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New Firestorm stable release is up, at 7.2.3 (80036)
Info: https://www.firestormviewer.org/
Download: https://www.firestormviewer.org/os-operating-system/
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PBR is nice, and some things look great with PBR textures. But I keep asking myself... is it really necessary? I don't really need it, I don't use it, and I won't use it! We managed for many years without PBR and had fantastic textures everywhere. That's my opinion on that.
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fixes and performance updates mean nothing to me if the viewer is un able to run as stable as it did before all the EEP and PBR crap. for over a year now the viewer is leaking CPU and memory like a sieve.
at what point is its finally time to turn off the tab and aksually plug the problems?.
giving it more resources to use isnt a fix.
it be nice to see a easy switch in opensimulator to turn this stuff on or off isnt ther a opsion that the server develpers and viewer develpers work on this together for ones.
so hosts can toggle it on or off per simulator to choose between PBR/EEP OR Windlight support in viewer and server.
performances are more important than visual fantasy graphics that run like a slideshow if there's much to render or de-render all at once.
some projects simply need performances over visually appealing not everyone here in the opensimulator community sees theyr grid as a second life clone. i my self use the platform more as a game engine and as a creatife outlet and test base for my own limitations and creativety.
sins the PBR/EEP updates opensimulator is starting to holding me back. mainly the viewers are because they can't handle the render preforminces like they did before the PBR/EEP updates no more. + the resource leaks and the resources needed to keeps the viewer stable is un realistic and is unacceptable.
opensimulator use to be what u want it to be. this is wy i pickt years ago opensimulator over second life. but lately with all the crappy updates is just turning it in to a other secondlife clone with al its limitasions and crappy stabilety that comes with it.
and this problem is viewer developments side not server developers side.
in the end of the day why limit yourself to secondlife standards if opensimulator is much more powerful... its a bottle neck that shouldn't have to exist.. the opensim developers did up ther game for the viewer develpers as they requested.. and ones again te viewer develpers run behind secondlife and hold opensimulator back.. with bottle necks and limitations.
sorry if this might hit the viewer developers the wrong way. don't get me wrong i'm happy there trying. but this is opensimulator not second life. i'm just frustrated that things don't work as they sepose to work.
if something works worse than it did before its not a upgrade but a downgrade in my eyes.
even if i choose to not use the PBR texteurs. i still am forced to just take the performance drops that comes with the skybox and new light bouncing in the simulator killing my FPS in more than half than it use to be to me this is unacceptable
this stuff should be optional per project or simulator not forced down my throat.
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at what point is its finally time to turn off the tab and aksually plug the problems?.
giving it more resources to use isnt a fix.
it be nice to see a easy switch in opensimulator to turn this stuff on or off isnt ther a opsion that the server develpers and viewer develpers work on this together for ones.
so hosts can toggle it on or off per simulator to choose between PBR/EEP OR Windlight support in viewer and server.
performances are more important than visual fantasy graphics that run like a slideshow if there's much to render or de-render all at once.
some projects simply need performances over visually appealing not everyone here in the opensimulator community sees theyr grid as a second life clone. i my self use the platform more as a game engine and as a creatife outlet and test base for my own limitations and creativety.
sins the PBR/EEP updates opensimulator is starting to holding me back. mainly the viewers are because they can't handle the render preforminces like they did before the PBR/EEP updates no more. + the resource leaks and the resources needed to keeps the viewer stable is un realistic and is unacceptable.
opensimulator use to be what u want it to be. this is wy i pickt years ago opensimulator over second life. but lately with all the crappy updates is just turning it in to a other secondlife clone with al its limitasions and crappy stabilety that comes with it.
and this problem is viewer developments side not server developers side.
in the end of the day why limit yourself to secondlife standards if opensimulator is much more powerful... its a bottle neck that shouldn't have to exist.. the opensim developers did up ther game for the viewer develpers as they requested.. and ones again te viewer develpers run behind secondlife and hold opensimulator back.. with bottle necks and limitations.
sorry if this might hit the viewer developers the wrong way. don't get me wrong i'm happy there trying. but this is opensimulator not second life. i'm just frustrated that things don't work as they sepose to work.
if something works worse than it did before its not a upgrade but a downgrade in my eyes.
even if i choose to not use the PBR texteurs. i still am forced to just take the performance drops that comes with the skybox and new light bouncing in the simulator killing my FPS in more than half than it use to be to me this is unacceptable
this stuff should be optional per project or simulator not forced down my throat.
So this article is about the new FS. OK.
Nevertheless, PBR textures and their use haven't really caught on with most people yet.
