OHM RSB-Rocket Stage Builder v171018

[OrbitHangar]

Author: crisbeta

RocketStageBuilder creates a stage mesh from input properties.

Latest update:
- add fins texture
- fix tank upper/lower textures
- add fairing lower/middle/upper textures
- add multiple nozzles
- add material properties
- add materials to fins, tank (lower/middle/upper), nozzle, lower/upper interstage, fairing(lower/middle/upper)
- fix number of textures
- fix fairing angle

Requires:
- JAVA JRE (http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre8-downloads-2133155.html)

Features:
- builds tank based on radius, length and number of sections; rounded upper and lower tank sections
- builds nozzle based on radius(throat and exit), length and number of sections
- builds lower interstage
- builds upper interstage
- builds fins (number, length, height, bottom tank diff, lower/upper fin angle)
- builds fairing in 3 sections lower, middle and upper
- allow multiple nozzles
- textures to all components
- materials to all components

To change parameters use RocketStageBuilder.properties or create your own properties file and add it to bat file.

All files are in Utils\RocketStageBuilder\

!!! It includes a bat file that contains only the following line !!!
java -jar RocketStageBuilder.jar Properties/RocketStageBuilder.properties
(you can multiply this line to generate multiple meshes based on different properties files)

Source code included. No commercial use without my permission.



DOWNLOAD

 

[crisbeta]

Future release

Near future release:
- rounded edges of tank
- upper interstage (to use with an upper stage)

---------- Post added 09-02-17 at 07:54 AM ---------- Previous post was 09-01-17 at 08:29 PM ----------

My target is now autogenerated Aerobee 75 to replace my own old add-on.

So in the near future I will make:
- lower interstage
- fins

:tiphat:

---------- Post added at 07:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 AM ----------

Now with the last update, I can make the Aerobee 75 (without booster).

Next in line is the upper interstage. I am also thinking of adding new properties to permit genereting only tank, nozzle, fins, etc

 

[4throck]

Look interesting and gave it a try.

I understand your objective, and it is useful.

But it needs two things to be easier to use:
» a graphic interface to create / edit the property files and bats.
» needs to generate scenario and mesh folders, to keep things organized.

This is positive criticism :thumbup: and by all means work on adding core features for now.
But a GUI always makes things easier to use and prevents mistakes (by validating inputs).

 

[crisbeta]

First of all, thank you for you feedback.

a graphic interface to create / edit the property files and bats

Funny thing is that a wanted to start with the GUI. But a GUI without nothing else is useless. So I started to generate a simple cylinder, a nozzle and only after that I externalize the properties. Some time in the future a GUI is on the list.

needs to generate scenario and mesh folders, to keep things organized

Organizing folder is simple, but I don't know about configs and scenarios:
- if I make a simple config for the stage, I will not have any exhaust
- SC3/SC4 is not fully compatible with O2016
- Multistage2015 is a good option, but I have to make the entire multi-stage rocket in one shot

 

[4throck]

I'd go with MS2015, it's updated and supports complex rockets with many parts.

 

[crisbeta]

Fins in one group

In the last update I realized that the fins are in the same mesh group. This will be fixed in a future release.

---------- Post added at 07:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ----------

I am trying to add textures. Below is a simple rectangle. Could anyone, please, tell me what are the last 5 number in every line that I should put?

MSHX1
GROUPS 1
LABEL Tank
TEXTURE 1
GEOM 8 8
0.0 0.5 1.0 0.0 0 -1 0.25 0
0.0 0.5 4.0 0.0 0 -1 0.25 1
0.5 0 1.0 0 0 -1 0.5 0
0.5 0 4.0 0 0 -1 0.5 1
0 -0.5 1.0 0 0 -1 0.75 0
0 -0.5 4.0 0 0 -1 0.75 1
-0.5 0 1.0 0 0 -1 1 0
-0.5 0 4.0 0 0 -1 1 1
0 1 2
2 1 3
2 3 4
4 3 5
4 5 6
6 5 7
6 7 0
0 7 1
MATERIALS 0
TEXTURES 1
car-hull.dds

I am trying to generate this automatically.

Thank you!

Solved. The above example works. That's a starting point.

