ANNOUNCEMENT: The OpenRocket 22.02 Beta Period is now finished

[neil_w]

Yup, that means that the final version is now available. Head on over to the official announcement thread: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...2-final-is-now-available-for-download.177835/

 

[neil_w]

Release Notes

OpenRocket 22.02.beta.05
(through PR#1688)

New Features

• C_D Override for subassemblies now implemented. Please test! See this wiki help page for important instructions (fixes #1171)
• Simulations now properly account for disabled stages (fixes #1477 and #1460)
• Rail Button improvements:
  • Additional parameters for rail buttons (fixes #1537)
  • Added rail buttons to preset parts database
  • Scaling now supported for rail buttons (fixes #1661)
• Don't include inactive stages in calculations. Disabling stages using the stage selector buttons now also affects the simulation results. (fixes #1477 and #1460)
• Mass objects maintain fixed volume when container diameter changes in auto mode (fixes #1315)
• Inner tubes can have custom inner/outer appearance (fixes #1509)

UI Improvements

Visually select child components of assembly components when selecting the parent (fixes #1489). Try selecting a pod, stage, or booster and see.

• Significant improvements to preset selection window (fixes #1481)
• Added sliders to Photo Studio settings (fixes #1524)
• Show markers for pods and boosters in rocket side view (fixes #1146)
• Major improvements to focus behavior. Keyboard navigation in the Component Config dialog is now muchmore convenient.
  • When setting focus to a spinner field, select the entire field by default (fixes #1506)
  • After selecting a preset, automatically highlight most commonly edited parameter (fixes #1488). So, for example, after selecting a body tube preset the Length parameter will be selected by default.
  • Restore focus to motors, recovery, stage and simulation tables after table action and others (fixes #1558). Simply put, you shouldn't need to click in the table areas just to enable keyboard shortcuts to work.
  • Use tab and arrow keys to traverse sim table (fixes #1552)
• Added and/or improved hover texts on a bunch of different buttons and controls
• Apply preset after double-clicking (fixes #1539)
• Pre-check diameter filters in preset chooser (fixes #1480)
• Preset selection window opens larger, and remembers column widths (fixes #1305). Separate column widths are remembered for each component type.
• Ctrl/Cmd+A (select all) keyboard shortcut in component tree, simulation and motor configuration tables (fixes #1549)

Notable Bug Fixes

• Scripting now works again. Please test! (fixes #308, #826, #1108, and #1270)
• Don't re-run simulations when new sim is created with same motor (fixes #1510)
• Ensure simulations finish when running from scripts (fixes #1575)
• Fixed Cd reporting for fin sets (fixes #1440)
• Move component config window back to same monitor as main app window first time it is opened. No more lost config windows! (fixes #1470)
• Rocket side view updates
  • Don't recenter rocket when zooming (fixes #1464)
  • Ensure full rocket is always visible and positioned correctly in rocket side view (fixes #1465)
• Fixed root edge display in 3D view and fin templates (fixes #1227). This matters when you are attaching fins to a nose cone or transition.
• Numerous bug fixes in component scaling (fixes #1649, #1651, #1653, #1661, #1662, and #1663)
• Better register of double-clicks in 3D view (fixes #1054)
• Increased component analysis drag precision to three decimal digits (fixes #1476)
• Select recovery device/stage after config panel select (fixes #1490)
• Fixed an exception when scaling freeform fins (fixes #1520)
• Improved performance of freeform fin shape editor (fixes #1533)
• Better automatic calculation of fin tab sizes (fixes #1600)
• Fixed simulation errors when there were empty stages in the design (fixes #1617)
• Fixed stage activeness not updating when moving, deleting, or copying stages (fixes #1680)
• Fixed exception for zero-length transitions and nose cones (fixes #1677)

Other

• Don't open motor selection dialog when duplicating motor configurations (fixes #1555)
• A bunch of updated component icons
• Added icons to most buttons
• Improvements to Undo behavior when adding new components (fixes #1513)
• Improvements to scale dialog (fixes #411)
• Component tree now set to reasonable minimum width (fixes #1648)
• Removed "show all compatible" option in preset chooser (fixes #1405)
• Cleaned up several of the example rockets
• Added warning to launch preferences that changes only affect new sims (fixes #1497)
• Fixed overlapping labels in motor selection diameter filter slider (fixes #1643)
• More Russian translation updates

OpenRocket 22.02.beta.04
(through PR1456)

