Orbiter super-newbie

[Pipcard]

I'm in my early teens. I like space and sci-fi stuff. I'm new to Orbiter (which is probably too complicated and realistic for me).

Is there any good tutorials besides a long pdf manual (those things are slow)?

 

[Woo482]

Hi and to orbiter-forum ! .
I personally recommend this Go Play in Space for people who a new to orbiter and also the others on this page http://www.orbiter-forum.com/tutorials.php .

 

[george7378]

Hello there!

Before you start trying to aim for a 'goal' as such, open a scenario with a craft already in orbit, and use the PROGRADE, RETROGRADE, NML + and NML - to position your ship, and use the main engines once in position. See what happens to your orbit, and keep this in mind, because in general, these four buttons (plus the engine) will let you do anything to your orbit.

 

[Pipcard]

Please note that I have a laptop. I need a better control scheme (though I have Fn).

 

[Woo482]

well you could either
1: Buy an USB keyboard for the laptop.
2: Get a Joystick.
3: edit the "keymap.cfg" file in orbiters main directory to change the key mapping, this program might help with that [ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2848"]Keybinder Wizard 1.0[/ame] .

 

[Lucy]

Also, check some of these pages out. http://www.orbiter-forum.com/tutorials.php

Welcome, by the way. New orbinauts are always welcome.

 

[RisingFury]

Wow! A newbie that actually knows about the manual! That's somewhat uncommon latelly.

You can probably learn a lot about Orbiter by just experimenting. I learned everything except for TransX by experimenting, or at most, watching the playbacks, that come with Orbiter.

Generally, if an MFD doesn't have an interface intuitive enough to not need manual, I don't use it.

 

[the.punk]

Hello and to the forum.

 

[Pipcard]

By the way, where can I find the original keymap.cfg? (to reset it?)

 

[Woo482]

well you could download orbiter 2006 again and get the keymap.cfg out of it or ask for some one to post the original keymap.cfg here.

 

[the.punk]

Pipcard, here's the original keymap:

CockpitCamRotateLeft = LEFT ALT
CockpitCamRotateRight = RIGHT ALT
CockpitCamRotateUp = UP ALT
CockpitCamRotateDown = DOWN ALT
CockpitCamDontLean = DOWN CTRL ALT
CockpitCamLeanForward = UP CTRL ALT
CockpitCamLeanLeft = LEFT CTRL ALT
CockpitCamLeanRight = RIGHT CTRL ALT
CockpitResetCam = HOME
PanelShiftLeft = LEFT
PanelShiftRight = RIGHT
PanelShiftUp = UP
PanelShiftDown = DOWN
PanelSwitchLeft = LEFT CTRL
PanelSwitchRight = RIGHT CTRL
PanelSwitchUp = UP CTRL
PanelSwitchDown = DOWN CTRL
TrackCamRotateLeft = LEFT CTRL
TrackCamRotateRight = RIGHT CTRL
TrackCamRotateUp = UP CTRL
TrackCamRotateDown = DOWN CTRL
TrackCamAdvance = PGDOWN
TrackCamRetreat = PGUP
GroundCamTiltLeft = LEFT
GroundCamTiltRight = RIGHT
GroundCamTiltUp = UP
GroundCamTiltDown = DOWN
IncMainThrust = ADD CTRL
DecMainThrust = SUBTRACT CTRL
KillMainRetroThrust = MULTIPLY
OverrideFullMainThrust = ADD
OverrideFullRetroThrust = SUBTRACT
IncHoverThrust = NUMPAD0
DecHoverThrust = DECIMAL
RCSEnable = DIVIDE CTRL
RCSMode = DIVIDE
RCSPitchUp = NUMPAD2
RCSPitchDown = NUMPAD8
RCSYawLeft = NUMPAD1
RCSYawRight = NUMPAD3
RCSBankLeft = NUMPAD4
RCSBankRight = NUMPAD6
RCSUp = NUMPAD2
RCSDown = NUMPAD8
RCSLeft = NUMPAD1
RCSRight = NUMPAD3
RCSForward = NUMPAD6
RCSBack = NUMPAD9
LPRCSPitchUp = NUMPAD2 CTRL
LPRCSPitchDown = NUMPAD8 CTRL
LPRCSYawLeft = NUMPAD1 CTRL
LPRCSYawRight = NUMPAD3 CTRL
LPRCSBankLeft = NUMPAD4 CTRL
LPRCSBankRight = NUMPAD6 CTRL
LPRCSUp = NUMPAD2 CTRL
LPRCSDown = NUMPAD8 CTRL
LPRCSLeft = NUMPAD1 CTRL
LPRCSRight = NUMPAD3 CTRL
LPRCSForward = NUMPAD6 CTRL
LPRCSBack = NUMPAD9 CTRL
NMHoldAltitude = A
NMHLevel = L
NMPrograde = LBRACKET
NMRetrograde = RBRACKET
NMNormal = SEMICOLON
NMAntinormal = APOSTROPHE
NMKillrot = NUMPAD5
Undock = D CTRL
IncElevatorTrim = DELETE
DecElevatorTrim = INSERT
WheelbrakeLeft = COMMA
WheelbrakeRight = PERIOD
HUD = H CTRL
HUDMode = H
HUDReference = R CTRL
HUDTarget = R CTRL ALT
HUDColour = H ALT
IncSimSpeed = T
DecSimSpeed = R
IncFOV = X
DecFOV = Z
MainMenu = F4
DlgHelp = F1 ALT
DlgCamera = F1 CTRL
DlgSimspeed = F2 CTRL
DlgCustomCmd = F4 CTRL
DlgVisualHelpers = F9 CTRL
DlgRecorder = F5 CTRL
DlgInfo = I CTRL
DlgMap = M CTRL
DlgNavaid = N CTRL
ToggleInfo = I
ToggleFPS = F
ToggleCamInternal = F1
ToggleTrackMode = F2
TogglePanelMode = F8
TogglePlanetarium = F9
ToggleRecPlay = C CTRL