 

[crisbeta]

Add textures

Now you can add texture (only for the external tank cylinder). This was the first test with textures. Now I will add this feature to nozzle and lower/upper interstage.

Reuploaded with the correct jar file.

 

[crisbeta]

Ghost stage in default graphics client

I tested only on D3D9 graphics client. On the default graphics client looks like a ghost stage :rofl:

I didn't include yet the materials definition.

UPDATE: Latest release solve ghost stage in default graphics client. Looks like MATERIAL is not optional in Orbiter as it is in documentation :lol:

 

[crisbeta]

Config example for autogenerated example

RSB-Rockets(https://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=7110) is an example of using autogenerated meshes.

Below are a few simple steps to follow:
1. add a custom file in \Utils\RocketStageBuilder\Properties
2. add in \Utils\RocketStageBuilder\RocketStageBuilder.bat the following line
java -jar RocketStageBuilder.jar Properties/<Your above properties file>.properties
3. run \Utils\RocketStageBuilder\RocketStageBuilder.bat
4. copy <yourFile>.msh from \Utils\RocketStageBuilder\Meshes to \Meshes

The following steps are for using Multistage2015 - for Orbiter 2016(https://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=7010). Please read the documentation provided with Multistage2015
5. create an ini file for Multistage2015 using the copied file from step 4
6. (optional, but recomanded) create a guidance file
7. create scenarios

Happy orbiting! :tiphat:

 

[crisbeta]

Show/hide group mesh

Now you can select which groups are generated. For example you can skip generating fins using FINS_GENERATE = FALSE.

---------- Post added 09-24-17 at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was 09-23-17 at 09:26 PM ----------

Now you have 51 parameters to generate your stage. You can generate only parts you need (ex: nozzle, tank, fairing).

Happy orbiting :tiphat:

 

[4throck]

Must test this someday.

There are some modern sounding rockets that could be created this way.
The launch sites for those (ex: Andøya) should be interesting now that Orbiter has terrain.

 

[crisbeta]

Must test this someday.

There are some modern sounding rockets that could be created this way.
The launch sites for those (ex: Andøya) should be interesting now that Orbiter has terrain.

That's the idea for this tool to create the rest of the rockets that are not custom build. Actually a sounding rocket started this tool :lol: (Aerobee)

This way I discovered Mahia Site (New Zeenland), from there was lunched the first Electron rocket

 

[boogabooga]

I would nominate Scout and Vanguard as historically important U.S. designs that might be perfect for this project.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanguard_(rocket)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_(rocket_family)

Can RSB do bulbous noses?

 

[crisbeta]

Can RSB do bulbous noses?

Yes it can. But the radius is that of the fairing middle section. I intend to add an upper fairing part that reduces the middle diameter, and the actual upper part to be moved to nose section.

For Vanguard we have https://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=1239 (you can use it with Multistage2015)

Scout it's a nice option :thumbup:, but at the moment I am thinking of SPARK (Super Strypi): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPARK_(rocket)

But first I have to fix the released textures :lol:

 

[boogabooga]

I remember Super Strypi. I watched it tumble wildly out of control live on the internet.

It's certainly not the most successful launcher out there. Perhaps model the tumble to demonstrate Multistage 2015's destruct feature?

 

[N_Molson]

It looks very interesting and promising. Something new, indeed :thumbup:

 

[crisbeta]

New release v171018

I found out that I didn't upload the latest version. I made some changes and fixes as needed for RSB add-ons, but I forgot to upload.

Now the example stage is like a parrot :rofl: using different colors to highlight the components.

Happy orbiting!

 

[4throck]

Looks like an interesting rocket to do in RSB:

Cyclone 4
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/canso-spaceport-launch-outline-1.4431692

At this moment info is very little, so a generic mesh looks appropriate.
Real life is interfering with Orbiter, otherwise I'd give it a try...

 

[crisbeta]

I was thinking at Cyclone 4 and Cyclone 4M when I started with Mayak. But unfortunately I was able to do only 2 of 6 configurations for Mayak rocket.

Here are the links for the rockets:
http://www.yuzhnoye.com/en/technique/launch-vehicles/rockets/cyclone-4/
http://www.yuzhnoye.com/en/technique/launch-vehicles/rockets/cyclone-4m/