Celestia-ED vs. Celestia 1.4.1 + patch

[exadvent]

From what I have read, Celestia-ED contains all the functions included in the patch for Celestia (Overlay, Sound, etc.). Is there any real difference between the two installations? If so which installation is better? Or does it depend on the way you are using Celestia?

I am currently using Celestia-ED with no problems, not even getting other add-ons to work, so I am wondering if there is any reason to change.

Thanks for taking the time to answer a confused newbie, and for creating a great program with wonderful add-ons.

[Adirondack]

exadvent,

if you want my opinion, it depents on the way you want to use Celestia.
Celestia-ED uses different configuartion files to run the included activities, so only the required files for an activity will be loaded (when you use the shortcuts).
So Celestia-ED is better in order to run the activities. Celestia (standard installation + patch) is better if you want to use it for your own.

I think Frank will add some more information about his ED-version here soon.

Adirondack

[fsgregs]

exadvent:

Currently, the only major difference between Celestia141-ED and the patched version of Celestia is in galaxy rendering. The tint and color saturation of Celestia-patch was a bit too bright for my taste, so I asked Vincent to tone it down and provide me the application without it. I have been with the Celestia project for three years and I believe Celestia-ED is the best of all worlds.

As you may know, Vincent has been at work adding a few new features to the Celestia-patched version. It is now up to version 3. I like those features and am already incorporating them into an updated version of Celestia-ED. As soon as Vincent comes back from vacation, he is sending me that new version of Celestia-ED, which I will then announce and post on the Motherlode to replace the existing one. You will not have to replace all the files. There will be a patch.zip file that will update all the educational activities automatically. Watch for it on the forum (perhaps a month away).

Another difference between the two versions is the config file that they use. Celestia-ED uses a config file that tells Celestia to launch using some higher resolution textures and models. For example, Celestia-ED will load a much higher res version of almost all of the planets, including two high res versions of Earth. If you use Celestia-patch, only the default medium res version of Earth is loaded (unless you edit that cfg file).

I suggest you keep Celestia-ED and use it for all of your Celestia experiences. Then, watch for Celestia-ED version 3 to come out in a few weeks. I will announce it here on the forum and in the motherlode.

Regards

Frank

[exadvent]

Sounds great. I will watch for it with great anticipation.