What's new in Wing Helper 1.5.0
Feb 26, 2019
- HOT: Definition of "Shipway" implemented
- HOT: NC export (G-Code for 4-axis CNC foam cutters) - GFK and CFK wings, we are coming!
- HOT: Automatic generation of ailerons extended (new spar type "K-Form")
- HOT: Creation of half-ribs
- HOT: "Use as LE" for round and cuboid spars implemented (automatic cut into the rib)
- Round spar: option "Separate radius (end)" added
- A new type of trailing edge: "Standard (Height)"
- Trailing edge "Standard (Depth)": different depths at the beginning and at the end implemented
- Cuboid spars: separate width and height at the end of the spar implemented
- Option for parallel projection added
- Option added to invert the mouse wheel
- Rib table now also showing the rib lengths
- Improved editability in tables (ribs, spars, combs, sheetings)
- Tooltips can now be turned off
- "Don't apply lightening holes to a rib" implemented (right-click into the rib table)
- Round and Cuboid spars: "Follow LE" changed to "Follow curvature", allowing you to also define spars which follow the trailing edge
- "Needle gap" parameter added also for aileron cutters and webbings
- Improvement for the SCAD export of aileron cutters of the type "Simple"
- The problem with the slow start under Windows 10 fixed
- The problem with black screens on some computers fixed
- OSX: toolbar can now be freely positioned
- Fix for floating point precision issues under Windows
- Compilation platform under Linux is now Ubuntu 18041 LTS
- Compilation platform under Windows is now Windows 10
- Upgrade to the most recent QT version (5112)
- Countless further improvements, optimizations and bug fixes!
New in Wing Helper 1.5.0 Beta 1 (Dec 9, 2018)
- HOT: NC export (G-Code for 4-axis CNC foam cutters) - GFK and CFK wings, we are coming!
- HOT: Automatic generation of ailerons extended (new spar type "K-Form")
- HOT: Creation of half-ribs
- HOT: "Use as LE" for round and cuboid spars implemented (automatic cut into the rib)
- Round spar: option "Separate radius (end)" added
- New type of trailing edge: "Standard (Height)"
- Trailing edge "Standard (Depth)": different depths at the beginning and at the end implemented
- Cuboid spars: separate width and height at the end of the spar implemented
- Option for parallel projection added
- Option added to invert the mouse wheel
- Rib table now also showing the rib lengths
- "Don't apply lightening holes to a rib" implemented (right-click into the rib table)
- Round and Cuboid spars: "Follow LE" changed to "Follow curvature", allowing you to also define spars which follow the trailing edge
- "Needle gap" parameter added also for aileron cutters and webbings
- Improvement for the SCAD export of aileron cutters of the type "Simple"
- The problem with the slow start under Windows 10 fixed
- The problem with black screens on some computers fixed
- OSX: tool bar can now be freely positioned
- Compilation platform under Linux is now Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS
- Compilation platform under Windows is now Windows 10
- Upgrade to the most recent QT version (5.11.2)
- Countless further improvements, optimizations and bug fixes!
New in Wing Helper 1.4.0 (Jan 31, 2018)
- HOT: Generation of lightening holes in ribs
- HOT: Automatic generation of ailerons (new spar type "Aileron Cutter (simple)")
- HOT: Graphical Airfoil Designer and Manager
- HOT: 3D export in SCAD format (see OpenSCAD.org)
- HOT: ICE Export (G-Code for styrofoam cutting machines)
- Visibility control added to ribs and sheeting strips (context menu in the rib table)
- When changing the thickness of the last rib, its' position is now automatically adjusted
- Scaling of the background image in wingform editor can now also be done based on a measurement (context menu in the planform editor)
- Airfoil import: added option to smooth-out the nose portion of the airfoil
- Airfoil spanning implemented (Edit->Airfoil Spanning)
- Right-click now opens a spar resp. sheeting strip pop-up menu also if one doesn't click directly on an already existing spar or sheeting strip
- Option added to also include full, un-altered ribs in the DXF file (useful for "facing ribs")
- "Help -> About Wing Helper" now also presents the system information which can be included in error reports
- Building tabs: width is now separately adjustable for fore and aft tabs
- Building tabs: placement of the building tabs now also possible as percentage of the rib length
- Building tabs: now also with "holes", for easier removal
- Added an option to distribute ribs in a more flexible way (right-click on the rib in the rib table)
- 3D View can now be paned also by pressing the middle mouse button (wheel) or by simultaneously pressing left and right mouse buttons
- Additional option for the main wing view: Show Dihedral
- Improved spar output in DXF and PDF
- New option "Real Width" for some spars (important for strongly angled spars)
- New option "Flat" for rectangular spars
- New option "Separate End Height" for rectangular spars
- Countless further improvements, optimisations and bug fixes!
