OpusFSI Release Version 5.22.5 Available

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Release Version 5.10.00 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.ht

Release version marking the end of the version 5 prototype and trial period.

Both OpusFSI_v5 Flight1 and Upgrade Purchase.exe wrapper files are now available.

The OpusFSI_v5_Flight1_Purchase.exe wrapper is only applicable to people wishing to purchase the v5 software or re activate a current v5 installation.

The OpusFSI_v5_Upgrade_Purchase.exe wrapper is only applicable to licensed version 4 users wishing to purchase the v4 to v5 upgrade.

If you are a current OpusFSI_v5 (version 5) licensed user, simply use the OpusFSI v5 Demo/Upgrade link further down the Downloads page and install the downloaded OpusFSI_v5.msi file.

This release version is a mandatory (free) upgrade for all current licensed v5 users. All previous OpusFSI Versions 5.0 software will soon be invalidated. The previous 5.0 software allowed licensed version 4 users to try out the new v5 product during a prototype and trial period. This period is now coming to an end and an upgrade option has been provided for all version 4 users.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Release Version 5.10.1 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

The 15 minute Demo mode is now available. All previous 5.00.xx versions are now invalidated marking the end of the prototype and trial period. Licenced version 5 users still using the 5.00 software must upgrade via our OpusFSI v5 Demo/Upgrade link on our Downloads page.
http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/OpusFSI_v5.msi

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.10.2 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Added a P3D4 program argument which at the moment is equivalent to the P3D and P3D34 arguments. The FSICLIENT start up program now processes the NONE argument to force 'No Connection' mode and activate the dotNet 4 P3DCLIENT.EXE client program.

Weather updates will no longer force a view mode change unless an OpusFSI Observer View is selected on the display. This means all Observer type views should be defined and selected through OpusFSI.

Corrected a problem to ensure correct pressure (surface QNH) stabilisation during weather updates.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.10.3 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

The server program's Spy window now notifies users if a new Beta or Release version is available.

Slight modifications to account for the release of FSUIPC5 for P3Dv4. Previous version will work Ok but report connected to FSUIPC4.

The sim version in the P3DSERVER and P3DCLIENT programs is now automatically set to 3 or 4 depending on the user supplied program argument.

All installation files (OpusFSI_v5.msi and OpusFSI_v5xx_Beta.msi files) are now built for x64 (64-bit) systems. A 32-bit variant for anyone using 32-bit Windows can be made available on request.

Regards
Stephen

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.10.4 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Corrected problems accessing P3Dv4 SimObject folders and detecting P3Dv4 docked windows. Added support for a future OpusFSI PDK Interface for the new 64-bit P3Dv4 PDK.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Release Version 5.10.6 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Release version.

Problem in FSICLIENT software preventing connection to FSUIPC5 with P3Dv4 corrected.

Modified interpretation of AS turbulence and in-cloud boolean states via the OpusAS Interface (not P3Dv4 compatible). Data is now used solely to determine turbulent motions with the strength adjusted dependent on elevation.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Release Version 5.10.7 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Release version.

Corrected problem with 'Actual' determination for the Destination weather.

Regards
Stephen

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.10.8 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Corrected a problem Importing v4 format Camera Definition Files (CDFs) when operating in FSX sim mode.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.20.0 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Corrected a problem with the ButtKicker turbulence audio control. The default BK turbulence and turbulent bump settings have also been modified so users may need open the BK Options dialog and re-assign Master Volume Defaults if their Master Volume has been reduced from 100%.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Release Version 5.20.1 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Release version.

The 'Enable Prepar3D PDK Interface' option within the Configure dialog is automatically disabled whenever the 'Prepar3D Version' is set to 4.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.20.2 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

The OpusFSI Volumetric Fog setting is only adjusted automatically if the server can read the Prepar3D.CFG file in the user's AppData Roaming Prepar3D vX folder.

The Max Upper Visibility Limit can now be specified as a value between 80km (50 miles) and 240km (150 miles). A checkbox is provided to enabled/disabled the reducing effect, when disabled the Upper Limit will be set to 0, all values less than 80km will disable the effect. This effect can be adjusted to match the Max Cloud Draw Distance within the sim's Weather settings. Note, changing the setting mid-flight may not have much of an effect if users have the OpusFSI Visibility Smoothing enabled.

The FSISERVER.EXE and FSICLIENT.EXE start up programs have been enhanced to accept an optional User CFG Filename as a program argument. This argument can be specified before or after the sim type argument. When specified the User CFG File will replace the current FSISERVER.CFG or FSICLIENT.CFG file. This option allows users to create various OpusFSI server and client configurations. The configurations can be specific to different sim versions for example, or different flight modes (e.g. the preferred weather options for VFR flying etc.). To create a new configuration simply edit the options in OpusFSI, quit OpusFSI, then copy/rename the current CFG file, finally append the name of your CFG file to the start up program.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.20.4 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

All form positioning now checks against the Windows 'virtual screen' size if that is reported larger than the Windows 'primary screen' width and height. The screen sizes (primary and Virtual) for your system are displayed in the initial Spy window information of the server programs. This beta is only intended for users with multiple scree...n systems.

Note, beta 5.20.3 only added improved diagnostic messages to the FSISERVER.log file.

Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.20.9 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

5.20.5

Corrected a problem handling the new Max Upper Visibility Limit in FSX and Steam sim modes.

Improved the Live Weather engines destination weather checks and included automatic correction procedures whenever the weather checks fail as a result of unknown conditions or anomalies within the sim. These faults usually occur when flying in very mountainous areas or when flying to small aerodromes, or both. These improvements can result in needing far fewer weather updates to ensure accurate weather conditions at your destination.

