Celestia 1.7.0 Development will begin soon

[Alexell]

I have good news for all Celestia users!

Chris Laurel gave permission for the keep "Celestia" name and continuation of the official Celestia development on GitHub.

Yes, I am fine with that...
Keep the name and commit history.

First of all, we will make changes in the repository, which has long been made by me and by other enthusiasts. We will discuss the changes and do vote. Celestia is reborn!

New Celestia repository: https://github.com/CelestiaProject/Celestia


If someone wants to join the Celestia development team, please write in this thread.

[john71]

Great news! Any chance for a 64 bit release?

[Alexell]

john71, Maybe. It depends on who will join the team, and who can do it.

[reedkelly]

This is great news! Thanks for starting it.

[FarGetaNik]

Finally Celestia is revived! Thanks for the news I was waiting for it to happen since I use Celestia!

If someone wants to join the Celestia development team, please write in this thread.

I would help, but I have no talent in programming. If you need help for updating catalogues (anything addon-related or Celestia content) I will gladly help out.

Added after 4 minutes 5 seconds:
Is there any information avalibale on what to expect from Celestia 1.7?

[mossy2100]

Will the Pluto texture be updated with the latest imagery? Thank you.

[Chuft-Captain]

Regardless of who is involved in ongoing development I would suggest that the first priority should be: a 64bit version with no functional changes. This can then serve as the base for ongoing development.
I personally don't see any value in adding new features to the 32bit version as that would distract from the first priority. Better to do the conversion first and in the future add new functionality to the 64bit codebase.

Getting a 64bit version up and running would also IMO be a good way for a new development team to get their feet wet and develop familiarity with the code.

[SVision]

Chuft-Captain , I agree with you. I, too, as seen so far this is the best approach to program development.

[john71]

Yes, the 64 bit version should be a priority. I like the fantastic basic functions of the 1.6.1 version, but in my opinion it cannot handle the necessary amount of data (neither the GAIA 1 billion star data, nor the very big texture files).

[Alexell]

Okey. I have received requests from different people about the 64-bit version. We will try to do.

FarGetaNik, In the near future I will prepare information on what kind of help will be needed for the development of Celestia. If the list you will find something that you can join))

[FarGetaNik]

Yes, the 64 bit version should be a priority. I like the fantastic basic functions of the 1.6.1 version, but in my opinion it cannot handle the necessary amount of data (neither the GAIA 1 billion star data, nor the very big texture files).

Despite many functional issues ("bugs" in some cases) in the current Celestia, it might be a good idea to do this step first.

FarGetaNik, In the near future I will prepare information on what kind of help will be needed for the development of Celestia. If the list you will find something that you can join))

Good, I'm looking forward for it If you plan on keeping Celestia's current features and just develope the 64bit version, I don't think a catalogue update will get in the way. Or maybe I find something else to contribute...

[john71]

FarGetaNik: There are of course annoying bugs (for example Celestia crashing after clicking on a certain part of supposedly "empty" space, or after loading too many hi-res textures etc.), but the main problem is that it's getting obsolete in some technical areas. Celestia needs the ability to use big amounts of data and complex detailed graphics in my opinion.

[FarGetaNik]

but the main problem is that it's getting obsolete in some technical areas. Celestia needs the ability to use big amounts of data and complex detailed graphics in my opinion.

You're right, I agree. I have little knowledge on these concerns, so just wanted to bring that up.

[robulous]

Sad to say I'd abandoned Celestia for SpaceEngine, mainly because SE has hugely better graphics. But modding in Celestia is still far simpler. Ideally I'd like to see a new Celestia that takes advantage of modern computing power and graphics, while retaining its easy modability.

I'd also suggest having some way of allowing graphics/shader mods to create a different look and feel, similar to mods now found in many games (eg Minecraft).

[omega13a]

I'll gladly help with updating the exoplanet catalog. It desperately needs updating.

[Alexell]

omega13a, ok.

[SVision]

I'll gladly help with updating the exoplanet catalog. It desperately needs updating.

This is true. But in addition to extrasolar planets catalog updates requires the same and their individualization. In modern Celestia planet outside solar system very templates and it's time to fix it.
omega13a , If you don't mind. then I will join you. I like this issue within the framework of the Russian-speaking project Celestia appear and attack them.

[Alexell]

Today i re-create new Celestia repository. Initially, I made the mistake of import, resulting in inconvenience: incorrectly displays the date of file changes. Now, all dates are displayed correctly.

See: https://github.com/CelestiaProject/Celestia

P.S. Soon I will make a small code changes.

[john71]

Nice work! Cool!

[omega13a]

I'll gladly help with updating the exoplanet catalog. It desperately needs updating.

This is true. But in addition to extrasolar planets catalog updates requires the same and their individualization. In modern Celestia planet outside solar system very templates and it's time to fix it.
omega13a , If you don't mind. then I will join you. I like this issue within the framework of the Russian-speaking project Celestia appear and attack them.

My Confirmed Exoplanets Add-on can be used as a starting point. I'm slowly going through the stars and getting more info about the stars that there is insufficent data for to make an STC entry. Given how many exoplanets have been confirmed and/or had there size and/or orbits revised since the last time the exoplanet catalog was updated, it might be easier to make a new extrasolar.stc and extrasolar.ssc using my add-on then to do a comparison with what is already in Celestia with what is in my add-on.