6 hours ago, DrHotwing1 said:

As we continue to keep things flowing in a positive fashion, further improvements will be coming to the downloads section of the official Aerofly FS2 forum. We are currently using a forum thread to share user created content

Jeff, please consider adding export support for Blender. Many freeware and indie developers simply can't afford the extortionate fees required to use 3DS Max, and I think if you add this, you will see more interest from freeware and small developers making airports (and bringing more users to the sim). I'm amazed that Blender doesn't get more attention these days in the games industry, it's an incredibly powerful piece of software, and completely free :). I'm really keen to try out porting one of my X-Plane airports to AFS, but without an exporter, I'm stuck.

At a minimum, perhaps simply a command-line utility to convert Wavefront obj files to aerofly models and textures would be useful, and would allow devs to use whichever 3D software they please. 

7 hours ago, tonywob said:

Jeff, please consider adding export support for Blender. Many freeware and indie developers simply can't afford the extortionate fees required to use 3DS Max, and I think if you add this, you will see more interest from freeware and small developers making airports (and bringing more users to the sim). I'm amazed that Blender doesn't get more attention these days in the games industry, it's an incredibly powerful piece of software, and completely free :). I'm really keen to try out porting one of my X-Plane airports to AFS, but without an exporter, I'm stuck.

At a minimum, perhaps simply a command-line utility to convert Wavefront obj files to aerofly models and textures would be useful, and would allow devs to use whichever 3D software they please. 

This is a valid request for sure. I'll see what can be done here. I agree with you about using Blender. There are alternatives to 3DS Max currently supported, including AC3D, which is a (free for 30 days) nominal cost alternative and it works well. There are also tutorials dedicated to this suite also. 

Jeff

 

To continue with "getting to know the team"; Did you ever wonder who is setting up those wonderful AAA quality default aircraft and programming all of the complex systems in those aircraft ? Well look no further. Here are the two very talented individuals behind the scenes giving you those wonderful aircraft that you see in Aerofly FS2.

Jan-Handrik Hanuschik (top images) and Andreas Preissler (bottom image)

 

Happy Friday fellow simmers:

Here is a bug update for you.

A lot of work is being done to improve the shimmering houses/buildings noticed by some users out there around densely populated areas, especially LOWI. I'm pleased to inform you that in the latest developers build this has been greatly improved. Also improved is the night lighting where some have noticed flickering lights. The scenes look much nicer now and the lights appear much more realistic as well. 

There is a little bit more work left to do before you see this fix arrive but I wanted to let you know that a fix is on the way and it was a priority to get this resolved.

While we are on the subject of scenery, I want to introduce you to another IPACS team member, the wizard of IPACS scenery and model creation, Michael Hochgraef.

 

 

Progress Update!

Just to give everyone an update regarding the next update. After what should be one of the final rounds of testing it looks like an update is heading your way next week.

In this update, you will see a core version update to Aerofly FS2 that will give you fixes to the following bugs;

* Shimmering buildings/houses in densely populated areas, especially in the LOWI (ORBX) scenery

* flickering night knighting; further improvements have been made to the night lighting. This update not only fixes the flickering lights but makes the entire scene more realistic flying at night.

* The core update also upgrades the advanced autopilot systems  to improve functionality across all aircraft that use advanced autopilot. A lot of work was done to improve this system (A320, B737, B747, C90Gtx, Lj45 and now the Q400. The Cessna 172 and Baron B58 autopilot is unchanged).

* The function to add a custom user folder has been added:

You can now define a custom user folder by adding your location to the field: <[string8][extra_user_folder][]> located within the main.mcf file. The location can be defined by placing it within the brackets of the command and saved.

For defining a custom scenery location the location must contain the sub-folder “scenery”. This will give you the ability to place your custom scenery in a location other than the documents folder located on the root drive. This will allow for Aerofly FS2 to scan for any image files in that location.

You can basically define any new hard drive location between the [] brackets. You can also add any subfolder that is inside of your user\documents\Aerofly folder into this new location and Aerofly FS2 will scan that location for scenery, aircraft repaints, etc.

This will allow for users with smaller root drives (where your documents folder resides) to place their scenery, airports, repaint etc. to a different hard drive.

 

* Last but not least the Dash 8 Q400 will be added to the Aerofly FS2 aircraft library. This new aircraft is a free upgrade and will be added as a DLC separate from the core update. The Q400 has been anticipated for quite some time now and the wait is over! This aircraft has much greater functionality over any previous aircraft and is truly a AAA quality aircraft that users will quickly deem as the best yet. Look for a detailed report directly from Jan (lead aircraft setter upper) on all of the new systems and functionality shortly after its debut.

 

As you can see, this is a much anticipated update that has a lot of new features and functionality, . A lot of work went into getting this out to you, and we are pleased to say that it's on short final.

 

As always thank you for our support and patience.

.

On 7/23/2017 at 1:00 PM, DrHotwing1 said:

Progress Update!

Just to give everyone an update regarding the next update. After what should be one of the final rounds of testing it looks like an update is heading your way next week.

