to prevent “stale” weather during loading of new or altered weather i.e. historical, edited, etc. (1)
  

• Added additional handling during AS2012 startup to check and ensure that the “FS haze layer” is properly disabled, in case the user has restored or installed a graphics set that enables the haze layer, causing visibility sync issues with the AS2012 weather engine (1)
  

• Adjusted handling of “Load Preset” in Wx Edit screen so that the currently-selected Station ID is used in the loaded preset METAR string (instead of the station specified in the actual preset METAR) (5)
  

• Adjusted Flight Plan Navlog section to be multiple-row selectable (previously, you could select only one row) – This is useful for being able to select, copy and paste to external programs (5)
  

• Adjusted output rate during “Local Station writes with DWC” to be slightly slower to prevent overloading SimConnect with some aircraft/situations which could result in slow or improper ambient conditions depiction (i.e. temperature) (5)
  

• Adjusted DWC Local Station Writes processes in attempt to eliminate problematic temperature depiction/spikes as well as cycling clouds (clearing and re-forming). (5)
  

• Adjusted very high altitude temperatures to be slightly colder than previous in SP1 (by approximately 10%) – affects temperatures above 52,000ft only (1)
  

• Adjusted handling of single-left click of mouse on the system tray icon, to automatically bring up the AS2012 program - Use right click for the normal context menu (1)
  

• Adjusted documentation to reflect option/screen changes (1)
  

• Adjusted FSX/P3D native variable wind depiction to not activate until within 1500ft AGL, to avoid potentially large wind direction changes during approach where wind speeds may be higher (2)
  

• Adjusted “Overcast Ceiling Enhancement” feature to provide a better overall overcast depiction including thicker clouds and improved performance (2)
  

• Adjusted “Start FSX/P3D” tooltip to reference FSX/P3D instead of FSX only (2)
  

• Adjusted “Reduce visibility in cloud layers” feature to not reduce visibility in FEW/SCT cloud coverages (will only reduce in BKN/OVC) (2)
  

• Adjusted “Reduce visibility in cloud layers” feature to reduce visibility only up to a certain altitude in cumulus layers to avoid visibility reduction when not actually in the cloud layer (visually) as much as possible – Note: some desync between cloud layer boundaries and visual location with cloud sprites is unavoidable (2)
  

• Improved Interpolation system for more weight for closer stations with valid data, and extended the “clone” range to 3 miles (any station without data that is within 3 miles from a station with data will inherit most of its data instead of interpolating) (4)
  

• Improved “Force Destination Weather Zone” feature to simply always copy/clone destination weather without any interpolation logic if the destination station includes full surface information (4)
  

• Improved AS2012 DWC wind variability simulation for more realistic wind direction changes between approximately 4500AGL and 1500AGL – below 1500AGL FSX/P3D native variable wind depiction becomes active (2)
  

• Improved DWC depiction process for better cloud coverages (4)
  

• Increased speed and smoothness of visibility transitions (Visibility graduation and smoothing feature) (2)
  

• Slightly increased speed/smoothness of wind transitions (DWC depiction mode) (2)
  

• Default option changed for “Show in-Sim text messages” – now defaults to OFF (2)
  

• Default options changed for Prevent Cloud Redraws and Local Station Writes with DWC – now defaults to ON (4)
  

• Fixed problem with flight plan import not properly importing user-created waypoints (via FSX flight planner) (5)
  

• Fixed problem with hurricane data causing crashing (NullReferenceException) in some cases, when located within the hurricane area (1)
  

• Fixed problem with Flight Plan Import on waypoints/intersections using 0.000 Latitude/Longitude (1)
  

• Fixed problem with program crash when choosing the “Influence” button on sound items within the graphics item detail screen (1)
  

• Fixed problem in Smooth and Standard Mode depiction where closest station might not be properly updated with correct data, causing incorrect FS ATIS reports or improper cloud depiction (1)
  

• Fixed problem where conditions might not update properly throughout a flight in Smooth Cloud Transitions mode (1)
  

• Fixed locations of stations EGCN and EGSY in locally distributed data station database (1)
  

• Fixed problem with crash when clicking on map with stations enabled yet no stations are within visible range (1)
  

