Jump to content

tkyler

IXEG
  • Posts

    2,812
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    564

Posts posted by tkyler

  1. 1 hour ago, cmbaviator said:

    how to know when an update has been released ?

    As @Pils mentioned above, email/forum post from X-Aviation is the 'official' way.

    Soon though, we'll be putting up web based info, similar to the MU2...and the version listed at the top will be the most current version released.  We won't change that version # until the actual release.  Usually we synchronize updating the online info with the release itself, its part of our deploy checklist.

    So if you wake up one day, wondering if you've missed a release, you can check your version in X-Plane (use the 'Customize' button inside X-Plane to see the version)...and compare that against the version listed at the top of the (soon to be posted) docs.  It will look like so when posted:

    image.png

    So the current version listed inside X-Plane is now "1.5"....and that screenshot above shows what it will be when we make the next release and this info is put online.  

    So just another way of checking versions.

    -Tom

    • Like 3
  2. I did not do the original openGL...and I have never, not once, touched the code for the EFIS displays.   Certainly I will investigate.  We are seeing openGL funnies we haven't seen in the past.  I believe Laminar have "tightened up" some of their requirements for us devs using openGL and this could have some influence.

    Now a little "insider info" for those here.   For a while now, I've been setting myself up to work on XP full time and its' been a long road to get to this point, getting everything up date and redone for XP12.....BUT there's still a little bit further to go with  regards to code infrastructure.

    I liken where we are now to a remodeling project in a crowded downtown.....so for example, you may work in some building that's getting remodeled and there is scaffolding all over the place, but the building continues to "operate".   We want to make that operation as normal as possible of course, but while folks use the IXEG...we're changing lots of stuff under the hood to be more lean and "future proof".   This whole "Level-2" activation issue folks are seeing is part of an interim technology..much like scaffoling...and won't be around forever.  We are trying to make this rework as transparent to the end users as possible while we  demolish / cut / retool / remodel code under the hood.

    A big part of this work will be the graphics code.  With the 717 waiting in the wings....with six EFIS displays...EFIS graphics are a big deal now.  SO...I'll just say that we're knocking heads with folks from Real Sim Gear and also Saso/Totoriko, to make sure we have modern tech/methods and we can move all these products well into the future.

    As far as this HSI thing....I'll be looking at it for sure.

    -TomK

     

    • Like 3
  3. 1 hour ago, rafalec said:

    It's simply unacceptable that a fix isn't published after 3 days. I am really disappointed with the way Ixeg treats its customers.

    @rafalec I'm responding since you've singled out IXEG in this case.  As Cameron pointed out through my previous posting, there were extenuating circumstances here that were not the norm......and we ourselves join you in the frustration.  We will work diligently to restore your disposition towards us and hopefuly get you back simming in the IXEG as rapidly as possible.

    -TomK 

  4. So....good example of why this port to XP12 is a pain. ..and this is just one of a lot.

    Went over this for a long while yesterday and just had trouble trying to code around it.  Took it directly to Laminar and sure enough, the acceleration ramp between lightoff and idle is simply inaccurate.  The acceleration curve shape between lightoff and idle is hard coded and not tweakable via PM.  Below is the N2 ramp for the default 738 (which has the same problem).  This is Laminar's own data of N2 vs. time (but my overlay comments).   You can see the very rapid rise of N2 after lightoff...getting to within 80% of idle in a few seconds.

    So you may ask, "well why don't you custom code it"...and we do to some extent, but there is a limit.  Some parameters, if we decide to override, means its all or nothing.  So if we  "override the engines" for example..then we have to write the entire engine model for all regimes and that is almost a product in and of itself.  Besides, Laminar's model is mature and pretty good...no need to reinvent the wheel.....to me this is simply a "plane-maker design issue"  oversight.  A  'coefficient' should have been provided (and is what I'm lobbying for) to shape this curve...like a lot of curves in PM can be shaped.  

    The good news is its official, we're filing a ticket to Austin.  Also good news (but not perfect) is I've coded a workaround for the next patch to get us through.....because I'm sure it'll be some time before the next update to XP comes out with this fix.  The limitation on my patch will be "don't mess with a running engine while the other one is starting".  If you do, then the starting engine will exhibit this "rapid rise" behavior somewhat. ...but many folks may not notice it.

    and these kinds of sweeping modeling changes are all over the place, and have really wreaked havoc with the accuracy of our performance.  BUT....we're working on that too now.

    TK

     

    image.png

    • Like 7
  5. 1 hour ago, S3rg1o said:

    simbrief integration, are you planning on adding it?

