Print Page - Release: 19.0.0-RC1

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => FS2 Open Coding - The Source Code Project (SCP) => Topic started by: SirKnightly on August 29, 2019, 11:08:38 am

Title: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: SirKnightly on August 29, 2019, 11:08:38 am

It's finally here!

With this release we decided to drop the "3.Major_revision.Minor_revision" versioning scheme in favor of a year based scheme since the Major and Minor versions did not have much meaning anymore. Instead the scheme will now be "<year>.<number that is incremented every release>.0". The last 0 is still there because some of our systems expect that. It will be gone at some point.

Change log: (chronologically ordered)

Various OpenGL optimizations for better graphics performance:
- Animations now use texture arrays
- Model uniforms get sent to the GPU using uniform buffers for less overhead
- Various other, minor changes
After just 17 years, full Unicode text support! You can finally use non-ASCII characters without having to worry about special fonts and special characters. This is an opt-in mod flag.
Added various translation features for making it easier to only distribute one version of a mod which includes all languages.
OpenAL Soft is included by default in binary distributions of FSO now.
Added system for dynamically adding new SEXPs. With this a Lua script can expose functionality to the mission which can be used exactly the same as a standard SEXP with all the usual editing features in FRED.
Replaced Blinn-Phong BRDF with GGX BRDF
Added support for displaying decals on the surface of an object.
Refactored bitmap slot handling and removed the fixed upper limit on the number of bitmaps. No more bmpman corruption!
Exposed the movie player to the scripting API for advanced display features
Integrated support for the Discord Rich Presence API
Added new, markup based user interface system using libRocket.
Converted pilot files from custom binary format to JSON

Launchers, if you don't have one already:
All platforms: For every day use, we recommend Knossos (https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=94068.0), an integrated solution for downloading and launching mods.

Hidden Text: Alternative Launchers • Show

(http://scp.indiegames.us/img/windows-icon.png) Windows (32/64-bit)
Compiled by Appveyor (http://www.appveyor.com/) on Windows Server 2012 R2 64-bit, Visual Studio Community 2015 with Update 3

64-bit: fs2_open_19_0_0_RC1-builds-Win64.zip (https://github.com/scp-fs2open/fs2open.github.com/releases/download/release_19_0_0_RC1/fs2_open_19_0_0_RC1-builds-Win64.zip)

32-bit: fs2_open_19_0_0_RC1-builds-Win32.zip (https://github.com/scp-fs2open/fs2open.github.com/releases/download/release_19_0_0_RC1/fs2_open_19_0_0_RC1-builds-Win32.zip)
This one is based on the SSE2 Optimizations from the MSVC Compiler.

Hidden Text: Alternative builds • Show

(http://scp.indiegames.us/img/mac-icon.png) OS X Universal (32/64-bit Intel)
Compiled on OS X 10.11.4, Xcode 7.3 (Apple LLVM version cross-reference (https://gist.github.com/yamaya/2924292))

fs2_open_19_0_0_RC1-builds-MacOSX.tar.gz (https://github.com/scp-fs2open/fs2open.github.com/releases/download/release_19_0_0_RC1/fs2_open_19_0_0_RC1-builds-MacOSX.tar.gz)

(http://scp.indiegames.us/img/linux-icon.png) Linux 64-bit
Compiled on Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64-bit, GCC 5
fs2_open_19_0_0_RC1-builds-Linux.tar.gz (https://github.com/scp-fs2open/fs2open.github.com/releases/download/release_19_0_0_RC1/fs2_open_19_0_0_RC1-builds-Linux.tar.gz)

These builds use a mechanism called AppImage (http://appimage.org/) which should allow these builds to run on most Linux distributions. However, we recommend that you compile your own builds which will result in less issues.
Alternatively, if there is a package in your software repository then you should use that. If you are the maintainer of such a package for a distribution then let us know and we will include that here.