New in Wing Helper 1.4.0 Beta 4 (Dec 27, 2017)
- SCAD export: option to also export sheeting added (experimental, please use with care)
- DXF export: option to try to remove trailing artifacts on ribs added
- Airfoil spanning: potential crash fixed
- Generate ribs: safety question added in case manual modification are detected
New in Wing Helper 1.4.0 Beta 3 (Dec 11, 2017)
- Definition of aileron shear webbing improved
- Airfoil loading made more robust (potential bug elliminated)
- Airfoil name can't be left out empty any more
- Compilation under Linux fixed (compatibility for older distributions restored)
- Crash when DXF exporting rib sillhouettes fixed (Windows only)
New in Wing Helper 1.4.0 Beta 1 (Dec 3, 2017)
- Version 1.4.0 Beta 1 can read the files created with previous official versions. Due to a change in the file format, the older versions of Wing Helper will not be able to read files saved with 1.4.0 Beta 1 (or newer)! For that reason, we strongly suggest that you always store away your existing designs before working on them with a newer version. By doing so, you keep the option to step back to the previous Wing Helper version if you wish to or if a need arises.
- 1.4.0 introduces a great variety of exciting new features. In order to enable this, we had to re-work many program internals, changing quite a few of existing methods and algorithms. For that reason, please make sure to double-check your existing designs after moving to Wing Helper 1.4.0 Beta 1 (or newer) - it could be, that some settings will need a bit of fine-tuning.
- Last but not least, here the list of the most important additions and changes implemented in this version:
- HOT: Generation of lightening holes in ribs
- HOT: Automatic generation of ailerons (new spar type "Aileron Cutter (simple)")
- HOT: Graphical Airfoil Designer and Manager
- HOT: 3D export in SCAD format (see OpenSCAD.org)
- HOT: ICE Export (G-Code for styrofoam cutting machines)
- Visibility control added to ribs and sheeting strips (context menu in the rib table)
- When changing the thickness of the last rib, its' position is now automatically adjusted
- Scaling of the background image in wingform editor can now also be done based on a measurement (context menu in the planform editor)
- Airfoil import: added option to smooth-out the nose portion of the airfoil
- Airfoil spanning implemented (Edit->Airfoil Spanning)
- Right-click now opens a spar resp. sheeting strip pop-up menu also if one doesn't click directly on an already existing spar or sheeting strip
- Option added to also include full, un-altered ribs in the DXF file (useful for "facing ribs")
- "Help -> About Wing Helper" now also presents the system information which can be included in error reports
- Building tabs: width is now separately adjustable for fore and aft tabs
- Building tabs: placement of the building tabs now also possible as percentage of the rib length
- Building tabs: now also with "holes", for easier removal
- Added an option to distribute ribs in a more flexible way (right-click on the rib in the rib table)
- 3D View can now be paned also by pressing the middle mouse button (wheel) or by simultaneously pressing left and right mouse buttons
- Additional option for the main wing view: Show Dihedral
- Improved spar output in DXF and PDF
- New option "Real Width" for some spars (important for strongly angled spars)
- New option "Flat" for rectangular spars
- New option "Separate End Height" for rectangular spars
- Countless further improvements, optimisations and bug fixes!
New in Wing Helper 1.3.1 (Mar 27, 2017)
- Bug fix for DXF and PDF output for round and cuboid spars which need to follow the leading edge
- Improved DXF output for rectangular spars
- New option "Real Width" for cuboid, round and rectangle spars (important for strongly angled spars)
- New option "Separate End Height" for rectangular spars
- New option "Flat" for rectangular spars
New in Wing Helper 1.3.0 (Feb 27, 2017)
- The most important additions and changes implemented in this version are:
- HOT: Support for non-trapezoid wings added (new tab "Planform" in the main window). Mouse right-click activates the corresponding pop-up menu
- HOT: "Measure Distance" tool implemented in the 2D Rib View. Mouse right-click activates the corresponding pop-up menu
- HOT: Possibility to load a background image as a guidance for wing creation (see "Planform" tab mentioned above)
- HOT: Joiners now also working between outer panels
- HOT: Tutorial videos with audio commentary
- DXF export for the entire wing added
- 2D rib view is now using a newly implemented "CAD Widget" view, providing the ruler. To pan the view, you now have to press and hold the "Shift" key, like in the 3D view window
- Spars, sheeting strips, and rib combs can now be assigned any colour you prefer, except black (used for internal purposes) or white (special meaning: "revert to default")
- New file format (V2). This means, 1.3.0 can read old files, but if you save something with 1.3.0, you won't be able to read it with earlier versions!