    Given evernthing else no...but I've added it to my list of things to look at.   We'll be migrating to a documentation format similar to my MU2.  In that, I keep a section of bugs, todos, wanted things and such.  Some items stay on that list a long time, but at least you'll know whats in our heads.  It will look like so (see MU2 example link below)...and when deployed, you'll see your request reflected on that list.

    http://www.togasim.com/mu2docs/supplements/bug_tracker_201.html

  6. 1 hour ago, hermannk1 said:

    "pensioners got lots of time"

    I can not WAIT to get there!  Me and the wife used to live in a seaside town with lots of "snowbirds", folks who'd come down for the winter and drive horribly slow.  I said then,  " I can't wait till I can do that and enjoy it"

    TK

    • Like 2
  7. 18 minutes ago, Lonnie said:

    Thank You TKLER, That Is A Very Nice Presentation For The Updated 737 Classic..

    You're welcome.  we wanted to have this up and running prior....but in the heat of battle,  it slipped through.  Hopefully when this 'infrastructure remodel" thing is done,  information will be more cohesive and intuitive to find.   Eventually we'll have a more comprehensive docs section for the IXEG similar to the MU2 (example below)

    http://www.togasim.com/mu2docs/

    -TomK

  8. 5 hours ago, hermannk1 said:

    Does that mean a new paint kit as well.

    Yes it will, though we will probably continue to provide the one avail now in parallel.  So you'd have two ACF files...where the only difference will be the exterior objects.

    I expect we'll paint up the same liveries we do now, in high rez form, but of course new ones will have to be created for other liveries.  This is probably annoying for "livery consumers" and great news for "livery painters" :)   

    -Tom

    • Like 2
  9. 7 hours ago, Splash said:

    I am speaking out as I see it. Please watch the last stream from Q8 Pilot, he shares similar sentiments.

    if cut/paste is the way you and Osamah you see it...then I think you guys may need some glasses...or better ones (see screenshot....if you can :P )  Seriously..just some good natured ribbing.

    What's really going on here is,  "ok, yes you clearly did a LOT of work on that cabin Tom, but I don't care about the cabin at all..so it might as well be the same thing..what about the stuff I want?...holds, a virtual FBO...animated passengers".    .....and that perspective @Splash is OK with me.  I get it, I really do.

    We know what will get said before it gets said. ..this isn't our first rodeo.   Osamah isn't telling us anything we don't know...he's basically telling us he wished there was something new, but we were quite clear this "port" wouldn't have much new that you could see.  Oh there's a ton of new stuff for sure...but its under the hood where you can't see it and indeed you guys may not see the benfits of that for a time yet.  But there are a lot of customers who can and do still enjoy it while we improve it. ..and that's why we do this.

    But therein lies our path, to leverage this work we know is important and start working towards those things we know you want.  Things we knew you'd want long before Osamah or flightdeck2sim said it.

    Jan said it well...we hope you join in when you finally do see what you like.  

    Tom

     

    compare.png

     

    • Like 3
  10. 2 hours ago, N452MK said:

    soooooooooooo any update on the license issue? 3 days now with the plane and not able to fly it.... no answer on the ticket either, I supported ixeg back in 2021 but now im a little disappointed, not good....

    This isnt' the kind of thing I'd normally throw out there....I don't like excuses, but there is some behind the scenes info on whats going on time wise. ...and I know how hard the team is working despite the circumstances.

    We had planned the release earlier, when everyone was avail to support, but my elderly mother had a AAA (Aortic aneurism) a short while ago and I had to bolt out of town for the emergency, and this delayed the release.   I don't want sympathies or well wishes here or in PMs, please keep those to yourself.....that's not what this post is for.

    This delay pushed the release back a bit.....to this weekend where some of our team are out of town (one out of country) for events with their families they scheduled months ago...and unable to work efficiently as they'd like.  They're trying the best they can..and we're trying to get back together as fast  as possible so we can get on with the business of improving the IXEG. We'll be hitting this hard tomorrow as well.  We are fully committed to getting everyone up and running.

    This post is simply to let folks know that "life happened" to us these past few weeks and we're not just ignoring folks or don't care, or have lowered our standards.  

    With all that said, I'll be hammering away all week on the things I can control.  The other team members will continue as well and we'll be running on all cylinders again very shortly.

    TomK

    • Like 8
  11. 51 minutes ago, Pils said:

    So we only really need it for the "Ready to Fly" state? That's understandable at least. If we use one of the other two as default state then it doesn't matter if the box is checked or not? Thanks.

    FYI @Pils....this release really is 'foundational' with an eye on moving forward.  Indeed we've had to strip out a few things to make way for more remodeling.

    Part of our roadmap is to not only focus on the aircraft proper, but also develop more informational resources, i.e. a web-based documentation system to augment the written stuff, similar to the MU2....so there will be an 'IXEG website' where we can put out this kind of information, documentation and other value added content for users to access.

    NOW...will folks read the stuff we provide then?   who knows :)  but we're going to be putting it out there anyhow.

    TomK

    • Like 4
  12. Your post is noted @daemotron

    Welcome to the world of Austin and (X-Plane evolution)

    For the longest time, the electrical system on XP was pretty vanilla, minimal busses, no switching.  SO us develoeprs wrote ALL this code to customize our electrical code.

