Problem DG-EX thrust (no keyboard control?)

[IL2windhawk]

I downloaded the DG-EX over the weekend: what a gorgeous ship. It's quickly becoming my favorite. But there's just one thing that is limiting my use of it. When I'm in orbit, I can't get the main engines to fire with the key commands. The retros work just fine, but the only way I can activate the mains is to use the thrust sliders on the control panel.

Does anybody else have this problem?

 

[Schimz]

Yep, that's because the engines are virtualized to achieve the inertia when throtteling them.

 

[IL2windhawk]

Can you please explain what you mean? All engines affect a ship's inertia when they are throttled. I don't understand the distinction? If this was a deliberate design feature, then how/why is it better than using key commands to control engines.

Thanks again for the great work on the DG-ex. I hope I dont seem unappreciative. Quite the contrary: I want to make her my primary ride.

 

[Schimz]

There is 4 user* thrusters, they produce no thrust, you control their levels with the panel. When you change their levels, the 4 main thrusters react with inertia.
As you can control only the main engines with the Orbiter's thrust controls (joystick throttle, keyboard input), you can't throttle them, they are dependent of the user thrusters level's.

* By user & main, I mean thrusters type in Orbiter API.

BTW, you can use plasma thruster for orbitals maneuvers.

 

[IL2windhawk]

OK, I think i am beginning to understand. The DGEX was programmed to use some sort of inertial thrust as found in the Dev package (as opposed to the standard main engine thrust). Thus, no key command applies.

Does anybody know of an addon that might provide such functionality (control of inertial thrust via key command)?

BTW, you can use plasma thruster for orbitals maneuvers.

How about this? Are you implying that a key command / axis could be mapped to plasma thrust?

Thanks again. Please pardon my naivity to the innerworkings of orbiter sim.:lol:

BTW: where can I find the manual for the DGEX? The PDF that downloaded with the addon had nothing in the contents. Just a few pages filled with section numbers but no content.

 

[Schimz]

How about this? Are you implying that a key command / axis could be mapped to plasma thrust?

No, it's just a standard main thruster.

where can I find the manual for the DGEX? The PDF that downloaded with the addon had nothing in the contents. Just a few pages filled with section numbers but no content.

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastination"]Procrastination - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] :shifty:
Basically, fly it like a plane not like a DG. Stay below 65km to gain speed before leaving atmosphere.

 

[IL2windhawk]

Hehehe - no worries about the manual. Most of us can figure this stuff out on our own (OK... maybe not me, LOL :lol. Can you provide a quick list of the relevant key commands? I have K and O figured out. Is there anything else that I am missing?

No, it's just a standard main thruster..

OK - bear with me...You say the plasma engine is just the software equivalent of a standard main thruster (the same as the main thruster on the DG??). Does that mean the standard main engine key commands activate the plasma engine? Boy... I'm gonna feel really dumb about this if I've had key-stroke thrust capabilities all along (even if it's limited to just the plasma engines). Is this correct?

I know the retro engines work via key command.

Basically, fly it like a plane not like a DG. Stay below 65km to gain speed before leaving atmosphere.

Got it. Thanks.

I'm not trying to split hairs about the low-thrust (like so many others have). I like the DG-ex powered as she is already. I just wanna make burns when in orbit without using my mouse. Got a HOTAS joystick. Using the plasma engine should do it (assuming I am understanding now).

Thanks for your patience. I'm learning a lot about the software..

 

[Hielor]

There is 4 user* thrusters, they produce no thrust, you control their levels with the panel. When you change their levels, the 4 main thrusters react with inertia.
As you can control only the main engines with the Orbiter's thrust controls (joystick throttle, keyboard input), you can't throttle them, they are dependent of the user thrusters level's.

* By user & main, I mean thrusters type in Orbiter API.

BTW, you can use plasma thruster for orbitals maneuvers.

Seems to me like this is backwards--wouldn't it have been better to use the main engines as the zero-thrust control input (so keyboard/joystick works as expected) and then have the engines in a user* group that's throttled with inertia based on that?

 

[IL2windhawk]

OK - i'm a very happy orbinaut now.

I finally had the chance to try burning the DG-ex's plasma engines only while in orbit. Thankfully I can activate them with keyboard/joystick. It's not full thrust (given that the rocket engines don't fire), but it's enough for orbital maneuvers. Now I can steer her to the ISS with ease. The only time I needed the rockets engaged was when i was changing my inclination. Thanks for the responses and support. I strongly encourage you to mention something about this (namely: to select 'plasma engines only' for thrust when in orbit). As the creator of the DG-ex, this might have seemed obvious to you, but it was a bit confusing to me. Thanks again... now back to flying :thumbup:

 

[Schimz]

Seems to me like this is backwards-

No, it's required for auto-pilots and stuff like that.

I strongly encourage you to mention something about this (namely: to select 'plasma engines only' for thrust when in orbit).

Yes, over-head panel, configurations block (remember command module ? ).
But you can use it sooner. The nuke reactor is ignited at 15km (some king of noise abattment feature).