Update: [Official Forum Post Added] FSDreamTeam Releases Major Update to GSX

Update 01-Jul-19 @ 09:50z

[Update is written by Calum]

FSDreamTeam has released the official forum post with a few key bits of information for the community. In the forum post, the team recap some of the new features that have come with this free update to GSX. The biggest one is the brand new custom pushback module. A brand new visual customisation tool will enable people to have better pushbacks in either Snap to AFCAD mode or in Free mode.

The other big change is to do with the inclusion of brand new PBR materials and objects. As simply adding PBR to the old models wouldn’t yield best results, FSDreamTeam re-built many of the objects with greater detail. Furthermore, additional human models with improved skeletons (for smoother animations) have also been added.

Other improvements FSDreamTeam wanted to highlight is the new camera system, better interaction with third-party aircraft (it can read plenty of data being sent now by GSX), new DirectX rendering system and also the new Towbarless Pushback vehicle which raises and lowers the aircraft during operations.

The update can be fetched either through the FSDreamTeam Add on Live Manager, or by downloading the GSX installer again. This is a free update for all owners of GSX.

FSDreamTeam has also added a slightly different change log to the one we found in the installer.

• NEW: Custom Pushback improved, with visual customization in the editor, using two modes, Snap to AFCAD lines and Free mode.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Most objects remade in native P3D4 PBR format, with entirely new models and animations.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Towbarless Pushback models in PBR, with several color variations.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Towbarless Pushback can raise/lower the airplane gear during operations.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Marshaller characters, using native P3D4 SDK skeleton system, for better animation.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ with GSX Level 2 only): New Fuel Hydrant service vehicle.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Custom Camera system, to easily focus GSX objects activities.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Support for Attached Objects for better efficiency, performance and variety of characters.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Vehicle customization system remade, using DirectX-based logos, for much easier user customization and flexibility. The old PaintKit is now deprecated in P3D4.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Operator logos for Handling, Catering and Jetways can be easily customized with user-provided images.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Custom operator logo can be associated with several Base Color variations for most of the models, which are supplied in multiple base repaints.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Thanks to the new DirectX rendering system for logos, the number of installed repaints has been greatly reduced (7000 less than before), while the number of base color repaints has increased, allowing better customization flexibility and better performances in general.
• NEW: All stock logo files have been moved in a single Texture folder under main installation root.
• NEW: ICAO-related vehicle assignment rules have been moved from individual vehicle SIM.CFG files, to a centralized rules file, which can be user customized more easily, altering the assignment of GSX stock operators and customized operators as well.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): ULDs now have their own individual ID displayed.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Marshaller Distance readout now made in DirectX, for better performances, and can be set in Meters or Feet, depending on the simulator International settings.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Fuel Counter on Fuel Trucks readout made in DirectX, for better performances.
• NEW (P3D4.4+ only): Custom cameras active when editing a parking or the airplane configuration, making it easier to move objects or customize doors precisely.
• NEW: Added the following L: variables 3rd party add-ons can use:
  FSDT_GSX_DEICING_STATE
  FSDT_GSX_DEICING_TYPE
  FSDT_GSX_DEICING_CONCENTRATION
  FSDT_GSX_NUMPASSENGERS
  FSDT_GSX_BATTERY_VOLTAGE
  FSDT_GSX_MAX_BATTERY_VOLTAGE
  FSDT_GSX_FUEL_PRICE
  FSDT_GSX_FUELHOSE_CONNECTED
  FSDT_GSX_DISABLE_DOORS_MSG
  FSDT_GSX_DISABLE_DETECT_REFUELING
  FSDT_GSX_BOARDING_CARGO_PERCENT
  FSDT_GSX_DEBOARDING_CARGO_PERCENT
  FSDT_GSX_NUMPILOTS
  FSDT_GSX_PILOTS_NOT_BOARDING
  FSDT_GSX_PILOTS_ON_BOARD
  FSDT_GSX_NUMCREW
  FSDT_GSX_CREW_NOT_BOARDING
  FSDT_GSX_CREW_ON_BOARD

