This application updates the Virtual Wings 1.0 or Virtual Wings 1.0.1
application in the Virtual Wings folder. All other files (scenery, situations, textures, etc.) and preferences are unaffected. It includes all improvements of the updater to 1.0.1 plus the following:
3D Acceleration with ATI Chipsets
Virtual Wings now supports textures when using ATI's RAGE II or RAGE Pro 3D accelerator chips. These chips are used on most ATI video boards (XClaim VR, XClaim 3D, Nexus GA) as well as on some Apple PowerMacs (e.g. PowerMacintosh 5500/6500, PowerMacintosh G3) and other MacOS compatible systems from various companies.
The RAGE chipset stores the texture data together with the display data in the computer's video memory (VRAM). Since this VRAM is rather limited on most systems, you need to take care of some points:
• You need to install the latest 3D RAVE drivers for the RAGE chip: The system extension "ATI 3D Accelerator" should have version 4.1.3 or later. Please refer to <http://www.cat3.com/download/download.html> for downloading these new drivers. We there provide updated links to the corresponding ATI sites.
• In order to get textures when using ATI chips, Virtual Wings requires at least 4MB of VRAM in your system. While most ATI video cards meet this requirement, some onboard video systems (e.g. PowerMac G3) do not have enough VRAM. You need to expand the VRAM to at least 4MB on such computers, if you want to fly with textured ground. Of course you can use Virtual Wings with 2MB VRAM, but without any textures.
• The larger your display resolution is set and the more colors you use, the less video memory is left for 3D acceleration. This means, that you should set your display settings to 832x624 pixels with thousands of colors to save video memory before starting Virtual Wings. An example: if your system has 4MB of VRAM and the display is set to the 1024x768 resolution with thousands of colors, you won't see any textures. If you set the resolution to 832x624, the display needs less VRAM and Virtual Wings can use this saved memory to display textures.
Scenery Loading
Scenery loading is now 2-3 times faster!
Improved Autopilot
• Capturing a localizer outbound using Backcourse mode is now possible
• Up and down mode while ALT mode is engaged will climb/descend with approx 500ft/min until button is released
• Backcourse mode logic improved
Other Fixes
• Density altitude now affects engine performance correctly
• Negative temperatures and altitudes can be entered in the setup screen
• In very rare cases some VORs had not been depicted on the map screen
A Note for Gravis Firebird Joystick Users
The Gravis Firebird is now shipping with Firebird INIT 1.0.3.b1. This INIT is not compatable with Virtual Wings. In the cockpit, it causes the cursor to follow the stick, and does not link the stick to ailerons and elevator. The fix is to downgrade to Firebird INIT 1.0.2. You may obtain this version from <http://www.gravis.com/Public/macstick/>.
History of Fixes in Version 1.0.1
Improved Performance
Virtual Wings 1.0.1 features a 10 percent performance increase.
3D Accelerator Cards
Virtual Wings 1.0.1 supports the Formac (www.formac.com) Promedia 20 and
Promedia 40 cards.
Improved Autopilot
The autopilot has been rewritten to improve performance:
- Improved ILS glideslope and localizer capture and tracking in all wind conditions.
- Accurate tracking in both left and right cockpit panel views.
- Smoother ride in altitude hold mode. No bumps.
- Elevator trim adjusts with autopilot elevator changes.
Other Fixes:
- Attitude indicator update rate is increased.
- DME readout from one nav receiver is no longer interrupted when toggling frequencies in the other.
- Marker beacon lights on/off states enhanced for easier visual differentiation.
- NDB decimal frequencies can be tuned by selecting the absolute frequency
(e.g. 301.5 KHz can be tuned by selecting 301 KHz).
- Pushing the ANT button on the ADF no longer crashes the sim.
- Screen update bugs in the Map View (plane symbol and path) have been
eliminated.
- In very isolated cases, VW crashed when tuning an ILS frequency. This bug has
been fixed.
- Some parts of the user interface have been adapted to the MacOS 8 appearance.
Happy landings,
CAT III Systems
Apple, Macintosh, Apple QuickDraw 3D Accelerator Card, MacOS 7.6 and Sound Manager are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.
ATI and XClaim are registered trademarks of ATI Technologies, Inc.
