Project Space station generator?

[Artlav]

Generating space stations - meshes, textures, animations, interiors, everything.

A station is defined by a tiny procedure file, loaded into an Orbiter vessel module. The latter expands it in run-time into a full space station.
That file is made by the generator - randomly or by user preferences.
Potentially, it can be generated at Orbiter run-time, so there are a fleet of stations (or even vessels) in orbit of whatever ball of matter you fly around.

So far, there are 4 types of trusses functions, truss interface function, three solar panel functions, and that's pretty much all.
Once i get some CSG working, there will be modules, tanks, reactors, docking ports and some other stuff.

The question is: Is there any point in developing a thing like that?
If yes, suggestions are welcome.
Also, some pointers at late 20th - early 21st century technology-based station design patterns information would have been interesting.

Some example output:

 

[tl8]

Pretty...

Interesting to see where it goes, might be a good idea to add custom modules to your default selection.

 

[Artlav]

Interesting to see where it goes, might be a good idea to add custom modules to your default selection.

Might be, but i'm not sure how to implement it. How do you make a purpose description?

 

[tl8]

I would be thinking something along the lines of a cfg file, really some mass data, docking and attachment point data, though you can make your own file format and have like, vessel docking ports and docking ports for other modules only.

 

[Artlav]

I would be thinking something along the lines of a cfg file, really some mass data, docking and attachment point data, though you can make your own file format and have like, vessel docking ports and docking ports for other modules only.

Yes, mass, ports, etc.
-Truss sizes are very variable in the generator, how to account for that?
-Purpose of the module have to be defined.
-Color schemes may vary
-The very idea of a procedurally generated vessel does not mix well with having a pre-made mesh in it.

Problems, problems...


For general entertainment, a view from Orbiter:

And, with a docking port:

Tanks function, color rebalance:

---------- Post added at 03:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:04 AM ----------

Finally, all solar panels types overview:

I guess a station generator is not quite interesting.
What about Spore-like station creator program?



.

 

[Artlav]

Despite the lack of feedback, the project is not dead yet.
Done some texture refinements, made a working CSG system, allowing to create a plausible hab modules, now getting it systemized.

Merged the generator with Orbiter Shipyard binaries generator, now it is not only a mesh making thing, it is a whole vessel-making thing.

I wonder, if anyone is interested in a drag-and-drop snap-together station designer program?

 

[clickypens]

I, for one, would be totally interested, especially if it had an interior, like it looks like it will have. Keep it up, man, it looks great.

 

[Artlav]

I, for one, would be totally interested, especially if it had an interior, like it looks like it will have. Keep it up, man, it looks great.

Ok, Orbiter Station Shipyard it is, and under full steam.

 

[Woo482]

looks good but will you be able to make UMMU stations ?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

This is looking great!

Keep up the good work!

 

[Artlav]

but will you be able to make UMMU stations ?

It uses Orbiter Shipyard dll generator as a backbone.
Meaning - yes, there is already support for UMMU, animations, flyable and interactive interiors, and many other things in the stations generated.

 

[Dig Gil]

Well, in the latest Orbiter, space stations are counted as spacecraft, so it's pretty obvious.

 

[Artlav]

Some design ideas for the Station Shipyard program:

You select components, based on the category and type:

Then, you, optionally, specify some parameters, and click to where to attach the module:

By changing modes, you can add, remove, relocate or alter modules.
Once satisfied, you can export the thing to Orbiter, save it's definitions, or start anew.

Simple, stupid define-and-snap together vessel builder.

 

[Tommy]

This is a great idea, and will make station generation easy for us non-devs with no coding or modelling skills.

Have you given any thought to an AP that can maintain an Orbit in the next version of Orbiter (with it's new atmo model)? I realize that we aren't to release add-ons specific to v2009 yet, but was wondering if this will continue to work in the next version (as far as you know at this time)?