Wing Helper Changelog

What's new in Wing Helper 1.7.1

Nov 27, 2023

HOT: Crash occurring on some versions of MacOS fixed
New option included to control whether converted values shall be shown or not
Bug fix in PDF output
Development under Linux moved to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (preparation for Wing Helper 2.0)
Development under MacOS prepared for QT 6.6.0 and Sonoma (preparation for Wing Helper 2.0)

New in Wing Helper 1.7.0 (Jun 18, 2023)

New in Wing Helper 1.7.0 Beta 3 (May 14, 2023)

New in Wing Helper 1.5.0 (Feb 26, 2019)

Version 1.5.0 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 1.5.0 (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.
1.5.0 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. Please make sure to double-check your existing designs after moving to Wing Helper 1.5.0 - it could be, that some settings will need a bit of fine-tuning.
Last but not least, here is the list of the most important additions and changes implemented in 1.5.0:
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 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)

Version 1.4.0 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 (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. Please make sure to double-check your existing designs after moving to Wing Helper 1.4.0 - it could be, that some settings will need a bit of fine-tuning.
Most important additions and changes:
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 5 (Jan 3, 2018)

New in Wing Helper 1.4.0 Beta 4 (Dec 29, 2017)

New in Wing Helper 1.4.0 Beta 3 (Dec 11, 2017)

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 1.4.0 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, optimizations and bug fixes!

New in Wing Helper 1.3.1 (Mar 26, 2017)

New in Wing Helper 1.3.0 (Mar 16, 2017)

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!
Sheeting option "Standard" is marked obsolete. You can still use it, and you will get a warning when opening a file using that option, but you might expect issues with non-trapezoid wings. Please use "Advanced" sheeting instead
Version 1.3.0 introduces a huge amount of changes and improvements, some of them profoundly affecting the existing functionality. Please double-check your designs made with older versions for eventual issues or deviations