OK guys, Beta-2 is a go -- please check your inboxes for the download link. As of this release all major features are complete; the next beta will include custom scenario editor and vessel dialog support, as well as any other cleanup needed before work begins on the flight manual for Beta-4.
Note: there are still some new mesh tweaks coming soon from Steve (new hover engine and retro rocket nozzles), which will be added in the next beta.
The most significant new feature in Beta-2 is XR payload support. Here is a list of changes in this release:
* Updated skins from Steve, including new lower hull textures. There is a scenario to demo each skin in the XR2Ravenstar\Skins directory:
AngelBlack
AngelBlue
AngelRed
AngelSilver
AngelWhite
Falcon
Prototype
RavenRed
RavenSilver
Stealth
* Adjusted the angle for the payload bay camera to look down into the bay more.
* Added new
CustomMainEngineSoundVolume config parameter to XR2RavenstarPrefs.cfg [C3PO’s request]. This will let those of you hearing audio callout distortion when the main engines are firing adjust the main engine volume to (hopefully) fix it:
Code:
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Set the volume level for the custom main engine sound.
#
# Note: this option is only applicable if 'EnableCustomMainEngineSound=1'.
#
# Valid volume levels are 0 (mute) to 255 (loudest).
#
# The default value is 255 (loudest).
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CustomMainEngineSoundVolume=255
* Reduced the size of the NAV lights [Steve’s request]
* Added new main exhaust texture from Steve.
* Added new XR2 payload containers using Steve's meshes and textures:
XR2PayloadCHM – Crew Habitat Module; latches only in slot #1
XR2PayloadLOX – Full LOX container
XR2PayloadLOX_Half – 1/2-full LOX container
XR2PayloadMainFuel – Naquadah fuel (for main/hover/RCS)
XR2PayloadSCRAMFuel – Tyllium SCRAM fuel (SCRAM engines only)
Some payload notes:
- LOX and fuel payload tanks may be latched only in slots 2 and 3.
- Any consumables tanks (main fuel/SCRAM fuel/LOX) attached in the bay will automatically supplement your ship’s supply, and your gauges will reflect the additional consumables.
- Bay tanks are drained
before internal tanks.
- If you attach a non-empty bay tank, fuel from the bay tank will fill the main tank.
- Each bay tank's fuel/LOX load is preserved in the scenario file.
- If you dump consumables from your ship with bay tanks attached, the bay tanks drain first.
- If you resupply consumables with bay tanks attached, the ship’s
internal tanks fill first and then any bay tanks.
- The hotkey for the payload editor is ALT-B (vs. ALT-P in the XR5) to make room for the engine gimbaling hotkeys. Of course, you can also use the payload editor button on the payload panel.
* Increased roll response by another 10% [Steve’s request]
* Added new XR payload config parameter named ‘GroundDeploymentAdjustment’ [Ryan’s request]:
; (OPTIONAL) Defines a delta to be applied to this vessel when it is deployed on the ground. This is useful
; when the payload vessel defines touchdown points that are below the ground when the vessel is deployed.
; For example, '0.0 2.0 0.0' would deploy the vessel to 2.0 meters *higher* than normal when this payload
; is deployed while landed.
;GroundDeploymentAdjustment = 0 0 0
Note that this new payload config parameter is supported by
all XR payload vessels, including XR5 payload. Support for this will be in the next XR5 release in addition to the XR2.
* Integrated new main engine nozzles, RCS jets, and fuel dump valves from Steve.
* Fixed angled RCS jet exhaust alignment on the nose.
* Added new ‘RequirePayloadBayFuelTanks’ config parameter [Steve’s request]:
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Defines whether payload bay fuel tanks are necessary in order to
# reach normal fuel capacity. Options are:
#
# 0 = No bay fuel tanks necessary to reach normal fuel capacity. (default)
# 1 = One MAIN fuel bay tank and one bay SCRAM fuel bay tank required to reach normal fuel capacity.
# 2 = Two MAIN fuel bay tanks and one bay SCRAM fuel bay tank required to reach normal fuel capacity.
#
# Fuel tanks may only be attached in bay slots 2 and 3. Note that with
# setting '2' you will not be able to reach normal capacities for both MAIN and SCRAM fuel
# simultaneously; in that case, you will need to either:
# a) Use two main fuel bay tanks and no SCRAM bay tank, in which case you will have
# 100% main fuel capacity and 0% SCRAM fuel capacity.
# ...or...
# b) Use one main and one SCRAM fuel bay tank, in which case you will have 75% main fuel capacity
# and 100% SCRAM fuel capacity.
#
# This setting is designed for advanced pilots who want the added challenge of having to
# use payload bay fuel tanks in order to reach normal fuel capacity.
#
# Internally, here is what each setting does:
#
# 0 = Internal fuel tanks are sized at 100% of normal capacity. (default)
# 1 = There is no internal SCRAM tank, and main tanks are sized to only 75% of normal capacity.
# 2 = There is no internal SCRAM tank, and main tanks are sized to only 50% of normal capacity.
#
# The default value is 0 (no bay tanks required).
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
RequirePayloadBayFuelTanks=0
* The CHM (
Crew Habitat Module) payload is now attached in all default XR2 scenarios.
* Added new ascent-to-ISS scenarios so users can practice every phase of an ISS rendezvous mission. Note: although takeoff is in daylight, the docking scenario is a night docking, so you may want to increase your
ambient light level setting in the Orbiter Launchpad to 80 or so. If you want to see the XR2 and ISS in sunlight, load up the new
In orbit, undocked from ISS scenario.
Happy flying! :beach: