openBVE 0.8 has been released today.
New features include:
- Added support for X files (text, binary, compressed text, compressed binary) to the necessary degree
- Added support for BVE 4 timetables via route and train
- Added support for automatically generated timetables
- Introduced new route commands: Options.BlockLength and Options.UnitOfLength, in order to use different block lengths but 25m and to customize the unit of length to use
- Introduced new route command: Track.PointOfInterest, in order to set up points in the route file through which one can cycle through with the camera
- Introduced new object command: (Set)BlendMode, in order to choose between blend modes and to enable glow with custom glow modes and application distances
- New fly-by camera allows to focus on the train from a fixed location
The X file format, which is not seldom used, is now supported for the most necessary parts. Complete support is unfeasible for many reasons, but the current implementation should suffice for most objects in use.
The new options for block length and units of length allow developers to use any unit they want, for example to base routes on yards, miles, inches, feet, chains etc. and using custom block lengths to more accurately model after real routes.
The new points of interest allow to set up points in the route file the user can cycle through for more interesting and more easy to use predefined camera locations and directions. The new fly-by camera can not only follow the train's movement, but also zoom in on the distant train if so desired.
The timetables not only allow to show the BVE 4 ones as predefined in the route and train, but are also available as automatically generated ones, similar to BVE 2, but with more information: The station name, arrival times and departure times have been complemented with travel time and maximum speed limits for the track in-between stations as frequently done in Japanese timetables.