New Features

• File association now works on all platforms (fixes #1135)
• Contextual menus now available via right-click throughout the program
• Edit multiple selected items at once (great for appearance editing!)
• Show/hide CG/CP markings in rocket display
• Support for custom decimal places and exponential notation in simulation exports (fixes #1307 and #1354)
• Simulation warning when no recovery device is enabled (fixes #1436)
• Remember previously selected tab when opening component edit dialog (fixes #974)
• On Mac, app remains open when last window is closed (normal Mac behavior)

Notable Bug Fixes

• Tube fins are fixed! Both CP and drag calculations should be good now. So good that we are no longer calling tube fin support "experimental". Feedback please! (fixes #1258)
• Guarantee fit in rocket view (fixes #1231 and #1351)
• Corrected mass display in some situations (fixes #1409)
• Show combined mass of multi-selected components when hovering (fixes #1411)
• Fix greyed-out buttons on Mac (fixes #1099)
• Improve scalability of Motors and Configurations tab (fixes #1285)

Other

• Many component edit dialogs reorganized for consistency and clarity
• Loads more tweaks to parachute and streamer config dialog
• Modified file size estimation in Save dialog. Feedback please!
• Improved layout of rocket view ribbon
• Improved icons for zoom buttons, and launch lugs and tube fins
• Added sliders to Pod Set config
• Preset dialog now sorted by manufacturer by default
• Updated guided tours
• Improved Russian translation

OpenRocket 22.02.beta.03
(through PR1361)

New Features

• Big improvements to parachutes:
  • Added manufacturers: Front Range, Fruity Chutes, Rocketman, b2 Rocketry, Spherachutes
  • Added additional fields to preset DB (e.g. spill holes)
  • Automatic packed size calculation (for select chute manufacturers only)
  • Parachute mass is automatically overridden with manufacturer data (when available)
  • Parachute component name is automatically populated with preset description

Notable bug Fixes

• Tube fin drag simulation has been extensively rewritten. This should fix flight simulations of tube fin models. Please test your sims and let us know how it works for you (fixes issue 1207). Note that CP calculations for tube fins are still not fixed.
• Improved ground hit velocity estimation (partially fixes issue 1349)
• Rail buttons now included in Fin Marking Guide (fixes issue 1259)
• Tube fin sets now included in Fin Marking Guide (fixes issue... ah, there wasn't one)
• Override mass now divides when fin set is split (fixes issue 1292)
• Fixes exception when splitting fin sets (fixes issue 1302)
• Hovering over pod set reports total mass of pod set (fixes issue 1291)
• Fixes exception when putting fins on transitions (fixes issue 1247)
• Opacity slider now stays in sync with alpha changes in color selector (fixes issue 1326)

Other

• Major cleanup of File menu. Let us know how you like it.
• Improved time step selection for descent
• Java 17 is now included in the packaged installers and supported by the JAR file.

OpenRocket 22.02.beta.02
(through PR1261)

NOTE: Tube fin simulation is currently broken, and will be fixed in a future beta.

New Features

• Check Java version at startup (requires Java 11)
• Opacity slider on appearance panel
• Export sim plots as PNG images

Notable Bug Fixes

• Rocksim Import/Export
  • Corrected position offsets when importing and exporting (fixes issue 1164)
  • Corrected fin shape when importing (fixes issue 1220)
• Side boosters
  • Added stage selector for side boosters (fixes issue 1208)
  • Fixed simulation bug with side boosters (fixes issue 1210)
  • Eliminated warning when loading designs with boosters (fixes issue 1196)
  • Fixed Simulation Plot range with boosters (fixes issue 1228)
• More reliable creation of simulation when creating a new configuration (fixes issue 1163)
• No longer need to click on motor config to get flight data (fixes issue 1175)
• Motor database search more robust, especially for CTI (fixes issue 1174)
• More accurate and reliable simulation of fins on transitions (fixes issues 1173 and 1243)
• plus other miscellaneous fixes

Other

• Set default color for all components to #BBBBBB, with Shine=30 (closes issue 1192)
• Update Mac installer style to more standard "drag app to Applications folder"

<see official release notes at https://openrocket.info/release_notes.html for older releases>

 

[neil_w]

Known Issues

Bugs and feature requests are tracked on Github (https://github.com/openrocket/openrocket/issues). If you encounter a problem, please check this list first before filing a new issue. If you would prefer to just report and/or discuss it in this thread, that’s fine too. Also be sure you’re running the latest version before reporting.

