Alpha 2 now available - December 13, 2013

[Dan Dixon]

This build is only available to the closed group of alpha testers. If you're an Alpha tester, run Steam to update to the latest version.

What's new?

New

• Left-click on bodies now shows basic properties, right click (or click more) to open the properties window
• Added three new particle ring presets: Geosynchronous rings, Saturn, and Jupiter
• Press the enter key to zoom to the selected body
• Improved ring particle collisions
• Added black holes as bodies on the add list (Add > Black Holes)
• Added white dwarfs (Add > Sirius B)
• Added ability to toggle star evolution on/off
• Added adjustable graphics quality levels in Settings (which can help a low frame rate)
• Automatically start with low graphics settings after a crash (“Safe Mode”)
• Added troubleshooting information to Home menu

Improvements

• Many tutorial improvements and additions
• ESC now closes all open windows and opens the Home menu
• Solar system bodies now show a more correct age
• Use the up/down arrow keys to zoom in/out
• Updated help window with new keyboard shortcuts
• Improved orbital elements descriptions and tooltips on the Property panel

Fixed

• Gravity calculator (time-step integrator) no longer locks up slower systems
• Corrected sun’s luminosity
• Text labels no longer cut off for icons on main screen
• Corrected shadow rotation when using phantom sun lights
• Orbital elements panel now shows when simulation is paused
• Fixed a bug that caused the user interface to disappear
• Left and right-click now both select/deselect objects
• Fixed planets that don't have a specified rotation axis (i.e., all exoplanets) to use a better default value
• Fixed problem with switching between realtime and fixed timesteps when the simulation was paused.
• Historical projected trails no longer show up for the Sun (No trails for zero-velocity objects)
• Fixed problem with planets starting with a velocity in an empty simulation

You'll find the same notes here: What's New document

Please let us know if you run into any problems.  Our preferred method for reporting a bug is the in-game feedback system. Click on the star icon in the top-right corner of the screen.  And remember, the ideal bug report is a step-by-step procedure for reproducing the error.

Thanks!

[davtk8]

Oh goody! 

[davtk8]

Is there a save feature yet? 

[davtk8]

Is there a manual way to save my simulations?

[Chris]

Is there a manual way to save my simulations?

Saving is not enabled in the alpha yet. We are working on it.

[DenisineD]

Performance 101. something

And is it my US or the lock radius or mass don t work on stars? and a little bit on Planets

[FiahOwl]

This message is only viewable with Universe Sandbox Galaxy Edition. Access it and much more with promo-code '114739'.

[tuto99]

Very nice jpb!

lol fail

Anyway, nice job on this update! I am going to check it out.

[Jicanfield11]

Nice job , again  !

[Chris]

Performance 101. something

And is it my US or the lock radius or mass don t work on stars? and a little bit on Planets

The locks are not fully implemented yet.
We will roll this out soon in another update.

[Josh]

I feel pretty good about this update. I haven't experienced any crashes yet, and it's running more smoothly all in all! 

[APODman]

How download this update ?

[Chris]

How download this update ?

The update is automatically applied via your Steam client.
If it hasn't updated already simply restart Steam.

[wesly15]

would be alpha tester