Security Monitor (webcam/CCTV)

Here's a new feature for those of you with webcams (or other USB live video camera). You can use your camera as a CCTV device within Version 6, to view a live feed.

I'm currently refining this feature, so it's still really basic right now and only supports a 320 x 240 camera resolution. Any higher resolution will be downscaled to 240p. On release of Version 6, this will likely be a lot higher.

Note: the image in the display is a stock photograph for illustration.

Hidden Goodies • Preview Hint

Over the course of the development, LCARS 47 has become known for its hidden secrets - most notably the "assimilation virus" which became favorite among users. Version 6 will proudly follow that tradition. There's a ton of new secrets, hidden surprises and in-jokes that only the most hardened Trekker will get. 

Here's a preview of just three of them. First, there's some old library computer files stored in a database somewhere which contain a copy of the software from the USS Excelsior. There's also a few sing-along audio files to find, including a very special audio treat for fans of The Next Generation. And there's also a way to hack into a Romulan Warbird computer; just don't get caught in there...

These are just three examples of what's in store, but I can confidently say that there will be some things in Version 6 that you will seriously love. One thing in particular is sure to be a success.

On a related note, The Borg are set to make a comeback, with an even more deadly nanoprobe toxin you'll need to think fast to escape it - if that's even possible.

Something I thought would give you something to look forward to in Version 6. Happy hunting.

Upgraded StartApp

The old StartApp simply doesn't handle the requirements of LCARS 47 anymore. To display all the relevant data and still reserve space for future expansion, more space was needed.

There's now better support for the custom name and registry fields under "Starship Configuration", with an option to load the config files into your favorite plain text editor.

An "Ambience Configuration" panel has also been added so you can select from a number of ambient sounds to play to make your experience all the more realistic.

Version 5 gets an MSD Overhaul

In the next update for version 5 (5.3), the app will lose all of the Intrepid class diagrams ready to support the new MSD plugins feature which will be required to be installed after you update LCARS 47. Tactical ship icons like the one pictured, will also reflect whichever plugin is installed and since it's now handled externally, the ship diagrams are even more detailed.

Don't worry if you were a fan of the Intrepid class, it will be available for download as a plugin (see: full list).

The Champaign update has also been applied to version 5.3, so it's now even more your own.

Library • Audio Files

 A new addition to LCARS 47 will be a few sound samples of music used throughout the series. More of an experiment than a feature, just to see how it all works out.

The music is not taken from the actual show, but rescored and adapted. The quality is fitting of the overall app - I'm sure you'll enjoy listening.

Custom Personnel Files

We decided that incorporating a database of customizable personnel files would be a great idea. It will provide about 12 places for you to import your own custom profile pictures and add text. The image (removed by request) is an outline of the possible layout.

I'll add a bit more formatting to the text to make it fit better with the user interface, but all in all, you guys are getting customizable crew files.

Deflector Shield (with changeable ship class MSD)

As you know, I've been working on support for custom ship class plugins. That's going so well, it's opening doors (or airlocks) for better animations. This is the latest product of the feature; deflector shield status readout.

Of course, I've added red and blue alert display functions, so when you hit the alert button, the shield display will reflect the new status. The layout itself is based on the shot from Star Trek: Nemesis, with obvious artistic license (pictured: Sovereign Class Starship).

When version 6 is released, all ship classes will have this function, and if there is no ship class MSD plugin installed, you'll see an error message.

New Development Blog

Hi guys,

I've decided to run a dev blog through Google's Blogger platform, for a number of reasons. One of them being that I have bits of LCARS all over several sites, and it's probably hard for you guys to keep track of it all.

Everything relating to LCARS 47 is now located here.

I've copied the old development blog posts from everywhere else and posted them below.

LCARS 6 Database Plugins • Archived: Dec 18, 2011

LCARS 6 is coming along nicely, with completion of the Champagne update, and MSD plugins. I'm currently working on a database module which will allow periodically released database files to be installed directly into version 6. Once installed, version 6 will be updated to display new the new data packs.

