Active Sky 2012 Service Pack 2 Released

[Damian Clark 1,260]

Active Sky 2012 SP2 has been released! This comprehensive upgrade to the #1 weather simulation engine for desktop flight simulation brings significant improvements in many areas, further increasing realism, enhancing visuals, and super-charging the overall weather experience.


New weather engine features include Overcast Ceiling Enhancement, In-Cloud Visibility Reduction, Default Options Profiles, Official Prepar3D support, and an overhauled "Direct Weather Control" depiction system that provides smooth transitions and better cloud coverage accuracy. Improvements are numerous and include better overall weather depiction and smoother transitions in all weather modes, updated station databases, increased tropical storm coverage, overhauled wx data network for better performance, and improved interpolation.


On the graphics side, tons of brand new graphics variants have been injected, and existing graphics were tweaked for better visuals and variety. Some of the new graphics include 59 cloud variations, 22 water wave variations, 74 taxiway variations, 40 runway variations and 20 new sky variations, all in extremely-high detail and focused on what users have been asking for. In addition, new SP2-based themes and new customization allowing items to be enabled or disabled from wx-influenced selections are provided.


Many fixes are also included, with adjustments and fine-tuning based on user feedback. All together, this represents the biggest service pack for Active Sky ever produced, creating the most advanced weather environment solution to date.


AS2012 SP2 is available free of charge to all existing AS2012 customers. To download the upgrade, please visit our downloads page.

 

For more information about Active Sky 2012, screenshots, or to purchase, please visit www.activesky2012.com.


Full Revision Log:

Active Sky 2012

Software Revision Log


SP2 – B4826 – 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

(6) Indicates changes to Public Beta 5 (B4783) from previous

(7) Indicates changes to Public Beta 6 (B4801) from previous

(8) Indicates changes to Release Candidate (B4815) from previous

(9) Indicates changes to SP2 Release (B4826) 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)

• New Station SEQM 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) (8)

• New save/recall persistence of last used Flight Plan “Speed” value (7)

• Added additional high performance wx data network server for more redundancy and better performance. (6)

• Added new Western Pacific tropical storm data coverage. (6)

• 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 wind layer turbulence generation for less turbulence overall at higher altitudes with default turbulence options (8)

• Adjusted Cirrus cloud generation for less chance of doubled/mirrored cirrus cloud effects and better balance of cirrus clouds depicted based on Cirrus Cloud Generation Percent option (7)

• Adjusted handling of failed downloads, so that if the very first download attempt fails, the program is automatically switched to offline mode and loads the last loaded weather – If a download attempt fails after a successful connection is initially established, the program will silently skip the download and retry every 30 minutes (7)

• 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)

• Changed ICAO ID FAJS to FAOR (JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT – changed in server fetch and default distribution (existing users must manually add FAOR station to data stations or update data station list from server to enable) (7)

• Fixed problem where some METAR reports with “BECMG” elements, or duplicate cloud layers could cause corrupt cloud layer information and temp/pressure depiction issues (9)

• Fixed problem editing the surface wind layer in Edit Wx screen which would result in an unhandled exception(9)

• Fixed problem where some cloud layer information could become corrupt and cause depiction failures and temperature spikes (7)

• Fixed problem with recent new airport/data stations and edits being automatically removed from server database (8)

• Fixed problem with Wx Config screen where editing the surface layer (via the edit layer button) would cause aloft wind layers to become corrupt (7)

• Fixed problem with XGaugeWizard installation of Xgauge in Quality Wings 757 panels causing problems with Landing View (6)

• Fixed problem with XGaugeWizard installation of Xgauge in Aerosoft Airbus X Extended Fallback panel variant(7)

• Fixed problem where entering lower case letters in station ID field of Wx Edit screen would result in cursor returning to first position automatically after 3 characters entered (now characters are automatically set upper case as you type them in, and the cursor maintains appropriate position) (7)

• Fixed problem where attempting to insert a wind layer below 3000ft was not properly validated and would cause an unhandled exception (layers below 3000ft are now prevented and a message is given) (7)

• Fixed problem where importing a flight plan would cause the saved/persistent flight plan speed to be discarded(7)

• Fixed problem where Voice Flightwatch (122.02) would play even if the Voice ATIS/Flightwatch option was not selected (7)

• 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

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
  • All Sky variations adjusted to prevent potential over-coloration in reduced visibility situations
  • 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

[738 73]

Superb, thanks HIFI!!

[stans 703]

Thanks for the heads up. :good:

[cptawsom 19]

I installed SP2 and everything is fine.

 

However, reading the changelog, I find in many places the following:

 

 

...(existing users must manually add station to data stations or update data station list from server to enable)...

 

How do I perform the action in bold?

 

There is no such option anywhere in the program's interface. And the new version of the manual does not cover this.

 

 

 

PS: Is this the "update file" button, mentioned in page 69 of the manual?

 

I don't have any "update file" button, just a "reload" button.

[Damian Clark 1,260]

Hi,

 

Updating the file is done by pressing to "reset to defaults" button.  First select the database with the dropdown combobox, then press the reset to defaults button.

[Emile 28]

Hi,

 

Updating the file is done by pressing to "reset to defaults" button.  First select the database with the dropdown combobox, then press the reset to defaults button.

Hello Damian,

But in that case I am loosing MY settings and MY options, no?

[cptawsom 19]

Hi,

 

Updating the file is done by pressing to "reset to defaults" button.  First select the database with the dropdown combobox, then press the reset to defaults button.

 

 

Thank you.

 

I will try it tomorrow.

 

However, the manual needs to be corrected at this specific point.

[Emile 28]

Hello Damian,

But in that case I am loosing MY settings and MY options, no?

Hello

? no response?

[Emile 28]

Hello,

Thanks SOLVED