• Change: New Deicing strategy, querying both Simconnect Metar and Simconnect Temp variables, to prevent false icing condition detection due to conflicting data between the two.
• Change (P3D4.4+ only): L: variables handled using the native P3D PDK, instead of the old Gauges SDK.
• Change: Passengers “Hello” sounds are less frequent.
• Change: Deice can choose Fluid concentration.
• Change: Facility data not queried anymore while cruising, to prevent a simulator bug that result in crashing while flying over remote areas.
• Change: Detect changes to the Scenery Library without requiring a restart.
• Change: Custom steering system for PMDG airplanes, fixing the vibrating rudder problem.
• Change: Renamed some Jetway folders to prevent SODE from skipping them.
• Change: FMC Commander 30i supported on the Aft/Fwd Cargo Doors as well, to support planes with higher cargo doors, like the A330/340.
• Change: Use of SODE 1.6.4 API, to better sync Jetway status with GSX.
• Change: The “Waiting for other services to complete” message has been improved, indicating which service GSX is waiting for.
• Bugfix: Fix Jetways sometimes being loaded twice on slow system and/or complex sceneries.
• Bugfix: Fix an error in the Battery Charger if the airplane has a maximum voltage set to 0 in the aircraft.cfg
• Bugfix: Fix an error in the UPS crew at KSDF.
• Bugfix: Fix problems with Baggage loaders on the left and airplane doors on the right.
• Bugfix: Saved Preferences in sceneries with custom menu options.

== Original Article 30-Jun-19 @ 23:05z ==

In a surprise move today, FSDreamTeam has released a major update for GSX and GSX Level 2 – with no public announcement on their forum.

Thankfully, we’ve been able to obtain the changelog and provide it here for you.

It looks like this is the PBR update we’ve been waiting for.  To update, simply run the FSDT Live Update desktop application.

Changelog (items denoted with * are for P3Dv4.4+ only)

• Custom Pushback improved, with visual customization in the editor, using two modes: Snap to AFCAD Lines and Free Mode
• Most objects remade in native P3D4 PBR format with entirely new models and animations*
• Towbarless Pushback models in PBR, with several color variations*
• Towbarless Pushback can raise/lower the airplane gear during operations*
• Marshaller characters using the native P3D4 SDK skeleton system for better animation*
• New Fuel Hydrant service vehicle* Requires GSX Level 2
• Custom camera system to easily focus GSX object activities*
• Support for Attached Objects for better efficiency, performance, and variety of characters*
• Vehicle customization system remade, using DirectX-based logos, for much easier user customization and flexibility.  The old PaintKit is now deprecated in P3D4.*
• Operator logos for Handling, Catering, and Jetways can be easily customized with user-provided images*
• Custom operator logo can be associated with several Base Color variations of most of the models – which are supplied in multiple base repaints*
• Number of installed repaints greatly reduced thanks to new DirectX rendering system, while the number of base color repaints has increased, allowing for better customization, flexibility, and performance*
• All stock logo files have been moved in a single Texture folder under main installation root
• ICAO-related vehicle assignment rules have been moved from individual vehicle SIM.CFG files, to a centralized rules file, which can be user customized more easily (both stock and user-customized operators)
• ULDs now have their own individual ID displayed*
• Marshaller Distance readout now made in DirectX for better performance and can be set in meters or feet depending on the simulator’s setting*
• Fuel Counter on Fuel Trucks readout now made in DirectX for better performance*
• Custom cameras are active when editing a parking or airplane configuration, making it easier to move objects/customize doors.*
• Added a number of new variables 3rd-party add-ons can use.
• New deicing strategy which queries both Simconnect Metar and Temp variables to prevent false icing condition detection.
• Passenger ‘Hello’ sounds are less frequent (editor’s note: greatly appreciated by some of us!)
• Deice can choose fluid concentration
• Facility data not queried anymore while cruising; preventing a simulator bug that resulted in crashes while flying over remote areas
• Detect changes to scenery library without requiring restart
• Custom steering system for PMDG airplanes, fixing the vibrating rudder issue
• A number of other useful changes/bugfixes.

This update really came out of nowhere for me and I’m excited to get into the sim and check out the new models – so with that, I’ll let you get on with the same thing, and remember to stay tuned to FSElite to hear the latest in Flight Simulation news!