The new GRAL version 24.11 has been released, bringing important bug fixes, enhanced visualisations, and new features that improve the overall user experience. This update addresses issues in odour percentile calculations and source group management, introduces expanded export options, and changes the installation process to offer greater flexibility. The software remains open source, with its full code available on GitHub for those interested in exploring it further.
The release of GRAL 24.11 has sparked considerable interest among users of this atmospheric dispersion model. This version not only fixes bugs that previously affected the stability of certain functions but also adds visual and technical improvements that could transform how the tool is used in scientific and professional contexts. For those relying on GRAL, the update presents an opportunity to explore new capabilities and enhance their analyses.
Key bug fixes include resolving a crash caused by a missing parameter during odour percentile evaluations and correcting an issue when adding a source group without saving it, then attempting to remove an existing group in the source item dialogue. These fixes are expected to significantly improve the software’s reliability during complex tasks.
On the feature side, version 24.11 changes wind rose segments to be drawn as pie-shaped sectors rather than triangles, making them easier to interpret visually. It also enables the export of shape files for “Bourke” contour lines, buildings, and dispersion areas, and allows the evaluation of hourly means for percentile calculations when performed with sub-hourly dispersion times. Additionally, support for the “GRAL Reproducible Results” option has been added to enhance scientific reproducibility.
Finally, the update modifies the distribution method: the all-in-one file is no longer the default, meaning users must install the .NET8 Runtime to run the software. However, a single-file version remains available for Windows users via a separate download. Linux users would benefit greatly if GRAL were packaged as an AppImage, Flatpak, or similar format to simplify installation and usage on their platforms.
For further information, users are encouraged to consult the release notes, GUI manual, and technical documentation on the official GRAL website. The complete source code continues to be available under the GNU/GPL 3 licence on GitHub, underscoring the project’s commitment to open and collaborative development.
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