- If "PDF Export" or "DXF Export" was called right after the first start of the program, the program erroneously reported that the test period is already exceeded
- Twist can now also be specified at the root of the panel. When loading existing designs, twist is automatically propagated along the wing to account for this change
- Fix for inconsistent handling of cube spars. If you are using cube spars, please double-check them in your existing designs
- Check upon the start of the program whether there is a newer version available
- 3D Panel View can now also be teared-off from its' original position
- Root/Tip twist now allowed in a range +/- 21 degrees
- Twist is now also correctly considered in the PDF and DXF output of the entire wing
- Rectangular spar: option "Adjustment" added. If you wish to make a spar narrower, please enter a negative value here
- Additional option for the rib comb height added: "Leveled". If you select it, the comb will extend as far as building tabs plus the value you specify. The root/tip twist modification plus this modification make it possible to align the combs belonging to different panels
- "Align comb" implemented
- Building tabs enriched with parameters "Fore", "Aft", and "Length"
- Menu option for increasing precision in the leading edge area added
- Cube spar: rotation can now also be specified as a decimal number
- Zoom function in 2D views improved (keeps the view at the mouse pointer location)
- New panel parameter: "Make TE straight"
- Many important bug fixes and additional minor improvements!
New in Wing Helper 1.3.0 Beta 7 (Jan 23, 2017)
- Zoom function in 2D views improved (keeps the view at the mouse pointer location)
- Placement of spars in DXF / PDF output correctly respecting twist
- "Place spar to max. thickness" now also working when the spar is defined from the trailing edge
- File name also suggested as DXF and PDF output file name
- Twist fixed for non-trapezoid wings (center of rotation is now on the line connecting the tips of the root and tip rib)
- New panel parameter: "Make TE straight"
- Automatic file extension for PDF files fixed
- Round und cuboid spars: added parameter "Follow leading edge"
- Rib ends were sometimes warped when the sheeting extended until the end of the rib (cosmetic improvement)
New in Wing Helper 1.3.0 Beta 1 (Jan 3, 2017)
- 1.3.0 introduces a great variety of exciting new features, most notably the support for non-trapezoid wing forms. In order to enable this, we had to re-work many program internals, changing quite a few of existing methods and algorithms. For that reason, please make sure to double-check your existing designs after moving to Wing Helper 1.3.0 Beta 1 (or newer) - it could be, that some settings will need a bit of fine-tuning.
New in Wing Helper 1.2.3 (Oct 11, 2016)
- Potential crash during DXF export fixed
- This error was discovered and repaired during the development of the version 1.3.0. The fix was then back-ported into the official 1.2.x line. There were no reports of this error actually being experienced by a user.
New in Wing Helper 1.2.2 (Oct 11, 2016)
- Critical fix for the calculation of spar angles (see below for additional information)
- The positioning of cuboid joiners is now consistent with other spars
- Fix for a crash upon PDF or DXF export when a rib is malformed
- Fix for a wrong "Invalid last rib position" error
- Fix for "Automatic Spar Align" when the spar placement is defined from the trailing edge
- Show 'Change History' dialog upon first start of a new version
- In previous versions of Wing Helper, angle calculation for spars did not correctly consider the wing sweep. This error did not show in the 3D view, it was visible only in the PDF export (wing plan view). In addition to that, the position of cuboid joiners was relative to the beginning of the joiner (the point nearest to the leading edge) instead of the mid point, as with other spars. Starting with 1.2.2, both these errors are fixed. This means, that the spars in the wings defined with older versions of Wing Helper might now not be exactly in the angle you wanted them to be, and the cuboid joiners might have moved a bit. For that reason, please make sure to couble-check the positions and the angle of spars in your existing designs after moving to Wing Helper 1.2.2 (or newer).
New in Wing Helper 1.2.1 (Oct 11, 2016)
- Rectangular spars are now also allowed to be just one rib "long". A nice side-effect: by correctly placing such 1-rib long spars, you can also create half-ribs (see picture on the Wing Helper home page)
- Airfoil import improved (TABs are now also allowed as delimiters)
- Non-critical error in placement of round spars fixed
New in Wing Helper 1.2.0 (Oct 11, 2016)
- Implementation of the rib comb
- Automatic alignment of spars across multiple panels (also considering the dihedral angle)
- 2D rib preview (can be detached and freely positioned on the screen in addition to the 3D view)
- Filtering option for airfoils
- Rib list can be detached and freely positioned on the screen
- Free placement of building tabs within a panel (with preview)
- Spar placement at the max. rib thickness
- DXF output: now also containing rectangular spars
- Presentation which panel is currently selected
- Panels can now be moved up/down in the panel table
- Panel edit dialog re-structured in order to better utilize small screens
- Many bug fixes, small improvements and internal optimisations!