Many thanks for your work, whoever it was.
Kind regards, Andy Wilder
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Nevertheless, PBR textures and their use haven't really caught on with most people yet.
Many thanks for your work, whoever it was.
Kind regards, Andy Wilder
Here’s a clean, skimmable summary without the flavor text:
Firestorm 7.2.3 release highlights
- Mac users: Firestorm is now a Universal Binary with native Apple Silicon support (Intel + M-series). Expect better performance and
stability on M-series Macs. (Note: Havok physics isn’t currently supported on macOS.)
- Stability focus: Built on Linden Lab 7.2.3 (2025.08) with lots of extra crash fixes, freeze detection, and defensive hardening.
- Voice/WebRTC improvements: More reliable voice, better device handling (including unplug/replug), fewer shutdown issues, and
improved logging.
- Faster web panels: Updated Chromium (CEF) plus login-time preloading for Search and Marketplace (auto-disabled on low-end
systems).
- New Omnifilter (WIP): Content-based filtering for chat and pop-ups, with backup/restore and anti-forgery protections.
- UI & chat QoL tweaks: Better chat notification behavior, improved SLURL handling, time format options, and new debug graphics
quality controls.
Creator & inventory upgrades:
- Custom “New Script” templates from inventory
- Big performance improvements for large Outfit collections
- AO remembers active sets properly
- Poser workflow and export improvements
New visual tools: Chat range spheres showing whisper/say/shout distances.
Groups: Pin favorite groups to keep them at the top of Contacts.
Platform-specific notes
- Linux: Fixed CEF keyboard issues, land double-click bugs, and modernized build tooling.
- macOS: HiDPI pie menu fixes, packaging/media fixes, added stability.
- OpenSim: Fixed login stalls and an Omnifilter-related crash.
Important support notes
- macOS 11 and older are no longer supported.
- Some physics/mesh tools on Apple Silicon may require Rosetta.
- Firestorm 6.6.14 and 7.1.9 are actively unsupported—no help will be provided for those versions.
Bottom line:
This release is about stability, performance (especially on Mac), better voice, faster web panels, and meaningful quality-of-life improvements for everyday users and creators.
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Firestorm 7.2.3 release highlights
- Mac users: Firestorm is now a Universal Binary with native Apple Silicon support (Intel + M-series). Expect better performance and
stability on M-series Macs. (Note: Havok physics isn’t currently supported on macOS.)
- Stability focus: Built on Linden Lab 7.2.3 (2025.08) with lots of extra crash fixes, freeze detection, and defensive hardening.
- Voice/WebRTC improvements: More reliable voice, better device handling (including unplug/replug), fewer shutdown issues, and
improved logging.
- Faster web panels: Updated Chromium (CEF) plus login-time preloading for Search and Marketplace (auto-disabled on low-end
systems).
- New Omnifilter (WIP): Content-based filtering for chat and pop-ups, with backup/restore and anti-forgery protections.
- UI & chat QoL tweaks: Better chat notification behavior, improved SLURL handling, time format options, and new debug graphics
quality controls.
Creator & inventory upgrades:
- Custom “New Script” templates from inventory
- Big performance improvements for large Outfit collections
- AO remembers active sets properly
- Poser workflow and export improvements
New visual tools: Chat range spheres showing whisper/say/shout distances.
Groups: Pin favorite groups to keep them at the top of Contacts.
Platform-specific notes
- Linux: Fixed CEF keyboard issues, land double-click bugs, and modernized build tooling.
- macOS: HiDPI pie menu fixes, packaging/media fixes, added stability.
- OpenSim: Fixed login stalls and an Omnifilter-related crash.
Important support notes
- macOS 11 and older are no longer supported.
- Some physics/mesh tools on Apple Silicon may require Rosetta.
- Firestorm 6.6.14 and 7.1.9 are actively unsupported—no help will be provided for those versions.
Bottom line:
This release is about stability, performance (especially on Mac), better voice, faster web panels, and meaningful quality-of-life improvements for everyday users and creators.
Here’s a super simple, non-techy version:
Firestorm 7.2.3 in plain English
- It runs much better and more smoothly, especially on Macs (including newer Apple Silicon Macs).
- It crashes less and is more stable overall.
- Voice chat works more reliably, with fewer random problems.
- Search and Marketplace open faster.
- You get a new way to filter chat and pop-ups so unwanted stuff is easier to block.
- Managing outfits, groups, and animations is faster and less frustrating.
- Small but nice improvements across chat, time display, and menus.
Good to know
Very old Macs and very old Firestorm versions are no longer supported.
