Release Notes - Active Sky Evolution SP3
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 23 August 2011 17:30
Active Sky Evolution
Revision Notes
IMPORTANT: Using certain antivirus and firewall/security software may cause ASE to lose rights when it is updated with this update package. You may need to provide rights to ASE again after the update.
NOTE: All updates are cumulative. The latest update will update ANY version of ASE to the most recent update listed below.
Service Pack 3:
- Reduced sensitivity of location change detection which was previously activating improperly while using the SLEW function, causing unnecessary resets and refreshes.
- Improved interpolation of precipitation types snow/rain, so that rain will not be improperly depicted when temperatures indicate freezing.
- Added new “Force ATC Wind Lock” option. When enabled, surface winds will not change, and ATC runway assignment conflicts should be avoided. The locked wind will be “reset” when you cross the 80nm threshold to your destination, if using a flightplan, or within 3000ft AGL of the surface otherwise, in order to allow the wind to update to the latest conditions before arrival, but only once.
- Fixed problem on server relating to 116 “lingering” stations that were providing stale aloft data.
- Fixed problem with aloft interpolation logic that would cause improper wind directions in some cases.
Service Pack 2:
- Implemented new messaging IPC facilities for 3rd parties to access internal AS weather information (see README.rtf for details).
- Implemented FSUIPC DWC data integration useful for programs like Radar Contact, so that RC ATIS reports will be accurate when using ASE’s DWC mode. Requires FSUIPC v4.633 or later (and WideClient v6.833 or later if using WideFS).
- Implemented new FS9 communications for improved weather write performance and reduction of cloud clearing/shift events using the Suppression system.
- Enabled automatic manipulation of suppression range to prevent FS9 cloud clearing in areas of fewer weather stations.
- Enhanced visibility smoothing and graduation for more gradual and realistic clearing of visibility during climb and descents.
- Added new weather depiction modes for FSX: Standard, Smooth Cloud Transitions and Direct Weather Control. Please see the section below on FSX Weather Depiction Modes for more information.
- Added FSX local suppression system for use with the Standard depiction mode.
- Added Ceiling Suppression feature (FS9 or FSX Standard Depiction Mode) to prevent write updates while airborne and BELOW the configured Suppression Ceiling. 2000ft is recommended for GA flights, 10000ft for Jet/Airliner flights.
- Fixed problem with Hurricane depiction (FSX) where some valid hurricanes would not generate.
- Fixed problem with potential duplicate Hurricanes (FSX) if source data was problematic.
- Fixed problem with Visibility Graduation and Smoothing option where upper visibility may inherit surface visibility incorrectly.
- Added new Graduation Ceiling option (used with Visibility Graduation and Smoothing) to specify the upper altitude where visibility should equal Maximum Upper Visibility. Specified in FT AGL, minimum 7000, maximum 90000.
- Adjusted cloud selection processes for better selection of cloud types at higher altitude.
- Tweaked terrain-based up and downdraft effects system for better results.
- Fixed problem where FSX used without DWC mode could result in failure of weather to update properly after a location change.
- Fixed problem of potential FS9 depiction issues if all cloud generation % option sliders were set to 0.
- Fixed problem where Historical weather could result in invalid weather data during the 1st or last day of a month.
- Fixed problem where Active date/time listed on user interface would not be correct if starting up in offline mode (without Automatic Downloads enabled).
- Improved generation logic for CAVOK, NO Data and Cirrus Cloud Generation features to more closely match option % settings (i.e. 20% will now mean there is only a 20% chance of clouds being generated).
- Redesigned the online license check and activation process to prevent re-activations when user changed network adapters, enabled/disabled wireless network adapters, plugged in USB drives or media, reformatted drives, or made other minor system changes. Users updating to SP2 will be required to perform a single re-activation (due to new identification processes) but this will only be required once after updating to SP2.
- Fixed problem with Refresh AI Aircraft button not working to reset AI in FS9, possibly related to changes in newer versions of FSUIPC.
- Fixed problem where ASE would not restart with last opened weather in online mode when the “Open” button was used.
New FSX Weather Depiction Modes:
ASE SP2 includes new selectable Weather Depiction Modes for FSX. The depiction mode is set via the General Options tab.
Each mode has certain advantages and disadvantages. The user should look at the recommendations below and perhaps try all three modes before decided on the best one for their needs.
Standard
Standard weather depiction mode uses normal SimConnect station-based weather writes and supports Range Suppression to reduce visual cloud changes (shifts) within your local view range. Recommended for best accuracy and consistency of weather depiction. May result in simulation stutters/pauses during weather writes (supports write suppression ceiling to prevent updates below a certain altitude). Supports Local Range Suppression to prevent changes of weather in the local area, which could cause visual cloud shifting.
Smooth Cloud Transitions
Smooth Cloud Transitions depiction mode uses enhanced SimConnect weather writes that supports transitional cloud depictions that change over a period of 30 seconds. May result in inconsistent weather parameters at locations other than departure area and in winds aloft. Recommended for short-range and local flights or where visual cloud smoothness is preferred over accuracy.
Direct Weather Control
Uses unique method of directly controlling ambient weather parameters resulting in the best balance of accuracy and smoothness of all weather especially aloft winds. May cause occasional S-Turning effect with with some 3rd party aircraft autopilot systems. Recommended for longer-range and airliner-style flights where winds aloft accuracy is important. Includes full real-time Wind, Visibility and Barometric Pressure Smoothing.
Notes:
The previously available option for Direct Wind Control has been eliminated for FSX mode. Activate DWC using the Direct Weather Control depiction mode.
For FSX, the Visibility Smoothing and Graduation option is now only available when in Direct Weather Control depiction mode.
Make sure you Apply/Save your option changes, followed by restarting ASE, to see new weather depiction modes properly take effect.
Service Pack 1:
- Fixed problem with Fog Layer Generation causing bad cloud layer synthesis and potential cloud pops, unexpected ISA conditions, baro and temp spikes (when enabled and visibility was less than 2SM).
- Fixed problem in installation where ASE SimConnect SP1 Only start menu item was not correctly installed.
- Fixed problem with Disabling of Data Stations (via Options/Edit Station Data) not properly ignoring weather data received from servers.
- Added message indicated that a restart of ASE may be required after saving station changes in order to depict such changes.
- Changed maximum time delay of station reports to 4 hours (versus 3) in triggering ignore of such data, so that some stations that do not report very often will still be used (instead of ignored and interpolated), as requested by users in certain areas of low reporting frequency.
- Fixed problem with Historical download feature not properly setting active time if LOCAL time was selected.
- Added “ASE weather updated…” message in FS each time a weather depiction update is completed (non FSX DWC mode only – note that DWC is always updating).
- Added “ASE new weather download complete…” message in FS each time a new weather download is completed.
- Added additional prevention techniques for FS-rendered high cumulus or stratus clouds above 25,000ft AGL.
- Fixed problem with FS9 Visibility Graduation and incorrect AGL data causing improper visibility rendering at higher altitude airports.
OUT OF MEMORY ERRORS WHEN ALTERING BOOT.INI MAXMEM SETTING
When a user has modified the MAXMEM setting in boot.ini beyond ideal parameters, out of memory errors can occur during certain processing steps of ASA (as well as other applications). Modification of MAXMEM is NOT recommended unless the user is very proficient and knowledgeable about windows memory usage and understands the potential consequences.