See referenced issue numbers in Github for more details on each item below.

1. Backward compatibility: During the beta period, any design saved from the beta app should open correctly in 15.03, provided none of the new rocket design features are used. There will be some warnings upon opening the file.
2. Java compatibility: This release of OpenRocket is guaranteed to work correctly with Java 11 and 17. As of beta 4, the packaged versions come with Java 11, and the JAR file supports either 11 or 17. Java 17 is known to have problems, but the JAR allows it if folks want to experiment. Other Java versions are not guaranteed to work correctly. (issue 1022).
3. Packaged Installers:
   • Packages need to be signed (issue 1144)
   • File association with .ORK files is not yet working properly (issue 1135)
   • Desktop shortcut creation on Windows doesn’t seem to be working
4. 3D Views:
   • Click-selection of components in 3D views does not work properly, and causes some strange visual behavior (issues 966, 939, 1054)
   • 3D views black out during window resizing (issue 1080)
   • 3D views may not show properly on external monitors (issue 864)
5. Exports and Printing:
   • Decal export will only export the first decal found (issue 823)
   • Report may not include all transitions (357)
6. Fins:
   • Fin roots displayed in unexpected ways on transitions (issue 1021)
   • Fin tabs on transitions may not display correctly
   • Tube fin CP calculation still needs work
7. Photo Studio
   • Smoke effect may not function properly (issue 874)
   • Turning flame effect on and off can have strange effects on decal display (issue 1122)
8. Simulation
   • Asymmetric thrust is not simulated correctly (issue 1062)
   • Plot of side force coefficient is constant at zero (issue 1060)
   • (added 2/26) Drag coefficient override of whole stage does not affect sim results (issue 1171)
   • (added 3/2) Tube fin sim results differ from 15.03 (issue 1207)
   • (added 2/26) Need to click on motor configuration to get flight data (issue 1175)
   • (added 2/26) CP calculations with fins-on-transitions less accurate (issue 1173)
   • (added 2/26) Doesn't create new simulation from new configuration reliably (issue 1163)
9. User Interface
   • Selection buttons may be hard to read (issues 988, 1099)
10. Motors
    • Closed issues
      • (added 2/26) Some configured motors not recognized properly (especially CTI) (issue 1174)
11. Rocksim compatibility
    • (added 6/20) Pods are not imported from Rocksim (issue 1348)
    • (added 6/20) Sub-sub assemblies dropped from export to Rocksim
    • (added 2/26) Sign flip in position offset for fins when importing Rocksim file (issue 1164)
    • (added 3/4) Fins get miniaturized when importing (issue 1220)
12. Other
    • 
      
    • Double-clicks may not work correctly on Macs using mouse (issue 908)
    • Centering ring configuration does not recognize offset or clustered inner tubes (issues 870, 137)
    • (added 2/28) Loading design with boosters generates warning (issue 1196)

 

[rharshberger]

Err...testing....

 

[rharshberger]

Glad to hear it downloading asap!

 

[rharshberger]

Downloaded, it runs. Windows doesn't like something and recommend against installing....just click on More Info in the splash screen and click Run Anyways.

 

[JoePfeiffer]

Downloaded, it runs. Windows doesn't like something and recommend against installing....just click on More Info in the splash screen and click Run Anyways.

Both MacOS and Windows want code signing keys or they give security warnings. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a way to get a code signing key that doesn't cost money.

 

[thzero]

Does it still convert your ork files in such a way as to not make them openable with 15.03?

 

[thzero]

Downloaded, it runs. Windows doesn't like something and recommend against installing....just click on More Info in the splash screen and click Run Anyways.

Launch it with the java command line, i.e.

"C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-8.0.312.7-hotspot\bin\java" -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false -jar OpenRocket-15.03.jar

 

[thzero]

Known Issues

1. Java compatibility: This release of OpenRocket is guaranteed to work correctly with Java 11, and that is what the packaged versions come with (please use the packaged versions!). Older or newer Java versions are not guaranteed to work correctly. (issue 1022)

Guess I'll have to download the source and apply all my gradle and upgrade changes, because I had it working under at least 3 or 4 version of Java.

 

[K'Tesh]

Great Job Guys!

It's opening my old developer's test sims... but with some minor issues. 3D view doesn't fill the window.