Older versions still work, but you won’t get help if something breaks.
Bottom line:
This update is about speed, stability, and making everyday things less annoying, not flashy changes.
Things they didn't mention so far that I have found:
- Inventory items can be marked as favorites and there is a new FAVORITES tab.
- New TPP View, follows you with the camera behind you, third person.
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Firestorm 7.2.3 in plain English
- It runs much better and more smoothly, especially on Macs (including newer Apple Silicon Macs).
- It crashes less and is more stable overall.
- Voice chat works more reliably, with fewer random problems.
- Search and Marketplace open faster.
- You get a new way to filter chat and pop-ups so unwanted stuff is easier to block.
- Managing outfits, groups, and animations is faster and less frustrating.
- Small but nice improvements across chat, time display, and menus.
Good to know
Very old Macs and very old Firestorm versions are no longer supported.
Older versions still work, but you won’t get help if something breaks.
Bottom line:
This update is about speed, stability, and making everyday things less annoying, not flashy changes.
Things they didn't mention so far that I have found:
- Inventory items can be marked as favorites and there is a new FAVORITES tab.
- New TPP View, follows you with the camera behind you, third person.
The big one from the release notes:
Active discouragement of 6.6.14 and 7.1.9
In particular, we will actively refuse support on the oldest versions of the two current viewer “generations” – 6.6.14 and 7.1.9. If you insist on keeping these viewers, this is your choice, but you are on your own. We will not provide support, and we may choose to remove support access from users who continue to make demands and don’t accept our position on this matter.
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Active discouragement of 6.6.14 and 7.1.9
In particular, we will actively refuse support on the oldest versions of the two current viewer “generations” – 6.6.14 and 7.1.9. If you insist on keeping these viewers, this is your choice, but you are on your own. We will not provide support, and we may choose to remove support access from users who continue to make demands and don’t accept our position on this matter.
From what I understand,if you texture an item with PBR you need to also add a Blin-Phonn backup texture for those not on PBR viewers. if that is not done, then the surface will show plain white if not on a PBR viewer. So you can do both and make everybody happy. But yeah, it is a lot of extra work and for me personally, the loss in performance does not make up for the shiny it adds.
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My opinion on the topic of PBR textures.
a: Creation in external programs, Blender comes to mind.
b: Use of textures via the viewer, additional work for creators.
c: The effect is there, but honestly, it hardly makes a difference to the overall picture.
d: HUDs to change that? I'm not aware of any, scripts with commands for that?
e: Strains the computer.
Conclusion: I don't need it.
Kind regards, Andy Wilder
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a: Creation in external programs, Blender comes to mind.
b: Use of textures via the viewer, additional work for creators.
c: The effect is there, but honestly, it hardly makes a difference to the overall picture.
d: HUDs to change that? I'm not aware of any, scripts with commands for that?
e: Strains the computer.
Conclusion: I don't need it.
Kind regards, Andy Wilder
you don't really see a difference if u are not playing on ultra and use a proper (Environmental Enhancement Project
) set up on the region. PBR it defnly makes the world nicer if done right. but it's not worth the lost in performances if u ask me.
+ it also blows up the cache with more shit.. i use the new viewers but not the PBR fusion it's just not worth the write off on resources it needs
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) set up on the region. PBR it defnly makes the world nicer if done right. but it's not worth the lost in performances if u ask me.
+ it also blows up the cache with more shit.. i use the new viewers but not the PBR fusion it's just not worth the write off on resources it needs
I never could figure out why I would see grey textures with pbr viewer, so i am using an older version.
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U need to convert the texteur sets outside of the viewer with a tool to convert the proper mapping secondlife and opensim viewer use. then build them again in world to a PBR item becose Secondlife PBR is not even real PBR its missing 2 maps that normale PBR needs. its a lot of work for something that only fucks up your stability anyways. so u are not missing out believe me.
in most cases using normal and bump maps is much nicer if done right. PBR textures gives off a ugly glow and the light never hits right
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in most cases using normal and bump maps is much nicer if done right. PBR textures gives off a ugly glow and the light never hits right
sadly that is not my answer, others see my regions just fine. Besides who would even have textures for all of there items, they wouldn't.
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the grey textures may be related to transparency on texteurs. with the PBR update some stuff changed related to texture transparency and fading. also the default transparency texture of old viewers used costing problems.
from my experience this did give me some trouble in the past migrating my regions to work on both old and new viewers
in some cases re-applying the texture might fix the issue
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from my experience this did give me some trouble in the past migrating my regions to work on both old and new viewers
in some cases re-applying the texture might fix the issue