Universe Sandbox 2.0.11 Now Available - September 2

[Dan Dixon]

Just run Universe Sandbox 2 to update to the latest version.

Please let me know if you run into any problems.

What's New in 2.0.11?
- Stars emit light
- Any object can emit light
- Head lamp mode in Chart Mode, makes it easier to compare objects. (try toggling it on and off)
- HD 10108 - Newly discovered solar system with (as many as 7 planets) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_10180
- New "Fun Thing To Do" that shows, step-by-step, how to make your own solar system.

If you have problems with the new lighting system, just press Ctrl+L to switch back to the old lighting system.


For those that already have a copy of version 2 installed (Free or Premium) and want to try out the Release Candidate of 2.0.11:

1 - Run your installed copy.
2 - Click on Options
3 - Click the "Check for Release Candidate" button.

Please let me know either way if if everything is working or if you run into a problem.

As soon as I hear from a few of you and everything looks good, I'll flip the switch and release it to everyone.

Thanks!

[Chaotic Cow]

That button doesn't work.  Check Update Failed.

Asked me if I wanted to Close and Try Again. Said it was up to date. 2.0.10

[Naru523]

That's cool.

Too bad I'm still in Free Version. 

[atomic7732]

Lighting is GREAT!

You should add Live chart, like simulate the system, but have the chart update.

[Dan Dixon]

That button doesn't work.  Check Update Failed.

Asked me if I wanted to Close and Try Again. Said it was up to date. 2.0.10

In Options... Click the "Reset Update" button and try it again.

At the moment... the update system won't find the new version unless you click on the "Release Candidate" button.

That's cool.

Too bad I'm still in Free Version.  

You can update the free version too. Is it working for you?

Lighting is GREAT!

Thanks. Special thanks to Georg Steinröhder who wrote the lighting shader that I'm using. He was super helpful.

You should add Live chart, like simulate the system, but have the chart update.

Yeah... You've suggested that before. It's a really good idea.

[Chaotic Cow]

I just noticed that Earth doesn't rotate right until I chance the Time Step. Not a big deal or maybe I'm wrong.

If you look at Earth without messing with any settings in Our Solar System Eastern Hemisphere is always facing the Sun until time step changes.

Other than that minuscule thing. Works like a charm so far.

[Dan Dixon]

I just noticed that Earth doesn't rotate right until I chance the Time Step. Not a big deal or maybe I'm wrong.

If you look at Earth without messing with any settings in Our Solar System Eastern Hemisphere is always facing the Sun until time step changes.

Oh... that's because the time step and the Earth's rotation are exactly the same, so it rotates a full turn every time step and appears to not be moving at all.

Is the new version working for you?

[Chaotic Cow]

I just noticed that Earth doesn't rotate right until I chance the Time Step. Not a big deal or maybe I'm wrong.

If you look at Earth without messing with any settings in Our Solar System Eastern Hemisphere is always facing the Sun until time step changes.

Oh... that's because the time step and the Earth's rotation are exactly the same, so it rotates a full turn every time step and appears to not be moving at all.

Is the new version working for you?

Yes. Perfectly so far.

[Chaotic Cow]

Happens when I zoomed in close.

Seems only specific stars do it.

(In-case it matters...I had like 15 stars out)

Also at:
http://i55.tinypic.com/2vuyef8.jpg

[matt.1886]

Everything works Great so far. The lighting looks good, I like it.

[Bla]

Awesomeness! I have the same problem as Chaotic Cow about the light from stars, it appears to flicker when I zoom in close to an object. I've had this problem since the beta testing on version 2 began, though, so I guess it has nothing to do with this update.

Everything works fine so far.

[atomic7732]

ring bug...

I chose geosynchronous.

Note: The still open particle count menu

[atomic7732]

Also, awesome, planetshine!

[Darvince]

Also, awesome, planetshine!

I think that's a by-product of making stars shine.  

[Dan Dixon]

Happens when I zoomed in close.

Seems only specific stars do it.

1 - Does it still happen if you press Ctrl+L to switch to the old lighting system?
2 - Does it happen with 8 stars vs 9 stars (I think that might be where the problem is, please let me know)

I have the same problem as Chaotic Cow about the light from stars, it appears to flicker when I zoom in close to an object. I've had this problem since the beta testing on version 2 began, though, so I guess it has nothing to do with this update.

I need to solve this problem. Any more information you can provide would be helpful. Does Ctrl+L fix it?

[Bla]

Hmm, now this update form keeps running and nothing happens.
I have to close it from the task manager, and then it stops responding.

Edit: If I try again while the form is open, it says it "Can't open log file for write: C:\...Sandbox Log.txt" and the same about the Actions Log. They're uploaded below.

[Maccara]

I have the same problem as Chaotic Cow about the light from stars, it appears to flicker when I zoom in close to an object. I've had this problem since the beta testing on version 2 began, though, so I guess it has nothing to do with this update.

I need to solve this problem. Any more information you can provide would be helpful. Does Ctrl+L fix it?

I have noticed similar issue. But it gets even worse with time (where my whole screen may become white and unusable).

Seems to happen mostly with "impact marks" on scenes which have many impacts happening. I have one custom "moon formation" scene where this seems to be fairly reproducible (lots of impacts). Zooming definitely is a factor here.

Sometimes just deleting all impact marks and then disabling that feature helps, but not always.

It seems almost like something goes wrong with the coordinates where impact marks are supposed to appear and instead they get attached to and blasted all over the camera.

[Dan Dixon]

Hmm, now this update form keeps running and nothing happens.
I have to close it from the task manager, and then it stops responding.

Weird... Are you still having this problem?

Edit: If I try again while the form is open, it says it "Can't open log file for write: C:\...Sandbox Log.txt" and the same about the Actions Log. They're uploaded below.

That error likely means that Universe Sandbox is still running in the background and has those files open.

If you can't close Universe Sandbox with the task manager, restarting your computer or logging out and logging back in should solve this one.

I'm sorry you're having this problem.

[Bla]

It works again after restarting. Ctrl + L didn't fix the problem:

[sd1]

Love the software but the new update messes up all the planet textures.

Old lighting system still works ok.

Ta,

Sean

[Dan Dixon]

Love the software but the new update messes up all the planet textures.
Old lighting system still works ok.

Thanks for the info. It's hard to fix problems I don't know about.
My brother's netbook does the same thing. I'm investigating the problem for a possible solution.

[Dan Dixon]

the new update messes up all the planet textures.

Give me one more week. I think this has been solved.

[Chaotic Cow]

Sounds good Dan!

[Naru523]

The shadow on the rings is neat. But I think I can see how it does that... hehe 

[Darvince]

Btw, FOV is more comfortable at 45° - 30° view

[Dan Dixon]

The shadow on the rings is neat.

Thanks. Didn't you have another image up here? Why did you take it down?