Confirmed modules include;
• Starship class schematics which include detailed cutaways and annotations with technical data.
• Federations texts which include directives*, treaties, etc.
• Xenology databases, which contain data pertaining to all major canon** races in Star Trek
• Historical databases.

Planned modules
• User customizable personnel files, there are plans to include a customizable database of your own ship's senior officers.

Screenshot of early concept: [link]

The (currently) unmarked roundish buttons will act as scroll buttons.

(The database layout is loosely based upon the DS9 briefing room MSD: [link])

As always, I'm open to suggestions.


Notes:
* The Omega Directive will be omitted, since the Federation officially denies its existence.
** Prime canon reality. Although LCARS 47 is set around the time of Nemesis (2379 (stardate ca. 56844.9)), it is assumed that Romulus is still in existence.

Peace, love and prosper.
~Eleanor

LCARS 47 Champaign Update • Archived: Dec 10, 2011

I've just finished the Champaign update for LCARS 47 (versions 5.2+).

It won't affect the LCARS apps themselves, until version 6 is finished, but you will see the changes in the StartApp, which now includes the ability to edit the config files.

Update link: [link] (link updated)

Preview: [link] (broken link removed)

On a semi related note, the ship class plugin project is coming along nicely. Once LCARS 6 is released, you will be able to download any of the ship class plugins (only 1 ship class will work at any given time).

Completed ship class MSDs are:

Akira class,

Defiant class,

Galaxy class,

Intrepid class,

Nebula class,

Nova class,

Prometheus class, and

Sovereign class (pictured).

LCARS 6 Custom Text Fields • Archived: Dec 6, 2011

Over the course of development, I got a few requests from users asking if I could add a customized ship name to the apps. For the small "module" apps, this was no problem, since it only took an open, edit, publish and and email. But the problem with LCARS 5 (and 6) was the compilation (including quality checks) took about half an hour, so I decided not to include any reference to ship names. Well, I figured I could just include a text file and solve all those problems. I thought the text file was a better idea then an user input field, since the text will be loaded each time the app starts.

So there it is, there will be a text file in the install directory, that you can edit. There is however, a character limit, although, quite generous.

LCARS 6 seems to be developing a more user oriented theme. It's getting rather souped up...

Enjoy.

---

ShipName.txt
shipName=USS  Champagne

//       Experiment with spacing in between the "USS" and the name of
//       the starship. The above name has two spaces to better fill the
//       placeholder. If you were to use the name, "USS ENTERPRISE", you
//       would only need one.

//       Use the LCARS Champagne app to test the name. It will
//       automatically reload when you save this text file.

---

Edit:

I figured I'd make "USS Champagne" the default name, as a homage to the good old naval tradition. I forgot to mention that there's a registry number option too. There is no (and no plans for) a ship class option, due to the variables involved in rendering MSDs in various modes.

LCARS VI Update • Archived: Nov 28, 2011

LCARS 6 is going pretty well, but there is one tiny problem... Unless you bought your computer from NASA, it's a bit laggy. This is because (and I'm heavily criticized for it) I always set the frame rate to 60 frames per second. There's just something about anything below 60FPS that I don't like - I can see the frames. 30 is just not good enough. I believe that Mike Okuda used 15 FPS in Voyager, but the focus was never really on any monitor; in LCARS 47, it is.

Let's hope computer standards increase tenfold, because this one is gonna be a hog of an app. At least 512MB of dedicated VRAM.

Anyways, I just thought I'd mention something about LCARS, and share some of the latest screenshots with you.

Album: [link] (removed broken link)

Peace, love and prosper,

Eleanor <3

LCARS Early Release • Archived: Nov 20, 2011

I spent all Sunday night finalizing a few things, now it's ready. I was wondering whether to release on Friday as planned, or now (since I've postponed 2 release dates already). You may have already guessed that I went for the latter. It's not the end of version 5, there will be a few updates to come, mainly the voice support and touch screen versions.

Have fun and enjoy.

DL: [link] (EXE - 9.31 MB)

And with that, work on version 6 (widescreen) can begin... Keep an eye out for info.

Edit

Just a quick note, if you have any difficulties, leave a comment here, or use the contact page on theBluPrint.