Hidden Text: Other Platforms, Source Code • Show

Hidden Text: TrackIR Users • Show

Known issues:

Github issues (https://github.com/scp-fs2open/fs2open.github.com/issues) and pending pull requests (https://github.com/scp-fs2open/fs2open.github.com/pulls)
See the list of Fix for next release (http://scp.indiegames.us/mantis/search.php?project_id=1&status_id%5B%5D=10&status_id%5B%5D=20&status_id%5B%5D=30&status_id%5B%5D=40&status_id%5B%5D=50&priority_id%5B%5D=40&priority_id%5B%5D=50&priority_id%5B%5D=60&sticky_issues=on&sortby=last_updated&dir=DESC&per_page=200&hide_status_id=-2) bugs - mark a bug as an elevated priority (high, urgent, immediate) to get it included in that filter.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Nyctaeus on August 29, 2019, 07:24:42 pm

(https://media.giphy.com/media/ytTYwIlbD1FBu/giphy.gif)

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Nightmare on August 29, 2019, 07:47:35 pm

:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

BTW why does the OP suggest every launcher except Knossos?

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: perihelion on August 29, 2019, 08:47:07 pm

Quote from: Nightmare on August 29, 2019, 07:47:35 pm

:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

BTW why does the OP suggest every launcher except Knossos?

Right?

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Mongoose on August 29, 2019, 10:09:20 pm

I believe the form text for the release post was written well before Knossos was a glimmer in anyone's eye.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Nightmare on August 30, 2019, 03:49:28 am

It appears so. Also I'm pretty sure 64-bit builts are pretty common now because, well, I am one of the last people using the 32 ones. Did nobody bothered to check what Mr. Knightly was going to post?

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: m!m on August 30, 2019, 04:20:24 am

The template was still around from the 3.8 release and we did not update the relevant parts for the new release. I'll try to write some new text this weekend and update the template for the next releases.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: ZeroDivision on September 09, 2019, 10:14:33 am

So uhh... release notes?

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: m!m on September 09, 2019, 11:08:20 am

There, I added them. That was ... uh ... because of the forum downtime! Yes. That was the only reason why it took this long :nervous:

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Lykurgos88 on September 24, 2019, 10:43:36 am

There are some great improvements and fixes in this build. Some little things like integrating the OpenAL library in the release package itself are welcome too. Good job for everyone involved! :pimp:

I also like the change of version number to a year-based one although I hope that you also stick with your decision. On the MediaVP side there was too much flip-flopping (first MediaVP 3.6.12, then "MediaVP 2014" and then MediaVP 3.8.x).

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: RivenNightwing on September 24, 2019, 11:47:44 am

I am very interested in trying this out. I have a question, however. I am a huge fan of Babylon 5, and I have always wanted to try out The Babylon Project mod for FS2.

I was wondering if the most current version of this mod would work with this installation?

The Babylon Project seems to have been largely abandoned, but there is a mod on this forum as of 2013, here: https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85449.0

The mod files can be accessed here: https://www.moddb.com/games/the-babylon-project/downloads

The mod files state that they worked as of the 3.7.0 build. I am not sure if they would still be compatible with 19.0.0-RC1?

I apologise for asking about a mod in this thread, but the latest post on that Zathras 2.8 discussion was in 2014 and I thought it would be too much Thread Necromancy to resurrect a thread that long dead.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Nightmare on September 24, 2019, 12:27:22 pm

TBP hasn't been abandoned: https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=92118.msg1887460#new

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: RivenNightwing on September 24, 2019, 05:18:19 pm

Quote from: Nightmare on September 24, 2019, 12:27:22 pm

TBP hasn't been abandoned: https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=92118.msg1887460#new

Awesome! Thank you very much! I guess I was looking at Zathras, and TBP had it's own thread. Anyways, I am glad it isn't dead.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: AV8R on September 28, 2019, 10:25:01 am

This release candidate still crashes on startup for me as discussed here:

https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=95855.0 (https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=95855.0)

Member m!m located and fixed the joystick bug. Will the fix be rolled into RC2, perhaps?

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: m!m on September 28, 2019, 10:26:04 am

RC2 will be based on the current master branch so it will contain the fix for that crash.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: AV8R on September 28, 2019, 11:14:55 am

Thank you for your reply, kind sir. :yes:

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: SF-Junky on October 27, 2019, 06:08:40 am

When I run this through wxLauncher, my Joystick is not working. It is not functioning throughout the game. I simply tried the MVPS-3.8.2 and ran the FS2 main campaign. The Joystick is, however, recognized by the launcher under "basic settings".

