Release Notes for JMRI 2.13.1 release

Date: Sept 20, 2011

From: Bob Jacobsen

Subject: Test version 2.13.1 of JMRI/DecoderPro is available for download.

Notes:

This is a test release. Please post a note if you encounter any new or old bugs! And please back up your JMRI files before installing this, in case you want to go back to an earlier version.

This is the first in a series of test versions. We expect this series to end in a JMRI 2.14 or 3.0 production release.

Some of the changes involved are quite extensive. They may require a certain amount of experience before they are working well. Therefore, this test version should be considered experimental.

DecoderPro 3

"DecoderPro 3" is a new presentation of locomotives/decoders in the roster, making it easier to organise and access decoder programming features. It has a new menu structure, locomotives are listed in a table which can be sorted on any column. "DecoderPro 3" has two programmer types; Basic and Comprehensive, plus setup of features such as throttle function keys and roster media (pictures of locomotives). We have tried with the design of "DecoderPro 3" to focus on the needs of those who use JMRI primarily for adjusting CV settings in their locomotives.

This release of "DecoderPro 3" is a test. There are a few more features we'd like to add, but before doing that we need feedback from users; does it work for you, what do you want to see changed, etc.. We'll look at all the information which comes back and incorporate it in future developments.

We have tested "DecoderPro 3" and are not expecting major file-damaging faults. But with any test-release of software there is always a small risk that something has been overlooked. So, please check that you have a backup of your Roster files just incase something unexpected happens. If you install with the Windows installer, a backup copy of your old files (including the roster) is created by default.

JMRI is now only available under the GNU General Public License. For more information, please see our copyright and licensing page.

New warnings for this version:

The way in which UserNames are edited has now changed in the tables, renames are now performed via a mouse pop-up menu and can not be directly edited.

The method we use for building release files has been extensively changed. Please let us know of any problems with installation or unpacking.

JMRI 2.12 is the last release which is completely supported by Java 1.5. Starting with this release, there will be minor interface features, such as drag-and-drop of some items, that require your computer to have Java 1.6 installed. Computers with only Java 1.5 will still be able to use JMRI, including PanelPro and DecoderPro, through the end of this 2.13.* release cycle. Releases in the next cycle will require Java 1.6.

Older warnings

(None yet)

Known problems with this release

After the release, a problem opening certain QSI decoder definitions was found. Most decoder definitions do work, but QSI V6 (and perhaps a few other QSI decoders) do not. This will be fixed in the next test release.

Download links:

Please use these links for downloading:

Changes since production release 2.12

Dan Boudreau made the following enhancements to operations.

• You can now show the timetable name on your manifests and switch lists. See under Settings->Tools Print Options, Manifest Comments, select Show Timetable.
• You can now show the loco consist name and car kernel name on manifests and switch lists. See Print Options under Settings->Tools
• You can now select which staging track a train is to terminate on. See Options under Settings->Tools
• You can now optionally select 12 hour format for your manifests and switch lists. See under Settings->Tools Print Options, Manifest Comments "12hr Format" check box.
• Fixed a minor issue with cars in a kernel and their destinations when performing a train reset.
• Improved build report when a train is departing staging.
• The program can now generate a csv switch list file. This allows you to create custom switch lists for your railroad. See Settings->Tools->Options.
• You can now print the loco's or car's owner name on manifests and switch lists.
• You can now print the car's return when empty (RWE) on manifests and switch lists.
• Added RWE location and track to csv manifests and switch lists
• You can now optionally print the route comment on manifests. See Print Options under Settings->Tools
• The loco consist name is now printed on the roster when sort by consist is selected in the locomotives window
• Custom loads can now be defined as a "load" or an "Empty". This is useful when using the loads and empties feature when creating manifests.
• Manifest and switch list font size can now be increased to 14 points.
• Fixed a problem where a car would be set out to a track that wasn't to be serviced as determined by the train's direction. This only occurred when a train visited a location more than once. Thank you Steve Davis for bring this bug to our attention.
• Fixed a problem when generating a car load from staging and the spur would not service the default load empty. Thank you Frank Wyatt for bringing this bug to our attention.
• You can now use a text editor to preview and edit your train manifest and switch lists. Requires Java 1.6 and jar file from my site. See Print Options under Settings->Tools.
• Improved how the program selects the departure track from staging, now if the train requires a caboose or car with FRED, all tracks in staging are checked.

