Gaia Sky 3.6.0

Features

• add support for OptFlowCam (Piotrowski 2024) method to convert keyframes into camera path files. Gaia Sky calls the local python3 interpreter to process the keyframe files, so a local python3 installation (with numpy) needs to be in place for it to work.
• add support for B-splines, additionally to Catmull-Rom splines, as a method for interpolating positions between keyframes.
• reorganize keyframes window layout for better use of space.
• add different durations for the transitions in position and orientation in the API call.
• add smooth interpolation methods to cameraTransition() calls. The new methods can use either a logistic sigmoid or a logit function. Smoothing factor is configurable via a parameter.
• add ‘textureAttribute’ to particle sets, so that textures are selected with respect to the value of an attribute.
• use local dataset descriptors to construct catalog infos, when they are not explicitly set.
• enable local data information in the ‘+ info’ window. This displays the local data on an object. In particle and star groups, the extra attributes are also offered.
• enable extra arguments of type string for star and particle sets.
• rename ‘star systems’ group to ‘exoplanets & extrasolar systems’. Add icons to group title in dataset manager.
• add support for multiple key sets bound to actions in hotkey tooltip.
• keyframes and camera path file saving no longer overwrites existing files. Instead, it generates a new unique file name based on the given one.
• support comma- as well as whitespace-separated values for camera and keyframes files. Default to comma-separated values for writing.
• add API call to get the window coordinates of an object, in pixels.
• add API calls to do camera transitions only in position and orientation.
• add time transition API call and test script.

Bug Fixes

• check leap years in date dialog.
• prevent NaNs in some camera operations.
• clean up test scripts a bit.
• startRecordingCameraPath(String filename) does not use the filename correctly.

Build System

• update dependency library versions.