Phoenix Flight SIM: Version 4 BETA release

QUOTE: 06 February 2012

We are pleased to announce that the first BETA release of the new 4.0 version is now available from our Downloads page.

Please note that this is a BETA release, and so may contain bugs or issues that will not be in the final version.
You must have at least version 3.0.s installed before using this update.

New features, Improvements and fixes:

• New InfinityScape sites:
  •  Fly forever on an infinite number of randomly generated 3D terrains that you create and control
  •  Boundary-less terrains let you range as far and wide as you want to

• New camera modes include Cockpit and Chase modes with lookaround functionality
• New resampled sound effects for model engines
• Official support for NVIDIA 3D Vision sterescopic and TrackIR head-tracking hardware

[size=1.25em]Download Version 4.0.a BETA[/size]

Updates up versions 4.0.f are available through the Automatic Updates Menu if you have version 4.0.a BETA installed

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I have just finished installing so in the infamous words of the Terminator, "I'll be Back" after trying with a small User-Review

    [size=1.20em][shadow=Orange,left]w00d[/shadow][/size]

All right, I was hoping they would do this at some point.

{LOL} Bet you didn't know about the other two "amphibious" helicopters available in Phoenix.

Well didn't know about them until today --->

           

This is great news

Ok Bill or anyone who also run Phoenix I need help, HELP

The nearest I can figure in order to use the two new VIEW/Camera modes (Cockpit or Chase) we, I need to run the SIM in one of the new 3D-Rendered Flying Sites!

If within any of the 2D Sites (photo realistic) the Cockpit and Chase views are both "grayed" out. Which would make sense because how can "they" do a 3D-View (which the Cockpit and Chase views are) in a 2D-Rendered world, well they can't nuff said !?!

Unfortunately for ME the application crashes when I try to use any of teh 3D-Rendered sites. So I don't know if it's buggy software or it's simply my system that doesn't like this new version of Phoenix ...

In short ALL these new features sound great in theory but when I try to implement them my BOX crashes the application

Bla, BETA BETA it BE and hopefully my troubles will be fixed before they go live w/ the official release

... And that my friends was ALSO my mini-review ...

    [size=1.20em][shadow=Orange,left]w00d[/shadow][/size]

I am 4.0.f now.
The quad now flies more like I thought it might, I can even loop it now.  ;D
Have you figured out where to get into the cockpit and chase modes yet?

Sorry Bill I must have been writing as you were posting, see my previous post

Ya beat me to the post. I'll play with it a little more and see how it does.

LOL, two deep breaths ..... NOW Post

Ya know now you mention it my flying does feel somewhat different. Maneuvers I usually have NO trouble with before are feeling different somehow. No I can't quite put my finger on it and say for sure but it seems to me they have changed the flight geometry a little,

... maybe Phoenix made the flying a wee-bit more realistic

I think so, at least on the quad. It is all I've had the chance to try. My TX battery needs charging. 
I tried the "Highland with lakes" site with the quad. It is cool.  ;D
There are two issues I see so far. The screen is split with a strip of sky below and at about mid screen up the view is as it should be, earth with sky above. As soon as I leave the ground the lower sky goes away and the view is normal.
The other issue is a bit of jerkiness as you turn and pan across the sky and landscape when flying.
I have been able to resolve the jerkiness on past upgrades in "program setup" in "system". For some reason any site that had water gave me problems like that.  ???

LOL, now ya went and said didn't ya, now my Tx started beeping at me telling me it time to charge my batteries

Just getting into a flight w/ my QUAD also ... When I was just getting the hang of it ... Oh well better I go and charge my batteries

TX is charged up again and having had the chance to play a little more, it seems the quad is the only model so far that starts with the screen being split. The jerkiness I suppose is just the changing frame shots. The quad and the helis seem to be the worst.
Changing the settings doesn't seem to improve it nor does there appear to be a place to reduce the reflection off the water any more. That was one of the settings, if to high would cause problems on my PC.
The helis, at least the Trex 500 and 600 are a bugger to land sitting in the pilot seat. To much of the instrument panel in the way to see very well. Some of the planes are that way also but they don't go sliding sideways or backwards on ya. 
What have you experienced wOOd?
Did I say I sure am glad they finally did this?  ;D

Remember that, from here; (the third post )
http://forum.rcheliresource.com/r-c-simulators/947-phoneix-beta.html

If you run in full screen, every thing runs smoother but with less graphic detail.
Split screen while on the ground with the quad is still there though.  :
Must be a bug. At least I'm bugged. 

I'm not having your particular troubles Bill but "troubles" I'm having ...

My issues are somewhat different, for me the SIM is working fine if I stay on w/ the 2D sites

The issues start when I try flying the 3D sites, when the 3D screen is trying to load into memory the application simply crashes to my Desktop. Sometimes I get the "send error report" pop-up but most times it simply crashes to the desktop

Also I still can't use the two new view modes, Cockpit and Chase views are still grayed out of the VIEW/CAMERA Drop Menu

Although when I tried the SIM in Window Mode the new 3D sites looked as though they wanted to load thus I was optimistic they were going to load. Sadly the only difference this time was the system produced an ERROR message saying my "Video Card was too OLD", well not so much w/ those words but did suggest I try "upgrading the driver". Meh, maybe they were implying I was too OLD but as I didn't just fall off the turnip truck those Window "ERROR" messages always SAY crap when they don't know what the problem is {LOL} God bless our Mr Gates ...

Other than the issues I've mentioned for the most part the SIM is working fine. Well it's not like the update completely crippled my SIM as I can still use all the older stuff. For what it's worth it's like I hadn't upgraded to version 4, I'm NOT getting to play with ALL the new and interesting MODS which is teh most disappointing

Just have to wait and see what the future updates bring me ... Only {LMAO} the developer could LUV a BETA, eh

      [size=1.20em][shadow=Orange,left]w00d[/shadow][/size]

No doubt they will get these issues worked sorted out, sooner than later we hope. 
Your crashing on loading is a problem I am not having for sure. You have probably looked at the Phoenix help page.
http://www.phoenix-simv3.com/support.asp
Horizon Hobby is now the contact for support for the US and Canada. I used them on the last big update and they were good enough to send me a new CD to reload the software as my old would not let the new stuff copy over it. They said they though I had a "corrupt file" causing my problems. 
I think my issues now are just the bugs yet to be worked out. Yours, I don't know. Perhaps a note to Horizon might help?

I have read through their support page but nothing jumps out as to what might be the problem. I don't think I'll talk to Horizon just yet, after the final release maybe. But given this is a BETA release the best approach would be to contact Phoenix and let them know about my problems. After all that's the purpose of a BETA which is to FIND and FIX any issues before the official release of the software. Then at least while in the BETA it's just a game of wait and see if Phoenix CAN and/or are willing to fix. FYI: I also know that Phoenix watch or monitor Helifreak very closely (they have a REP for putting out fires) so for your issues Bill you may what to check in there as I'm also going to do for my issues

I did drop in there for a while this morning.
I didn't find out much, other than I remembered why I don't spend much time there.

It's THAT time --->

• Version 4.0.h BETA

Got it.  ;D