Dan also improved how panel markers (locos) save their text info. Now when you save your panel, the marker's text size, font, etc. is also saved.

Kevin Dickerson made the following enhancements.

• Developed DecoderPro 3 with Nigel Cliffe into a format that is ready for Beta testing, additional enhancements to the Roster Groups in DP3 have been made by Randall Wood
• Ensured that the order that items are saved and loaded in the panel XML files is consistent
• Updated a number of files relating to the validation of the XML files (Bug 3370027)
• Allowed layout block routing to be enable from the Signal Mast Logic table when performing a "discover all pairs"
• Introduced a manager to help control the way in which changes to user names are handled
• Changed the way in which UserNames are edited in the tables, so that renames are performed via a mouse pop-up menu and not directly editable
• Did some work on the LocoNet Over TCP so that it appears correctly in the connection preferences
• Caught an issue when clearing a connection from the preferences that could prevent a new connection from being created
• Fixed an issue with the sensor icon that prevented icon from being changed once placed on the panel (Bug 3361033)
• Add the option in the Layout Editor to change sensor and Signal Head icons for an item already on the panel
• Fixed an issue with the Sensor Debounce on LocoNet connected Sensors (Bug 3368304)
• Fixed an issue in the layout editor, where undashed track segments would become dashed
• Updated the way in which Signal Heads are created, by using drop down boxes to select existing turnouts or a separate method to create turnouts on the fly using a drop down box to select the connection and a text field to enter in the hardware address.

Matthew Harris made the following enhancements.

• Fixed the RXTX version warning message seen in the System Log
• Updated the NetBeans project files and usage instructions after the change of source code repository to Subversion
• Updated the documentation for logging procedures
• Deprecated doppler factor for AudioSources
• Added support to retrieve length and frequency information from AudioBuffer objects
• Fixed a problem that caused the configuration help not to be displayed when no valid connections were detected
• Fixed a problem that stopped JMRI being compiled using JDK 1.7
• Updated LaunchJMRI on Windows to support the new automated restart mechanism
• Modified the ant build script to support the new automated restart mechanism in development environments
• Added a new FontCombo class that can provide a preview of the font being selected
• Updated the System Console to allow the displayed font to be customized and added a right-click menu

David Zuhn made the following changes:

• Moved the source code from CVS to Subversion.
• Simplified the process for creating installer release images.

Dick Bronson Updated the CSX-1998 signal mast image set.

Mark Underwood fixed a problem with looping sounds.

Darryl Van Nort added an MRC 1803 definition

Jack Shall added Soundtraxx definitions Added definitions for: EMD 567D (Turbo), EMD 567 (Dual), GE FDL-16 (Modern), ALCO 251C (Supercharged), TSU-750 UP Gas Turbine, TSU-GN1000 EMD 710 G3C-T2, TSU-KT1000 for KATO GP35 and TSU-4664N Challenger.

Jeff Schmalz provided decoder definitions for Massoth sound and motor decoders and the Uhlenbrock 77500 large scale decoder, also sold as the PIKO 3612x series large scale decoders. He also provided new decoder definitons for the CHAMPEX-LINDEN CL6300 series Sound Modules, the Massoth eMOTION S sound-only decoder (including a SUSI version), the LGB 6500x series sound modules, the LGB model 22592 locomotive, the PIKO 3612x series large scale decoders built by Massoth, and the Uhlenbrock 32100 and 32400 IntelliSound SUSI sound modules, also sold as the PIKO 3619x Series sound modules.

Nigel Cliffe provided a script which sends Cab-Signalling messages on a per-loco basis to Digitrax DT402 throttles. Includes basic user interface. Only works when throttle is plugged into LocoNet (ie. does not send messages to Duplex throttles connected by radio).

Mark Waters did a major update to the Zimo decoder definitions

Additional speeds were added to the MERG CBUS CAN-RS support. You may have to modify your CAN-RS to use these, consult their Yahoo email group for details.

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