When I launch through Knossos everything works fine.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Goober5000 on October 27, 2019, 12:45:25 pm

I think the wxLauncher joystick code, which hasn't been updated in a while, is not as robust as the Knossos joystick code. Try unplugging and re-plugging it, re-selecting it, and re-starting the game.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: SF-Junky on October 27, 2019, 12:49:49 pm

This is not working.

I just saw that the problem has existed before: https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=93290.0

The solution proposed in that thread - "store config in portable location" - does not work either, though. When I enable that, I see the loading screen for a few seconds and then I go back the desktop screen.

I tried older nightly builds, with no effect. Went back to early 2016.

Guess I'll have to switch to Knossos...

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Novachen on October 27, 2019, 12:50:59 pm

Well, wxLauncher is using SDL2 2.0.3 by default. In my All-in-One Installer i always pack wxLauncher with the current SDL2 version, which is 2.0.10.
The problem with 2.0.3 is.. it assign different GUIDs than newer versions... so the game always expect another GUID than you get via wxLauncher.

Copy the 32-bit SDL from LibSDL (https://www.libsdl.org/release/SDL2-2.0.10-win32-x86.zip) into your wxlauncher/bin folder and it should work... as it use the same GUID as FSO's SDL2.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: SF-Junky on October 27, 2019, 12:57:00 pm

Quote from: Novachen on October 27, 2019, 12:50:59 pm

Well, wxLauncher is using SDL2 2.0.3 by default. In my All-in-One Installer i always pack wxLauncher with the current SDL2 version, which is 2.0.10.
The problem with 2.0.3 is.. it assign different GUIDs than newer versions... so the game always expect another GUID than you get via wxLauncher.

Copy the 32-bit SDL from LibSDL (https://www.libsdl.org/release/SDL2-2.0.10-win32-x86.zip) into your wxlauncher/bin folder and it should work... as it use the same GUID as FSO's SDL2.

I have no idea what this means in English, but it worked. :D Thanks.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: ShivanSpS on November 15, 2019, 10:56:00 am

About OpenGL... there is no way to add backward compatibility with OpenGL 2.1?

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: m!m on November 16, 2019, 03:11:58 am

Compatibility with OpenGL 2.1 would require major changes to the rendering engine and unfortunately we do not have enough developers with the appropriate skills to do such a thing at the moment.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: ShivanSpS on November 16, 2019, 07:07:39 am

Oh well... just to mention it, two things are needed for RPI 3/4 compatibility and those are OGL 2.1 and software S3TC, i cant do much about OGL since RPI4 will never have OGL 3.2, but im hoping to at least try to fix the S3TC thing from RPI side using 3.7.2.

EDIT: Btw it was mentioned that RPI 4 hardware supports Vulkan but no work has been done on the driver yet, so maybe one day in the future something newer than 3.7.2 will run.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Antares on November 26, 2019, 09:10:15 pm

I'm getting choppy playback with RC1 and nightly builds. I imagine the cause is probably my aging integrated graphics (Intel HD 4400), but they handle 3.8.0 just fine. For mods that come bundled with 19.0 by default (like the latest FS2 MVPs), I have to switch over to 3.8 to make them playable.

EDIT: I did some digging and determined that whatever change is killing my framerate was made in the April 30 nightly (https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=95650.0); April 23 is the most recent build I can use that runs normally.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Cyborg17 on November 28, 2019, 07:58:02 pm

We have reports that the April 30th build breaks VSync. Do you have that on?

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Antares on November 28, 2019, 09:15:04 pm

Huh. :wtf: I could have sworn that I disabled VSync when I was flipping a bunch of other toggles in an attempt to solve the problem, and it didn't help. But I tried it just now in 19.0 RC1, and it's running just fine.

Thanks much! :)

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Cyborg17 on November 30, 2019, 12:51:59 pm

Glad that worked for you!! In an effort to fix that bug, can you tell us your GPU?

EDIT: And my lack of attention to detail strikes again! You already told us.

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: Bryan See on December 03, 2019, 09:04:37 am

It's been four months, but when do we expect another release and a final release of 19.0.0?

Title: Re: Release: 19.0.0-RC1
Post by: chief1983 on December 03, 2019, 03:01:16 pm

Nightlies being off for a minute revealed some regressions that we've been finishing up, we've been talking about doing the next release very soon now.

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Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => FS2 Open Coding - The Source Code Project (SCP) => Topic started by: SirKnightly on August 29, 2019, 11:08:38 am