• Fixed problem when in Standard depiction mode and “Disable Winds Aloft” is checked where aloft winds would mirror surface winds – Now aloft winds are null in this condition (1)
  

• Fixed problem caused by some SSD devices causing re-activation issues (reactivation requests should now eventually stop after 1-2 new re-activations after installing this new update) (1)
  

• Fixed problem with XGauge Wizard failing to install XGauge into Carenado C208B (1)
  

• Fixed problem with “Prevent Thunderstorms with CB” option not working in some cases (1)
  

• Fixed problem with using historical weather where invalid date and/or “over 3000 stations ignored” message can appear when using some historical downloads (1)
  

• Fixed problem in Wx Edit screen where changing station ID without pressing “Reload Current” could result in weather editing/changes applied to the previous station, not the selected one (1)
  

• Fixed problem where “Start P3D” button might not correctly activate and/or be usable when using Prepar3D mode (2)
  

• Fixed problem where simulator running detection (station database edits, graphics theme installs, closing AS2012) would not proper identify Prepar3D in some cases (2)
  

• Fixed problem where temperature depiction could become erroneous due to bug in “Overcast Ceiling Enhancement” feature (3)
  

• Eliminated all use of “Trebuchet MS” font, as this font was being commonly uninstalled (erroneously – this is a standard Windows font) by other programs and causing program load failure of AS2012 (1)
  

• Eliminated station KBSM (decommissioned) from locally distributed database (existing users will need to manually disable/remove this station or update their data/download stations from the server using the Wx Options/Edit Station Database tab) in order to have this station ignored
  

One thing i would love to see in the future is White markings on the main runway look weathered. You guys seem to be able to do this with the taxiway lines, can this me done with the main

Will installation of this SP result in the need to regenerate previously generated snapshots or will they carry over?

Will installation of this SP result in the need to regenerate previously generated snapshots or will they carry over?

 

Everything will carry over with the exception of wx-influenced values for integrated graphics items (new format and new textures require new definitions). Your snapshots are safe!

 

One thing i would love to see in the future is White markings on the main runway look weathered. You guys seem to be able to do this with the taxiway lines, can this me done with the main

 

That's a good suggestion. I'm not sure it's within our capabilities but I will forward it to our graphics guru! If it's possible we'll definitely work on it. Thanks!

Great news, Damian. Thanks for the quick response.

Brilliant News there fingers crossed. I do understand FSX design alittle if they are able to change the default taxiway markings then i would imagine they will be able to alter the main

 

Be nice to see a grass texture section aswell because i know rex did one awhile ago and it really does make a difference

 

Steve

Great news, actually bought AS2012 earlier today in my quest to find the best wx engine for my use.

Great news, actually bought AS2012 earlier today in my quest to find the best wx engine for my use.

 

Then, I think you'll soon have your answer :-)

Damian, here you have my thanks and I look forware to seeing the new SP2 in action! Upload that file! ^_^

Upload that file! ^_^

 

+1 Really looking forward to this.

 

Thanks HIFI!

Can't wait!!

Installing AS2012 on my client laptop now. Opus wx disabled, so let's do some testing

Really looking forward to this! Upload Now! :lol:

Installing AS2012 on my client laptop now. Opus wx disabled, so let's do some testing

 

The first test should be to do a flight with OpusFSX in an area with varied weather and take some screen shots showing what you believe to be the advantages of Opus.

 

Second test is to do the same flight with AS2012 SP1 and historical weather set to the same time as the Opus flight. Screen shots to show differences between Active Sky and Opus. I suggest DWC, Prevent Cloud Redraws, Local Station Writes and an update interval of 10 minutes as well as a test with whatever your default settings are.

 

Third test is the same flight with AS2012 SP2 when it's installed, historical weather for the same time as the Opus flight, with screen shots. Try both the above settings and your preferred settings, and experiment with any new settings in SP2. Need the best screen shots from SP2 along with the settings you used, and screen shots of the worst cloud depictions in SP2 for comparison.

 

No one ever said testing was quick and easy.

 

I don't have Opus or this is exactly what I'd be doing.

 

Hook

It's live! Go get it at http://www.hifitechinc.com/Downloads