Creating new spacecraft

[csmate86]

Hi everybody! This simulator is GREAT! :speakcool: But I have some questions about developing a new spacecraft for this simulator.

Does anybody know where can I find some tutorials for creating the followings:

- How to make moving parts on a ship to move (gears, aerodynamic surfaces, etc.)
- How to make a fully functional cockpit (3D and 2D too)


- I am using Solid Edge V20 (academic version) to make the mesh of the model.
- Can I apply the existing XR5_XRVesselCtrl.h file to my new ship?
- How can I use spacecraft.dll?

Do I need only the basics from C++ or should I study much more about it?

 

[Bj]

Hi everybody! This simulator is GREAT! :speakcool: But I have some questions about developing a new spacecraft for this simulator.

Does anybody know where can I find some tutorials for creating the followings:

- How to make moving parts on a ship to move (gears, aerodynamic surfaces, etc.)
- How to make a fully functional cockpit (3D and 2D too)


- I am using Solid Edge V20 (academic version) to make the mesh of the model.
- Can I apply the existing XR5_XRVesselCtrl.h file to my new ship?
- How can I use spacecraft.dll?

Do I need only the basics from C++ or should I study much more about it?

Id say you need a little more than just basics

here is a few links to get you started
http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=715

http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=144

 

[n0mad23]

csmate86,

It sounds like you're going to use Vinka's Spacecraft3 for your animations (moving parts), so be prepared to spend some time with the accompanying documentation. I'd suggest picking up a copy of Mesh Wizard, as you'll need to identify the "groups" that will be animated. Mesh Wizard is really useful for this.

This forum will be invaluable in terms of getting advice at those stages where you'll need it. The good news is developers here are really helpful.

I haven't attempted any cockpits yet, but I'm sure there are plenty of developers here that can give you advice.

Good luck, and be prepared to disappear into your project. I find this end of things is really compelling.

 

[csmate86]

Thank you very much! These links are very useful.

 

[ar81]

Here you have the basics of Spacecraft.dll
[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2748"]Tutorial: How to use Spacecraft.dll parameters (Le[/ame]
[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2747"]Tutorial: How to use Spacecraft.dll (Lesson 1)[/ame]

There are several ways to make a vessel

CFG file + Mesh
This is good to make satellites, station modules or simple craft with no virtual cockpit. No animation possible.

Spacecraft3 DLL addon + INI file + Mesh + Scenario code
This will allow you to create vessels that are capable of having virtual cockpit, and animations. I added scenario code, since users of your vessel will need to copy and paste that code into their scenarios to use the vessel. It is simpler than coding C++.

CFG file + custom DLL + Mesh
Since custom DLLs are coded in C++ you have all the flexibility that your coding and Orbiter API allows. Refer to orbiter SDK at the orbiter site if you use this option.

 

[GregBurch]

I recommend that you do what I did, which is to closely study the work other people have done, copy it and change only what you need to change, one element at a time, until you feel like you can "fly on your own." The first 10 addons or so that I did were gross rip-offs in this way

I try to put internal notes in my spacecraft3.dll .ini files for just this purpose (both so I can go back and recycle my own code, and as a guide to others), so feel free to cannibalize my work to your heart's content!

GB

 

[ar81]

If I was you, I would study the addons of Greg first.
Those are some of the most ellaborated Spacecraft3.dll addons.
I can tell you as I used his addons to build my tutorials on Spaceraft DLL.

His meshes are also state of the art. I used his meshes as test data when creating Mesh Wizard. His meshes caused CTDs in MW that no other mesh caused.

 

[GregBurch]

If I was you, I would study the addons of Greg first.
Those are some of the most ellaborated Spacecraft3.dll addons.
I can tell you as I used his addons to build my tutorials on Spaceraft DLL.

His meshes are also state of the art. I used his meshes as test data when creating Mesh Wizard. His meshes caused CTDs in MW that no other mesh caused.

I'm sorry I caused you so much pain, Pablo But mesh Wizard was well worth it, because it's become an indispensable tool for me, that saves hours and hours of work.

 

[Andy44]

Gene Harm's tutorial is still over on M6, as are all the old threads. LOTS of good stuff to browse over there!

http://www.orbitersim.com/Forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=4104

 

[tl8]

- I am using Solid Edge V20 (academic version) to make the mesh of the model.

I strongly advice running the mesh through gmax to optimise the mesh, otherwise you will have a massive number of polys.

 

[ar81]

I'm sorry I caused you so much pain, Pablo But mesh Wizard was well worth it, because it's become an indispensable tool for me, that saves hours and hours of work.

On the contrary. Causing CTDs is what I needed. It pushed my software to the limit. The only other addon maker that had achieved that, but with one mesh only, was N0mad with a giant mesh that even Anim8tor could not withstand.

I have seen other meshes that bring CTDs but those are caused by typos caused by manual editing of the mesh, so they do not count.

I felt privileged to find such great meshes that pushed the tool and my skills to its limits. :speakcool:

 

[n0mad23]

I recommend that you do what I did, which is to closely study the work other people have done, copy it and change only what you need to change, one element at a time, until you feel like you can "fly on your own." The first 10 addons or so that I did were gross rip-offs in this way

I try to put internal notes in my spacecraft3.dll .ini files for just this purpose (both so I can go back and recycle my own code, and as a guide to others), so feel free to cannibalize my work to your heart's content!

GB

This is great advice, and amusing for me to read. For my first addon, it was Greg's stuff that I studied in order to figure out what to do. Not only his .scn, .cfg, and .ini files, but his meshes as well. It was in my attempts at reverse engineering that I learned Anim8or. Cheers for that Greg.

Causing CTDs is what I needed. It pushed my software to the limit. The only other addon maker that had achieved that, but with one mesh only, was N0mad with a giant mesh that even Anim8tor could not withstand.

I have seen other meshes that bring CTDs but those are caused by typos caused by manual editing of the mesh, so they do not count.

I felt privileged to find such great meshes that pushed the tool and my skills to its limits. :speakcool:

I wonder if the above fact is why I share this somewhat infamous honor. Seriously, the ZTC-Ltd. tether-sling project would not be possible at this stage without Mesh Wizard. Ar81 is an addon god for this alone, not to mention how important his tutorials have been.