    Then Austin starts ALIA...an electric vehicle.  NOW the electrical system in XPlane gets ALL this attention and next thing you know he's changing everything...our code starts having issues, new datarefs, new switching, etc.   So we now have to re-evaluate the entire X-Plane system because we never know how far Austin's simulation goes.....and this just takes time.

    There was two real challenges with the Mu2 electrical setup.  1)  The two radio busses...because Austin only had 1 Avionics bus and all radio functions were tied to that one switch....and 2) The emergency bus, which kills very specific functions.   I had lots of code to handle all this before XP had more than 2 electrical busses....and so to just start using more of XP and less of my code, I have to audit a whole lot of code and do a whole lot of testing and experimenting with XP and even then...I may find something with Austin's model that doesn't work.

    For example, for the longest time (and still may not be implemented),  you could not have a simple 3 bus setup (left - Main - right) and isolate the left/right busses.  In that little example, (imagine the dashes being bus ties)...but XP only has ONE bus tie...and when activated, it connects ALL the busses in X-Plane. This is a HUGE headache working around and I know Jim with Laminar (replaced me back in 2012) just recently begged the systems team to fix this...as he's working on the Airbus stuff for Laminar and can't even isolate busses.  Simulating busses and switching is easy...the problem is all the downstream things X-Plane drives off of default XP bus values.  Things we can't code...like the radio functions, or GPS, or generators...which feed even more functions downstream.  So we have this "line" where we have to stop, which is basically "bus is powered".  but with headaches like the bus ties...well...*sigh.  Its not uncommon to be approaching the work .... "well...lets try it this way"....nope...."how about this way".....nope...."A...U..S...T...I...N"!

    SO....this is what we deal with and its just a very long process to assess.

    Throw in "other developers who NEVER respond to your contact"....yea I'm talking to you Jean-Luc from RealityXP.....then it makes it tougher in cases like this.

    ANYWAY...enough blabbering.   as usual.....I'll come across this at some point and poke around and try an improvement.  My whole philosophy now with XP development is "steady as she goes".   XPlane is quite the niche market and hobby.....can't support big teams full time, so I'll just try my best to be that tortoise and keep going :)

    thx for your poking around though @daemotron I do log these posts and when I address them I go back over them thoroughly.

    Thx again!

    Tom

    • Like 1
  13. Yes....there are plans to do the air stairs.  The IXEG roadmap includes a new 3D exterior and when doing that, I'll put in the air stairs.  

    Heads up...it'll probably be mid-fall 2024!  before that part of the roadmap is getting implemented.

    -Tom

    • Like 1
  14. What we have so far......or the 'clues' we have so far rather......suggest that in each of these cases, something is blocking our plugin from getting on the network and communicating with XA servers.  This could be another plugin (as in the case of @haraldh above) ...or a firewall config....an ad-blocker, etc.   If we can isolate further and code around it, we certainly will....but not all plugins play nice in the X-Plane sandbox.  We're trying to isolate some commonalities between cases and still collecting datapoints from some users helping out, so we're sorting through it.   Everybody helping out is spread all over the world though :P   but we'll get through this quickly.

    -TK

     

    • Like 3
  15. without a doubt the focus has been covering a broad ranges of areas to get to this point.......so everything got looked out in a cursory level,  including the performance.   We will naturally turn towards "realism" here shortly, in as many areas as we can.  I do hope we don't end up fighting X-Plane too much.  Thanks for the support, we're very much looking forward to sinking more effort into getting this optimal.

    -TomK

    • Like 1
  16. This is a long-standing conversation that is difficult to have resolution on IMO...i.e. "feel".  When you talk about the 'feel' of an aircraft relative to your inputs...that is subjective.  and when you start messing with sensitivities and response curves of the hardware, you're entering the realm of "infinite possiblilities", I mean just randomly dragging curves "about right there"?....that's a tough unit of measure to capture data on.  Its difficult for sure.  I mean...Jan's also flown 733s...  about 5000 hours worth...and he thought it felt as he remembered.  SO...???   Cpt.Blackbox perspective?   or Jans?    You can see why this is such a subjective topic?

    BUT........this is XP12 and things ARE different for sure.    Last time we did the flight model (xp10/11), we had oh...several years of dev on a pretty stable flight model.  Austin made a bunch of changes since then with his foray into ALIA, so its not out of the realm of possibility...and we don't want to work on this several years.

    So...here's the way this will probably go down.  ....I've made a note of this in our log BTW

    Given the number of IXEG customers, it was important for us to get this going in XP12 at a workable level..not a small job to even get to this point.    Many customers do enjoy casual "airlining", rather than the really hardcore stuff, so lots of folks are happy to get airborne.

    So next...after we get through the obvious release bugaboos first...then we hit all the low-hanging fruit (wipers / knob...etc).....after that....then we revisit the performance! and FMS.  This will be a long phase probably.  Lots of coding...lots of flight testing.  We'll certainly focus on it in its course.

    -TomK

     

×
×
  • Create New...