X-Plane 12
X-Plane 12.1.2 Release Candidate Adds Vulkan Improvements and New Weather Radar API
By Purima Bhoka · · 2 min read
Laminar Research's latest update to X-Plane 12 brings Vulkan performance enhancements, a new weather radar API for third-party aircraft, and improved cloud shadows. The update is now in release candidate, with final rollout expected within a week.
Laminar Research has pushed the release candidate for X-Plane 12.1.2 to the public, and it includes several significant improvements. The Vulkan rendering engine has been optimized to reduce CPU overhead, resulting in better frame rates on systems with many add-ons, particularly when using orthophoto scenery. Additionally, the new weather radar API allows third-party developers to integrate real-time weather radar displays into their aircraft, using data from the simulator's updated weather engine.
Cloud shadows have also been improved, with more accurate projection onto terrain and objects, and the new sky colors have been calibrated to provide more realistic sunsets and sunrises. The update also fixes several bugs related to the G1000 avionics and the default A330-300, including an issue with the autopilot's VNAV behavior during step climbs.
Laminar has also updated the default navdata to AIRAC 2608, and the included GNS 430/530 units now support RNP approaches with LPV minima. This is a welcome addition for GA pilots who prefer the default avionics. The update is available as a release candidate on the X-Plane 12 beta channel, and Laminar expects the final version to be released within a week if no critical issues are found.
Airliner developers such as ToLiss and FlightFactor have already confirmed compatibility with the new weather radar API, and we expect to see updates for their aircraft in the near future. This update solidifies X-Plane 12's position as a serious platform for both VFR and IFR flying, and we highly recommend it to any simmer who hasn't yet made the switch.
Tags: X-Plane 12, Laminar Research, Vulkan, weather radar, update