In this update, you will see a core version update to Aerofly FS2 that will give you fixes to the following bugs;

* Shimmering buildings/houses in densely populated areas, especially in the LOWI (ORBX) scenery

* flickering night knighting; further improvements have been made to the night lighting. This update not only fixes the flickering lights but makes the entire scene more realistic flying at night.

* The core update also upgrades the advanced autopilot systems  to improve functionality across all aircraft that use advanced autopilot. A lot of work was done to improve this system (A320, B737, B747, C90Gtx, Lj45 and now the Q400. The Cessna 172 and Baron B58 autopilot is unchanged).

* The function to add a custom user folder has been added:

You can now define a custom user folder by adding your location to the field: <[string8][extra_user_folder][]> located within the main.mcf file. The location can be defined by placing it within the brackets of the command and saved.

For defining a custom scenery location the location must contain the sub-folder “scenery”. This will give you the ability to place your custom scenery in a location other than the documents folder located on the root drive. This will allow for Aerofly FS2 to scan for any image files in that location.

You can basically define any new hard drive location between the [] brackets. You can also add any subfolder that is inside of your user\documents\Aerofly folder into this new location and Aerofly FS2 will scan that location for scenery, aircraft repaints, etc.

This will allow for users with smaller root drives (where your documents folder resides) to place their scenery, airports, repaint etc. to a different hard drive.

 

* Last but not least the Dash 8 Q400 will be added to the Aerofly FS2 aircraft library. This new aircraft is a free upgrade and will be added as a DLC separate from the core update. The Q400 has been anticipated for quite some time now and the wait is over! This aircraft has much greater functionality over any previous aircraft and is truly a AAA quality aircraft that users will quickly deem as the best yet. Look for a detailed report directly from Jan (lead aircraft setter upper) on all of the new systems and functionality shortly after its debut.

 

As you can see, this is a much anticipated update that has a lot of new features and functionality, . A lot of work went into getting this out to you, and we are pleased to say that it's on short final.

 

As always thank you for our support and patience.

.

Can't wait!  Thank you !

Ses

 

Q400 Aircraft and Major Update Released Today!

 

The time has come for the release of the Dash 8 Q400 aircraft and we are as excited as you are for its debut. A lot of work has gone into this aircraft and the result has allowed for additional functionality not only in the Q400 but for any other aircraft that utilizes advanced autopilot features.

The Q400 is released as a free DLC, so be sure to look out for that. There is also an update to the Aerofly FS2 core engine.

 

Now for the good stuff! Let's begin with a summary of what has been added to this update:

• Updates to the advanced autopilot systems seen in the A320, B737, B747, C90Gtx, Lj45 and now the Q400.

• Fixes to the shimmering buildings and houses seen by some users

• Improvements to the night lighting and a fix to the flickering lights seen at night.

• The ability to now define a user folder in a new location/drive.

• Overhauled auto thrust system

• Added FMS features to the navigation displays of all airliners; example, top of descent, vertical and lateral deviation from flight plan.

• Added crew alerting system (CAS) added to LJ45 and B747 with takeoff configuration warnings, autopilot and auto-throttle disconnect warnings

• Improved the fly by wire of the A320 (this is still a work in progress)

• Modernized A320 displays; more realistic look and greatly increased functionality

• Adjusted flight models

• Updated controls

• added auto-throttle disconnect

 

Now let's take a look at the Dash 8 Q400;

• Liveries; Austrian Airlines, Canada Express, Flybe, Horizon Alaska, Celebration and Green, Sata, and SkyWork

• full rigidbody simulation of the fuselage, wings, stabilizers, gear and propeller (customary for all Aerofly FS 2 aircraft) with accurate flight model which is fairly close to real world numbers during climb, cruise and descent

• simulated prop wash effects on wing, gyroscopic effects of the large propellers which require a bit of trimming on pitch, yaw and roll axis when power changes

• custom engine physics for the PW150A turboprop engine using real world physics laws and no "lookup table" calculations

• realistic engine shut-down and preliminary failure of other systems with engine off

• engine start; physically accurate simulation with starter connected to high pressure shaft

• engine has realistic heat capacity and cools down when its off

• custom FADEC simulation

• new governor implementation

• custom rendering algorithm for all displays

• glass cockpit functionality

• ARCDU (audio radio control display unit)

• all clickspots have been prepared and are available; most switches already work but not all systems are modeled yet

• a lot of the push buttons are animated to give better feedback

• Updated sounds

 

There is a lot to be excited about. For a complete and impressive listing of all new features packed into this update visit the Change Log:https://www.aerofly.com/aerofly_fs_2/dokuwiki/doku.php/manual:early_access_changelog#section20170726

Also be sure to thank Jan, Marc, Andreas, and the rest of the IPACS team for the amount of work that they did to provide you with this feature packed update.

 

WOW!  That Hurts! ( for someone like me, with AEFS2 not presently installed, and not a lot of space left to do it ... )

Congratulations IPACS !!! Great work !