 

[daniash]

[ ]

 

[Oceanic]

small tip, use the Keybinder Wizard it's very simple and easier that editing the keymap.cfg manually

 

[tblaxland]

By the way, where can I find the original keymap.cfg? (to reset it?)

The Orbiter download does not include a keymap.cfg. It will recreate a default one if none is found, so if you want to reset back to the defaults, simply delete the keymap.cfg.

 

[Pipcard]

Why are spacecraft so complicated? What are all the bells and whistles (random buttons) for?

 

[Woo482]

Flying spacecraft on orbiter is not simple / easy... if the buttons are too much for you you might want to try an easier spacecraft e.g. The Delta Glider.

 

[TSPenguin]

Why are spacecraft so complicated? What are all the bells and whistles (random buttons) for?

That would be explained in the manual.
There are lights, gear, autopilots, radiator, various doors and airlock operations. Everything is pretty much needed to simulate with some degree of realistic operations.
You can always use the shuttlePB. Can't get simpler than that.

Happy Orbiting

 

[Pipcard]

I managed to put the Delta Glider into orbit! (by taking time to read some of the manual)

Well, at about 3000 km from surface, though.

EDIT: Now I put the ShuttlePB at about 300 km from the surface. Awesome! I can now put stuff in orbit (done without limited fuel)! The problem now is getting back down and landing...
(and intercepting with other spacecraft/stations and docking with them, that's an even bigger challenge)

Steps:
-Have your MFDs at "Surface" and "Orbit" modes
-Launch, head east
-Head at a +50 degree vector until 30 km altitude
-Change RCS mode to rotate (if not already)
-Pitch down to +20 degrees, until ApR is 6.670
-Cut the engines, then wait until ApT is at zero, then set your craft at prograde
-Fire until eccentricity is near zero
-You're now in orbit!

 

[Woo482]

well that's a good start

 

[insanity]

Why are spacecraft so complicated? What are all the bells and whistles (random buttons) for?

Which buttons do you mean? In the stock Delta-Glider, each button is related to an aspect of the flight. The main autopilots (pro,retro,+,-,killrot) control your spacecraft's orientation. The door buttons control things like retro-doors, hover doors, nose cone, and airlocks. There are some throttle levers, some gauges, and some other spacecraft parts.