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MPL3D
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 Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:34 am Post subject: |
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Hey thanks, looking forward to see those videos 
| Quote: | | I'm trying to get a friend to buy this software as he has an interest in astronomy. We've discussed it and he's impressed but I think he is waiting for me to show him 1.2 first. |
Many thanks again for your efforts and support. Yes it is much better to wait for v1.2. Although it was our best at that moment, current version looks (and behaves) out of date.
| Quote: | | I was going to mention a feature suggestion for the future but I will create a new topic in the appropriate section for that. |
And three times thanks. We really appreciate all the feedback and new ideas, and yes, it is better in a different thread  |
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MPL3D
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| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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Already finished most of planned tasks. Currently packing the new media.
The production environment will be created next week, so you may expect a public version available in a couple of weeks. Release will happen just after a few final checkings.
Read more in the report http://www.mpl3d.com/Featuresv12.htm |
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MPL3D
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:17 am Post subject: |
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All media files have been packed and they result in 375 Mb 
On the bad side, it is the price for not developing the 'downloadable texture packs' feature.
On the good side, it is one single pack ready-to-go for maximum possible quality inside the program.
We have holded ourselves from including 8Mb textures for this version.
Taking into account that, for example, the Earth can use 4Mb textures for:
-Diffuse map
-Normal map
-Specular map
-Nigth map
-Cloud map
-Cloud normal map
-Cloud night map
As well as other textures that are smaller in size, as the atmospheric shader map (not 4Mb), I think that the increased download size can be justified.
Nevertheless, just hoping that it doesn't penalize the total amount of downloads. |
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GalaxyExplorer
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Joined: 08 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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Pleased to hear that  .
Even with a 2Mbps connection I still think it's a reasonable size for a download. I actually have 5Mbps so it's no problem for me. Of course, those still on dial-up may not want to try as well as those on wireless broadband set-ups ( my friend says his wireless broadband is much slower than what it should be ). Every customer counts though so it's good practice that you think of potential customers on slower connections. |
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MPL3D
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:00 am Post subject: |
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After solving some late integration issues, the production environment is stepping forward. It should be ready by next weekend.
After that happens, to produce the release version is a matter of days.
| Quote: | | those still on dial-up may not want to try as well as those on wireless broadband set-ups |
Indeed. This is a high percentage of internet users. The good thing is that time is on our side in this subject, as everyday more and more people have access to wide band connections.
One last question regarding to this, we are kind of hesitating if to include or not a new single song that is around 5Mb in size.
On one side 5 out of 375 is not that big deal, on the other side, well every Kb counts, and some could think that there is enough music already.
(From a project view, the time needed to include a new song is almost negligible.) What do you think, new song or not?  |
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GalaxyExplorer
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:16 am Post subject: |
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It's a tough one because of the points you raised. One extra song may not make much of a difference in terms of existing total download quota.
Dialup users who want to try/buy the software may not care too much about the extra 5Mb since they've already decided that the current download amount and time is fine.
an extra 5Mb would take about 15 minutes @5.5KB/s ?
Back in the day, to me, that would be worth an extra song providing that I wasn't paying the ISP by the minute  . Most dialup packages seem to be a monthly fixed subscription anyway. I don't really know about 3rd world countries though.
But, broadband users won't think twice.
A last resort could be to implement a music plug-in where users can download the extra track ( and future tracks ? ) afterwards if they choose. Maybe something similar for the larger textures that could be released as graphics plug-ins. I remember the developer of Orbiter did something like that. |
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MPL3D
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: |
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Good points
I think the program is richer with more media, besides it is a pity to have media that doesn't get any deserved use.
I think I'll try to include it if I have a little time for it.
| Quote: | | A last resort could be to implement a music plug-in where users can download the extra track ( and future tracks ? ) afterwards if they choose. Maybe something similar for the larger textures that could be released as graphics plug-ins. |
Yes indeed, that should be the future way. We haven't had enough time to develop that for this version, although it shouldn't take too long.
Also, I think that there should be a folder for custom songs, so the user can drop his/her songs and listen to what they want. |
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GalaxyExplorer
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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| MPL3D wrote: | | Also, I think that there should be a folder for custom songs, so the user can drop his/her songs and listen to what they want. |
That's a really good idea, there are many people out there that like to listen to their own songs when playing, for example, Eve online or some other game. I like listening to my music when playing certain games or browsing the web. I'm lucky because I can use winamp or even Windows Media Player to play those songs but I know it can be tricky with some games perfoming badly or not working properly when doing so. It may be a more efficient way to have the custom folder for playing songs directly in the player. |
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MPL3D
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:39 am Post subject: |
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As some may already know, the v1.2 Milky way has now a new look:
  
This represents the latest accepted galaxy structure. Using infrared images from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, scientists have discovered that the Milky Way's elegant spiral structure is dominated by just two arms wrapping off the ends of a central bar of stars. Previously, our galaxy was thought to possess four major arms.
A labeled image has been included, that will be seen if scientific data is on, and orbiting the galaxy:
Our sun lies near a small, partial arm called the Orion Arm, or Orion Spur, located between the Sagittarius and Perseus arms.
RA/Dec Grid, with 5000 ly radii, is turned on and can be seen in green centered in the Sun.
On the project side, the production environment is being finished. Some integration issues have been already dealt and, as a result of it, the starfield performance has been increased around a 40%.
Good news that spur us in this final stage  |
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MPL3D
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for all the delays, we keep on working hard to provide a fully polished version, and as bug free as possible.
The integration tests have revealed bottlenecks in the new starfield system and the solar system itself.
Those have been solved and it can be said that we are meeting our objectives, as v1.2 performs better than v1.1, around a 30%, even with higher quality settings.
So, still happy after all here. Just pending to include a couple of controls in the user GUI, part of the v1.2 update, that allow to execute the simulation using the windows desktop resolution, instead of being limited by the current resolution options.
The feature report keeps track of the latest advances http://www.mpl3d.com/Featuresv12.htm
Please be patient while we close all pending tasks. Thanks |
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