Development

Here are a couple screenshots of some of the new lighting features I’ve been working on.

There’s still quite a bit to do: stomping out various bugs, solving edge cases, and integrating the new features into the user interface. I plan to release these new features in the next update of both the free and premium versions of Universe Sandbox 2.

One the left is Wolf 359 one of the closer stars to Earth at only 7.8 light years away next to Saturn and its rings. Wolf 359 really is that small, just a bit larger than Saturn and I’ve brightened it up (as it is really dim in reality). On the right I’ve added a second Wolf 359 and changed its temperature to a much hotter color.

Let me know what you think of the new lighting features in the comments…

Something made better in Universe Sandbox 2.

Universe Sandbox is software that simulates gravity, one of the four fundamental forces in the universe. Simulate a rouge star crashing through our solar system or two massive galaxies colliding. More Info

I’m pleased to announce that the next version of Universe Sandbox will be released in early 2010.

There’s so many new features and improvements to share; I’m so excited. My primary goal with the new version is to make it easier to use and learn while exposing many of the buried features (like chart mode) in the original version.

As we approach the launch date I’ll be posting here about the new features and improvements. Be sure to subscribe.

Here’s two work-in-progress screenshots from the new version. There’s still more to do and some of this will change before it’s released.

You can read more about the next version in the forums:
http://universesandbox.com/forum/index.php/topic,635.0.html