Sounds awesome! Can't wait to check it all out! 

17 minutes ago, jcomm said:

WOW!  That Hurts! ( for someone like me, with AEFS2 not presently installed, and not a lot of space left to do it ... )

Congratulations IPACS !!! Great work !

You lack patience, Grasshopper. 

1 minute ago, HiFlyer said:

You lack patience, Grasshopper. 

Tell us Devon, how does it look like, assuming you've already pushed it into your rig ?

5 minutes ago, jcomm said:

Tell us Devon, how does it look like, assuming you've already pushed it into your rig ?

I'll take some pics, assuming we don't get a flood before I get the chance.

 

6 hours ago, DrHotwing1 said:

 

Q400 Aircraft and Major Update Released Today!

 

The time has come for the release of the Dash 8 Q400 aircraft and we are as excited as you are for its debut. A lot of work has gone into this aircraft and the result has allowed for additional functionality not only in the Q400 but for any other aircraft that utilizes advanced autopilot features.

The Q400 is released as a free DLC, so be sure to look out for that. There is also an update to the Aerofly FS2 core engine.

 

Now for the good stuff! Let's begin with a summary of what has been added to this update:

• Updates to the advanced autopilot systems seen in the A320, B737, B747, C90Gtx, Lj45 and now the Q400.

• Fixes to the shimmering buildings and houses seen by some users

• Improvements to the night lighting and a fix to the flickering lights seen at night.

• The ability to now define a user folder in a new location/drive.

• Overhauled auto thrust system

• Added FMS features to the navigation displays of all airliners; example, top of descent, vertical and lateral deviation from flight plan.

• Added crew alerting system (CAS) added to LJ45 and B747 with takeoff configuration warnings, autopilot and auto-throttle disconnect warnings

• Improved the fly by wire of the A320 (this is still a work in progress)

• Modernized A320 displays; more realistic look and greatly increased functionality

• Adjusted flight models

• Updated controls

• added auto-throttle disconnect

 

Now let's take a look at the Dash 8 Q400;

• Liveries; Austrian Airlines, Canada Express, Flybe, Horizon Alaska, Celebration and Green, Sata, and SkyWork

• full rigidbody simulation of the fuselage, wings, stabilizers, gear and propeller (customary for all Aerofly FS 2 aircraft) with accurate flight model which is fairly close to real world numbers during climb, cruise and descent

• simulated prop wash effects on wing, gyroscopic effects of the large propellers which require a bit of trimming on pitch, yaw and roll axis when power changes

• custom engine physics for the PW150A turboprop engine using real world physics laws and no "lookup table" calculations

• realistic engine shut-down and preliminary failure of other systems with engine off

• engine start; physically accurate simulation with starter connected to high pressure shaft

• engine has realistic heat capacity and cools down when its off

• custom FADEC simulation

• new governor implementation

• custom rendering algorithm for all displays

• glass cockpit functionality

• ARCDU (audio radio control display unit)

• all clickspots have been prepared and are available; most switches already work but not all systems are modeled yet

• a lot of the push buttons are animated to give better feedback

• Updated sounds

 

There is a lot to be excited about. For a complete and impressive listing of all new features packed into this update visit the Change Log:https://www.aerofly.com/aerofly_fs_2/dokuwiki/doku.php/manual:early_access_changelog#section20170726

Also be sure to thank Jan, Marc, Andreas, and the rest of the IPACS team for the amount of work that they did to provide you with this feature packed update.

 

THANK YOU!  Rotated out of KOAK with the new bird......and then did a flight check around the Bay...landed back at Oakland.   THANK YOU!   Wow.....   

Mitch

Small Update Released Today.

Following the large update yesterday and the release of the Q400, work has begun to fix some of the small bugs found.

-For the Geoconvert tool; a small fix was made to the stripes seen around the scenery borders (This fix was on the Aerofly side and not the tool side).

-A small fix to the air-brake function assignment was done (You may need to re-assign the air-brake in the controller assignment)

-An update to the SDK Tools and the DR400 Workshop was released; it is required to download the DR400 workshop and the new tools to fix the DR400. existing DR400 users will see an error in Aerofly if using an old DR400.

 

Thank you for your continued support.

Following the latest update we are back to work, well some of us are anyway; Torsten is on his vacation. But that doesn't stop production here at IPACS. During Torsten's well deserved break we are currently working on some tutorials, many that is. The Aerofly FS 2 Wiki will host some new tutorials designed for beginners and advanced pilots alike. Just check out the ' Aerofly FS 2 Aircraft Information' section for updated information.

Also, just because a big update was just released, don't think that the flight bag is empty, IPACS is hard at work putting together the next round of features and updates for you to enjoy; ATC development is going strong, some smaller but important features are being "logged" , expect improvements to the geoconvert tool, and for all of you developers out there better tools for your toolbox. 

Want more? Be sure to check back often for more news from under the hood. 

 

PS, With such an overwhelming response from users regarding the geoconvert tool, we have been hearing more and more of the phrase "Have you geoconverted today?"