5.20.6

Added licence file information to the FSISERVER.log file content.

Reduced the frequency of any periodic weather refreshes needed to correct the destination weather inside the sim. No refreshes occur when the destination is more than 240km (150 miles) away. Within 240km (150 miles) the refresh frequency is set to a maximum of 10 minutes, this is reduced to 5 minutes once within 160km (100 miles) of the destination.

5.20.7

Corrected a problem with initialising the map position when any small footprint Wx Maps are displayed.

General improvements to the Dynamic Weather Theme (DWT) generation and injection.

Improved the Live Weather destination checks and weather injection procedures once within 256km (160 miles) of the destination. Destination weather checks and updates are automatically suspended when within 48km (30 miles) of the destination. The destination checks and actions no longer require full weather reloads, updates or refreshes and hence eliminate the resulting cloud shifts. Once within 256km (160 miles), and beyond 48km (30 miles), the destination weather is checked every 60 seconds until it is seen to be 'Actual', after which it is monitored every 5 minutes. If within range, the destination weather is always checked 10 seconds after any new full weather injection.

5.20.8

Modified the Dynamic Weather Theme generation and destination weather correction procedures to prevent excessive cloud shifts occurring in the previous beta.

5.20.9

Modified the destination check conditions and weather update pre-generation conditions. It is no longer possible for the destination weather checks to be disabled due to a pending weather update, nor is it possible for any weather update to be suspended within the software indefinitely. If an ideal time of update is not found within 3 minutes the update is initiated without further delay.

The Dynamic Weather Theme (DWT) size has been increased from 640 x 640 miles to cover an area of 800 x 800 miles. The maximum allowed weather update time and distance has been increased from 60 minutes and 320km (200 miles) up to 120 minutes and 320km (200 miles). The default weather update parameters are now set at 60 minutes and 240km (150 miles).

The 'Disable Destination Checks on Approach' option in the Weather dialog has now been changed to a 'Disable Update when Destination Actual' option. This new option will be implemented in a subsequent beta or release version.

Regards
Stephen

P.S.

We are now looking at implementing the above new Disable Update.. option, looking to implement a new layer of visibility smoothing within the weather theme (needed as the local P3D VF is rendered globally by the sim, hence will change suddenly), and seeing if the new Max Upper Visibility setting can be rendered more appropriately within P3D.

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Release Version 5.20.10 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Release version.

Price Reduction, Now Only $34.95 For Limited Period

The 'Disable Updates on Approach' weather option now resets any outstanding or new weather updates.

The 'Disable Update when Destination Actual' Weather Downloads option now inhibits all weather updates scheduled as a result of distance or timeout. This option does not prevent updates scheduled as a result of changing altitude zone or surface wind recovery (these are part of the wind stabilisation procedures).

Once enabled, the Max Upper Visibility Limit is now set to 240km instead of 160km. This option is disabled by default as it has the potential of destroying the sim's sunrise and sunset effects.

Inversion layers are now generally limited to below 7000 feet to minimise sudden 'lateral' visibility changes in the sim until such time as new wind/temp/pressure/visibility stabilisation procedures can be developed.

The Dynamic Weather Theme (DWT) size has been changed back to 640 x 640 miles. The maximum allowed weather update time and distance has been changed to 120 minutes and 240km (150 miles). The default weather update parameters are set at 60 minutes and 160km (100 miles). The previous increases have been removed after confirming the sim is not capable of storing any real weather at great distances.

Regards
Stephen :-)

[Opus Software 84]

OpusFSI Beta Version 5.21.0 is now available for download on our website.

Download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

The default weather update distance has been set at 80km to minimise cloud shifting, optimum setting to be determined with this beta series. The weather update distance may now range from 32km to 240km.

Improved Cloud and Visibility Smoothing procedures which are now effective over a larger area.

Added a temporary Enable Wind Stabilisation (Beta Test) checkbox option to the Weather dialog. This must be ticked prior to generating weather each time the OpusFSI server program is activated. Setting this option before flight, along with setting all defaults in all the weather related dialogs, will prepare the weather engine ready to test the new wind stabilisation method. This method eliminates the need for weather 'theme' updates during the altitude zone changes and forced surface wind recovery.

Added a new Global METAR Conditions checkbox and combobox option to the Weather dialog's METAR Import section. This new import option can be used to select and specify Global METAR conditions for use in the sim. The global conditions are specified in standard METAR form excluding the ICAO and Day/Time code at the start. In other words excluding the "ICAO DDHHMMZ" phrase at the start.

For example, the string 27004KT 2000 SCT042 04/01 Q1018 would specify a surface wind of 270 at 4 knots, visibility of 2000 metres, scattered cloud at 4200 feet, temperature 4, dew point 1, and a QNH of 1018mb.

DHM turbulence effects now factor in landing gear and spoiler positions.

The Spy window now indicates the Distance Since Last Update in km each time the weather cell data is displayed.

Live View Reminder...

On Live View systems with Live Weather enabled you MUST make sure all Options-General-Weather settings are identical in the server and all client systems. If you don't then the cloud formations and positions in the client(s) will not match the server system. For example, you must set the exact same Cloud Draw Distance and Cloud Coverage Density, Detailed Cloud settings etc.

Regards
Stephen :-)

Also see our Beta 5.21 SimForums topic,

http://www.simforums.com/forums/opusfsi-beta-5-21_topic59645.html