SpaceEngine News

This patch fixes a few issues, mainly related to the recent implementation of UBOs, which many users of AMD graphics cards reported issues with. Everyone who had such issues and who has tested this update reported the issues to be resolved, so any non-Intel users who reverted to version 0.990.39 after the last update are encouraged to switch back to the default branch since it should work for you now.

Anyone who does have major issues with crashing or other significant issues should make a post on the troubleshooting forum, including your log file. It really helps us figure out what issues exist and how to solve them, so we can make the program better for everyone.

Changelog

• Added checks and logging for UBO initialization
  
• Added checks and logging for video recording failures
  
• Fixed unexpected behaviour of slider value edit in the settings and other dialogs (again)
  
• Fixed Venus solar day length info
  
• Fixed displaying of non-printable object name ($) on the navigation toolbar
  
• Updated localizations
  
• Some fixes and updates in catalogs
  

Hello everyone! The latest update, which overhauls autoexposure and video recording, and which you can read about here, is now out of public beta testing and is being released to everyone, along with a few additional changes and fixes.

[h3]NOTE FOR INTEL GRAPHICS USERS[/h3]
A side effect of the implementation of uniform buffer objects in the latest update is that SpaceEngine now requires OpenGL 4.4 support to run. This does not affect any user whose computer already meets the published hardware requirements (having an Nvidia or AMD GPU), but does affect users of integrated graphics on some Intel CPUs from around 5-7 years ago; Intel did not program OpenGL 4.4 support for these processors on Windows (despite them being able to use later OpenGL versions on Linux). This means they will not be able to run this and future versions of SpaceEngine - attempting to do so will result in an error about an obsolete OpenGL version.

If you have one of these old Intel CPUs and are using integrated graphics and you see this error, opt into the 0.990.39 "beta" branch on Steam (read here about how to opt into branches). This will revert you back to the last version of SE before UBOs were implemented (build 0.990.39.1775), thus allowing you to avoid this and future updates and keep using the program.

While it is unfortunate that this will affect some of you, I must stress that IGPs (integrated graphics processors), including and especially those by Intel, have never met the minimum hardware requirements for running the program and have had a long history with problems and glitches with SE. We do not recommend, and have never recommended, that anyone purchase SpaceEngine without having a discrete GPU meeting the minimum listed requirements.

[h3]CHANGELOG[/h3]
Build 0.990.40.1810 (today's update)
- Updated blackbody color systems
- Changed cloud Hapke value generation for improved realism on fully cloudy worlds
- Added ability to automatically compute orbital elements for binary catalog objects using their masses and separation
- Updated star catalogs with some recently discovered objects
- Fixed some catalog issues
- Fixed bug with checkbox states getting stuck
- Fixed clouds not fully covering a planet when coverage is set to 1.0
- Fixed minimum OpenGL version to allow OpenGL 4.4 devices to run
- Fixed controller ray direction on Windows Mixed Reality
- Fixed issue with SDL errors with some game controllers

Build 0.990.40.1805 (April 19 beta release)
- Histogram-based auto exposure
- Replaced AVI video capture with new built-in ffmpeg video capture
- Optimization of the engine (implemented uniform buffer objects)
- Changed orbital lines rendering to a new method (artifact-free)
- Fixed black body colouration options
- Ability to define a state vector instead of a planet orbit in the catalog and export it (WIP)
- Debugging menu
- Updated localizations
- Added Ukrainian and Romanian localizations
- Some fixes in catalogs
- Fixed bug with first upload of an addon project in LaunchPad
- Fixed SE window not appearing when launched from LaunchPad
- Fixed discontinuty bug in quaternion interpolation

Hello everyone, we finally have a new update for you! But before we talk about it, we would like to apologize for how long it has been since the last update. Though the delay was unavoidable, we still could have done a better job about finding ways to issue at least minor updates for you during that time. We are currently working on creating a firm release schedule, so that releases will come regularly, and you will know what kinds of changes to expect in each one. We will make an announcement about that as soon as the schedule is finalized.

But back to the update! Initially being released to the public beta branch, it includes some important and much-requested overhauls to autoexposure and video recording, as well as additional fixes and improvements. The major features are described below.

[h3]NEW AUTOEXPOSURE[/h3]
The old and rather buggy autoexposure system has been overhauled. Watch the video below to see it in action.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

The new system is histogram-based.The histogram samples points around the entire image and analyzes their brightness distribution. Large areas of a given brightness will generally be selected as the exposure target over smaller areas of a different brightness. Areas near the center of the screen will also generally be given priority over areas near the edge. The system has many values that can be adjusted in the config file and the console to change its behavior.

[h3]NEW VIDEO RECORDER[/h3]
The old and very limited AVI video recording system has been removed and replaced with a much better ffmpeg-based system. The following output formats are available:

• H.264 hardware encoding, MP4 container
  
• H.265 hardware encoding, MP4 container
  
• VP9 software encoding, WEBM container
  

The H.264/5 encoders use hardware acceleration and are very fast. If you have a supported GPU, it will significantly improve your video capture times. If you don’t have a supported GPU, you can still use the VP9 encoder. It’s too slow to use for real-time interactive capture, but SpaceEngine’s video recording tools aren’t meant for that anyway.

[h3]NEW TEAM MEMBER[/h3]
We are excited to announce the addition of a new team member! Andrew is a programmer, and he has already contributed a lot to development; the new video recording system was his work! He also helped to optimize the engine by implementing uniform buffer objects. He is continuing to work on new and great features, and we will no doubt be sharing many exciting new developments in the future thanks to him!

[h3]CHANGELOG[/h3]
Build 0.990.40.1805
- Histogram-based auto exposure
- Replaced AVI video capture with new built-in ffmpeg video capture
- Optimization of the engine (implemented uniform buffer objects)
- Changed orbital lines rendering to a new method (artifact-free)
- Fixed black body colouration options
- Ability to define a state vector instead of a planet orbit in the catalog and export it (WIP)
- Debugging menu
- Updated localizations
- Added Ukrainian and Romanian localizations
- Some fixes in catalogs
- Fixed bug with first upload of an addon project in LaunchPad
- Fixed SE window not appearing when launched from LaunchPad
- Fixed discontinuty bug in quaternion interpolation

Hello everyone!

I'm a little embarrassed to say that there was a mistake in the configuration of the launch option for the SE configuration tool (i.e. the addon manager) which caused it to only be accessible to those subscribed to the public beta branch. We finally identified and corrected the error, so the launch option for the tool should now be available to everyone. If you press play on SE in your Steam library and still only see options for launching SE, launching in Oculus VR mode, and launching in Steam VR mode, with no option for the configuration tool, restart your Steam client. The fourth launch option should then be visible.

Have fun sharing addons, and sorry that this went unnoticed for so long!

Hello everyone, we hope you're staying safe and well! We know the current pandemic is stressful, and some of you may also be bored by having to spend so much time at home. So we decided to hold an impromptu sale! For the next 7 days, SpaceEngine will be discounted by 20% on Steam. If you don't already have it, or if you have a friend who wants it, this is a great time to pick it up!

Exploring the universe is a great way to spend time, and the perspective gained by seeing the Earth, our shared world, for the small, fragile, and beautiful place that it is is something that we could all use, especially in difficult times such as these.

Stay safe, stay well, and enjoy exploring the universe!

★ Best wishes from the SpaceEngine team ★