Here's my unfinished Estes Trident (K-33)





With this version though, we should be able to do accurate (looking) wedge fins. Maybe not accurate flight data for them, but get the right appearance.

Now, as for flight data? I don't know... I work weekends, and have to get ready for work... So, that kind of stuff will have to wait.

 

[JoePfeiffer]

Does it still convert your ork files in such a way as to not make them openable with 15.03?

If you don't use any of the new features, 15.03 will open a design successfully though it will give lots of warnings. If you use new features they will be ignored when you open under 15.03.

 

[JoePfeiffer]

Launch it with the java command line, i.e.

"C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-8.0.312.7-hotspot\bin\java" -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false -jar OpenRocket-15.03.jar

It is highly recommended that most users use the installers.

 

[JoePfeiffer]

Guess I'll have to download the source and apply all my gradle and upgrade changes, because I had it working under at least 3 or 4 version of Java.

Key word "guaranteed". If you want to run the raw jar (not recommended for most users) you'll find others also work.

 

[thzero]

Key word "guaranteed". If you want to run the raw jar (not recommended for most users) you'll find others also work.

Why? "Installers" are not doing anything more than running "java -jar" anyways. Unless you are specifying some command line parameters for the heap, etc.

If you don't use any of the new features, 15.03 will open a design successfully though it will give lots of warnings. If you use new features they will be ignored when you open under 15.03.

Yeah, saw after I had posted. That was not always the case with the unstable branch, thus the question.

 

[rharshberger]

Launch it with the java command line, i.e.

"C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-8.0.312.7-hotspot\bin\java" -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false -jar OpenRocket-15.03.jar

The package installer worked fine, people just need to be aware of the Windows splash screen and to click More Info so they can get the Run Anyways button to appear.

 

[thzero]

Key word "guaranteed". If you want to run the raw jar (not recommended for most users) you'll find others also work.

Are you running some specific jvm parameters? I didn't see any installer configuration on the unstable branch in github (well except snap :|).

 

[lakeroadster]

Hey @neil_w .... for all that you Open Rocket Programming Folks do... this thanks is for you!

 

[rharshberger]

Are people getting their files for the new version from this location:

Downloading & Installing - OpenRocket wiki

wiki.openrocket.info

Github has the "unstable" version afaict.

 

[JoePfeiffer]

Are you running some specific jvm parameters? I didn't see any installer configuration on the unstable branch in github (well except snap :|).

No, we're not. Just haven't commited the install4j configuration files yet.

 

[JoePfeiffer]

Are people getting their files from:

Downloading & Installing - OpenRocket wiki

wiki.openrocket.info

That's the easiest place.

 

[K'Tesh]

Hey @neil_w .... for all that you Open Rocket Programming Folks do... this thanks is for you!

Amen!!!

 

[boatgeek]

 

[JoePfeiffer]

Are people getting their files for the new version from this location:

Downloading & Installing - OpenRocket wiki

wiki.openrocket.info

Github has the "unstable" version afaict.

We're going to have to rename that branch... it's where the development has been for quite a while now. Oh, this is a surprise: because this is a Beta, we put the "Pre release" tag on the release. So, github is still showing 15.03 as the latest relese -- if you follow the releases link on that page, you'll find the new release.

 

[H. Craig Miller]

It's opening my old developer's test sims... but with some minor issues. 3D view doesn't fill the window.

Try this:

1. Go to Edit>Preferences>Graphics; then check "Use Off=screen Rendering"
2. Close and Restart OpenRocket

Please let me know if that was the problem.

 

[neil_w]

View attachment 506491

Those are the Assembly Component icons from an old dev version... are you sure you're running the new release?

The new release should look like this:

Note smaller buttons in addition to the updated design.

 

[rharshberger]

We're going to have to rename that branch... it's where the development has been for quite a while now. Oh, this is a surprise: because this is a Beta, we put the "Pre release" tag on the release. So, github is still showing 15.03 as the latest relese -- if you follow the releases link on that page, you'll find the new release.

I just want to make sure people dont have issues locating the proper file(s).

 

[neil_w]

I updated the announcement to say "don't go to Github".

 

[K'Tesh]

Ah... Ok... Found the correct version... Same issue...







OH... I like that the CG/CP marks are not on the rocket in 3D finished!!!

 

[neil_w]

Ah... Ok... Found the correct version... Same issue...

We definitely have some 3D issues still to work out. What OS, hardware, and screen resolution are you running?